arboretum AU GUST/SEPTEM BER 2020
magazine
U OF M GRAPE BREEDING BUCKEYE TREES ARBORETUM MEADOW WALK P L ANT CONSERVATION PROGRAM PLUS: EVENTS, CLASSES & OUTDOOR FUN
arboretum.umn.edu
Photo by Don Olson
A GIFT MEMBERSHIP FOR ALL SEASONS!
PETER C. MOE
With all the cancellations,
changed plans and quick pivots that COVID-19 has brought us, one thing that remains is nature’s routine. Last spring we took comfort watching the parade of blooms as forsythia, magnolias, tulips, lilacs and crabapples pointed the way to brighter days ahead. Summer unfolded in the gardens with abundant blooms of coneflowers, roses, lilies and a vivid red and pink annual display. And now we look to fall’s harvest, taking satisfaction in the fact that what we’ve nurtured all season long is finally bearing fruit. In these next few months, we’re looking forward to our annual apple harvest. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the University of Minnesota’s first apple
introduction, called the Minnehaha, and we hope to celebrate it at AppleJam on Sept. 26 (page 9). The U of M’s grape-breeding program isn’t as well known as the apple program – but they have had great success too (page 6). The Arboretum’s AppleHouse, a gift store featuring Arboretum-grown apples, as well as apple treats, pumpkins, squash, gourds and home décor, will open in late August (page 8). As we celebrate this harvest season, we’re so thankful for the members and donors who have helped us get here – we’ve grown to more than 30,000 members this spring! We’ll celebrate that support at our first Gala at the Farm on Thursday, Sept. 17 (page 9). We hope you can join us!
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 * VOL 39, NO. 4
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Magazine is published six times a year by the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Foundation, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN 55318-9613, 612-624-2200. The magazine is a benefit of Arboretum membership. No portion may be reprinted without permission from the Arboretum. The information published in this magazine is not necessarily endorsed by the University of Minnesota. The Arboretum welcomes feedback from readers at arbinfo@umn.edu. To request a copy of this publication in alternate format, please call 612-301-1257. The Arboretum is part of The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences at the University of Minnesota.
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Purchase a gift membership this fall season for a chance to win a $200 Arboretum gift certificate! The Arboretum is the perfect place to connect with family, friends and nature. An Arboretum membership is a gift that changes every season. As the seasons transition, families explore the multitude of colors and varieties of flowers and trees that fill the landscape. Stop by the Membership Desk in the Oswald Visitor Center, call 612-301-1257 or visit us online at arboretum.umn.edu/join.aspx to take advantage of this offer. Winner will be drawn on Nov. 1, 2020 from all new, gift and upgraded Arboretum memberships purchased between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31, 2020.
Patrick B. Petersen, Editor Brenda Drake Lesch, Art Director Peter C. Moe, Director, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Alan Branhagen, Director of Operations Timothy S. Kenny, Director of Education Susan Taylor, Ph.D., Director of Development Matthew Clark, Director of Research Tony Baisley, Associate Director of Marketing, Communications and Public Relations Jenny Verner, President, Arboretum Foundation
COVER: Grapes at the Arboretum’s Horticultural Research Center Cover Photo by Patrick Witherow
Photo by Mark MacLennan
FROM THE DIRECTOR
AUTUMN SPLEN DOR
ALAN BRANHAGEN • DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Put a couple of buckeyes in your pocket, luggage or car and you shall have good luck and safe travels – so goes the myth, at least! In late summer into early fall, buckeye trees’ fruits ripen: the husks split and out pops a rich brown, almost polished looking dark brown nut with a light tan eye. Buckeyes and their Old World relatives known as horsechestnuts (nuts known as ‘conkers’ in England) are shrubs to shade trees found widely across the Northern Hemisphere. They comprise the genus Aesculus and the Arboretum has a lovely collection of these on Three-Mile Drive just past, and downhill from, the maze garden on the left side. North America’s most famous member is the Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra) which is its namesake’s state tree. It is common in the lower Midwest and surprisingly hardy across the entire upper Midwest. It has greenish-yellow flowers rich in nectar for pollinating insects and hummingbirds and these produce the classic buckeyes described prior. Buckeyes and horsechestnuts are often the first trees to leaf out, with stunning palmately compound leaves (leaflets arranged like fingers on a hand). The Arboretum selected the hybrid cultivar
‘Autumn Splendor’ for the reason that it often holds its foliage well and then turns a rich fall color. Bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) is a huge shrub species of buckeye native to the state of Alabama and barely into adjacent areas. This shrub has towering spikes of white flowers in mid-summer and puts on quite a show, like the fireworks of the season. It was considered marginally hardy but shrubs at the Arb have thrived for decades now, without dieback as winters have moderated. Horsechestnuts are tenderer at the Arboretum and show past signs of winter injury in the form of bark splitting. The Arb’s collection includes the common horsechestnut, its double flowering cultivar ‘Baumannii’ and the Japanese horsechestnut (Aesculus turbinata), which is a bit showier tree with white flowers and good orange fall color. Buckeye and horsechestnut nuts are not edible to humans, but squirrels devour them just fine and plant them all around. Buckeye trees readily naturalize because of this, but we do not see any horsechestnut seedlings. For more from Branhagen on buckeyes and horsechestnuts go to z.umn.edu/5mp0
Ohio Buckeye in Bloom by Hedges at the Arb
Hybrid Ohio Buckeye x Red Buckeye (Aesculus x bushii) located on the east side of the Farm at the Arb crop plots
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Photos by Alan Branhagen
‘Autumn Splendor’ Buckeye Flowers at the Arb
PEST OR POLLINATOR? ERIN BUCHHOLZ • INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST
AT THE ARBORETUM, WE SUPPORT POLLINATORS AND WE LOVE OUR TREES!
