A P U B L I CAT I O N F O R M E M B E R S O F L AU R I T Z E N GA R D E N S

FALL 2020

growth Seasons of

a letter from the

Executive Director John Newman Dear members, This year has been challenging to say the least. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our organization in ways none of us could have imagined just a year ago. As you know, we had to completely close the gardens on March 16. During the closure, we worked hard at maintaining the grounds and facility knowing we would eventually reopen. Many, many thanks to those of you who stayed with us during this most difficult time! Thanks to a new online ticketing system, protocols, and safety materials, we reopened on June 1. It is not yet all that we would like it to be, but we are quite proud of the fact we can offer so much to the public even though we are still facing challenges due to the pandemic.

VOLUME 22, ISSUE 1 Catch Pollination Investigation Before It Bugs Out.........................................................3 Leashes at Lauritzen Show Your Support For Lauritzen Gardens..........4 Conservation in the Corners.................................5 Plant Profile: Red Cardinal Flower Planting for Pollinators........................................6 Plant List for Pollinators......................................7 Helping the Garden Grow Membership Impact.............................................8 Japanese Park Improvements................................9 Fall Favorites Connecting Children to Nature...........................10 We Are On Our Way to A Million Blooms........11 Gift Shop So You Want To Get Married or Throw a Party?...............................................................12 Creative Problem Solving in the Garden.............13 Prescribed Burns Private Golf Cart Tours......................................14 Monarchs and Migration..................................15 Contributors Listing.......................................16-20

I hope you have had a chance to experience our summer-long pollinator exhibit, Pollination Investigation. As you know, we continue to experience risks to our pollinator population and habitats that could have devastating consequences to our world if not addressed. We are proud of the fact that our exhibit is both fun and educational! We are also proud of the fact we have been able to create new garden additions, despite the economic impact of the pandemic. Thanks to a generous bequest, we are in the process of adding to our Japanese park, already a favorite of our members and guests. We will be breaking ground soon, so look for the completion later this year. Once the Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory reopens, you will find a new jade vine “trellis” (it’s so large, I’m a bit reluctant to call it a trellis). Once the jade vines (Strongylodon macrobotrys) are more mature and begin to bloom, you will have trouble focusing on much else. We have also made some changes to our English perennial border adjacent to the Hitchcock-Kountze Victorian Garden. The new layout takes full advantage of the natural flow of water runoff and adds perennials closer to the main path. The addition of a bridge will provide photo opportunities and fun for all! (see page 13 for details) So, again, thanks to all for hanging with us and gratitude to all of our new and loyal members. We will emerge from the pandemic and, once again, return to a fully operational garden without restrictions. Looking forward to seeing all of you again soon! n

Cover photo and photos on pages 2, 6, and 10 courtesy of Larry Fasnacht, page 4 courtesy of Andrea Clauson, page 5 courtesy of Jon Morgenson, page 8 courtesy of Ed Perez. page 12 courtesy of Chris Woods and Pine + Prairie Photography HOURS: Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. ADMISSION: Adults: $10 + tax Children 3-12: $5 + tax No fee for members and children under 3 years of age.

C at c h P o l l i n at i o n I n v e s t i gat i o n Before It Bugs Out

P

o l l i n at i o n

I n v e s t i gat i o n

Mia Jenkins, director of marketing

i s a f u n fa m i ly s c av e n g e r h u n t d e s i g n e d t o p r e s e n t

e x a m p l e s o f t h e pa r t n e r s h i p s b e t w e e n p l a n t s a n d t h e i r p o l l i n a t o r s .

A

series of

21

s c u l p t u r e s h av e b e e n c r e a t e d b y t a l e n t e d m e m b e r s o f o u r h o r t i c u lt u r e t e a m , w h o a r e b u d d i n g a rt i s t s a n d f r i e n d s t o t h e p o l l i n at o r s .

From goldenrod soldier beetles (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus) to a rubythroated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), and a brown-belted bumblebee (Bombus griseocollis) to a white-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata), each pollinator is handcrafted from a variety of media and/or reclaimed materials and is on display throughout our 100 acres, from the front door to the conservation discovery garden, for guests to discover. As guests make their way through the garden and find a variety of pollinators, they can also discover some amazing pollination stories. Signage throughout the garden highlights individual pollinators, the process of pollination, and more than 60 different plants that are beneficial to pollinators, encouraging guests to add pollinatorfriendly selections to their home landscape and make tiny changes that can have a positive impact on pollinator populations and their habitats. This summer it has truly been a delight

to see so many guests on the hunt for pollinators in the garden- watching families work together to cross all 21 sculptures off of their checklist and learn about the incredible forces that flower our world. From the inception of this exhibit, we wanted to showcase the incredible diversity that is supported by the garden, generate awareness for the importance of pollinators and the trouble that many of them are facing, inspire others to join our efforts to help protect and conserve these important creatures and their habitats, and provide a fun activity for guests to enjoy while in the garden. When a plan comes together, it is very fulfilling. It has also been rewarding to see the real life pollinators we have featured visiting the garden, thanks to mindful planting plans, plant selection, and pollinator-friendly garden maintenance practices from our horticulture team. This summer, our garden staff has seen an influx of the pollinators they were

trying to attract to their spaces and our butterfly watch team has spotted four new species of butterflies in the garden during their weekly walks, most notably the zebra swallowtail (Protographium marcellus) and the vulnerable regal fritillary (Speyeria idalia). It has driven home for our team that while the garden is a beautiful place for people to have meaningful experiences in nature, it is also an important source of food and shelter for populations of bees, butterflies, beetles, moths, and other pollinators. Even better, we have seen more and more guests on the lookout for life beyond flowers and foliage in the garden, doing their own bug and butterfly spotting on their visit. Pollination Investigation has been sponsored by Mutual of Omaha and Beth and Kelvin Whited. This exhibit ends on September 7. Get into the garden to see if you can find all 21 sculptures before they bug out!

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L eashes A t L auritzen Jennifer Evans, senior director of guest experiences In a season where many events have had to be canceled due to pandemic concerns, one event which allows social distancing has continued and our members have just gone doggone nuts about it! Leashes at Lauritzen was started at the request of many members who longed to bring their dogs to the garden for a “pawsome” good time. Over the years the event has grown from only a few days a year to now two nights a month each summer and fall season. Fortunately, the event has continued to grow and the adorable dogs who do come keep hounding us to add more and more dates. Enjoy walking your dog in the garden every first and second Monday of the month from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The remaining dates for the 2020 season are September 7 and 14 and October 5 and 12. Dogs must be leashed (no barking up the wrong tree, please) and up to date on all vaccines. As with all current Lauritzen Gardens visits, please visit lauritzengardens.org to reserve your timed ticket. It’s the ultimate good time for both you and your beloved pooch! n Presented by:

Sponsored by:

Bonafide Pet Academy, LLC The Green Spot • Preferred Pet Partners

S how Y our S upport L auritzen G ardens

for

Cynthe Johnson, assistant director of development As the trees turn to amber and crimson, late blooming plants fill the flower beds, and the days grow shorter, we start looking forward to the Lauritzen Gardens Antiques Show. However, for the first time in 17 years, autumn will not bring the magical transformation of the garden grounds into breathtaking botanical displays and lovely vignettes featuring high quality antique exhibitors, renowned designers and educational sessions. This year we look towards the future to benefit Omaha’s community treasure, Lauritzen Gardens. Each September, teams of community volunteers join together to meticulously plan and execute an extraordinary weekend filled with world renowned speakers, fine antiques and beautiful botanical displays. Event chairs, Julie Kenney, Susan McGillick and Ann Tjaden will continue preparing for next year and Amy Haddad and Steve Martin will resume as Honorary Chairs. Please mark your calendars for September 9 through 12, 2021. The Lauritzen Gardens Antiques Show is the garden’s largest fundraiser, generating annually more than 20% of the garden’s unearned revenue. Lauritzen Gardens is a living museum that requires daily tending while it continues to evolve through the seasons. The money raised keeps the garden’s facilities looking beautiful, directly contributes to programs and makes the stunning plant displays possible. This difficult time shall pass but the antiques show remains a critical part of our work to ensure Lauritzen Gardens can continue to serve you, your family and all its guests. This year we asked friends to SHOW their support for Lauritzen Gardens by making a 100% tax deductible donation. You can also show your support by visiting OmahaAntiqueShow.org to donate online or call Cynthe at (402) 346-4002, ext. 219 for other options. Your support helps Lauritzen Gardens bloom and grow. Fortunately, we know fine antiques and our precious garden will stand the test of time and continue to be cherished treasures. We look forward to seeing you next year at the 2021 Lauritzen Gardens Antiques Show. n

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C o n s e rva t i o n I n T h e C o r n e r s Jim Locklear, director of conservation

