CELEBRATE THE WINTER SEASON AT THE BOTANICAL CENTER

Cooler temperatures shepherd our garden enthusiasts indoors for a month-long celebration of special exhibits and events at the Botanical Center.

Starting December 3 and running through the end of the month, visit the atrium inside of the Botanical Center to enjoy the lively display of model trains and colorful poinsettias. This special exhibit was made possible from the Ozark Garden Railway Society. It will include model-G landscape trains and some handmade miniature Christmas scenes, landscapes and villages. The poinsettia, a plant introduced to the American nursery trade by Joel Roberts Poinsett, congressman and first United States Ambassador to Mexico, discovered this plant with the curious red bracts in winter growing along the roadside in Mexico. Since the early 1900s plant growers and hybridizers have introduced an amazing range of different colors, textures and sizes that have been incorporated into the holiday tradition. This exhibit is free and open daily 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday – Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

On Saturday, December 10 at 2 p.m., Peter Longley will conduct a Dickensian Christmas Tablescapes program. His classical training in entertainment and holiday tradition as estate manager for Tullamaine Castle and cruise director of the Queen Elizabeth 2 will hopefully inspire your next party. The program cost is $5/person and includes refreshments. Participants should secure their seat in advance by calling: 417-891-1515.

On Monday, December 12 at 5:30 p.m., Katie Steinhoff, Botanical Center Coordinator, will be offering a special second session hands-on, wreath-making workshop. Participants will learn more about the great plants from the garden that can be incorporated into a fresh wreath and create a wreath of their own design. In addition to greenery, ribbon, dried fruit, nuts, pods, and flower heads are available to accessorize. The cost is $25 and participants should secure their seat in advance by calling: 417-891-1515.

On Saturday, December 17 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friends of the Garden invites families and people of all ages to Santa and Friends. The mission of Friends of the Garden is to “inspire the discovery, understanding and appreciation of nature by creating and maintaining gardens at Nathanael Greene/ Close Memorial Park.” This event allows people to see the temporary train garden and horticultural poinsettia exhibit inside and connect with nature in a creative way. Everyone is invited to create Nature Ornaments from natural materials collected in the garden. Create 2 for $1. You can also decorate a cookie for $1. Santa will be available for photographs with families and story time throughout the day.

If you have not visited the 114-acre Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park with dozens of outdoor horticultural collections and themed gardens, now is a perfect time to familiarize yourself with over three-miles of paved pathways connecting the parks and garden attractions. Pick up a Bird Check List created by the Greater Ozarks Audubon Society, at the Botanical Center.  The open winter landscape makes bird spotting much easier.  While out in park, you can discover phase 1 of The Winter Garden, a garden that is actually designed to be beautiful year-around, features ornamental grasses, plants with interesting bark and berries, and early flowers. Future plans include benches, a water feature, a swing under a pergola, arbors at the entrances and irrigation in later phases as funds become available.

Tax-deductible $25 annual memberships and contributions to the Friends of the Garden Growth and Maintenance Fund can be sent to P.O. Box 8566, Springfield, Missouri, 65801.