Red Butte Garden
UTAH'S BOTANICAL GARDEN
40 Years of Growing
Support Our Legacy of Urban Forest Stewardship
“Investing in trees is an investment in our future. It’s about creating environments where trees can thrive and benefit generations to come. Your support is vital in helping us continue the important work of urban forestry.”—Charlie
Perington, arborist
For nearly forty years Red Butte Garden and Arboretum has nurtured an urban forest of more than 2,000 trees in 456 different taxa. By cultivating so many unique trees, the Garden helps increase the biodiversity of the valley’s tree canopy, making our community more resilient to environmental stress. From improving air quality to conserving water, trees help both human and plant communities thrive.
Your support is vital. Together, we can ensure that our trees not only survive but thrive, enriching our communities for years to come.
Become part of our mission to promote environmental stewardship and create a greener, more vibrant world. Whether it’s a small contribution or a large investment, your donation will make a difference.
FRONT COVER
Pinus leucodermis
Photo by Glenn Eurick
BACK COVER:
Rose Garden waterfall
Photo by Jason Baker
EDITORS
Kate Randall
Mindy Wilson
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Alex Adams Photography
Jason Baker
Sam Crump
Glenn Eurick
Leslie Hanna
Kristan Jacobsen
Mark Johnston
Julie McIntosh Shapiro
Pierce McConnal
Kate Randall
Heidi Simper
Dave Titensor
Mindy Wilson
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Leslie Hanna
PRINTED BY IC Group
2024 ADVISORY BOARD
David Classen, Chair
Kym Buttschardt, Vice Chair
Curt Crowther, Secretary
Lisa Andrues
Troy Aramburu
Steve Barth
Brandi Bosworth
Carolyn Buma
Maura Carabello
Gary Christensen
Chelsey Curtis
Shaleane Gee
Greg Graham
Jeff Herring
Lindee Nance
Jamie Rubin
Laura Snow
JoLynda Stillman
Vicki Varela
Beverly Vargo
Kamrin Wilson
Emeritus Board Members
Sandi Behnken
Winter is a time for reflection. The slower, quieter pace of the season invites us to think about what we accomplished over the last year, to reflect on who we want to be as an organization, and to make aspirational plans for the coming year.
This past year, Red Butte Garden welcomed over a quarter million visitors! The Garden was bursting with activity ranging from the thoughtful care of our garden’s landscapes, to educational and wellness activities, to vibrant cultural events. We hosted our first national garden educator symposium and our first Intermountain Hoop Dance Competition. And we completed a long-range master plan to help guide the garden’s next era of growth.
Next year we will be celebrating a big milestone—our fortieth anniversary! We hope you will join us all year long in celebrating the transformative power of nature here at the Garden. You can start by saving the date of June 21, 2025, for a special anniversary garden party.
As we envision what the Garden could be in the coming years, I think that we’ve already found our niche. I make it a point to visit other gardens when I travel and always leave with a reinforced belief that Red Butte Garden is one of the best public gardens in the world. This summer I had the pleasure of touring five incredible gardens in Victoria, British Columbia, with a group of donors and Cottam Club members. As lovely as those gardens are, I returned home with a greater appreciation of our own. Our goal is to enhance and improve, but always stay true to what’s made us who we are today.
Thank you for your loyal membership, dedicated volunteer hours, generous donations, and for being a part of our Garden community. Here’s to the first and next forty years of connecting people with plants and the beauty of living landscapes.
Derrek Hanson, Executive Director
We acknowledge that this land, which is named for the Ute Tribe, is the traditional and ancestral homeland of the Shoshone, Paiute, Goshute, and Ute Tribes. The University of Utah recognizes and respects the enduring relationship that exists between many Indigenous peoples and their traditional homelands. We respect the sovereign relationship between tribes, states, and the federal government, and we affirm the University of Utah’s commitment to a partnership with Native Nations and Urban Indian communities through research, education, and community outreach activities.
Hoop Dancers Bring Cultural Celebration to the Garden
By Sarah Sandoval, interpretation and exhibits manager
Thirty-one Indigenous dancers, some from as far away as Canada, competed in the Garden’s first Hoop Dance competition in September. Creating formations with their hoops, dancers told stories of nature, plants, and life cycles to the beat of live drums and songs. This vibrant celebration brought community and culture to the Amphitheatre. Don’t miss next year’s event, scheduled for September 13, 2025, in partnership again with the Natural History Museum of Utah and the University of Utah’s Center for Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement.