Y

o u c a n ' t g e t m u c h fa r t h e r a pa r t i n t h e s t a t e o f

N e b r a s k a t h a n t h e t ow n s o f C h a d r o n — a b o u t 4 0 0 m i l e s a s t h e c r o w f l i e s . B y c a r , yo u a r e l o o k i n g at a n e i g h t h o u r d r i v e , t h e sa m e a m o u n t o f t i m e i t ta k e s t o g e t f ro m N e b r a s k a C i t y t o C h i c a g o . Y e t t h e s e fa r - f l u n g c o r n e r s o f t h e s t a t e a r e t h e l o c a t i o n s o f t h e t wo m o s t r e c e n t p r o j e c t s o f t h e L au r i t z e n G a r d e n s c o n s e rva t i o n p r o g r a m . Nebraska City

and

Seedlings growing in the Lauritzen Gardens conservation greenhouse may change the fate of the butternut tree. One of America’s most endangered trees, the butternut (Juglans cinerea) is a relative of the black walnut (J. nigra) and formerly occurred in forests throughout much of the eastern U.S. and Canada. But a deadly fungal disease called butternut canker is killing off this species throughout its range. Thankfully, a small, healthy native stand of butternut trees was discovered in 2016 near Nebraska City by brothers Jon and Greg Morgenson. Professional horticulturists and avid hikers, they found the butternut trees on a wooded slope above the Missouri River floodplain. Their discovery represents the only known population of butternut in Nebraska. Lauritzen Gardens director of conservation Jim Locklear accompanied Jon and Greg to the site last fall and

collected the seed from which our young butternuts emerged this June. When large enough, the trees will be planted in living conservation collections and made available for research projects through the Tree Gene Conservation Partnership of the American Public Gardens Association and the U.S. Forest Service. The Chadron area is famous for scenic buttes and bluffs. From a distance the rocky slopes and crests appear barren. But a closer look in springtime can reveal gardens of low growing plants that are both tough and beautiful. Barr’s milkvetch (Astragalus barrii) is one of them. This plant forms dense mounds of silvery foliage about four inches tall that are smothered with rosepurple flowers in May. Barr’s milkvetch is considered vulnerable to extinction because of its limited range (northern Great Plains) and relatively few existing populations. This summer, Jim visited the only known Nebraska population of

Barr’s milkvetch on a rocky butte near Chadron with the goal of establishing a conservation seed bank for this species. Following scientifically-developed sampling protocols, Jim was able to collect seed from fifty different plants in this population. This work is part of a larger endeavor coordinated by the Center for Plant Conservation to build a national seed bank of the imperiled plant species of the United States. With the addition of Barr’s milkvetch, we have established conservation seed banks for seven imperiled plants. Our seed banking work in 2020 is supported by a grant from the Cooper Foundation of Lincoln. From a fifty-foot-tall tree to a diminutive High Plains wildflower, Lauritzen Gardens is committed to saving the endangered plants of Nebraska and the Great Plains.n

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P lant P rofile : Cardinal Flower, Lobelia cardinalis Trent Erickson, plant records curator Are you looking to incorporate native plants into your landscape that will attract numerous bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds? Look no further than cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis). With its bright red flowers and tall form, it is a true pollinator magnet. Cardinal flower has many standout qualities. This native perennial grows 2-4 feet tall and forms a tidy clump 1-2 feet wide, which makes it a great fit for the middle or back of a perennial border. Cardinal flower produces vibrant red blooms from mid-summer to fall that are highly attractive to pollinators, especially hummingbirds. Cardinal flower is native to Nebraska and throughout the Great Plains from Mexico to Canada. This means it is very adaptable and can be found growing in a wide range of climates and soils. Cardinal flower is an excellent plant for part shade to full sun in medium to wet soil. The soil should not be allowed to dry out if grown in full sun. If you are looking for something with blue flowers instead, great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica), also sometimes referred to as blue cardinal flower, makes a great substitute. While not quite as striking as the cardinal flower, it is native to Nebraska and a pollinator magnet as well. It is slightly shorter at 2-3 feet tall, with eye-catching blue flowers instead of red. Plants prefer medium to wet soils and part shade to full sun as well. At Lauritzen Gardens, cardinal flower can be found in the festival garden, hummingbird garden, color burst garden bed, and the conservation discovery garden. Great blue lobelia can be found in the rose garden turnaround and conservation discovery garden. Stop by to admire both of these amazing lobelias during your next visit, and be on the look-out for the numerous bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds they attract. n

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P lanting F or P ollinators Kristen Peterson, horticulture manager Did your landscape thrive this past year or did it look tired and bleak at times? Fall is the perfect time to evaluate your garden spaces and add additional plants to better meet your objectives and fill in seasonal and structural voids. Our gardening objective this past year at Lauritzen Gardens was to attract pollinators to our landscapes. Pollinators are important for seed production and they add an element of excitement and discovery that elevates a garden space beyond what a pretty flower or stand of foliage provides. Four essential elements that a garden must have to successfully attract pollinators: 1. Necessary food source – pollen, nectar, and host plants for caterpillars 2. Nesting habitats – hotels or hollow stems for cavity nesting insects or bare ground for ground nesters 3. Water – a bird bath or saucer with stones to prevent drowning 4. Pesticide-free environment Diversity is key in satisfying necessary food sources and nesting habitats; a successful pollinator garden will provide all year long, especially winter. It is important to have plants that provide pollen and nectar from early spring through late fall with a variety of flower shapes, sizes, and colors. Leave clean up until spring when temperatures are warm enough for insects to hatch, (18-24" upright hollow stems provide excellent nesting cavities). Select a couple specimens from the list to the right to plant this fall to satisfy each season and your garden will be ready to host a bevy of pollinators next year. n

P lant L ist F or P ollinators Common Name

Scientific Name

Exposure

Spring Summer Fall Winter

Beardtongue Penstemon digitalis full/part sun Bee balm Monarda sp. full sun Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia sp. full sun Blazing star Liatris sp. full sun Blue false indigo Baptisia australis full sun Blue sage Salvia azurea full sun Butterfly bush Buddleia sp. full sun Butterfly milkweed Asclepias tuberosa full sun Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis full/part sun Cardinal flower Lobelia cardinalis full/part sun Catmint Nepeta racemosa full/part sun Columbine Aquilegia canadensis both Coreopsis Coreopsis grandiflora or C. lanceolata full sun Daffodil Narcissus sp. both Downy blue violet Viola sororia part sun/shade Garden phlox Phlox paniculata full sun Giant ornamental onion Allium giganteum full sun Golden Alexanders Zizia aurea full sun Grape hyacinth Muscari armeniacum both Hardy hibiscus Hibiscus moscheutos full sun Lenten rose Helleborus sp. part sun Lungwort Pulmonaria sp. part sun/shade Joe Pye weed Eutrochium purpureum both Joe Pye weed Eutrochium maculatum both Meadow sage Salvia nemorosa full sun Mountain mint Pycnanthemum sp. full sun New England aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae full sun Ornamental onion Allium 'Millenium' full sun Pasque flower Pulsatilla vulgaris full sun Purple coneflower Echinacea sp. full/part sun Showy goldenrod Solidago speciosa full sun Siberian squill Scilla siberica both Stonecrop Sedum sp. full sun Summersweet Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’ full/part sun Swamp milkweed Asclepias incarnata full sun Turtlehead Chelone sp. full/part sun Viburnum Viburnum sp. full/part sun Yarrow Achillea millefolium full sun

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H elping T he G arden G row

M embership I mpact

Tiffany Regan, development associate

First of all, I would like to thank each of you for supporting your public garden with your membership dollars. We have all been living through an interesting time these past few months and while we did have a period when we were closed to the public, we would like our members to rest assured that they will receive the full twelve month value of their memberships. All memberships that were current as of the time of our closing have had their expiration dates extended for two months to cover the period that the garden was closed.