Erin Buchholz with Spiny Elm Caterpillar
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Photo by Dianne Jandt
So what do we do when a pollinator starts eating a young tree? I am tasked with protecting the Arboretum’s plants. But often we need to look at the larger picture when it comes to caring for our collections. My two eyes and short legs are no match for the 1,200 acres I need to scout for plant health issues. I regularly get calls, texts and emails from co-workers about unusual things I need to check out. Last June, Dave Stevenson, the Arb’s Collections Curator, emailed some photos of plants that required my attention. In one, I saw a young quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) covered in caterpillars in the Home Demonstration Garden. A few leaf chewers are usually nothing to worry about, but caterpillar swarms can be devastating to a new tree or shrub. Fearing gypsy moths or eastern tent caterpillars, I marched over and took a look.
Mourning Cloak Butterfly
Of course, it stormed that night. I worried they would not leave the bucket, in which case they might drown. Or maybe a predator would find them and be rewarded with a plethora of protein. I went back in the morning, and the bucket was empty. I grabbed the long lens of my scouting camera, looked up to the top of the tree, and saw that the little ones made it. Boasting unprofessionally to my coworkers, I spout, “Let it be known that when I say I’m all about pollinator protection, I really mean it.” They humor me, and nod in agreement. For more from Buchholz on this story: z.umn.edu/5mox
SPINY ELMS ARE THE CATERPILLAR STAGE OF THE MOURNING CLOAK BUTTERFLY (NYMPHALIS ANTIOPA), A LONG-LIVED SPECIES THAT OVERWINTER AS ADULTS. Ted Pew, Landscape Gardener for the Home Demo area, said he remembered something called “velvet cloaks” on poplars in past years. That certainly narrowed it down. Upon confirming the ID with our Operations Director, Alan Branhagen, I had a name: spiny elm caterpillar. Spiny elms are the caterpillar stage of the mourning cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa), a long-lived species that overwinter as adults. Some think I just kill insects indiscriminately to protect plants at all cost. I try to think how my use of insecticides, fungicides and other pesticides could impact the food chain. Overuse of chemical controls has not only harmed our pollinator numbers, but bird numbers, too. By poisoning one tiny critter, I could be poisoning larger and larger predators. However, the little aspen needed some protection. I grabbed a ladder and a bucket, shook off as many caterpillars into the bucket as I could and handpicked the rest. Stevenson suggested a mature quaking aspen in the Dwarf Conifer Collection for their relocation. I found a nice twin-stemmed one and propped the bucket on a couple of branches.
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Young Quaking Aspen with caterpillar damage
Photo by Al Whitaker
NATURE FOCUS
MATT SCHUTH • NATURALIST
in late summer is at the Spring Peeper Meadow on an early August morning when the dew still lingers on the grass and the sliver of a waning moon hangs alone in a crystal blue sky. The meadow surrounding the wetland is covered in a quilt of brilliant yellow, as if the sun had burst and sprinkled its beams over the landscape. Coneflowers and giant sunflowers dominate the field while rosinweed and compass plants add to this flaxen patchwork. Even the ubiquitous buttery dandelions snuggled among the grasses help complete the yellow flowery canvas. The male goldfinch circles his territory twittering a warning to any intruders. The female goldfinch is somewhere below, tucked in her compact nest, woven with vegetable fibers and lined with thistle and cattail down, built in the forked branch of a tree. Goldfinches are the last birds to nest in Minnesota. Their nesting is timed with the maturing of thistle seeds which are used to feed the young. Newly emerged orange- and black-striped monarch butterflies wander from flower to flower feeding as they flutter by. This brood of majestic monarchs will make an unbelievably long trek to overwinter in the Sierra Madres of Mexico. Nearing the boardwalk to the wetland, a green frog calls, sounding as if he is trying to tune the loose strings on a banjo. Meanwhile, his little compatriot, the gray tree frog, sits
camouflaged on a stem of an arrowwood. Its green coloration belies its name, but tree frogs’ colors change based on temperature and habitat. The gray tree frog will turn green during warmer temperatures and when sitting on green vegetation. On the edge of the wetland, the pink Joe Pye weeds, reach up to five feet tall, towering over the watery wetland plants. A mother wood duck and her late brood of ducklings paddle noiselessly, secreting Pollinators love the flowers of themselves among the sedges Spring Peeper Me adow and cattails. In contrast, steely blue-green backed tree swallows chitter vociferously as they swoop and dive, attempting to catch unsuspecting insects. These observations are just a few of the myriad things nature has on display in the Arb’s meadow wonderland – check it out on a future visit! Photo by Mark Pau lson
A PERFECT TIME TO OBSERVE NATURE
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Photo by Matt Clark
HORTICULTURE AN D RESEARCH
Sensory panelist Camila Lameiras evaluates grape samples for flavor, texture and aroma attributes Photo by Laise Moreira
An advanced breeding selection called MN1305 (La Crescent x Seyval blanc) ripens in the vineyard at the Horticultural Research Center
GRAPES FROM HRC FOR THE TABLE OR BOTTLE
PhD candidate Laise Moreira and fellow student Stephen Brockman removing anthers from grape cluster to facilitate controlled hybridization Photo by Matt Clark
MATTHEW CLARK • ASST. PROFESSOR GRAPE BREEDING AND ENOLOGY • DEPT. OF HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE • UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
NATIVE GRAPEVINES (primarily Vitis riparia) are common
across the Minnesota landscape where they grow up trees, on fences and even around power poles. Pioneering plant breeders worked to make interspecific hybrids that could tolerate Minnesota’s cold temperatures and be used for various purposes like fresh eating, jelly, juice, and wine making. Over the last century, grape breeding objectives have changed from home use (Bluebell), to fresh eating (Edelweiss and Swenson Red), to wine making (Frontenac, Marquette, La Crescent and Itasca). The Minnesota wine industry has an economic impact of over $80 million, thanks to the breeding efforts and wine-making outreach conducted at the Horticultural Research Center (HRC). Over the last few years, additional efforts have been focused on cold hardy, seedless table grapes. Table grapes are generally seedless and with larger fruit than wine grapes, and may feature unique flavors. With grant support from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the University of Minnesota grape breeding program has been developing seedless grapes. A reader might question, “How do you get new plants to evaluate in a breeding program if there are no seeds?” Fortunately, scientists in California worked out solutions to this problem in
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the 1980s, but the methods had not been tested here until recently. All seedless grape berries actually do have very small seeds inside them. Fundamentally, the breeder must remove the developing seed early in development and rear it in a test tube. This process is called “embryo rescue” and produces a unique plant with genetics from both parents. The process is labor-intensive, but necessary to produce quality seedless grape offspring. This year the grape breeding team, will get to taste the first fruits from pollinations made in 2017. Several advanced selections of table grapes are being tested with nurseries, farmers and vineyards across the region to determine their suitability, disease resistance and cold hardiness. Additional evaluations are being carried out by postdoctoral researcher Erin Treiber, who is interested in how the fruit of cold hardy grapes store in the refrigerator, their texture attributes and which flavor profiles people enjoy the most. Matt Clark shares his approaches to developing new varieties of seedless, cold-hardy table grapes that reintroduce flavor and aroma to the supermarket staple. z.umn.edu/5kyc
LEARN AN D DO
Online learning modules let you learn at your own pace with resources and guidance from the Arboretum & University of Minnesota Extension HOW IT WORKS
Your Arboretum teaching assistant will email you login instructions for the online content after the registration deadline of Sept.14. Each module is self-paced; and the content will be available for six months. Your teaching assistant and guest experts will guide and answer questions throughout each module.
