April in the Gardens

Backyard Garden Renovation Revs Up This Month

We're as tired as you probably are of seeing so much bare dirt in the Backyard Garden. We waited patiently for the drainage and irrigation work to be done in the fall. Then came Wintertide Lights followed by snow and rain, and now we're happy to announce that the last week in March saw renewed work in the Backyard Garden. 360 Landscape began unloading rocks for placement in a dry creek bed and around the patio. Soon we hope to begin adding more soil to level out the site--and then we'll bring on the trees. That will be a happy day.

Special thanks to board members Brion Henault and Craig Callies for their work with contractors and the Parks Department to make sure all the infrastructure work this project required was taken care of.

Earth Day Family Fun April 13

Our annual spring Family Fun event is back. On Saturday, April 13, from 10 am to noon, we'll be replacing the gaultheria (commonly known as wintergreen) in the entry planting bed with geraniums for summer color.

Children who come to help plant the geraniums will receive a free wintergreen plant while supplies last. Wintergreen is a perennial groundcover with bright red berries that enjoys partial sun. It makes a nice addition to anyone's garden.

Trevor Teaches Pruning

One of our most enduringly popular classes is Trevor Cameron's annual pruning demonstrations. This year, so many people turned out for the first class--and there was still so much pruning to do--that Trevor agreed to hold a three-hour seminar in March. Approximately ten people stayed for the entire session on a sunny Saturday, and the maples on the Viewing Mound are looking good.

Classes have been free since COVID. Check our website and this newsletter for what's coming next.

Who's Visiting the Arboretum?

This group of families with twins came to the Arboretum to enjoy an Easter egg hunt together on a sunny day.

Color Storm pom pom makers from the YMCA visited for a tour of the gardens and to see if they could find the pom poms they made.

Bye Bye Birdies: Three Little Birds Missing

Board member Eric Mowery taught himself to crochet for last month's Color Storm event. He made a tree wrap and four of these extremely cute arugami birds. Three of these little guys didn't stick around for the end of the month. Since they can't fly, we're guessing a visitor couldn't resist taking them home.

Vandalism is rare in the Arboretum. We occasionally lose a string of lights in December. Sometimes people feel compelled to leave their mark on the gazebo or take a special plant from one of the bowl gardens. But overall, Arboretum visitors are respectful, and we're grateful for that. If Color Storm returns in 2025, there may even be more of these charming and cheerful birds to enjoy.

Work Party Schedules

It's time to dig out your gardening gloves and tools. The weeds are back and so are our regular work parties. Dress for the weather and bring a water bottle.

The next Arboretum work party is Wednesday, April 3 from 1o a.m. to noon. Plant sale work parties are every Thursday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Plant sale work parties are every Thursday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Volunteers above divide and pot plants for the June sale. Work may be inside or outside, depending on the weather.

Work in the Arboretum is always outside

What to Look Forward to: May

Saturday, May 18 Master Gardener David Pfeifle will do a presentation entitled "Backyard Forests" from noon to 1 p.m. in the classroom. Learn how to care for your trees and the natural areas of your land. 

May 18 is also our regularly scheduled volunteer work party. Help out in the Arboretum from 10 a.m. to noon and stay to learn about trees.

Exterior Decorating

Families celebrating quinceaneras are a common site in the Arborertum. We love that this young woman's dress matches the columns so perfectly.

Someone was busy building cairns in the Woodland Garden recently.