Arboretum Offers Array of Courses/Events for May

ESPERANCE, NY (05/07/2007) (readMedia)-- This month, the Landis Arboretum offers five opportunities to give in and enjoy what nature – and some experienced subject-matters experts – have to share.

May 12, 10–11 am (Saturday)

TREE PLANTING 101

Get ready to plant all of the trees you are going to buy at the Plant Sale with Master Gardener and Forester Cindy King. Cindy will discuss mulching, planting depth, staking, and other topics during

this program. Register by May 9. Free-will offering.

May 12, June 9, July 14 and Sept 8 (Saturdays) 9 am–noon

WHERE THE WILDFLOWERS GROW

Prefer to let nature do the gardening? Believe that “woodland gardens” are more authentic and reflective of your garden’s region? Just want to enhance your yardscape with beautiful wildflowers?

Whatever your rationale, how do you begin the process? Whether in the open air of the 548-acres Landis Arboretum or within the intimacy of its greenhouse on rainy days, instructor Ed Miller and Newcomb’s Wildflower Identification Guide will be your guides to learning/recognizing/ categorizing wildflowers. You’ll ramble through the arboretum grounds and other selected locations at key times in the season and will walk away confident in your abilities to identify local wildflowers and recognize common plant families. “Our course will help participants make friends with many plants and give them the tools that they will need to identify plants in the future,” says Mr. Miller. Held at the Arboretum and other locations TBA. Instructor Ed Miller serves as curator to the Native Plant Collection, which he started at the Landis Arboretum in 1999. He has twice served as the chairman of the Northeastern section of the Botanical Society of America. Four 3-hour sessions, only $110.

May 19 – 20 (Saturday, Sunday)

35th ANNUAL PLANT/USED-BOOK/BAKE SALE and Debut of the Sunday Artisans’ Sale

Thousand of exceptional plants, trees, shrubs, home baked goods, and a bibliophile’s lair of used books. One of the Arboretum’s two annual signature plant sales. The greenhouse and Acorn Shop will be open. Free parking, no fee (donations are welcomed nonetheless!). 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. No registration needed.

May 21; 4–6:30 pm (Monday)

TERRIFIC TUFA

Hypertufa is an artificial stone material that’s easy to mix up and make a wide variety of garden containers, sculptures, and more. Start with the basics and make a small planter for a container

garden. An outdoor program and expect to get dirty. Register by May 18. $15 members. $25 nonmembers. Susan Carver, educator.

May 23, 4–6pm (Wednesday)

DESIGN A CONTAINER GARDEN

Learn to create a beautiful, handcrafted container garden. Plantscapes owner and Landis trustee Donna Vincent will discuss the elements of container garden design and maintenance

and provide the container and plants for a small garden. Register by May 16. $20 members, $35 non-members. Location: Plantscapes, Duanesburg.

May 30, 6:45am–6pm (Wednesday)

BUS TRIP TO CORNELL PLANTATIONS

Plan on a guided tour of both the perennial gardens and the arboretum at the Cornell Plantations, have lunch in one of many the restaurants in the Ithaca Commons, visit the Ithaca Children’s Garden and

stop by Baker’s Acres, a nursery specializing in perennials during this exciting bus trip to Ithaca. Departs from Wade Bus terminal in Rotterdam. Space is limited. Register by May 1. $50 member,

$65 non-members.

To register or for more information, contact the Landis Arboretum, 518-875-6935 between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. daily.

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