Photo by Stock Asso @ Shutterstock
ONLINE MODULE: INTRODUCTION TO BOTANY & HORTICULTURE
ONLINE MODULE: SOILS, FERTILIZERS & COMPOST
ONLINE MODULE: GROWING FRUIT IN MINNESOTA
Whether growing houseplants, vegetables or flower gardens, understanding the science of plants (botany) and gardening (horticulture) can help you succeed. Explore concepts of plant growth (photosynthesis, transpiration, energy storage, respiration), parts of a plant, seed germination, plant development, reproduction and classifications.
Soil is an incredibly important part of gardening: providing our plants an anchor, water and nutrients. Dig in deep to learn about soil formation, soil properties (composition, texture, structure, organic matter), soil quality, soil pH, soil health, essential nutrients, fertilizers, soil testing, compost and more.
Growing fruit is a rewarding hobby, whether for fresh eating, canning or sharing. Learn how to plan, plant and manage fruit trees, bushes and vines throughout Minnesota’s growing season. Understand care and maintenance, pruning, pests, site selection (zones, micro-climates, soil needs), varieties, pruning, winter protection and harvesting.
Photo by WaveBreakMedia @ Shutterstock
Photo by Simply Day @ Shutterstock
$41 member/$56 non-member (each module), advance registration required by September 14. Register online at arboretum.umn.edu/OnlineClasses.aspx or call 612-301-1210.
PROHORT: COMPLETE COURSE OF 14 HORTICULTURAL MODULES ProHort is for industry professionals, homeowners, hobbyists or anyone looking for comprehensive horticulture education. The same foundational materials are used to train University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, the course takes 40-60 hours to complete. The 14 modules include the (3) listed above plus Herbaceous Plants; Woody Plants; Lawn Care; Weed Management; Growing Vegetables; Indoor Plants; IPM; Plant Pathology; Plant Diagnostics; Entomology; and Living with Wildlife. Complete the modules between Jan. 4 and Feb. 6, 2021, with flexible options for in-person or online coursework. Participants receive a certificate of completion. $550 member/$590 non-member A R B O R E T U M M AGA Z I N E // AU G U S T • S EP T E M B ER 2020
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Due to ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and updated requirements from both the State and University of Minnesota, please find the latest information on events at arb.umn.edu
4-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14 (Member Preview); 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, Aug. 15-16, Arboretum Grounds. Art in the Garden is a showcase of more than 70 artists – from culinary to fine arts – for Arboretum visitors of all ages. Musical guests are Nick Jordan and Mary DuShane, 4-7 p.m. Friday; Paul Imholte, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday; and Traveled Ground, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. arb.umn.edu/content/art-garden.
Sept. 19-Oct. 31, Dahlberg Terrace and Scarecrow Hill. This year's theme is Welcome back to Nature. Experts from Bachman's will be creating four new scarecrows to standout alongside the Arb staff creations. This year, we want Arb members to get in on the fun too. All member submissions will be eligible to compete for a prized Scarecrow of the year trophy. Entry details can be found at arb.umn.edu/scarecrows
Photo by Mark MacLennan
SCARECROWS IN THE GARDEN
AppleHouse open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, beginning mid-to-late Aug. The AppleHouse is located approximately a mile west of the Arboretum entrance [7485 Rolling Acres Road], and sells an inventory of several varieties throughout the season. These include popular University of Minnesota introductions such as Honeycrisp, SweeTango® and a limited supply of First Kiss®. AppleHouse Hotline: 612-301-3487.
Photo by Susie Hopper
APPLE TIME!
FRIENDS OF THE ANDERSEN HORTICULTURAL LIBRARY FALL BOOK SALE CANCELED This annual event – slated for Sept. 25-27 – has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. Donations for the book sale are not being accepted at this time. Collection of gently-used books, DVDs and CDs will resume on Jan. 5, 2021.
