May Member Newsletter

MAY 2024

MEMBER NEWSLETTER

Allison Anderson Membership Specialist

Dear Members,

May has arrived, and the Gardens are looking gorgeous The grass is lush and green, our lovely tulips are in their prime, and so many other beautiful flowers are now in full bloom. Starting May 1, we will begin our daily summer hours. This means you can visit the Gardens any time between 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. These hours will last until September 30

Aloha, members! �� Our conservatory changeout is now complete, and it is breathtaking. Come check out our newest exhibit, “Life on the Lanai”. It features exotic plants native to Hawaii, and even features a waterfall along the side of the structure. If you’re in need of a tropical getaway right here in Iowa, you’ve come to the right place! To really set the scene for any videos or reels you take of the exhibit, I recommend playing, “Over The Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole This exhibit is on display now through July 27, 2024

Do you enjoy reading the member e-newsletter and learning about upcoming member only events/programs? Well then, be sure not to unsubscribe! Did you know that if you unsubscribe from our email listings, we can’t add you back on our side? That means you’ll have to visit our website and sign back up on your own. We don’t want any of our members missing out on all the great opportunities we hold Stay subscribed, stay in the know

Thank you for reading this month’s member e-newsletter. We are delighted you are a member and feel immense gratitude for your support. Your membership makes a significant impact as it directly funds our programs and initiatives. Members are the lifeblood of Reiman Gardens!

- Allison

Volunteers help keep the Gardens open and the visitors coming back!

New Docents Help Support the Butterfly Wing!

Reiman Gardens is so thankful to all of our volunteers who take the time to get trained in our USDA containment facility, the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing. Without their time and dedication to the safety of our environment and our critters, there would be no way to keep the wing open to visitors.

We are thankful for every person who spends even one shift helping in the wing. It all matters! However, we do have a handful of folks who make it part of their weekly schedule. Here are the volunteers who are most active in the wing year to date (in hours):

Robert Bergmann

Kay Lampe Hannasch

Sheryl Rippke

Beth Wunder

Thad Stanton

David Williams

Kenneth Kirkland

Darla Ewalt

Kurt Gruber

Emily Carr

Glen Umbaugh

Ann McMulin

Join Us For Go Public Gardens Days! May 10-19, 2024

Go Public Gardens Days is an annual American Public Gardens Association initiative to promote visitation to public gardens across North America and also internationally. Visit Reiman Gardens and discover the beauty and connection with nature as spring transitions to summer with all of its botanical variety. As part of Go Public Gardens Days, Reiman Gardens offers free admission to all on Friday, May 17, 2024.

Sycamore Falls at Reiman Gardens

EVENTS AND PROGRAMS UPCOMING

Plant Sale Extravaganza

May 10, 11, and 12 at various times

Use your membership for free perks such as early access and an online presale for the annual Plant Sale! This is a free event dedicated to fundraising.

Members-Only Early Access: Friday May 10

3:00 - 4:00 PM: Sustainer and Champion membership levels 4:00 - 7:00 PM: All membership levels welcome

Public Sale

Saturday, May 11, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM and Sunday, May 12, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Plants for sale include perennials for sun and shade, herbs and vegetables, Iowa natives, woody plants including trees, "Quick Turn" shrubs and Buck roses, container and bedding annuals, houseplants and other topicals, hanging baskets and AllAmerican Selection (AAS) winners

Typically, Mother’s Day weekend is the first frost-free weekend in central Iowa for planting, so bring mom and stock up on gems for your home garden. Credit card, check, and cash will all be accepted as payment. No admission fee required to shop at the Plant Sale Extravaganza. Plant sale will be held rain or shine.

Members-only Online Presale

Online sales open at noon, Friday, April 26th and close at noon on Thursday, May 2nd. Members will be emailed a link to the online Plant Sale a day in advance. The link will not go live until 12 p m on April 25 Please check your email! All online member presales will require a membership ID number. Pick-up for plants purchased online will be Friday, May 10, starting at 11 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

may 2024

EVENTS AND PROGRAMS UPCOMING

Nature at Noon

May 9, 12:10 PM - 12:50 PM

Join Reiman Gardens’ Director of Entomology, Nathan Brockman, for an informational talk on Invertebrate Homes This is a free event!

Painting in Conservatory

May 21, 4 PM - 7 PM

Join Illustrator Kelsey Wilson for this in-depth acrylic painting workshop in the midst of our summer display in the tropical Hughes Conservatory featuring orchids and other colorful florals. All materials included, and all experience levels welcome!

Caterpillar Club

Each Thursday at 10:15 AM Dress for the weather for this outdoor Early Childhood Development program featuring stories, followed by nature exploration and activities Best for children ages 2-5 with an adult.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROGRAMS

SAVE THE DATE - Events & Programs in June

Mixed-Level Watercolor

Mondays beginning June 3rd, 6:30 to 8:30PM for 5 weeks

Caterpillar Club

June 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th (Every Thursday) - 10:15AM

Nature at Night

June 6th, 9 to 10:30PM - Floral Fluorescence Night Walk

Teacher Appreciation Day

June 7th - Free admission for all Pre-K-12 school district employees (must show school ID or badge for free admission)

Garden Playhouses Guided Tour

June 12th, 11AM to 12PM with the Education staff

Floral Design Workshop

June 18th, 6 to 7PM - Homegrown Wedding Florals

Summer Solstice Celebration

June 21st, 6 to 10PM - After hours schedule

Youth Day Camp (Ages 6 to 10)

Monday, June 24th to Friday, June 28th - 9AM to 4PM

REIMAN GARDENS NEWS

MAY 2024

ISU ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING STUDENTS

WORKING ON NEW WINTER

WONDERSCAPE EXHIBIT

Reiman Gardens staff has been working with 5 students from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Design Class at Iowa State University on a new exhibit for the Winter Wonderscape light exhibit. The students in this yearlong capstone class are at the halfway point finishing up the research component for the class. The group plan is to fill the campanile with hundreds to thousands of individuals addressable light spheres

During Fall semester this group will be writing the programing that allows for the creation of a designed light show They are even working on interactive elements which would allow the public to affect the show by touching sensor pads.

Reiman Gardens sets aside funding each year for new light elements for Winter Wonderscape, however the scope and scale the group is looking at exceeds that funding. The Gardens is looking for assistance with funding to be able to build out the light show element as the students have designed it. If you are interested in donating to this project, please reach out to reimangardens@iastate.edu.

REIMAN GARDENS NEWS

MAY 2024

SAYLOR UPAH JOINS REIMAN GARDENS AS THE NEW PRIVATE EVENTS COORDINATOR

Saylor joined Reiman Gardens in April of 2024. She graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and worked for two years as the Event Planner and Alumni Relations Coordinator for the College of Design at Iowa State University. Saylor enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outside, reading, listening to podcasts, crocheting, and snuggling with her three cats

MARK YOUR CALENDERS FOR A SPECIAL MEMBERS-ONLY PREVIEW PARTY

Mark your calendars for a very special evening on Friday, May 31, when members will get a sneak peek at our summer exhibit: Garden playhouses! Watch your email for more details and RSVP information in the next two weeks.