Tulip Extravaganza Continues, Landscape Art Installation Planned at Garvan Woodland Gardens

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Tulips bloom near the Garvan Pavilion, designed by Fay Jones and Maurice Jennings, at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Garvan Woodland Gardens continues to welcome the return of spring with a host of activities and events during the month of April.

“Fabulous Fibers,” an exhibit of artwork by Darlene Garstecki, will be on display from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily in the Magnolia Room. Garstecki incorporates her photographs into realistic fiber art for the wall using bright, clear hues and embellishments to enhance each piece as well as to add texture and depth. Garstecki's art has been shown at the Houston International Quilt Festival, American Quilters Society in Paducah, Kentucky, and in many other juried state and local competitions. Her work has hung at the Butler Arts Center in Little Rock, as well as the Artist Workshop Gallery in Hot Springs and the Half Shell Gallery just outside Hot Springs Village.

The Daffodil Days and annual Tulip Extravaganza, celebrating the end of winter, continues at the garden. This is the biggest extravaganza of spring color between Memphis and Dallas, featuring nearly 150,000 brilliant Dutch tulips, spring annuals and azalea blooms. It is sponsored by CHI St. Vincent. Updated photos and details on peak bloom times can be found on the Garvan Gardens Facebook page.

The annual spring concert featuring Sharon Turrentine will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 3 at Anthony Chapel. Turrentine has studied voice since age 6 and has entertained at fairs and festivals all over Louisiana. She has emceed and entertained at local and state pageants across the nation. Turrentine also sang "The Star Spangled Banner" in the Super Dome for a New Orleans Saints game. On her 70th birthday in 2014, she performed the "The Star Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America" at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans for the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion.

Spring Tea will be held at 3 p.m. April 12 in the Magnolia Room. Participants can enjoy food and beverages served in the traditional English tea style, complete with finger sandwiches, desserts, assorted scones and a variety of flavorful hot teas.

The "Bonsai Essentials: Spring Edition with Bryan Carlan" workshop will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. April 15 in the Magnolia Room. Horticulturist Bryan Carlan will lead a brief discussion about Bonsai growing tips, techniques, and preparations for the spring season.

Beginning April 25, the garden will host landscape architect and installation artist W. Gary Smith as he creates his landscape art installation which will be the centerpiece of "Enchanted Forest: Art in Wild Spaces," the 2016 display for the garden. Visitors will be allowed to view the installation process from a special viewing area. Specific paths will have limited or blocked access during this week.

The World Tai Chi and Qigong Day celebration will be held at 10 a.m. April 30. Kathy Packard, a healthy living experts from the Oaklawn Center on Aging, will lead the celebration on the Great Lawn. On this last Saturday of April, thousands of people from cities across 80 nations will come together, to breathe together and provide a healing vision for the world. World Tai Chi Day promotes the health benefits of Tai Chi.

Four "Meet the Horticulturist" workshops will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. on select Thursdays through May in the Magnolia. Garvan Woodland Gardens Horticulture Specialist Minnie Shelor will share seasonal and topical gardening tips. Presentations will be offered indoors with some portions presented outdoors among various Garvan landscapes.

• April 14 – Tickled Pink (and Blue and Purple and Red) workshop: Shelor will teach participants how to use a color wheel to select colors that work well together, determine the best annuals for a site, determine the information needed before visiting a gardening center and discuss how to interpret information on tags.
• April 28 – Contain Your Excitement workshop: Participants will learn tips and tricks for gardening in small places.
• May 19 – Your Mum is Hungry workshop: Participants will learn fertilizer basics.
• May 26 – Cut it Out workshop: Shelor will discuss flowers that do well as cut flowers and share basics on flower arranging, pressing and drying.

The Tai Chi series: “Strength in Motion” will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursdays on the Great Lawn. The Oaklawn Center on Aging will host a workshop teaching the low impact practice of Tai Chi which increases flexibility, balance and strength. Participants are encouraged to wear loose, comfortable clothing and shoes.

Sharon Turrentine will lead a three-mile hike from 9-10 a.m. each Monday through various garden landscapes. Participants should wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy walking shoes.

Garvan Woodland Gardens is the botanical garden of the University of Arkansas and part of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design.

Garvan Gardens is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12 and free for children ages 5 and younger. Some events and activities are free. Some require a fee, advanced registration or prepayment.

For more information about these events or to check on upcoming events, call 501-262-9300 or 800-366-4664.