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YOGA IN THE GARDENS AND YOGA RETREAT
Summer sessions of the popular Yoga in the Gardens, held in conjunction with the sponsors listed, are scheduled on the following dates: • Noon Sunday, July 26, Hedge Collection by Yoga Bella • 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, Chinese Garden - Tai Chi by Balanced Life Tai Chi • 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, Ornamental Grasses by Spirit of the Lake Yoga • Noon Sunday, Aug. 23, Garden for Wildlife by Yoga Bella • 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, Sensory Garden by Good Vibrations Yoga • 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, Shrub Rose Garden by Yoga 4 You • Noon Sunday, Sept. 27, Green Heron Pond by Yoga Bella Sessions are for all levels. Please bring your own mat and water bottle. The classes are always free for Arboretum members and studio partner members, and included with gate admission for non-members. YOGA RETREAT DAY: 7 a.m.-6:15 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30 – A full day experience filled with relaxation, meditation, classes of all varieties, delicious food and more! Begins in the Sensory Garden. Morning ½ day or Afternoon ½ day: $35 member, $50 non-member, Full day: $65 member, $80 non-member. Lunch add on: $15. Full schedule and registration: arb.umn.edu/content/yoga-gardens
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Photo by Wendy Composto
Late Summer Early Autumn Events
FARM AT THE ARB FIELD FESTIVAL Taste the future while celebrating Minnesota agriculture at the Arb’s Red Barn Farm Field Festival from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept.12. This is a great way to connect families to farmers and kick off the harvest season! 2020 marks the 100th birthday of the Arb’s iconic Red Barn, making this year’s Field Festival even more special. Whether you take the Farm at the Arb’s Northern Grains Walk through plots of major Minnesota crops or explore its demonstrations of fruit and vegetables to try at home, interactive displays will prime your curiosity and set the stage for intriguing conversations about food production, the people who grow it and the enduring value of the land. For more information, go to arb.umn.edu/field-fest.
Friends and Family of Robert A. Christensen
As always, the Arboretum Auxiliary Fall Harvest Sale will offer up many exquisite crafts this year. Shop for nature-inspired items including home decor; wood-related pieces; knitwear for adults, children and babies; and other creative arts. All items are hand crafted by Auxiliary members with the proceeds benefiting the Arboretum. Harvest sale hours are 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25; 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 26; and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27. Due to Covid-19, the availability of some items may be limited. arb.umn.edu/auxiliary
Daily in Oct., Arb Terraces The Arb’s terraces will be in full fall splendor with displays of popular, heirloom, unusual and international pumpkins and squash (both ornamental and edible categories) in a rainbow of colors! arb.umn.edu/world-pumpkins
Photo by Mark MacLennan
AUXILIARY FALL HARVEST SALE
The Farm at the Arb is the place to be Saturday night, Sept. 26, for the 3rd annual Arboretum AppleJam. From 4-8 p.m., come and enjoy the family fun including an apple-themed baking contest; savory apple recipes; a pie eating contest; an applerelated scavenger hunt; apple bingo; “Our Noble Trees” art installation; kids open mic, and more fun for everyone. This year’s music headliner is The Daisy Dillman Band, national recording artists, Minnesota Music Award winners and Minnesota Country Rock Hall of Famers (daisydillman.com) Dine on picnic fare, like hamburgers and chips, along with apple fritters, caramel apples and Sebastian Joe’s apple ice cream. Wash it all down with a beer or cider from local partner Excelsior Brewing Company. Admission $20 adult members/$35 adult non-members, $10 kids (3-15), 2 & under free. For information on the event, the apple recipe contest, pie-eating contest and more, go to: applejam.umn.edu
The Gala at the Farm, the Arboretum’s signature annual fundraiser, is Thursday, Sept. 17. For the first time, the Gala will be held at the new Farm at the Arb – an exciting venue that shares with learners of all ages the plant-toplate story of food production, the history of agriculture, and land stewardship. Funds raised at the Gala at the Farm will be invested into the Arboretum’s 1,200 acres of gardens, plant and tree collections, model landscapes and natural areas. Did you know the Arboretum is leading initiatives to save endangered Minnesota plants, including orchids, from extinction? This year’s “Fund-A-Need” features the Arboretum’s Plant Conservation Program (see page 11). New this year, online opportunities! Select the ticket option that works best for you, which may be a virtual Gala experience. Enjoy an inspiring program with emcee Belinda Jensen, hear from U of M President Joan Gabel, bid on auction items and help save Minnesota orchids, all from the comfort of your own home. Find the latest Gala details and registration information at arb.umn.edu/gala2020 Call 612-625-9437 or email arbgala@umn.edu with questions. 2020 Gala Committee Co-chairs: Jennifer Allen and Judy Fulk, 2020 Honorary Organization: St. Paul Garden Club
Photo by Todd Mulvihill
Sponsored by:
Arboretum Director Pete Moe with Emcee KARE-11’s Belinda Jensen PRESENTING SPONSOR: In Honor of Gary Koch GOLD SPONSOR:
SILVER SPONSOR:
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THE JOY OF GIVING
What “Modern” Means in an Orchard JEFF ISEMINGER • CONTRIBUTING WRITER
L to R Don Roper with Fred Wescott
If apples are the apple of your eye, then you may be shaken to
your core by the price tag of planting an orchard acre full of them: $25,000-$30,000. You won’t wonder why if you come to the Farm at the Arb to look at the newly planted orchard. You’ll see apple trees planted three feet apart…on a trellis…with a hail protection system...and irrigated with a drip system.
“That is what the state-of-the-art apple industry is today,” Fred Wescott says. He knows of what he speaks: He’s co-owner of Wescott Agri Products, a multi-regional company that grows, packs, distributes and markets apples and apple-related products, including the Honeybear brand. Wescott’s father started the business with a backyard orchard near Elgin, Minn. – still the company’s headquarters.
Wescott’s knowledge of the Farm at the Arb’s orchard is more than peel-deep: His company provided the labor, materials and cash needed to plant the orchard. Not only that, it made a 20-year commitment to maintain the orchard through annual cash gifts. The Arboretum provided the apple tree varieties, all developed at the University of Minnesota. “Minnesota is known as a new apple variety hotbed,” says Don Roper, the other co-owner of Wescott Agri Products. “That puts Minnesota growers on the cutting edge of apple development.” Their happily edgy position in the marketplace has been forged through a partnership more than a century old. “Growers have had a long symbiotic relationship with the University of Minnesota apple development program at the Arboretum and Horticultural Research Center,” Wescott says. The Arboretum and growers doing this SweeTango® together are supported by people who love a crackling-good Honeycrisp, aka the anti-Red Delicious. They know how, in other words, to compare apples to apples. “Minnesota consumers have a sophisticated apple palate because of all the new varieties the University develops,” Roper says. “That gives us confidence to invest and plant.” They also have confidence of another kind: “We give to a lot of causes,” Wescott says, “and I can say that anyone, whether they grow apples or not, should feel good about giving to the Arboretum.”