As the rollercoaster of 2020 draws to an end, the Lauritzen Gardens Guild is looking ahead to 2021, our 20th year of helping the garden grow. Spearheaded by the Loveland Garden Club, a steering committee meeting was held on a cold February day in 1998 to discuss and outline what was to be “The Botanical Garden Guild”. The purpose was to “promote interest in the Omaha Botanical Garden through education, public relations, and fund-raising” in addition to offering volunteer support for garden activities. Today we are proud to stand upon the shoulders of the Loveland Garden Club and continue to support Lauritzen Gardens. Over the past two decades, the Lauritzen Gardens Guild has remained committed to the pledge made on that day in February. We continually look for new ways to engage our community and share the garden’s important message and commitment to environment stewardship and education. To date, the Guild has donated in excess of $800,000 to help the garden and our community grow and embrace the importance of nature in our lives. The guild raises money through membership, special campaigns, and our two signature luncheons – Inspiring and Deck the Holidays. In turn, we have been able to support school field trips, explorer backpacks, scouting programs, family events, employee appreciation events, and education department funding requests. All of this would not be possible without the efforts of the guild and community support. As the holidays near and we look forward to the tradition of our holiday luncheon, we want to make sure we are able to gather and celebrate safely. At the time of this publication, we are uncertain if we will be able to gather on December 3. Yet, we know the guild will find a way to add joy to the holiday season. The health of our families, friends, and community is of utmost importance and continues to be a blessing we celebrate at this time of year. If you would like to find out more about the Lauritzen Garden Guild or become a member, please call Tiffany Regan at (402) 346-4002, ext. 228 or visit our website at lauritzengardens.org/ About/Lauritzen_Gardens_Guild. n

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Libby Krecek, membership coordinator

However, even though we were closed to the public, your membership dollars continued to be put to work in our preparations for the garden to reopen. While membership dues allow you to enjoy benefits such as members-only events and free admission, your membership also translates into helping us to purchase equipment and supplies to maintain the garden, more family friendly exhibits for our members to enjoy, and an increase in educational programming. While we have had to put some of our more popular events on hold for the time being due to the pandemic, please know that we are working hard on bringing everything back bigger and better than ever as soon as we are able. Remember that as members, you always receive free admission to the garden as well as a discount for our education classes. Members can also join us on Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. through the month of October for our members-only walking club. Also, as part of the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admission Program, members with a valid membership card are able to receive reciprocal privileges at over 330 gardens across North America. While we have been able to open the garden for our normal business hours, we have not been able to completely return to normal. Members must still reserve a time slot prior to their visit to the garden by visiting lauritzengardens.org. Remember we are here for all of you during these unique times. So, take some time this summer and fall to relax, de-stress, and enjoy the beauty of nature at Lauritzen Gardens. We look forward to seeing you. n

J a pa n e s e P a r k I m p r ov e m e n t s

S

Mia Jenkins, director of marketing

2005, t h e J a pa n e s e P a r k h a s b e e n a s y m b o l o f f r i e n d s h i p b e t w e e n O m a h a , N e b r a s k a a n d i t s s i s t e r c i t y S h i z u o k a , J a pa n . T h e pa r k ’ s e l e m e n t s h av e g r e a t ince

p u r p o s e a n d p r o f o u n d c u lt u r a l s y m b o l i s m a n d c o m b i n e w i t h p l a n t s t o c r e a t e a s p o t f o r g u e s t s t o r e f l e c t o n t h e t r u e b e au t y o f n a t u r e a n d t h e a r t o f l i v i n g i n h a r m o n y with one another and with all things.

After delighting guests for the past fifteen years, a significant renovation is about to begin in this space, designed to maintain the existing character of the Japanese park and the Sunpu Castle Gate, while making the area more inviting and accessible for visitors to Lauritzen Gardens. Improvements have been made possible thanks to a generous gift from the estate of Gerald “Jerry” Pabst, a longtime garden member and lover of beautiful gardens, art and antiques. The garden has embarked on this renovation with nationally-renowned designer Julie Moir Messervy. Messervy’s vision for composing private and public landscapes of beauty and meaning has furthered the evolution of landscape design and has changed the way people create and enjoy their outdoor surroundings. She studied landscape design with eminent Japanese garden master Kinsaku Nakane and now brings a fresh approach to the project at Lauritzen Gardens, with creative choices

of materials for durability in the Nebraska climate and intention behind every design element. Additional partners on the project include AO*, Chalk Site Design, Ehrhart Griffin & Associates, Landscapes Unlimited, and TD2. Among the most significant improvements, a new karesansui will be added between the pebble court and the Sunpu Chaya. With carefully composed stones, lanterns, and plantings around a raked gravel “sea” (with raked patterns that suggest rippling water), this dry landscape garden is designed to imitate the intimate essence of nature. Another new and noticeable improvement will be the addition of a zig-zag boardwalk around the north pond. This walkway will allow guests closer access to the water feature and will create a complete loop along the paved main walking path.

Additionally, three new torii gates, gatelike structures that mark the transition from the mundane to the sacred, will replace existing gates. The main plaza will be renovated and new benches and seating will be added to encourage relaxation and meditation within the space. New specimen trees and small garden beds will be added throughout the park. The existing pebble court will be restored and adjustments will be made to Mt. Fuji, a sacred site for our sister city, to make the feature more symmetrical and provide a meditative walk up and down the summit (on special occasions). Renovations will require the Japanese park to be closed to the public for several months, but we look forward to the exploration of this space of peace and tranquility, that pays tribute to our global friendship with our dear sister city of Shizuoka and teaches us about Japan’s unique landscape traditions, craftsmanship, horticulture, and culture, upon this project’s completion. n

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Fall Favorites Sarah Hankin, marketing associate Fall has always been a strange sort of season, one that invokes mixed feelings of nostalgia and anticipation. Leaves changing remind us of happy childhood memories of going back to school, playing sports, and the anticipation of Halloween to follow. Even if school and sports weren't your thing, or if some of your favorite things have been cancelled or postponed due to the pandemic this year, there are plenty of other reasons to love fall. We polled some of our staff to find out their favorite things about fall at Lauritzen Gardens! • The smell of chrysanthemums and the palette of warm colors created by the changing leaves and the goldenrod blooming. • Seeing the tent popping up in the parking lot because it means the Lauritzen Gardens Antiques Show is happening soon and we will see new and old friends coming together to support the garden. • The glow of seed heads in the prairie during golden hour, intermixed with goldenrod and pink and purple asters on the hill leading up to the conservation discovery garden. • I love the second flush of roses that typically last until frost in the rose garden. It’s also a great time to see the rose hips! • I'm a sucker for maples and their vibrant fall colors in the Garden in the Glen. • The prairie grasses turn beautiful shades of burgundy, blue, and purple and the wildflowers are in bloom. • Walking the garden when the leaves change color and no one tree remains the same from one walk to the next. This changing landscape is dynamic and a sight to see, for sure! • The beautiful view of all the fall foliage as you overlook the Missouri River and the bluffs - brilliant colors and the sound of leaves crunching beneath your feet along with the chill in the air... I just love it! We hope you find time to visit and to fall in love with nature and everything this glorious season has to offer. n

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Connecting Children Nature

to

Kate Schwarz, garden educator Here at Lauritzen Gardens, we firmly believe that children and their families should be immersed in the natural world around us. The benefits seem endless and for families, the great outdoors is a natural playground that aids in the positive development of our young people! Children live through their senses. They seek to understand the world through the sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and touches of things that surround them. When children are exposed to nature at a young age, they are more creative. Creativity comes innately for most children. However, with highly structured environments, children tend to lose their creativity. Research directly supports the idea that children who are immersed in nature-based playgrounds engage in more creative play either independently or with their peers/families. Nature is a fantastic source of wonder for children of all ages. They learn to push the boundaries of their emotions and talents in a safe environment. Simple questions such as how high can I climb, what happens when I skip a rock in the pond, and several others allow children to explore their boundaries and curiosity. Outdoor play is not only good for the mental health of children, it is also beneficial for their physical development by encouraging active and healthy bodies. Our society is increasingly less and less fit. Being outdoors allows children and families to increase their fitness levels in a fun and engaging way. Spending time outside is also a good source of various vitamins that our bodies need to survive and promote a level of good health. With all of these positives of the natural world, Lauritzen Gardens offers many adult, family, and child centered programs that allow all individuals to experience the benefits of nature. Specifically, Lauritzen Gardens’ Lil’ Sprouts program is designed for our youngest of patrons, preschoolers, and their families to engage their senses within the natural world. Starting these benefits at such a young age will plant the seeds of success throughout their lives. n

We Are On Our Way To A Million Blooms

L

Rosemary Lebeda, director of development

i k e m a n y o rga n i z at i o n s a n d v e n u e s t h ro u g h o u t o u r c o m m u n i t y ,

L au r i t z e n G a r d e n s

h a s b e e n c h a l l e n g e d t o f i n d wa y s t o s a f e ly s h a r e o u r o f f e r i n g s w i t h t h e p u b l i c a n d

c o n n e c t p e o p l e w i t h n at u r e .

To stay connected with our members and friends, we have relied greatly on social media and virtual tours to showcase the colorful discoveries in the garden and to profile the care, attention and thoughtful planning our gardeners do behind the scenes to make our gardens flourish. Despite being closed, the work continued. Though COVID-19 closed our gates through much of the spring blooming season, it could not stop the blooming of more than 100,000 daffodil bulbs as part of our A Million Daffodils project. This ambitious campaign began when we sought to create a botanical marvel akin to the tulip fields of Holland or the fantastical field of poppies from The Wizard of Oz. Since tulips and poppies are not able to fully thrive in Nebraska’s climate, daffodils were the viable alternative. Their bright color and fresh scent could make even the saltiest sourpuss smile. And once they complete

their blooming cycle, prairie plants emerge and a completely new garden experience begins. We hope the community makes it a tradition to visit this amazing display of color each spring. In 2021, we expect to see more than 300,000 cheerful daffodil blooms. This will be made possible with the planting of 50,000 additional bulbs this fall, funded by gifts of all sizes from our community. Planting bulbs in the fall truly is a group effort that, with lots of help, can be done in a matter of weeks. Historically, teams of volunteers and students have assisted staff with the daffodil planting. Due to limitations that COVID-19 has placed on everyone, we expect our teams will be significantly reduced. However, everyone still is invited to be a part of this herculean undertaking.

