— Courtesy Sherman Library & Gardens
A local botanical garden will be celebrating the upcoming National Public Gardens Week with events, activities, tours and more.
Sherman Library & Gardens announced their lineup of events for the week, celebrated May 11 through 19.
Sherman Library & Gardens will deliver both education and enjoyment each and every day with a variety of planned events for the community to enjoy, Gardens Director Scott LaFleur explained in a press release.
The locally loved gardens in Corona del Mar will also be lit up green light during the celebration.
“We’ll be joining dozens of other landmarks across the country, like Niagara Falls, and illuminating Sherman Library & Gardens in green light,” he said.
National Public Gardens Day was created by the American Public Gardens Association in 2009 and then expanded into a week. The aim is to “drive local and national exposure to the importance of building vibrant, relevant gardens committed to community enrichment and environmental responsibility through community engagement, sustainable practices, and conversation.”
Gardens from across North America, Canada, and Central America will be celebrating the diversity of plants and experiences public gardens bring to their communities.
“What is a Public Garden? It’s an institution that maintains collections of plants for the purposes of public education and enjoyment, in addition to research, conservation and higher learning,” LaFleur said in the prepared statement.
For their first event, SLG will host Newport Beach Garden Tour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday (May 11).
“Stroll through seven private residential gardens in Newport Beach,” the announcement reads. “Each residence will feature an artist painting in the garden throughout the day.”
The ticket price also includes a light lunch and live music at Sherman Gardens. After the tour, return to Sherman Gardens for an after party from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., where raffle and silent auction prizes will be awarded.
Tickets are $50 for members, $60 for non-members. Shuttle service to each of the gardens on the tour is available for an additional cost of $45.
On Sunday (May 12), a Mother’s Day brunch will be held at Café Jardin from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.
On Monday, SLG will honor volunteers with Volunteer Day, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Attendees can meet the garden volunteers and docents and learn more about volunteer opportunities.
On Tuesday, several events will be held for Sustainable Gardening Day.
The first will be a class, Bee Bungalows, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; next will be a Neighborhood Garden Walk from 10:30 a.m. to noon (meet at the gardens’ back gate); and the day will close with a free Movie Night, featuring the documentary “The Gardens of Piet Oudolf,” doors open at 6 p.m. and the movie begins at 7 p.m.
On Wednesday, SLG will highlight Culinary Gardens Day with two classes: Garden Bounty Floral Arrangement, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., featuring lovely and edible fresh garden clippings; and Square-Foot Gardening, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., teaching how to grow different vegetables and flowers in the same raised garden.
The day will end with a Garden Fusions Dinner titled “Public Gardens – An Epicurean Adventure,” from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. LaFleur will share his favorite public gardens and the best dishes he has enjoyed at each. Chef Pascal will recreate those dishes so attendees can also experience the cuisine of these exceptional public gardens.
On Thursday, the garden will honor Arts Day with a class where attendees can create and learn, Mosaic Flower Pot between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and a floral demonstration at 11 a.m. Throughout the day visitors can also go on a self-guided art collection tour.
The day will end with a Newport Beach Garden Tour Artists Reception from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., featuring plein air paintings from the earlier tour, which will be available for purchase (proceeds benefiting Sherman Library & Gardens).
Friday will be Collections Day, and SLG will celebrate by having tours of the library’s books (including some rare books displayed) at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and a botanical garden tour (including some rare and exotic plants) by Horticulture Manager Erin Aguiar at 11 a.m.
Saturday (May 18) is Family Day and features Fuchsia Festival, held from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and several classes throughout the day.
Festival attendees will celebrate the local garden’s signature flower, with a fuchsia sale, seminars, activities, children’s games and crafts, and food and drinks.
Classes throughout the day include: Fuchsia Basket at 11 a.m., which will teach attendees how easy it is to grow quality fuchsias and participants will plant a fuchsia basket to take home; Paint a Fuchsia, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., an all-ages art class taught by artist Erna Van Dyk; and Print Making in the Garden, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., make relief prints inspired by the gardens. Taught by local artist Carol Kreider.
The final day of the week-long celebration will be Sunday (May 19), Health & Wellness Day, and will feature Goat Yoga, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Yoga instructor Darnell Renee will lead an hour of flow yoga in the garden alongside goats walking and playing around attendees.
Pre-registration required for all classes.
Reservations are required for any meal events at Café Jardin. Call (949) 673-0033 for more information.
Some events are free with garden admission.
The public is encouraged to support Sherman Library & Gardens during National Public Gardens Week by texting MYGARDEN55 to 71777.
For more information, or to register for any National Public Gardens Week events taking place at Sherman Library & Gardens, visit slgardens.org or call (949) 673-2261.