We all know nature lifts our spirits, and now you can lift the fiscal spirits of the Arboretum, where nature abounds. Why the need for a financial pick-me-up? A simple sum: Zero sales income week after week during the coronavirus-caused closure, and we could use your help! That shortfall has prompted the Arboretum to mount ArbDrive, an initiative to raise $500,000 for its operations budget. If you’d like to lift some spirits, go to the Arboretum website arb.umn. edu/content/experience-joy-giving and choose ArbDrive as your designation. Thank you!
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Photo by Don Olson
LIFTING SPIRITS WITH GIVING
Photo by Kyle Gill
David Re mu collecting cal se in Cloque ed t
l Photo by Kyle Gil
Photo by David Remucal
Seed Collection
Arethusa bulbosa from Elbow Lake
Plant Conservation Program Plans for Minnesota’s Ecological Future The Plant Conservation Program at the Arboretum focuses
on conservation and protection of individual species, especially in Minnesota. As an ex situ conservation program, the centerpiece of the program is a long-term seedbank which currently holds over 2,000 collections representing more than 60 species of rare plants. The Arb’s Plant Conservation Program is this year’s “Fund-A-Need” at the Gala at the Farm (see page 9). The Plant Conservation Program also participates in rare plant monitoring and survey work around the state and assists in the translocation of plant populations under immediate threat of destruction, most often from development. By being a center for conservation of native plants, we hope to provide an important and much-needed service in the state. We hope to conserve native plants, while at the same time bringing
them to the Arboretum so visitors can see some of the rare native treasures that can be hard to find in the wild. Minnesota has several habitat types that have been under direct threat for many decades. Amazingly, more than 98 percent of both native prairie land and old growth Big Woods have disappeared. Wetlands and lakes are under increasing pressure from development, agricultural activities and groundwater changes. Northern Minnesota’s conifer forests and mineral resources are under increasing pressure due to human over-use. Warmer temperatures could have a profound and compounding effect on all of the landscapes around the state, causing changes in habitats to which native plants and animals may not be able to adapt. In addition to protecting landscapes, it is crucial Minnesotans support the protection of the most vulnerable species to maintain the
DAVID REMUCAL CURATOR OF ENDANGERED PLANTS
natural heritage of our uniquely beautiful state. Program research – both on native orchids and rare plants – focuses on supporting and applying this seedbank strategy. Seed is tested at the beginning of its term in the seedbank and throughout to determine how long seed will remain viable in storage. Perhaps most excitingly, propagation protocols are determined for each species so these seeds can be used to bring back populations should they disappear. For orchids, in particular, this propagation research is vital, as orchids are extremely difficult to grow and establish in both garden and natural settings.
The Minnesota State Flower, the Showy Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium reginae), is an orchid?
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Calendar At-A-Glance Due to ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and updated requirements from both the State and University of Minnesota, please find the latest calendar information at arb.umn.edu
GRILLING FISH SATURDAY, AUG. 1
NATURE SKETCHBOOK SATURDAY, AUG. 8
ONGOING EXHIBITS REEDY GALLERY
“Trees as Sanctuary” • Through Sept. 27 (See back page)
CAFE GALLERY
“Patterns in Nature” Through Aug. “Art Rocks!” Sept. 4 – Nov. 8 (See back page)
“Flights of Fantasy: Birds, Nature, and Art at Play” • Through Oct. (See back page)
RECURRING AUGUSTSEPTEMBER PROGRAMS & EVENTS EVERY MONDAY & SATURDAY GARDEN FUN STOP: TREE TALES
NATURE PLAYTIME FOR WEE ONES
9:30-11 a.m., included with gate admission, Marion Andrus Learning Center Stop by the Green Play Yard for easy activities with your young ones. Make time to pretend, wonder, create and feel connected to nature.
EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY PLANT-MAKER STUDIO: SUMMER AT THE FARM
Noon-4 p.m., included with gate admission, Farm at the Arb Make your own planting project and get a “taste” of what’s growing this season.
10:30 a.m.–1 p.m., included with gate admission, Morgan Terrace (behind Snyder Building)
GARDEN FUN STOP: GREAT GRAINS
Stop at this interactive station to learn stories of our trees by feeling their bark, looking at their tree rings, and cracking the code of those mysterious tree tags.
Learn about Minnesota’s most important crops and how farmers measure the harvest. Tour the farm and its seasonal highlights.
EVERY THURSDAY
STORYTIME IN THE LIBRARY
10:30 a.m., included with gate admission, Andersen Horticultural Library
GUIDED WALKING TOURS
10:30-11:30 a.m., included with gate admission, Visitor Center Visit gardens at their peak bloom to pick up gardening ideas and reconnect with nature’s beauty. No two tours are the same… highlights change through the seasons.
EVERY SATURDAY
GUIDED WALKING TOURS 1-2 p.m. (see every Thursday)
12:30-3 p.m., included with gate admission, Farm at the Arb
SHINRIN-YOKU AT THE ARBORETUM 10 a.m-12:30 p.m., $19/$34, Ordway Picnic Shelter
Enjoy the tranquility and well-being of Shinrinyoku (forest bathing), a Japanese mindfulness practice that will nourish your mind, body and spirit as you connect with nature.
GRILLING FISH: SUMMER RECIPES & INSPIRATION
5:30-8 p.m., $45/$60, Farm at the Arb This demonstration cooking class will expand your grilling repertoire with new, delicious ways to prepare a variety of fish including salmon and tuna.
SUNDAY, AUG. 2
SHINRIN-YOKU AT THE ARBORETUM 7-9:30 p.m. (see Aug. 1)
YARD & GARDEN DESK Q&A
YOGA IN THE GARDENS: TAI CHI
Bring your gardening questions and conversations to the Master Gardener’s desk.
