Winter Makes Room for Spring at the Landis Arboretum

ESPERANCE, NY (02/28/2011)(readMedia)-- The Landis Arboretum is your year-round destination for a host of activities, in or about the great outdoors and nature's bounty. Check out the upcoming activities for the month of March:

Winter's Last Hurrah?

Second Sunday Snowshoe, with Winter Tree and Shrub Identification: Sunday, March 13, Noon - 2:00 PM. Join the Arboretum's certified arborist Fred Breglia as he snowshoes the trails of Landis and shows you how to recognize common trees and shrubs, even in the winter. If there's no snow left, the group will hike. Either way, meet Fred at the Barn. Early birds can use our snowshoes (adult and children's sizes available) or bring their own equipment. Members: $5/person, $15/family. Non-members: $10/person, $25/family.

Special Events

Arboretum Rite of Spring: Sunday, March 20, Noon - 3:00 PM. Be a part of the Arboretum's salute to spring at the Settles Hill Tree Farm, 1123 Settles Hill Road, Altamont, just off Route 20. Invite friends, family, or colleagues to this fundraiser brunch for Landis Arboretum. Enjoy good food and good company while you listen to live music and participate in the silent and open auctions featuring many unique and interesting items from local businesses and artists. Tickets are only $25 per person, with a limited number of tables for eight available for $175. Call the Arboretum to reserve now at (518) 875-6935 or use PayPal at www.landisarboretum.org.

Capital District Garden and Flower Show: Friday, March 25 (10AM - 8 PM), Saturday, March 26 (10 AM - 7 PM), & Sunday, March 27 (10AM - 5 PM).

Come to the show at the Hudson Valley Community College Field House and stop at the Landis Arboretum's information booth. We'll be glad to meet you and answer any questions you have about Landis and all it has to offer. Check out the show's beautiful displays by garden designers, landscapers, and floral competition entrants; browse the booths of garden-related vendors; and attend the free programs on various horticultural topics. Included in the latter will be two of the Arboretum's own presenters, sharing their expertise with novice and seasoned gardeners alike: Viktoria Serafin, horticulturist at Glenbrook Farm and long-time Arboretum member and supporter, will speak on the topic of "Hosta Gardening Using Native Plants and Wildflowers" at 1:00 PM on Friday. ISA-certified arborist Fred Breglia, Landis's Director of Horticulture, will offer two workshops: "Prudent Pruning" at 1:00 PM on Saturday and "New and Unusual Trees for the Landscape" at 3:00 on Saturday.

General admission for the show is $10 at the door; children under age 15 free. Seniors (age 62 and older) pay $7 on Friday only. More information and a coupon for $1 off admission are available at www.gardenandflowershow.com.

Starry, Starry Skies at Landis

Public Star Parties: Friday and Saturday, March 25 & 26, 8:30 PM. Look skyward and find nebulae, star clusters, galaxies, planets, and other celestial delights. Alan French and the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers will bring their telescopes to Landis for an evening of stargazing after an introductory talk at the Arboretum's Meeting House. The dark skies of Landis are a treat for the eyes, and admission and parking are free. Donations to aid the Arboretum are always welcome, as are new members. If the skies are mostly cloudy, the Star Parties are canceled for the evening. Contact Alan directly at (518) 374-8460 if in doubt, or for more information about this or other stargazing events at Landis throughout the year.

Landis Arboretum

www.landisarboretum.org * 875-6935 * info@landisarboretum.org