Garden Hosts National Educator Event
By Eddy Dawson, programs director
Red Butte Garden and Arboretum hosted more than 100 garden educators from across North America for the 2024 American Public Garden Association’s Education Symposium in August. The three-day event was a great success, showcasing the Garden’s beauty and offering an inspirational space for knowledge sharing, networking, and professional development. Attendees enjoyed educational sessions in the Orangerie, staff-led field trips through the Garden, and wellness classes taught by community partners. Hosting a professional symposium enhances the Garden’s reputation and creates a platform for inspiration and innovation, benefiting all participants and helping to advance the field.
Growing Tropical Plants, Indoors and Out
By Kara Hastings, greenhouse manager
Throughout the Garden, you will find tropical plants featured in our outdoor summer containers. While these plants thrive outdoors during the summer months, when temperatures fall, horticulture staff return them to the greenhouse to spend the winter.
Spending the summer outdoors not only helps minimize the pest and disease pressure plants experience in their indoor environment (such as spider mites) but also provides natural airflow, which is essential for nutrient and water absorption and structural growth.
When bringing your own plants back indoors in the fall: Watch night temperatures and bring plants inside as soon as temperatures reach the low 50s. Reduce watering frequency once inside to avoid root rot.
When returning plants to the outdoors next summer: Make sure night temperatures are consistently over 50 degrees F. Bring plants out slowly; start with an hour a day, and work up to 24 hours.
Here are some Garden favorites you can try at home:
Washingtonia filifera, California Fan Palm Native to the southwestern U.S., this palm thrives in heat but needs to be inside during our cold winters.
Citrus sinensis ‘Cara Cara,’ Cara Cara Naval Orange
Citrus love our hot climate but not our winters. Bring these indoors and place in bright natural light.
Canna indica ‘Phasion’ Tropicanna Canna Lily
This tender perennial is perfect for container centerpieces. Cut back and leave in an unheated garage for winter.
Cordyline ‘Purple Sensation,’ Cordyline
These colorful tropicals brighten up home windows and summer containers. They prefer filtered light outdoors, but bright light inside.
Dracaena marginata ‘Tricolor,’ Dragon Tree
Place your Dracaena in a bright south-facing window for the winter.
Mandevilla x 'Sunparaprero'
A beautiful vine that loves our dry summer heat. Place Mandevilla in a bright spot in your house over winter.
Cultivating Connections Cottam Club Explores Victoria, BC
The recent Cottam Club donor trip to Victoria, British Columbia, was a celebration of community and philanthropy, exemplifying the extraordinary impact that giving back has on Red Butte Garden’s mission. Cottam Club members, whose support helps sustain the Garden’s beauty and educational efforts, enjoyed an unforgettable journey through some of Victoria’s most breathtaking gardens.
Highlights included visits to the iconic Butchart Gardens, the elegant Victoria Government House gardens, the serene Abkhazi Garden, and the historic landscapes of Hatley Park. Participants also explored the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, gaining new insights into sustainable gardening practices.
As Red Butte Garden approaches its 40th anniversary in 2025, joining the Cottam Club offers the perfect opportunity for donors to deepen their connection with the Garden and contribute to its continued growth.
For more information, please visit redbuttegarden.org/cottam-club
What Will Be Your Legacy?
Help keep the Garden growing with a legacy gift through your will.
A legacy gift honors the donor’s life with a charitable gift to a chosen party, cause, or organization. Legacy giving is a lasting investment in Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, advancing our mission to connect people with plants and the beauty of living landscapes. When you include Red Butte Garden in your estate plan, you ensure the continued growth of the garden for future generations.
For more information, please contact Natalie Cope, director of philanthropy, at 801.585.5658 or natalie.cope@redbutte.utah.edu.
Memorials and Tributes
The following donors have made gifts to Red Butte Garden and Arboretum to honor and remember friends or loved ones. Thank you for your generous tributes.
In Memory of R. Endo
Joni D. Endo
In Honor of Hannah P. Owen/
In Memory of Sam and Adlai Owen
Cherise Cerruti
In Memory of Kathy Siskin
Kathleen Siskin Living Trust
In Memory of Marjorie "Marge" Emma Nilson Pett
Stuart B. Pett
Susan Pett
In Memory of Stuart "Stu" Brandon Pett
Stuart B. Pett
Susan Pett
In Memory of Robert "Rob" Nilson Pett
Stuart B. Pett
Susan Pett
In Memory of Ellen Vlasic
Holly F. Webster
Colleen Nerdin
Amy L. Rowland
Rowland-Hutchinsons
Debra Young
Sarah Birkeland
Jeff Gaisford & Brian Parker
Mark Oftedal & Sarah Wright
Gary, Mark, Valerie, and Wally Vlasic
Ellen L. Davis
In Honor of Joan Bradley
Wendy Bradley
Sue and Brooke
Sherma J. Hemingway
In Memory of Ted Cogswell
Wendy Bradley
Gifts made between June 26-October 8, 2024.