Taught by Balanced Life Tai Chi.
Noon-4 p.m., included with gate admission, Visitor Center
WEEKEND BREAKFAST
9 a.m.-noon (Saturday), 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (Sunday), $8.99, Arboretum Cafe Start off your day at the Arb with a delicious hot breakfast.
EVERY SUNDAY
GARDEN FUN STOP: WELCOME STATION
11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., included with gate admission, Oswald Visitor Center Front Plaza Guides will help you make the most of your visit. Find out what is in bloom today, where to find free activities, and other highlights.
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SATURDAY, AUG. 1
A R B O R E T U M M AGA Z I N E // AU G U S T • S EP T E M B ER 2020
10-11 a.m., included with gate admission, Chinese Garden
THURSDAY, AUG. 6
GARDENS OF SALONICA: DINNER WITH CHEF ANNA CHRISTOFORIDES 6:30-8:30 p.m., $65/$80, Marion Andrus Learning Center
Watch a multi-course demonstration cooking class as you enjoy an authentic Mediterranean meal with paired wine tastings.
Photos by (left) zoryanchik at Shutterstock; (right) Pam Luer
ANDERSEN HORTICULTURAL LIBRARY
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
Arboretum.umn.edu/learn.aspx CLASS REGISTRATION: 612-301-1210 EVENTS, EXHIBITS, GENERAL INFO: 612-624-2200 WHAT'S GROWING ON AT THE FARM WEDNESDAY, AUG. 19
SATURDAY, AUG. 8
NEW DEPTH OF FIELD: FOCUS STACK FOR NATURE PHOTOS 1-6 p.m., $135/$155, Location TBD
Learn to create images with focused objects from the very front of your camera to infinity. Combine two or more of your images in Photoshop CC to create your "impossible" image.
NATURE SKETCHBOOKS WITH PAM LUER
Photos by (left) Lucky Business at Shutterstock; (middle) Bim Willow; (right) Anfoto at Shutterstock
10 a.m.-2 p.m., $129/$144, Marion Andrus Learning Center Learn and practice using your sketchbook to observe the plants, trees and flowers at their peak. Try new techniques without concern for creating a polished work of art.
THURSDAY, AUG. 13
YOGA IN THE GARDENS
6-7 p.m., included with gate admission, Ornamental Grass Collection Taught by Spirit of the Lake Yoga.
FRIDAY, AUG. 14
ART IN THE GARDEN (see page 8)
SATURDAY, AUG. 15 ART IN THE GARDEN (see page 8)
CREATIVE IPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY: COMPOSITION 9 a.m.-noon, $79/$99, Location TBD
BIM WILLOW FURNITURE SATURDAY, AUG. 22
PAELLA DINNER WITH A CHEF THURSDAY, AUG. 20
WALKS WITH ALAN: EXPLORING THE BENNETT-JOHNSON PRAIRIE RESTORATION
SUNDAY, AUG. 16
ART IN THE GARDEN (see page 8)
FARM FIELD PHOTOGRAPHY AT HARVEST TIME
2-5 p.m.$83/$103, Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center Learn the best ways to capture the growing season at the Arboretum’s farm. Discuss lighting considerations, the exposure triangle, composition, storytelling and subjectivity through the lens.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 19
SPECIAL ACCESS TOUR BEHINDTHE-SCENES: WHAT’S “GROWING ON” AT THE FARM? 10-11:30 a.m., $10/$25, Farm at the Arb
Learn more about the specially selected edible crops growing at the Arb, where the food goes when harvested, and about the Arboretum’s Sustainable Horticulture Certificate program.
THURSDAY, AUG. 20
SUMMER IN SPAIN: ALFRESCO PAELLA DINNER WITH A CHEF
5-7 p.m., $14/$29, Prairie Garden Parking Lot
Walk and learn with Arboretum Director of Operations Alan Branhagen as he explains how native prairie plants provide habitat and shelter as well as beauty.
SATURDAY, AUG. 22
BIM WILLOW FURNITURE
Learning Center Picnic Shelter 9 a.m.-noon, $150/$170 Willow Birdhouse Bench; 1-6 p.m., $299/$319 Bent Willow Chair Create your own piece of furniture using this early American craft technique! Choose one or both projects.
POE-TREE: POETRY WORKSHOP ON THE INTERSECTION OF ART & NATURE 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $29/$44, Marion Andrus Learning Center
Discover a playful approach to writing poetry in nature as you learn about metaphor, anaphora and sensory detail.
6:30-8:30 p.m., $65/$80, Marion Andrus Learning Center
SUNDAY, AUG. 23
Dine, sip and learn as your meal of Paella (Calasparra rice, saffron, seafood and meat) is made before your eyes! Also includes a tapas demonstration and sampling, plus sangria.
12-1 p.m., included with gate admission, Garden for Wildlife
YOGA IN THE GARDENS Taught by Yoga Bella.
Learn the 10 rules of composition and discover why it’s the most important part of mobile photography. Learn and practice during class. Add a Post-Process Editing session from 1-3 p.m. for an additional $30.
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Calendar At-A-Glance LET’S GO BIRDING TOGETHER SEPT. 2 & 13
CREATIVE CHEESE BOARDS THURSDAY, SEPT. 3
SATURDAY, SEPT. 12
POLLINATOR PHOTOGRAPHY: BUTTERFLIES, BEES AND MORE! 9 a.m.-1 p.m., $109/$129, Marion Andrus Learning Center
Learn techniques for capturing images of insects either perched or in flight, including tips on focus, composition, shutter speed and lens selection.
FARM AT THE ARB FIELD FESTIVAL: CENTENNIAL RED BARN CELEBRATION (see page 9)
SUNDAY, SEPT. 13
FAMILY PROGRAM: LET’S GO BIRDING TOGETHER 9-11 a.m.
