More Blooms and Events at Garvan Woodland Gardens in April

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Tulips, azaleas and dogwoods are among the blooming beauties at Garvan Woodland Gardens this month.

The annual Tulip Extravaganza continues through mid-April at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs. The exact timing of blooms depends on Mother Nature, but the display includes 125,000 vibrant tulips; tens of thousands of fragrant hyacinths and other spring bulbs; and thousands of delicate dogwood blossoms. Butterflies plus hundreds of red, pink, violet and white azaleas will be on show through the end of April.

This is among several events planned this month at Garvan Woodland Gardens, the botanical garden of the University of Arkansas.

The Singing Men of East Texas will present a concert at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 4, in Anthony Chapel. This 50-voice men’s choir, directed by Keith Wilkerson, is one of six groups across the state of Texas that make up the Singing Men of Texas. Their concerts feature a variety of musical styles ranging from classical to southern gospel to contemporary. The concerts typically also feature vocal and instrumental solos.

The Beauty and the Bride Bridal Fair will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 7, on the Dierks Promenade and the Edmondson Great Lawn. This is a one-stop shopping event where brides-to-be and their grooms can talk with photographers, bakeries, florists, videographers, DJs, caterers, jewelers and other wedding-oriented businesses. Cost is $5 per person to visit the vendors. Participants can sample cakes and hors d’oeuvres while browsing the portfolios of area photographers. Door prizes from contributing vendors will be awarded. In addition, one lucky bride will win a free wedding in Anthony Chapel by attending the fair, visiting all vendor booths, and submitting a qualified registration card for the drawing at the end of the event. For questions about the fair, or to book a wedding at Garvan Woodland Gardens, contact Suzie Burch at (501) 262-9604 or sburch@garvangardens.org.

Six jazz and pop vocalists accompanied by the Clyde Pound Trio will perform the Vocal-Rama Concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 7, in Anthony Chapel. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door. To purchase advance tickets or for more information, contact Gretchen Taylor, Hot Springs Jazz Society Executive Director, at (501) 627-2425 or hsjazzsociety@gmail.com. For more information about the Hot Springs Jazz Society, visit their website at hsjazzsociety.org.

Two of the gardens’ most avid walkers will lead weekly, guided health walks in the gardens. Sharon Turrentine, a local fitness fan and regular performer in Anthony Chapel, will lead a three-mile walk at 9 a.m. on Mondays. Paula Wallace, a staff member at the gardens, will lead a one-mile walk at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays. Participants can meet at the Welcome Center. They should wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy walking shoes. No reservations are necessary. The guided walks are free to members, while regular gardens admission applies for non-members.

A tea celebrating springtime in the gardens will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, in the Magnolia Room. This event is served in the traditional English tea style with patrons enjoying assorted scones, finger sandwiches and desserts, all accompanied by a variety of flavorful hot teas. Cost is $22 for gardens members and $28 for non-members. Reservations and pre-payment are required.

The Air Force Band of Mid-America’s Freedom Winds will present a Freedom Winds Concert at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 11, in Anthony Chapel. This dynamic performing ensemble’s library includes works from Renaissance to contemporary styles, popular marches, and patriotic crowd pleasers. The concert is free and open to the public.

A Children’s Series event, “Painting with Plants,” will be held from 9-11 a.m. April 20 on the Model Train Deck. Megan Bradshaw, garden education director, will discuss adaptation in plants, and participants have the chance to take home an art masterpiece when they’re done. Children must be accompanied by a parent or other adult; adult chaperones are admitted free. Cost is $10 per child for gardens members or $12 per child for non-members. The program is open to children ages 6-12; class size limited to 12 children. Advance registration is required.

Alan Vandenbergh will continue his three-part series on the essence of yoga, which can be applied at home, work or school, in the garden or on the golf course. Classes will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. April 20 and May 18 in the Klipsch Amphitheater. Vandenbergh is a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance. Sessions will be limited to 15 participants to enable hands-on instruction. Call the gardens for information about attire and equipment. Cost is $15 per class for members and non-members, or $10 per person per class for families of three or more. Pre-registration is required.

The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, with Maestro Philip Mann, will present an evening of majestic music at 6:30 p.m. April 21 in Anthony Chapel. After the concert, a “meet and greet” reception will be held with members of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in the Magnolia Room, and desserts and beverages will be served. Limited seating is available. Concert cost is $25 for members and $35 for non-members; the dessert reception is $25 per person. Advance reservations and pre-payment are required for both events.

Bob Byers, associate executive director, will present a Gardening 101 Workshop: “Basic Elements and Keys to Garden Design” from 9:30 to noon April 22 in the Magnolia Room. He’ll discuss line, form, texture, color and scale, and participants will learn the importance of each and how to apply these elements in designing home gardens. Cost is free to gardens members, with regular gardens admission for non-members. Pre-registration is required.

In the Gardening 101 Workshop: “Irises,” Karen Johnson will discuss the basics of the iris from 9:30 a.m. to noon April 30 in the Magnolia Room and on the garden grounds. Participants will start the day with a short stroll through the gardens to identify the different species of irises located there. They’ll continue the class indoors for a hands-on presentation. Johnson will discuss how and when to transplant irises and what types of fertilizer to use. After the presentation, each person will have the chance to divide and clean their own irises to take home and plant. Cost is free to gardens members, with regular gardens admission for non-members. Pre-registration is required.

The gardens are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. General admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $5 for children ages 6-12 and free for children ages 5 and younger.

For more information about these events or to check on what’s blooming, call 501-262-9300 or 800-366-4664. For a complete list of events, please visit the Garvan Woodland Gardens website.