Perhaps the best way to support this wonderful project during these limiting times would be a monetary gift? A gift of $5 will underwrite one daffodil and help us reach our lofty goal. A gift to this campaign can also be made as a tribute to a friend or loved one. What better way is there to honor someone than to give them a gift that blooms year after year? In these challenging times, it is important to rally together to preserve and promote the beautiful things in life. Though Lauritzen Gardens may only be a small part of a big and sometimes messy world, we will continue to do great things with the aim of trying to bring beauty and happiness to all who visit. For more information or to make a gift to support the mission of Laurtizen Gardens, please visit lauritzengardens.org/Give. n

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G ift S hop Jennifer Evans, senior director of guest experiences The Lauritzen Gardens gift shop is now open and is the perfect place to handle all of your fall and holiday shopping needs. Stop by and take advantage of your member discount to purchase great gifts to spread cheer amongst your friends and family. Carefully selected items to bring a little bit of the garden home are always welcome when given, or kept as a little something for yourself. Now is the perfect time to stock up on soft and cozy cashmere scarves from Scotland, perfect for holiday gift-giving, on sale for only $19.99 each (regularly $29.99). Add a splash of fall color to your home with gorgeous fall décor. Find inspiration and unique ideas in our fall pumpkin display. "Gardenlust: A Botanical Tour of the World’s Best New Gardens" is perfect for those who love travel and gardens. Author Chris Woods was the 2020 Loveland Garden Club lecturer and described with wit and humor the fascinating people, plants, and stories that make these gardens so lust-worthy. Michel Design Works® fragrances are the perfect gift to keep in stock for your unexpected gift-giving needs. These also make lovely hostess gifts! The children’s corner has a wide range of tools, toys, and games to connect young green thumbs with the natural world. n

m e m b e r s s av e

10%

o n g i f t s h o p p u rc h a s e s e v e ry

da y . p r o c e e d s f r o m s a l e s h e l p u s g r o w !

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So You Want to Get Married or Maybe Throw a Party? Paula Christenson, rentals coordinator Today’s world can be a nightmare for the couple trying to plan their wedding and reception or the client trying to throw the perfect private party. There are so many out of the ordinary restrictions that now have to be considered. At Lauritzen Gardens, we support both wedding and corporate events within the parameters needed for a safe and comfortable event experience. We recognize that these parameters are consistently evolving and will work with our clients to follow guidelines, while helping bring their vision to life. Lauritzen Gardens has something you can’t find anywhere else in Nebraska; the natural beauty of cultivated botanical garden. It was voted the best venue for a wedding in Nebraska by Cosmopolitan magazine in 2018, is a finalist for Best Rehearsal Dinner Venue in Nebraska Wedding Day magazine’s Best of 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards, and has received numerous other accolades. Whether you want an elegant or rustic reception, an outdoor or indoor ceremony/dinner/meeting, we can provide the perfect space. An added bonus, in a time when social distancing is appropriate, event guests don’t have to stay seated- they can relax while enjoying the outdoor garden areas or taking a stroll through the Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory. Event guests are sure to be impressed and the photos will be treasured forever. It’s simple to book Lauritzen Gardens for special events, simply call Paula at (402) 346-4002, ext. 261 and arrange a personalized site visit (Please note that some areas are not currently accessible in order to protect staff and other guests). Come prepared with questions, ideas, concerns, enthusiasm and masks to stay safe while here. See the indoor venue, peruse photos from past events for inspiration and to see locations not open on the tour, and explore the outdoor gardens at your leisure. Right now we could all use a little more celebration in our lives. Consider the garden for your next event to make sure your special day or private event is a memorable one, while sharing the public garden that you support through membership with your guests. n

C r e a t i v e P r o b l e m S o lv i n g In the Garden

W

e h av e a l l h e a r d t h e s a y i n g

"when

Darran Holst, horticulture manager

l i f e g i v e yo u l e m o n s m a k e l e m o n a d e " , a n d

t h a t i s e x ac t ly w h a t w e h av e d o n e b y c o m p l e t i n g t wo r e c e n t p r o j e c t s .

In spring 2018, we noticed the edge of the stream in the Garden in the Glen had collapsed onto itself. The stream was well over 25 years old and the limestone was really starting to suffer from the freeze/ thaw cycle of Nebraska winters. A decision was made to reconstruct the entire stream area. Granite boulders were chosen to be the foundation of this for both their durability and natural beauty. Bridges passing over the stream allow visitors to experience the garden from the inside, rather than just from the path and a new staircase that parallels the waterfall invites guests to explore further, and is a great spot to take photos. The results are not only a more functional stream but a centerpiece of natural interest for visitors to enjoy. In early spring of 2020, a similar failure of a retaining wall in the English perennial border demanded a new solution. The horticulture team came up with a plan to not only fix the wall but add a new perennial bed to the area in the process.

First, some of the existing perennials in the area had to be dug up and set aside for the time being. The area had always suffered some drainage issues so a grading company was hired to regrade to allow for better slope and water flow. The existing turf grass was removed and the horticulture team went back to work. Several large pieces of limestone were added to replace the old retaining wall. Then an area adjacent to the roadway was transformed into a large, raised perennial bed with several cubic feet of good topsoil. Some larger limestone pieces were added to bridge a gully that had been formed to accommodate drainage. As an added bonus, an old bridge that had been in storage for some time was given new life as a way to cross over the gully that now tends to get soggy from drainage. The bridge has not only become an instant hit with guests of all ages and a great photo spot, but it has also helped transform a problem area into a fun, interactive experience. Finally, the horticulture team replanted

the perennials and added many new ones, including some that love getting their feet wet. The result is a more multi-sided experience when walking through the English perennial border. Working with these problem areas rather than against them has allowed for the creation of not only more functional landscapes, but more pleasant spaces for all to enjoy. It's a lesson to all to get creative with problem solving in the garden and turn those long-term problems into lemonade. n

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FA LL 2020

P rescribed B urns

Private Golf Cart Tours

Sarah Hankin, marketing associate

Christine Jacobsen, director of education

Performing periodic controlled fires is a land management technique that restores health to prairie and woodland ecosystems. These fires remove invasive species and young woody plants, promote the growth of native vegetation, and recycle nutrients back into the soil.

In the height of the outdoor garden season, May through October, we invite you to partake in a private golf cart tour of Lauritzen Gardens. More than just a golf cart ride, these tours can also be tailored to an area of interest, for example, the history of Lauritzen Garden, garden design, or plants for specific purposes or areas.

These burns require a lot of training, planning, teamwork, safety, and communication to make sure everything goes smoothly. This method is preferable to spraying with herbicide or mowing/cutting down grasses and is usually more efficient and effective. Last fall and early this spring our horticulture team conducted a few small prescribed burns to help control invasive grasses and enhance our native landscapes, including the Song of the Lark Meadow, and the parking garden. These areas were chosen as ideal locations for our first season of prescribed burns because the parking lots and sidewalks serve as firebreaks so the newly certified burn team could fully focus on observation, communication, and control. Looking at the scorched stretch of prairie immediately following the burn, it is difficult to imagine anything being able to grow at all in the blackened landscape. Clearing the landscape of dead vegetation and invasive species returns beneficial nutrients to the soil, and the dark, exposed surface warms more quickly in the spring, aiding in germination of new seeds and new growth. In early spring, the Song of the Lark Meadow was seeded with a wildflower mix comprised of asters (Symphyotrichum spp.), coreopsis (coreopsis spp.), purple coneflowers (Echinacea spp.), cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) and corn poppies (Papaver rhoeas). These species were chosen by the horticulture staff to not only add color and beauty to the swath of land usually dominated by graceful prairie grasses, but also to improve wildlife diversity. With the removal of non-native plants on the hillside in the parking lot, native plants have more nutrients and room to grow. Once a struggle for the horticulture staff to keep under control by hand, the prescribed burns help them maintain a healthy prairie ecosystem. n

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Hosted by a member of senior leadership, tours are offered Monday through Thursday at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tour rate is $60 per person, or $45 per person for members. Bookings are required one week in advance. Call Christine at (402) 346-4002, ext. 212 to book your tour or to purchase a gift certificate for a recipient to redeem on a date of their choosing. A great gift idea! Due to COVID-19, all private tours are limited to a maximum of three people, and all participants must wear a mask for the entirety of the tour. n

ˆ

Monarchs

and

M i g r at i o n Mindy Morgan, garden educator

A

s fa l l a pp r oac h e s , w e a t

L au r i t z e n G a r d e n s a r e r e m i n d e d o f a n i n c r e d i b l e j o u r n e y M o n a r c h b u t t e r f l i e s ( D a n au s p l e x i p p u s ) a r e a b o u t t o e m b a r k . f r o m S e p t e m b e r t o e a r ly N ov e m b e r , a d u lt b u t t e r f l i e s w e s t o f t h e R o c k y f ly u p t o 3,000 m i l e s t o t h e i r ov e rw i n t e r i n g s i t e i n s o u t h w e s t e r n M e x i c o .

on which millions of

E v e ry y e a r Mountains

They are the only butterflies to complete such a phenomenal migration and continue to pique the curiosity of researchers and citizen scientists alike. It may not be obvious, but the adult monarchs that we see in late September are different from those we see gently fluttering around milkweed (Asclepias sp.) early in the summer. This generation will not mate or lay eggs until next spring. Instead, they will be preparing for an epic flight by drinking nectar and building fat stores to sustain themselves through the long winter. As they migrate south the butterflies will feed as much as possible, actually gaining weight during the trip possibly because gliding on air currents conserves fuel. Once the massive orange and black butterfly clouds reach their winter roost destination, they will simply cluster together to stay warm and occasionally seeking water and nectar to drink.