(see Sept. 2)
BOTANICAL WATERCOLOR DRY-BRUSH TECHNIQUES: POLLINATORS & PLANTS 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $79/$94, Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center
THURSDAY, SEPT. 3
DINNER WITH THE BIG CHEESE: CREATIVE CHEESE BOARDS 6:30-8:30 p.m., $49/$65, Marion Andrus Learning Center
Acclaimed instructor Wendy Brockman provides intermediate-level discussion, demos and instruction. Learn to create structure, form and detail using botanical watercolor painting techniques.
Learn to create a sweet, savory or charcuterie cheese board. Discover products from local creameries and a few simple cheese appetizers to accompany your selection.
THE POWER OF BALANCE: STONE SCULPTURES FOR YOUR GARDEN
SATURDAY, SEPT. 5
9:30 a.m.-noon, $42/$57, Marion Andrus Learning Center
Use shape, weight and friction to create impossible-looking balances using ordinary stones. Gain insights on photographing your creations, learn about design and composition, receive helpful tips and practice in-class.
SUNDAY, AUG. 30 YOGA RETREAT (see page 8)
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 2
FAMILY PROGRAM: LET’S GO BIRDING TOGETHER 4-6 p.m., $15/$30, Marion Andrus Learning Center
Get to know local birds, their habits, homes, sounds and surroundings. Scout the Arboretum to find some common bird species. For ages 5-12 together with an adult.
SHINRIN-YOKU AT THE ARBORETUM 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (see Aug. 1)
A TASTY LOVE STORY: PLANT SEX AND OUR FOOD AT THE FARM 5-7 p.m., $25/$40, Farm at the Arb
An adults-only (ages 21+) experience about the birds, bees and other ways plants make babies. Explore the farm and taste the fruit of these sexual efforts in the form of food and alcohol.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 6
YOGA IN THE GARDENS
10-11 a.m., included with gate admission, Sensory Garden Taught by Good Vibrations Yoga.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 9
BOOKS IN THE GARDEN: NOT YOUR USUAL NATURE WRITER
Noon-1:30 p.m., $49/$95, Oswald Visitor Center (also includes Oct. 14 and Nov. 11) Enjoy thoughtful discourse of nature-themed books: Ants on the Melon by Virginia Hamilton Adair and Still Life With Oysters and Lemon by Mark Doty.
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MONDAY, SEPT. 14
WALK WITH MARY: ORNAMENTAL GRASSES
10 a.m.-noon, $20/$35, Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center See more than 200 grass species at their peak beauty! Learn about seasonal peaks, habitat and how to select varieties for your home landscape.
ONLINE GARDENING MODULES Registration deadline – Sept. 14, Each module $41/$56
Choose one or multiple online modules to grow your green thumb at your own pace. Modules offered include Soils, Fertilizers & Compost; Intro to Botany & Horticulture; Growing Fruit in Minnesota. (see page 7)
TUESDAY, SEPT. 15
ARBORETUM OPEN ART STUDIO: AUTUMN SERIES 9 a.m.-1 p.m., $49/$155, Snyder Building - Tea Room 12 sessions, includes all Tuesdays through Nov. 24
Bring your own art supplies and enjoy a beautiful and inspiring space to practice your art in the company of other supportive artists.
PEAPODS FOR PRESCHOOLERS AUTUMN SERIES
9:30-11 a.m., $120/$140, Marion Andrus Learning Center 10 sessions, also includes Sept. 22, 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10 & 17 Each weekly theme sparks your child’s appreciation for nature’s beauty through planting, art, sensory and science, discovery zones, action and music, story time, Green Play Yard adventures, greenhouse exploration and snack.
Photos by (left to right) Halfpoint at Shutterstock; Yulia Grigoryeva at Shutterstock
SATURDAY, AUG. 29
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
Arboretum.umn.edu/learn.aspx CLASS REGISTRATION: 612-301-1210 EVENTS, EXHIBITS, GENERAL INFO: 612-624-2200 DYE YOUR OWN YARN SATURDAY, SEPT. 19
PHOTOGRAPHING PEOPLE IN NATURE 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., $102/$117, Oswald Visitor Center
PAINTING WOODEN BARN QUILTS SATURDAY, SEPT. 26
Learn to overcome the challenges of shadows, distracting elements and poor backgrounds. Gain tips for working with natural light, choosing the right background and arranging people.
CREATING A HOME LANDSCAPE YOU CAN LOVE AND ENJOY 9 a.m.-noon (also includes Oct. 3, 17 & 31, Nov. 14), $200/$250, Marion Andrus Learning Center
Apply theories and principles of landscape design to your home site. Learn to analyze soils and make proper plant selections for your conditions.
RECIPES FOR A PLANT-BASED DIET
THURSDAY, SEPT. 17
YOGA IN THE GARDENS
6-7 p.m., included with gate admission, Shrub Rose Garden Taught by Yoga 4 You.
CAMPUS CLUB FARM-TO-TABLE: DINNER WITH CHEF BETH JONES
Review the key ingredients that provide complete nutritional benefit using plants as the dietary focus. Enjoy hands-on participation and tastings!
SHINRIN-YOKU AT THE ARBORETUM 3-5:30 p.m. (see Aug. 1)
Share your garden through seeds from your plants and trees. Learn which seeds are worth collecting and the proper way to collect and store them.
11:15-12:30 p.m. OR 1:15-2:30 p.m., $8/$10, Horticultural Research Center
Learn the importance of light to your photography and get special Arboretum access to practice capturing images during the breathtaking light of sunset and sunrise.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 19
BIRDING WALK WITH GREGG: FALL MIGRATION
8-10 a.m., $19/$35, Snyder Building Walk together and learn about autumn migrating species and their behaviors as you look and listen for songbirds and waterfowl.
DYE-YOUR-OWN-YARN: NATURAL DYES FROM INVASIVE PLANTS 10 a.m.-3 p.m., $69/$84, Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center
Use pigments from invasive plants to create a variety of dyed yarn skeins to use in knitting, crocheting, weaving or other projects.