The Water Pavilion
Black-Capped Chickadee
Hamamelis 'Amethyst' (Amethyst Witch Hazel)
Celebrate the Season at Local Holiday Markets
Holiday Open House & Art Fair
Red Butte Garden & Arboretum
Free admission thanks to Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts & Parks
December 7 & 8
Garden Gift Shop Holiday Sale
9 am-5 pm
Shop and save 10% during our Holiday Open House on a distinctive selection of botanic-inspired gifts for everyone on your list. Wind chimes, gardening books, jewelry, designer bags, fairy garden supplies, locally made chocolate, and so much more. Members save an additional 10% on purchases.
Holiday Art Fair
10 am-5 pm
Discover delightful holiday gifts and support 18 local makers. Peruse stunning jewelry, vibrant glass art, beautiful ceramics, home decor, and more.
Glass Art Show
9 am-5 pm
And that’s not all—the popular annual Glass Art Show, with stunning glass objects for sale, will be happening in the Visitor Center too. Three unique shopping experiences in one! redbuttegarden.org/events/holiday-open-house-art-fair
Holiday Market
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
December 7 & 8 | 9 am-5 pm
Find handmade creations by local artists, including ceramics, paintings, jewelry, candles, and artisan toffee. Enjoy live music while you shop and visit the on-site café for something sweet. Free market admission and parking. umfa.utah.edu/holiday-market
Christkindlmarkt
This Is The Place Heritage Park
December 4-7 | 11 am-8 pm
Inspired by the world-famous German Christmas markets, this very popular old-world style bazaar offers a unique shopping and cultural experience featuring local artist booths, delicious food vendors, and festive holiday entertainment. Free admission. christkindlmarkt-slc.com
Museum Store
Natural History Museum of Utah
Find one-of-a-kind souvenirs and keepsakes from hand-crafted jewelry and fine indigenous artwork, to the latest dinosaur toys and a well-curated selection of natural history books for all ages. And from Dec 1-23 flash your digital RBG member card at the Museum Store for 10% off your purchase. NHMU members save 10% at the Garden’s Gift Shop. Member card required at time of purchase. nhmu.utah.edu/store
Red Butte Garden Gift Shop
UMFA Museum Store
Christkindlmarkt
NHMU Museum Store
Save the Date! Join us for Red Butte Garden’s 40th Anniversary
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Step into a world where nature’s beauty meets a touch of mysticism and transformation. Mark your calendars for a night filled with awe-inspiring sights, captivating entertainment, and a celebration of nature’s power to inspire and transform.
VIP Packages available to purchase beginning January 7. Details and invitations to follow!
Level up next summer.
Enter to win an exclusive Concert Donor Club Headliner Package for Two–a $6,500 value–for the 2025 Outdoor Concert Series. That’s 22 shows!
Simply make an additional $25 donation when you renew or purchase a Garden membership or gift membership before December 31. redbuttegarden.org/events/rock-your-membership
LOOK WHO'S JOINED OUR TEAM
Join us in welcoming these talented people to the Garden’s full-time staff.
Heidi Anderson
Horticulturist, Container & Interior Design
BS in horticulture, Brigham Young University, Idaho.
Heidi has been with the Garden for 11 years, serving in various roles. Recently, she transitioned from her position as youth programs coordinator to return to her roots and passion for horticulture. She is excited to work closely with plants again and spend more time in our greenhouses.
Greg Brown
Facility Manager
BS in integrated studies, Utah State University. With more than 20 years of experience in construction, freelance art, and historic home preservation, Greg brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role. A Gulf War veteran and avid ski enthusiast, Greg is excited to support the Garden’s facilities needs. He joins us after five years in facilities management at University of Utah Health Sciences, District-6/CVRTI.
Ben Gantt
Horticulturist, Greenhouse Grower
BS in horticulture production, North Dakota State University.
Ben has more than a decade of hands-on experience in horticulture, with a focus on landscape management, greenhouse operations, and plant breeding. For the past two years, he has worked as the Garden’s greenhouse IPM (integrated pest manager). Now transitioning to the role of grower, Ben is looking forward to continuing the Garden’s high standard of quality plant production.