How the monarchs find this site, and even the same trees each year is a mystery as they are the great-great-grandchildren of the butterflies that roosted here the previous winter. Once spring arrives in March, the over-wintered females will lay their eggs in northern Mexico and the southern United States. Three or four more generations of monarchs will emerge as they migrate north and the cycle will begin anew. Since monitoring projects began in the 1990s, numbers of overwintering monarchs have dramatically declined. Milkweed on which caterpillars exclusively depend is threatened by herbicide use. Widespread insecticides and habitat loss have also contributed to waning populations. In the Midwest, we can restrict our use of toxic chemicals and grow blooming food sources to support butterflies throughout their year-long migration. Planting native species of

milkweed and diverse, nectar-rich flowers may be the most significant action you and your family can take to support these special monarch butterflies as well as other beneficial pollinators. Consider adding common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), and butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) species to your garden as well as black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta), New England asters (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea), and goldenrod (Solidago sp.) We encourage you to join us in supporting these fascinating insects. Become a citizen scientist and join the ranks of volunteers who have contributed a wealth of invaluable data to monitoring projects. To get started, attend the Lauritzen Gardens Monarch Tagging event on September 13. For more information and to register, please visit lauritzengardens.org/Learn/Programs_for_ Adults/. n

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CONTRIBUTORS TO OUR GROWT H O c t obe r 19 , 2 019 t h rou g h Ju l y 31, 2 0 2 0 $25,000+

Anonymous* Mr. and Mrs. Mogens C. Bay Mr. and Mrs. Richard R. Bell Mr. and Mrs. Randell S. Blackburn Dixon Family Foundation Douglas County Ms. Carol Gendler Dr. Amy Haddad and Mr. Steve Martin Mr. and Mrs. Allen Hager Mr. and Mrs. Deryl F. Hamann HDR, Inc., Mr. Eric L. Keen The Holland Foundation Claire M. Hubbard Foundation Iowa West Foundation Dr. Stephanie and Mr. John Koraleski Mr. and Mrs. Bruce R. Lauritzen John & Elizabeth Lauritzen Foundation Lauritzen Gardens Guild Mammel Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Carl G. Mammel Mr. and Mrs. Michael R. McCarthy McCarthy Group LLC Mr. Patrick Duffy Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Milligan Mutual of Omaha Mr. Daniel P. Neary Nebraska Medicine Dr. James R. Linder Omaha Steaks Pape Family Foundation Parker Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. David R. Parker Pinnacle Bancorp, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. J. Sid Dinsdale and Mrs. Lynn Marchese Mr. and Mrs. Ronald N. Quinn Julie Morsman Schroeder Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Tobin A. Schropp Amy L. Scott Family Foundation The Sherwood Foundation Slosburg Family Charitable Trust Mr. and Mrs. David Slosburg Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth E. Stinson Robert H. Storz Foundation Mr. Robert S. Howard Dr. and Mrs. Stanley M. Truhlsen Union Pacific Corporation Mr. Donald F. Wurster and Ms. Joan L. Gibson Valmont Industries, Mr. Mogens C. Bay

$10,000 to $24,999

Anonymous Dr. Carol R. Angle Children’s Hospital and Medical Center Cooper Foundation Mr. and Mrs. William S. Dinsmoor First National Bank The Hawks Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Howard L. Hawks Physicians Mutual Foundation Mr. Robert A. Reed Mr. Robert A. Reed Security National Bank of Omaha Mr. and Mrs. J. William Scott Mr. and Mrs. Kurt F. Tjaden Webster Family Foundation Jim & Shirley Young Family Foundation

$5,000 to $9,999

Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. Jack W. Baker Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. Cassling Center for Plant Conservation Ms. Susan Clifton and Ms. Nicole Clifton-Mills Mr. Robert J. Cody Mr. and Mrs. John D. Ellsworth Kiewit Corporation Bill and Jodie Mackintosh Family Charitable Fund

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Moglia Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Daniel P. Neary Northern Natural Gas Mr. and Mrs. Bill Pospichal Mr. and Mrs. James L. Quinlan Dr. and Mrs. Trent Quinlan Mr. and Mrs. John H. Rebensdorf Mr. and Mrs. Paul C. Schorr, III Mr. and Mrs. Harley D. Schrager Mrs. Janet S. Strauss Vrana Family Foundation Denny and Diana Walker Foundation Mr. and Mrs. James Warren Mr. and Mrs. John W. Webster

$500 to $4,999

Anonymous Acklie Charitable Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Len Adams Mrs. Julie A. Anderson Animal Spay-Neuter Clinic AO Alan and Marcia Baer Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Bates Baxter Auto Mr. and Mrs. George J. Behringer Ms. Jean Bell Mr. and Mrs. James Bemis Best Care Pet Hospital Mr. and Mrs. James T. Blackledge Mr. and Mrs. Gary L. Bohn Mr. and Mrs. Scot Bonnesen Mr. and Mrs. Larry Brennan Mr. and Mrs. Edson L. Bridges, II Ms. Linda Burt and Mr. John Rebrovic Mr. and Mrs. John Campbell Mr. and Mrs. Dean M. Carlson Mr. and Mrs. Scott L. Cassels Mr. and Mrs. John W. Clark Mr. and Mrs. Alan Cobb Mr. and Mrs. Russell Collins Mr. and Mrs. Cory Cosimano Mr. and Mrs. Larry Courtnage Dr. and Mrs. Michael N. Crawford Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Crouse Mr. and Mrs. William A. Cutler, III The Honorable and Mrs. Harold Daub Mr. and Mrs. Richard K. Davidson Ms. Susan Dennis Mr. and Mrs. David Diamond Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Duffy Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Eischeid Mr. Matthew Ellis Mr. and Mrs. Terrence J. Ferguson Ms. Sheila Fitzgerald Mr. and Mrs. Roger A. Fleury Fraser Stryker PC LLO Mr. Bruce Frasier and Mr. Richard Nielsen Ms. Jane E. Frey Friedland Family Foundation Ike and Roz Friedman Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Lance M. Fritz Ms. Marsha V. Gallagher and Mr. Ted James Dr. and Mrs. Kevin L. Garvin Gifford Foundation Giger Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Howard Hahn Dr. and Mrs. Lee J. Handke Mr. and Mrs. William G. Hanley Mr. and Mrs. Kim Hawkins Mr. and Mrs. David A. Hecker Ms. Jeannie Heckman Mr. and Mrs. David L. Hefflinger Charles and Mary Heider Family Foundation Ms. Heidi Higgason Inroads to Recovery Ms. Fatima Basith and Dr. Pirzada Sattar Mrs. Carolyn L. Ireland John A. Gentleman Mortuaries Mr. and Mrs. Ian C. Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Lance Jones Mr. and Mrs. Robert Julian Mr. and Mrs. Steven P. Kenney