This contemporary weaving method is considered a meditative art form. Make your own unique handmade textile inspired by nature.
Grades 1-6. Tour the orchard where apple scientists perform their research, learn to become a scientific apple taste tester and explore how new apples are invented.
Enjoy a multi-course dinner paired with Minnesota wine tastes as you learn how Chef Beth draws inspiration from the diverse cultures, seasons and ingredients of our region.
Sept. 18 (5-8 p.m.) AND Sept. 19, (6-8 a.m.), $135/$155, Marion Andrus Learning Center
10 a.m.-1 p.m., $94/$124, Snyder Building
HOMESCHOOL DAY: APPLE HARVEST
MONDAY, SEPT. 21
SPECIAL ACCESS: SHOOTING THE LIGHT - DUSK TO DAWN PHOTOGRAPHY
CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE WEAVING: SAORI
SEED SAVING: UNDERSTANDING, COLLECTING, CLEANING AND STORING SEEDS
6:30-8:30 p.m., $65/$80, Marion Andrus Learning Center
FRIDAY, SEPT. 18
Photos by (left) Theresa Hornstein; (right) Jill Dalbecka
9-11 a.m., $42/$57, Marion Andrus Learning Center
HOMESCHOOL DAY: FALL IN THE FOREST
9 a.m.-noon, $41/$56, Hort & Ops Building Multipurpose Room
APPLEJAM
1:15-2:30 p.m., $8/$10, Marion Andrus Learning Center Grades PreK-1. Learn about the ecology of decomposition and explore how mushrooms and decomposers are essential to forest health.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 25
AUXILIARY FALL HARVEST SALE (see page 9)
(see page 9)
SUNDAY, SEPT. 27
AUXILIARY FALL HARVEST SALE (see page 9)
YOGA IN THE GARDENS
12-1 p.m., included with gate admission, Green Heron Pond near bridge Taught by Yoga Bella.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 26
AUXILIARY FALL HARVEST SALE (see page 9)
PAINTING WOODEN BARN QUILTS FOR BEGINNERS
Noon-4 p.m., $69/$84, Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center Choose from a variety of templates using simple geometric shapes and bold colors to paint a graphic folk art quilt on a 12” or 24” wooden square.
ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY: COMPOSING WITH CONFIDENCE Noon-5 p.m., $102/$117, Oswald Visitor Center
Discuss and practice positive and negative space, symmetrical and asymmetrical balance, the impact of emotive subjections, the power of line and other compositional tools.
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TELEPHONE DIRECTORY
General Information . . . . . . . . 612-624-2200 Andersen Horticultural Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 612-301-1239 Auxiliary Event & Membership Info . . . . . . . . . 612-625-9865 Seasonal Alerts . . . . . . . . . . . 612-625-9791 Contributions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 612-301-1263 Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 612-301-1210 Gift and Garden Store . . . . . . . 612-301-7619 Facility Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . 612-301-7600 Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 612-301-1257 Memorials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 612-301-1263 Volunteering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 612-301-1203 Yard & Garden Help Desk. . . 612-301-7590 or extension.umn.edu Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 612-301-1274 Website . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . arboretum.umn.edu
3675 Arboretum Drive Chaska, Minnesota 55318-9613
A publication for members and friends of the Arboretum
Due to ongoing limited operations because of COVID-19, please visit arb.umn.edu for hours and programming updates.
HOURS
Grounds open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Labor Day (Sept. 7) regular Monday hours OSWALD VISITOR CENTER Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. GIFT & GARDEN STORE Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.. ARBORETUM CAFE Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. ANDRUS LEARNING CENTER Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. & Sun. Closed TASHJIAN BEE & POLLINATOR DISCOVERY CENTER AND FARM AT THE ARB Mon.-Wed. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thur.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sat. & Sun. 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. ANDERSEN HORTICULTURAL LIBRARY (SNYDER BUILDING) Tue.-Fri. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sat. 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sun. & Mon. Closed APPLEHOUSE Daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Beginning mid-to-late-Aug.) AppleHouse Hotline: 612-301-3487 DOG COMMONS 8 a.m.-7 p.m. ADMISSION Visitors: $15 for ages 16 and up Members: Free Children 15 & under: Free Arboretum memberships start at $60 (Arboretum.umn.edu/newmembership.aspx)
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The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. ©2020 Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
ART AT THE ARBORETUM
Delight in the beauty found indoors in the Oswald Visitor Center. Art is available for sale through the Gift & Garden Store, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Arboretum. PLEASE NOTE: Due to ongoing limited operations because of COVID-19, please visit arb.umn.edu for Art Gallery exhibit updates.
REEDY GALLERY
“Trees as Sanctuary” • Through Sept. 27
The Arboretum is an ideal place to connect with nature and renew your spirit. The majestic trees and saplings form the forests where thousands wander each year. Three accomplished artists – Catherine Hearding, Ashley Dull and Dan Wiemer - explore ways trees nurture our connection to nature. Don’t miss this exhibition and the chance to appreciate the talented artists who give reverence to our natural beauties – trees.
CAFE GALLERY
“Patterns in Nature” • Through Aug.
Patterns found in nature have fascinated scientists and the public for many years. From daily sunrises and sunsets to the spirals on a single pinecone, nature’s patterns provide visual stimuli, which draw us in and help us examine our world more closely. Enjoy beautiful works that demonstrate harmony with the universe.
“Art Rocks!” • Sept. 4 – Nov. 8
Show highlights two artists who spend countless hours with Minnesota rocks. Peter Juhl not only teaches rock balancing classes but also photographs his stunning creations. Anne Legeros creates watercolors that interplay with sunlight, ripples on the water and the myriad of rocks themselves, allowing the viewer to become immersed in her paintings.
ANDERSEN HORTICULTURAL LIBRARY
“Flights of Fantasy: Birds, Nature, and Art at Play” • Through Oct.
Exhibit features a flock of Minnesota birds in their habitats, interpreted in abstract ceramic compositions by artist Susan Feigenbaum.