Maria Paula Garcia Ospina
“Maria Garcia”
Pronouns: she/her
Administrative Assistant
MS in project engineering, University of Vigo, Spain BS civil engineering, National University of Colombia. After seven years as a geotechnical and environmental project and business manager in Bogotá, Colombia, Maria made a big change in her life and moved to Salt Lake City, where she now happily shares her experience and love for nature with the Red Butte Garden community.
Cole Scott
Irrigation Technology Specialist
BS in environmental science, Southern New Hampshire University. Cole began his Red Butte Garden career in 2021 as a seasonal gardener in the Children’s and Terrace Gardens. A year later, he transitioned to the equipment mechanic position and recently took on the role of irrigation technology specialist. Drawing on his past experience with the City of Bozeman Water Conservation department, Cole is eager to help keep the Garden healthy while ensuring efficient water use.
Lauren Swidnicki
Pronouns: she/her
Community Programs Coordinator BS in environmental sustainability and gender studies, University of Utah. Lauren believes in the power of connecting people to living landscapes and is passionate about environmental stewardship and community engagement. She spent the last year here as a youth and family assistant and previously worked for HEAL Utah and Senator Karen Kwan. Lauren loves the people and gardens of Red Butte and is thrilled to contribute to the community connections and programs that make the Garden such a special place.
WINTER 2024/2025 CALENDAR
EXHIBIT ARTISTS
Please visit our website and social media for more Garden event information.
ART EXHIBITS
Featuring a range of naturethemed media by Utah artists including photography, watercolor, oil, pastel, mixed media, and more. Admission not required to shop.
NOV 7- DEC 21
Glass Art Show
With the Glass Art Guild of Utah
Artist Reception Saturday, November 9, 2-5pm
HOLIDAY SHOPPING
HOTSPOT
DEC 1
Museum Store Sunday at the Garden Sun 9am-5pm
Beat the crowds and save an additional 10% off gift shop purchases.
DEC 7 & 8
Holiday Open House & Art Fair
Free admission thanks to ZAP.
Gift Shop Holiday Sale
Sat & Sun 9am-5pm
Botanic-inspired gifts for everyone on your list. 10% off gift shop purchases. Members save an additional 10%.
Holiday Art Fair
Sat & Sun 10am-5pm
Support local makers and find delightful handmade gifts–jewelry, ceramics, home decor, and more!
DEC 1- 23
NHMU Museum Store
Garden members save 10% next door. NHMU members save 10% at the Garden gift shop. Member cards must be presented at time of purchase.
GARDEN EVENTS
NOV 1-DEC 31
Rock Your Membership
Enter to win a Headliner Package for two. That's 22 shows! redbuttegarden.org/events/ rock-your-membership
DEC 14
Cocoa & Cookies with Mrs. Claus Sat 1-2:30pm
Enjoy seasonal stories with the first lady of Christmas, decorate one-of-a-kind ornaments, write a letter to Santa.
Garden members $20
General public $25
Tickets: redbuttegarden.org/ events/cocoa-with-mrs-claus
DEC 21
Winter Solstice Celebration Sat 9am-12pm
Explore the winter Garden and craft special solstice decorations.
Garden members $12
General public $15
Tickets: redbuttegarden.org/ events/winter-solstice
DEC 1-JAN 21
Blooming with Pride: Call for Artists Artists, florists, and horticulturists! Apply now to create an artistic display made of plants that embodies the spirit of Pride.
Apply: redbuttegarden.org/ events/blooming-with-pridecall-for-artists
JAN 6-FEB 15
Spring Poetry Contest
Calling all poets! Enter your spring-inspired poem for a chance to be displayed in the Garden.
Apply: redbuttegarden.org/ events/call-poetry
FEB 7
Garden Member
Valentine Party Fri 2-5pm
Join us for a special Valentine’s Day-inspired event.