Mr. George Kleine Mr. and Mrs. John Kotouc Dr. and Mrs. Rudy Kotula Mr. and Mrs. Jim Kresha Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Krohn Ms. Chris LaFever Lamp, Rynearson & Associates Ms. Carole J. Langan Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Laughlin Mr. and Mrs. Michael C. Lebens Mr. and Mrs. Jay R. Lerner Loveland Garden Club Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Lundak Mr. and Mrs. John Maaske Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Martin Mr. and Mrs. Terry J. McClain Ms. Sharon L. McGill Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. McGillick McGrath North PC LLO Metropolitan Utilities District Mr. and Mrs. Joe Mickeliunas Mr. and Mrs. Doug Misbach Mr. and Mrs. Craig Moody Mr. Michael P. Morris and Ms. Brenda J. Christensen Mr. and Mrs. Chris J. Murphy Mr. and Mrs. Duncan J. Murphy Ms. Kathleen C. Murphy Nebraska Arts Council Mr. and Mrs. John M. Newman Mr. and Mrs. Murray H. Newman Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. O’Connor, Jr. Ms. Jane O’Keefe Addy Omaha Public Power District Mr. and Mrs. Tonn H. Ostergard Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Pansing, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Francis Partsch Mr. and Mrs. Tom Peterson Dr. Cassandra and Mr. Gary A. Pietrok Drs. Lewis and Winifred Pinch Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell L. Pirnie Mr. and Mrs. Kennard Pohlman Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Post Mr. and Mrs. John H. Ransom Mr. and Mrs. John T. Reed Mr. and Mrs. Chip Riedmann Mrs. Nancy B. Riley Mr. and Mrs. Michael Robino Mrs. Silvia Roffman Dr. and Mrs. Ronald W. Roskens Mr. and Mrs. Ronald W. Schaefer Bob and Polina Schlott Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey R. Schmid Select Van & Storage SilverStone Group Mr. and Mrs. Paul G. Smith Ms. Shelley Smith and Dr. Edward Cohn State Farm Insurance Strategic Electric Group Streck, Inc. Stein Construction, Inc. Mrs. Bernadet M. Taylor Ms. Nicole Theophilus Todd Smith Fitness Mr. and Mrs. Del Toebben Torpy Tree Service Transwood, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Brian Wood Travel and Transport, Inc. United Seeds, Inc. University of Nebraska at Omaha Mr. Cecil Hicks, Jr. Urgent Pet Care The von Sternberg Family Foundation Dr. and Mrs. Timothy O. Wahl Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Weitz Dr. and Mrs. John Welch Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Welsh Mr. and Mrs. Kelvin R. Whited Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Whitson Whitmore Charitable Trust Dr. and Mrs. James H. Wigton Ms. Wendy Wiseman and Mr. Gary Gustafson

CONTRIBUTORS TO OUR GROWT H O c t ob e r 19 , 2 019 t h rou g h Ju l y 31, 2 0 2 0 Ms. Peggy J. Witthauer Mr. and Mrs. J. Stavely Wright Mr. and Mrs. Adam Yale

IN-KIND DONATIONS

A New Leaf Abraham Catering Anonymous Borsheims Fine Jewelry & Gifts Edson and Sally Bridges Chocolat Abielle Emspace + Lovgren Hilton Omaha Linda and Scott Ferguson John Fox Ground Works Nancy Heller Karen Jorgensen Julie Kenney Gina, Natalie, and Jerry Lauritsen Magnolia Hotel Susan McGillick Christine Nelson On a Whim Raising Cane’s Kristie Stienike Ann Tjaden Cindy Tooher Maria Velez Voila! Jan Vrana

MEMBERSHIP SUSTAINERS

Mr. and Mrs. John Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Gary L. Bohn Mr. Robert Braun and Ms. Mary Heng-Braun Mr. and Mrs. William Breyfogle Mr. and Mrs. Walt Bussey Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Carpenter Dr. Betty Craft and Dr. Carol Grasser Mr. Dennis Dau Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Daugherty Mr. and Mrs. Terry Diel Mr. and Mrs. Roy Dinsdale Mr. and Mrs. Nathan P. Dodge, III Mr. and Mrs. John D. Ellsworth Mr. Keith Fisher Ms. Marlen D. Frost Dr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Gensler Mr. Daniel A. Hamann Mr. and Mrs. James Hammel Mr. and Mrs. David P. Hawk Mr. and Mrs. Pierre Hollard Ms. Deneen M. Jack Mr. and Mrs. Dean G. Jacobsen Mr. and Mrs. Todd L. Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Eric L. Keen Ms. Emily Kemp Ms. Lillian M. Krehbiel Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Kuehneman Ms. Barbara C. Kuhn Mr. and Mrs. Louis E. Lamberty Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Milligan Dr. and Mrs. Timothy Moore Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Moy Mr. and Mrs. Duncan J. Murphy Dr. and Mrs. Robert G. Penn Dr. and Mrs. Dennis E. Pestal Mr. and Mrs. Carl Peters Mr. Dennis Peters Mrs. Patricia S. Peterson Drs. Lewis and Winifred Pinch Mr. and Mrs. Ronald W. Schaefer Mr. Daniel L. Shrader Mr. and Mrs. Paul G. Smith Ms. Lisa T. Stewart Krutter Mr. and Mrs. Thomas S. Thomas Mr. and Mrs. Terry L. Tooley Drs. Douglas Vonderfecht and Jane A. Kugler

Mr. and Mrs. John W. Webster Mr. and Mrs. Michael T. Whealy Mr. and Mrs. Henry E. Wojdyla, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Philip M. Wolf

BENEFACTORS

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Andersen Mr. and Mrs. Paul Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Edward S. Batchelder Dr. Reba and Mr. Leon Benschoter Mrs. F. Marjorie Brennan Mr. Robert V. Broom and Ms. Mary P. Clarkson Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Burchfield Mr. and Mrs. Bradford R. Burwell Mss. Bobbie and Holly Carlson Mr. and Mrs. James A. Carroll Mr. Jeffrey Cassler Ms. Marilyn K. Chaney Mr. and Mrs. Gary Chingren Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Cole Ms. Sue L. Eckley Dr. and Mrs. Timothy C. Fitzgibbons Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Fitzpatrick Mrs. Linda P. Forsberg Dr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Gallagher Mr. and Mrs. Stephen E. Gehring Dr. and Mrs. Mike Gross Mr. and Mrs. John P. Heil Dr. Kristen Hoffman and Mr. Gary L. Hoffman Mr. and Mrs. Robert K. Hoisington Dr. Anne M. Hubbard and Ms. Mary Hubbard Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Hunt Mr. and Mrs. Dale O. Inglis Mrs. Carolyn L. Ireland Mr. and Mrs. Burton D. Jay Mr. Igor Kavaliou and Mr. Matthew E. Ellis Mr. and Mrs. Craig L. Kelley Mr. Steve Kenyon and Ms. Mary K. Stolinski Mr. George E. Kleine and Mr. Tom Knox Mr. and Mrs. John F. Kotouc Mr. and Mrs. Marc Kraft Mr. and Mrs. Clarence L. Landen, III Mr. and Mrs. James D. Layman Ms. Elizabeth Leddy Mr. and Mrs. Russell L. Manners Mr. and Mrs. John W. Marshall Mr. and Mrs. Jackson B. Martis Mr. and Mrs. Dan McCoy Ms. Janet J. McCrae Drs. Kathleen and John Mitchell Ms. Mary Ellen Mulcahy Dr. Diana L. Nevins Mr. and Mrs. Frederik F. Ohles Mrs. Rosemary R. Ohles Mr. and Mrs. H. Don Osborne Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Passer Mr. and Mrs. Drew Pfeifer Mr. and Mrs. Kennard Pohlman Mr. and Ms. Richard A. Pouchert Mr. and Mrs. Walter M. Price Mr. and Mrs. Jerald E. Ritter Drs. Edward and Victoria Roche Mr. and Mrs. James Schroer Dr. and Mrs. Scott Semrad Mr. and Mrs. Vibhu Sharma Mr. James T. Shaw Dr. and Mrs. Richard H. Sieling Mrs. Dara J. Spivack Mr. Peter Stone and Dr. Anna Marika Stone Mr. and Mrs. Paul R. Stoupa Mr. and Mrs. John H. Thorogood Mrs. Barbara M. Vacanti Mr. and Mrs. Chad Vokoun Mr. and Mrs. Bruce D. Vosburg Mr. John J. Wagner and

Ms. Carolyn M. McNamara Dr. and Mrs. Andrew O. Wahl Dr. Chester H. Waters, III Mr. and Mrs. John W. Webster Dr. Steven M. Williams Mr. and Mrs. William A. Wollenhaupt Mr. and Mrs. Richard Zarkowski

MEMORIAL AND TRIBUTE GIFTS GARDEN BENCHES IN HONOR OF:

All Who Tend Lauritzen Gardens Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Andersen

IN MEMORY OF: Patty Tomasek Ms. Heather Tomasek

BRONZE BRICKS IN HONOR OF:

Florence and Joseph Holubar Ms. Christine Holubar-Walsh The Riedmann Family The Riedmann Family

IN MEMORY OF:

Zachary Crinklaw and Phyllis Fideline Mr. Lee Fideline Christine E. Dietz Mr. John Dietz and Ms. Holly Morris Antoinette Hahn Mr. and Mrs. Gary Hughes Ms. Teresa Iverson Tom Peterson Mr. and Mrs. William G. Barr Mr. and Mrs. Patrick B. Donahue Dr. and Mrs. Eric D. Phillips Mr. and Mrs. James L. Quinlan

HERB GARDEN BRICKS IN HONOR OF:

Salvatore Fidone Mrs. Joleen Lawless Josh and Haley Hernandez Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Hernandez Barbara Kuhn Ro Ceminaro Lois Denzler Barb Foley Janet McCrae Anna Schundrenko Michele Moffit Her Granddaughter Kimberly Orris Ms. Linda Willis The Riedmann Family The Riedmann Family Vinny and Charlie Cat Mother Anna Marie White A Donor

IN MEMORY OF:

Kristi Lynn Anderson Mrs. Kelly Anderson-Pawaskar Dee Bartek Nebraska Loves Public Schools Jesilee Bles Mrs. Ann C. Thomsen Kathie Briley Dr. and Mrs. John Wupper Modere “Ray” Bruneteau, III Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hartman Joyce A. Chancler Sam's Nebraska Furniture Mart

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CONTRIBUTORS TO OUR GROWT H O c t obe r 19 , 2 019 t h rou g h Ju l y 31, 2 0 2 0 Agile Family Terry Cotton Ms. Pamela Galvin Noah Dale CU SoD Class of 2022 Dolores Devoll Mrs. Joleen Lawless The Fowlers Mr. and Mrs. Chris Svendsen Lois L. Hagel Curt and Dodie Hagel Ray J. Hagel Curt and Dodie Hagel Terrence Hanrahan Jill's Team at FNBO Mel and Esther Heggerness Mrs. Sally Swoboda Don and Pat Hutcheson The Burkey Family Irma M. Karch A Friend Sandy GA King Ms. Pamela Galvin Edward Langdon The Langdon Family Tim Miller Boys Town Family Jan Shuey Tom Peterson Kutak Rock-Denver Bill and Laura Powers Ms. Iris Bicak Ms. Alice Byers Kim Christensen Michaela Christensen Mr. and Mrs. Russell Christensen Ms. Susie Christensen Mr. and Mrs. Mark Clanton Mr. and Mrs. Jon Hansen Mr. and Mrs. Steven Hansen Ms. Allyson White Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wigton James Dean Richardson Mrs. Kelly Hartman Michelle Seminara O'Doherty Family The Svendsens Mr. and Mrs. Chris Svendsen Winona Tate A Friend Mary Weltzen Begeman Wells Mr. and Mrs. Ray Begeman Barb Wichert Anonymous Mary Rae Wolf The Bookclub Margie Zietlow Dodie Hagel

GARDEN OF MEMORIES BRICKS IN MEMORY OF:

Rebecca N. Aschinger Her Grandchildren John and Joyce Chandler Anonymous Mr. Jason Chandler Mr. and Mrs. Dean G. Jacobsen Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Kopietz Mr. and Mrs. Gary Marasco Mrs. Margaret Timmins Kim Daniels Ms. Amy Bailey Kay Kelly Mr. Brendan Kelly Ms. Maura Kelly Brayden Lawrenz Mr. Mike Carroll Jane Majorek Jess, Maggie, Tony, Billy, Steve,

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Jen, Metta, and Families Cindy Moore Loveland Garden Club Jim Peery Mr. John Burchard Nicholas J. Spelic Janet and Mike Branner Ray and Pat Coenan Irene and Frank Dohn Jean and Tom Farner Mary and Greg Goergen Maria and Lynn Knudtson Partners and Staff of Masimore, Magnuson & Associates Hilarie and Gene Price Judy Scanlon Alisa Stockard Betty M. Stuhr Ms. Nancy Foringer Debra Yoder Southwest Church of Christ Ladies

TRIBUTE GIFTS IN HONOR OF:

Cynthia Bay Anonymous John Brennan Maureen Tierney Paul Busse Edward Cohn and Shelley Smith Spencer E. Crews Loveland Garden Club Amy Haddad Ms. Kathleen J. Bradley Ms. Margaret Bradley Mr. Richard F. Klaas and Mr. Fella Vaughn James H. Locklear Mr. and Mrs. S. Craig Jenkins Lincoln Iris Society Loveland Garden Club Kelcey Lueninghoener Mr. and Mrs. Ed Lueninghoener The Mallatt Family The Mallatt Family Dan and Sarah McCoy Mr. and Mrs. Tim Harrison John and Shawn Newman Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Syslo Mary Seina Bill and Jodie Mackintosh Family Charitable Fund Ann Tjaden Mr. and Mrs. David Diamond Theresa Urquhart Renae Kurmel Jan Vrana Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. Mogens C. Bay Diana J. Walker Mr. and Mrs. James E. Jones Mr. and Mrs. J. Stavely Wright

IN MEMORY OF:

2020 Lauritzen Gardens Antiques Show Kurt Keeler and Christine Nelson Charles Andrews Mr. and Mrs. James L. Quinlan Alden Aust Mr. Tom Aust State Street Foundation Jack Barnhart Baird Foundation, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. James Ritter Mary Ann Belford Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Kuhl Mr. and Mrs. Mac Pugh Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Watanabe Terry Bishop

Kenneth Keith Anita Buchanan Stella Watts Beth Coufal Mrs. Katherine Pugh Thereza DaSilva Ms. Holly Adams Marchell Benes Ms. Linda Dempsey Ms. Sandra Jensen Mutual of Omaha Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Nastase Mr. and Mrs. Mark Salerno Ms. Lori Simpson Ms. Marise Smith Ted Davidson Mr. and Mrs. Tony Butera Mr. and Mrs. Dale Fletcher Jane Diesen Mr. and Mrs. S. Craig Jenkins Sheila Dinsmore Graf Barbara Fleege Phyllis Fideline Mr. and Mrs. Gary J. Stephan Nene and Jim Field Joan Field Leslie “Les” Friedrichsen The Fab Font Five Marjorie K. Gardner Mr. and Mrs. James Morton Mary Green Mr. Alan McDermott Luella Hahn Michael Dulik Mildred E. Hansen Deborah Trivitt Cynthia C. Hartman Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Weitz Thomas R. Hickey Mr. and Mrs. Allan Tubach Cynthia Hoellen Melisa Lagasse Edith Humes Ms. Genine H. Hanna Helen W. Kenefick Mrs. Kerry L. Monif Ms. Judi Seaver Gerald Kerl Mr. Joseph Weber Kimball Lauritzen Mrs. Emily Lauritzen Martha J. Lemen Mrs. Julie M. Schroeder Paul Mann Ms. Genine H. Hanna Paul Mann Ms. Genine H. Hanna Max McCoy Mr. and Mrs. Tony Butera Mr. and Mrs. Dale Fletcher Sue Mehaffey Naomi Ortman Ellie Jane Meyer Mr. and Mrs. John Haro Cynthia Moore Loveland Garden Club Mary Nelson Neville Sieman Mary Ann Strasheim Carolyn Nielson Mr. and Mrs. Gary D. Woods Ms. Stacy Woods Joann Palubecki Mr. and Mrs. Gary J. Stephan Darlene Parker Mrs. Joyce E. Kochen Tom Peterson A Friend Mr. and Mrs. Steven Amen Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Andersen Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Atkinson Mr. and Mrs. Harold Benton Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Berger

CONTRIBUTORS TO OUR GROWT H O c t obe r 19 , 2 019 t h rou g h Ju l y 31, 2 0 2 0 Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth M. Bird Mr. Patrick H. Brennan Bridges Trust The Burdyny Family Mr. and Mrs. Michael Bydalek Ms. Susan Carlson Mrs. Linda L. Cheatham Mr. and Mrs. Alan Circo Mr. and Mrs. Steve J. Clements Mr. and Mrs. Merlin Craig Ms. Georgia Dorsey Mr. and Mrs. Terrence Ferguson The Gabriel Family The Gertz Family Dr. and Mrs. Mike Gross Ms. Elizabeth A. Grzywa Mr. and Mrs. Howard Hahn Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hamby Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Handlos Mr. Mark Hoeger and Ms. Jane Erdenberger Kim Holtorff and Nancy Holtorff Mr. and Mrs. Shane Holzapfel The Hood Family Jamie and Tina Hudson Mr. and Mrs. Steven S. Huff Ms. Lisa Hyland and Mr. John Whalley Mrs. Nancy Jacobson Mr. and Mrs. S. Craig Jenkins Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Jones Ms. Debra A. Knight Ms. Judy Krasomil Lorrell Kruger Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Kruger Kutak Rock LLP Ms. Cathy Lang and Mr. John Conley Dr. Jennifer Larsen and Dr. Joe Sisson Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Lauritsen Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lebeda Ms. Marian L. Leishman Dr. and Mrs. John Longo Mr. and Mrs. Willaim L. McClurg Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Metcalf Mimick Family, Kids and Grandkids The Muller/Morris Family Mr. and Mrs. Mike Mullin Mr. and Mrs. John E. Musselman The Neill Family Mr. Bradley and Dr. Laura Nielsen NIFA NLADA Mr. and Mrs. Paul D. Ochsner Mr. and Mrs. Frederik F. Ohles Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Ohme Mr. and Mrs. John Passarelli Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Pederson Mr. and Mrs. Todd Pernicek Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Peterson Mr. Matt Peterson Mr. and Mrs. Christopher D. Phillips Mr. Michael Reppe Mrs. Marilyn Rock Ms. Susan Rodda Ms. Nancy R. Rohwer The Roth Family Ms. Joan Rowell Mr. and Mrs. Pat Salerno Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Saltzman Schleisman Onken & Associates PC Ms. Sherry Sellin Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth E. Smith Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Speer The Styskal Family Texas Hydraulics Holdings Ms. Debra Thompson Ms. Lorraine Toczek Mrs. Donna Vaida Mr. Joel Vanderveen Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Van Horne Mr. John Wagner and Ms. Carolyn McNamara The Westergard Family

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Wiederholt Mr. and Mrs. Jake Wiese The Wilson Family Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wimmer Mr. and Mrs. Douglas A. Young Mr. and Mrs. Mike Zook Laura M. Powers Mrs. Marilyn A. Routt Mr. and Mrs. James D. Wegner Ms. Laura Wilwerding and Mr. Jeffery Hansen Ethel Prescott Christine Jacobsen Marjorie Quinlan Ms. Judi Seaver Edith Robinson Ms. Rose Heavican Gail, Phil and Melina Jones Betty Salistean Ms. Karen A. Morris Ms. Marilyn Vincent Aurelia Scott Mr. and Mrs. Gary J. Stephan Carl Seaman Lt. Col. and Mrs. Waldon L. Johnson Anthony Seina Ms. Fatima Basith Mr. and Mrs. Mogens C. Bay Ms. Anne E. Begley Mrs. Madeline O. Begley Ms. Jean C. Bell Mr. and Mrs. Scot Bonnesen Mr. and Mrs. Dana C. Bradford, III Mrs. Jill Bydalek Mr. and Mrs. William J. Carver Mrs. Phyllis Choat Ms. Brenda Christensen Ms. Sylvia Cohn Mrs. Julie Collins Mr. and Mrs. William A. Cutler, III Deanna Sindt Counseling Ms. Marian K. Denker Mr. and Mrs. J. Sid Dinsdale The Doll Family Mr. and Mrs. Duane J. Dowd Mr. and Mrs. Michael M. Erman Mr. and Mrs. Terrence Ferguson Ms. Katherine F. Grandsaert Ms. Patricia A. Hawkins Ms. Nancy Hornstein Dr. and Mrs. Donald Igel Ms. Cynthe Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Lance Jones Mr. and Mrs. Howard Kennedy Mr. and Mrs. Dan Kirby Mr. and Mrs. James E. Landen Mrs. Rosemary Lebeda Ms. Joan Lehr Lynn S. Scott Music Mrs. Susan McGillick Bill and Jodie Mackintosh Family Charitable Fund Ms. Mary Ellen Mulcahy Mr. and Mrs. John P. Nelson Mr. and Mrs. John Newman Mr. and Mrs. David R. Parker Pasta Amore Fantasia Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell L. Pirnie Mr. and Mrs. Brian D. Poole Mrs. Nancy Prauner Mr. and Mrs. James L. Quinlan Mrs. Kyle Robino Mrs. Linda Stryker Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Swartzbaugh SL Jensen Construction Mr. Tom Thompson Mrs. Maureen Turner Mrs. Jan Vrana Mr. and Mrs. James Warren Mr. and Mrs. John W. Webster Mr. and Mrs. James D. Wegner Dr. and Mrs. Stephen H. Williams Mr. and Mrs. J. Stavely Wright

Mr. and Mrs. Adam Yale Mrs. Susan J. Zindel Barbara Smith Sherri Macht Kimi Takechi Mr. and Mrs. Mark Endo Keystone Community Task Force Mrs. Gloria Olson Ms. Janice Thompson Mr. and Mrs. Don Waggoner Wilfred and Scott Therrien Grace McMullin Patricia A. Tomasek Ms. Janet Nestander Bruce Vosburg Loveland Garden Club Edwin and Irene Walker Lorna Walker Elizabeth Warner Mr. and Mrs. James Juon Seth Witulski Mr. and Mrs. Gary J. Stephan

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CONTRIBUTORS TO OUR ANNUAL CAM PAIGN O c t obe r 19 , 2 019 t h rou g h Ju l y 31, 20 2 0 A MILLION DAFFODILS CAMPAIGN GIFTS Anonymous Shirley Baum The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation Gail and Stanley Hille Martha Jacobo Marc Kraft David and Vicki Krecek Gerry and Ken Masimore Jane O’Keefe Addy Rocco and Beckett Roger and Anna Winans Dr. Gail Walling Yanney

IN HONOR OF:

Carolyn Conover Tren Svendsen Glynnis Dittrick Lauritzen Gardens Guild Susan Estep Steve, Victoria, Lucas and Jordy Betty Foster Deborah Conley Jennifer Handke Lauritzen Gardens Guild Don and Glennis Lee Benevity Marie Looney Nicole Looney Taya Moheiser Lauritzen Gardens Guild Bobbi Murphy Tren Svendsen Norma Murphy Cindy Murphy McMahon Noteworthy Music® Julianne Guile Betty O’Brien John and Terri O’Brien Henry and Milo Peterson Isaac Peterson Sharon Ruskamp Gina and Jim Nailon Sofia Larisa Schlott Shawn and John Newman Mary Seina Paula Smith Mary Smith Ruby Kleber Saoirse Smith Kyle Smith Michele Tiller Chris and Tren Svendsen James and Miles Tu Patti Tu

IN MEMORY OF:

Grandma Patricia Allen Anne Odom John Banasiewicz Anonymous Evelyn Bedient John and Terri O’Brien Delores Billingsley Shelli Mayer Mattie Boston Valerie Kunz Janet Burkley Cockle Lauritzen Gardens Guild Kay Burney Tom and Rosemary Lebeda Shirley Carnazzo, a mom who loved flowers Jane Carnazzo Lee and Lucille Cassels Lauritzen Gardens Guild Jane Diesen Anne and Larry Carter Virginia Eoline Faris Kaytee Faris

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Patrick Fitzgerald Mary and John Krecek Delores Flint Brothers Flint Mabel Harrison Carole Langan Carrie D. Humphry Hank and Gail Klauschie Edith Jensen Mark and Lisa Armstrong Kathy June Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ames Kay Kelly Brendan Kelly Maura Kelly Jim Killips The Torson Family Evelyn W. Kruger Isaac Peterson Marie Elaine McAndrew Gerry and Christy McAndrew Kay McGuigan Kathleen A. Kersey Mark Mercer Duane and Monte Thompson Jennifer Ann Moul Maxine Moul Sam and Rosalyn Nietfeld Kim Houfek Her Parents Sue Eckley Tom Peterson A Friend Paula Adams Tory Bishop Michael Brown Elbert and Peggy Dickey Jack and Deb Gifford Lauritzen Gardens Guild Sandy and Alan Nogg Julie and John Petr Debbie Ruskin Dotti Toczek Paul and Linda Younes Marian Genene Pflasterer Ken and Judy Nanfito Ruth Quinn Her Daughter Anthony Seina Jayne Thompson Antiques Lauritzen Gardens Guild Clara Sell Christina Plambeck Zach Shedd Becky Husted Donald F. and Thelma B. Taute Dwayne and Donna Zobell Norma Van Riper Hank and Gail Klauschie Daniel and Madeline Wingard The Wingard Family

100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE 68108 lauritzengardens.org (402) 346-4002

M ONA RC H TAGGIN G

September 13, 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon Have you ever wondered how you could make a difference for monarchs and other butterflies? Here’s your chance to learn about these incredible creatures and try your hand at tagging a few before they head south for the winter. Join the Omaha Chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers in its first ever community outreach monarch tagging event. With registration, you will enjoy a 15-minute presentation about how you can help monarch butterflies, then go out and get some hands on experience. You will also gain access to the garden for the day of the event. Pre-registration is required by September 12 and may be completed at lauritzengardens.org. Members $5, Non-members $15

BO TA NICA L B ARTEN D IN G SE RIE S This series of botanical bartending classes explores the ingredients and history of a variety of classic cocktails and spirits. Must be 21 to attend. Each tasting is held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required a week prior to each class and may be completed at lauritzengardens.org. Members $29, Non-members $39 Wine and Roses “Sweet Wine of Mine” | September 25 Agave You a New Reason to Try Tequila | October 7 Botanical Spirits | October 23 Whiskey A-Go-Go | November 6

M E RRY A ND B RIGHT

November 21, 2020 through January 3, 2021 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day) It’s been said that “There’s no place like home for the holidays”, and the living room is certainly the heart of the home. This holiday season, we invite you to step into our living room, as the floral display hall is transformed into a comfy, cozy space that is full of joy, cheer, and of course, the magnificent 20-foot-tall poinsettia tree, as well as other festive features that showcase the beauty and diversity of nature. Adding a bit of nostalgia, guests can enjoy the whir and whistle of a model garden train as it goes around and around the majestic tree.