Tickets: redbuttegarden.org/ events/valentine-party
MAR 8
RBG Volunteer Fair Sat 11am-1pm
Meet volunteer team members and learn about our many opportunities. redbuttegarden.org/events/ volunteer-fair-open-house
Images Above: Glass Art Guild of Utah
Rainbird
WINTER 2024/2025 CALENDAR
ADULT CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Find class descriptions and register online at redbuttegarden.org/ adult-education or call 801.581.8454
HORTICULTURE
JAN 14
Designing a Garden for Utah’s Climate
Tue, 6:30-8:30pm
Garden members $32
General public $39
JAN 29, FEB 1 & 5
Pruning Fruit Trees
Wed, 6-8pm Sat, 10am-12pm or 1:30-3:30pm
Garden members $79
General public $98
FEB 11
Everything You Want to Know About Trees
Tue, 6:30-8:30pm
Garden members $32
General public $39
FEB 12 & 19
Growing Your Own Food Garden: Soil Preparation to Harvest (online) Wed, 6-8pm
Garden members $44
General public $55
MAR 25
Landscape 101: Utah’s
Unique Challenges & Solutions
Tue 6:30-8:30pm
Garden members $32
General public $39
ART & DESIGN
DEC 14 & 15
Wreath Workshops
Sat 9:30am-12pm, 1-3:30pm Sun 9:30am-12pm & 1-3:30pm
Garden members $76
General public $95
DEC 21
Immunity in a Jar: Crafting Fire Cider with Herbs Sat, 10-11:30am
Garden members $44
General public $55 Includes materials
JAN 4, FEB 8
Botanical Painting For All Sat 10am-12pm
Garden members $48
General public $60
Includes materials
JAN 21, MAR 5
Block Printing Tue, Wed 5:30-7:30pm
Garden members $56
General public $70
JAN 25, FEB 15
Winter Skin Wonders: Herbal Solutions for Cold Weather Sat 10am-12pm
Garden members $52
General public $65
Includes materials
FEB 8
Terrarium Workshop Sat 1-3pm
Garden members $72
General public $80 Includes materials
MAR 15
Awakening Beauty: Seasonal Skincare with Spring Herbs Sat 10am-12pm
Garden members $50
General public $75
Includes materials
HEALTHY LIVING
DEC 7
Holiday Harmony: Self
Myofascial Release & Nervous System Support for the Holidays with Kara Delfanti Sat 10am-12pm
Garden members $40
General public $48
DEC 18, JAN 15
Indian Cooking with Purnima Gandhi (online) Wed 6-8pm
Garden members $44
General public $55
DEC, JAN, FEB
Forest Bathing with Chris Newton
Dates/times vary
Garden members $25
General public $30
JAN, FEB
Yoga & Sound Bath with Kristin Vance Sun 10:30-11:30am
Garden members $18
General public $20
JAN, FEB
Mindfulness Meditation with Maurena Grossman Sun 12-1pm
Garden members $12
General public $15
JAN 4 &18, FEB 6, MAR 6
Wintering Well: Self
Myofascial Release & Nervous System Support with Kara Delfanti Sat 10-11:30am Thu 6-7:30pm
Garden members $20
General public $24
FEB 15
Caring for Self: A Retreat for Women with Sifu Toni Lock Sat 10am-4pm
Garden members $155
General public $175
CONTACT US
MAR 8
Art & Meditation Retreat with Jamie Myers & Laurie Eastwood Sat 10am-4pm
Garden members $100
General public $125
CLASSES FOR KIDS
GARDEN ADVENTURES
For kids ages 5-12 and a caregiver. redbuttegarden.org/kidsclasses/garden-adventures
JAN 11
Home Tweet Home Sat 10-11:30am
Garden members $12
General public $15
FEB 8
Heart & Soil: Garden Valentines Sat 10-11:30am
Garden members $16
General public $20
ECO EXPLORERS
For kids ages 9-12. redbuttegarden.org/kidsclasses/eco-explorers
JAN 25
Arctic Adventure Sat 10-11:30am
Garden members $12
General public $15
FEB 22
Junior Apothecary Sat 10-11:30am
Garden members $16
General public $20
Thank you!
Visitor Center 801.585.0556
Website: www.redbuttegarden.org
Comments: 801.581.5754 or email pr@redbutte.utah.edu
GO GREEN!
Opt out of printed newsletters. Email membership@redbutte.utah.edu with "NEWSLETTER OPT OUT” in the subject line. We’ll take care of the rest.
THANK YOU
Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) Program for your support.
Red Butte Garden is one of the largest botanical gardens in the Intermountain West and, together with the University of Utah, a state arboretum. The Garden is renowned for its plant collections, themed gardens, almost 590,000 springtime blooming bulbs, awardwinning horticulture-based educational programs, and a world-class outdoor summer concert series.
Copyright © 2024 Red Butte Garden. All rights reserved. Behind-the-scenes preparations for
300 Wakara Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
OUR MISSION
To connect people with plants and the beauty of living landscapes.
