Issuu

ARBORETUM MAGAZINE

WINTER 2026

This Page Frost clings to the trees surrounding Green Heron Pond.

ON THE COVER

Snow dusts the landscape around the boardwalk as twilight paints the sky over Spring Peeper Meadow. Photos by Jason Boudreau-Landis

I TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S I

HIGHLIGHTS Flipping the switch on Northern Lights

ART AT THE ARBORETUM Magnifying the “hidden legacies” of seeds

ARBORETUM MAGAZINE

WINTER 2026, VOL. 45, NO. 4 Elise Bremer Editor Brenda Drake Lesch Art Director Andrew Gapinski Executive Director Matthew Clark, Ph.D. Director of Research Rachelle Crosby Director of Facilities & Project Management

NATURE FOCUS

WINTER IN THE MEYER-DEATS CONSERVATORY

Timothy S. Kenny Director of Education Jared Rubinstein Director of Horticulture & Collections David Senior Director of Business & Finance Susan Taylor, Ph.D. Director of Advancement Tom Lany Senior Marketing & Communications Manager Alene Sussman President, Arboretum Foundation

HORTICULTURE

& COLLECTIONS

PEOPLE

EDUCATION Where will ProHort take you?

JOY OF GIVING

WHAT’S IN SEASON

Arboretum Magazine is published by the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The Arboretum is part of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) at the University of Minnesota. The magazine is a benefit of Arboretum membership. To request a copy of this publication in an alternate or digital format, please call 612-301-1257. © 2026 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

arb.umn.edu 612-624-2200 arbpr@umn.edu

Arboretum Magazine is printed on paper containing 30% sustainable recycled fiber. ARB.UMN.EDU // WINTER 2026

I F R O M T H E E X E C U T I V E D I R E C TO R I

or horticulturists and gardeners, winter is a precious time. As plants are put to bed for the season and thoughts of drought, pruning and weeding temporarily fade into the background, we can pause, catch our breath and prepare for the season ahead. It’s my favorite time of year to observe the quiet architectural beauty of the Arboretum landscape and its trees. Without leaves to obscure the view, winter provides our arborists an annual opportunity to evaluate the structure, form and health of the trees in our collections. While nothing beats a walk at the Arboretum on a sunny winter day to view the unique branching structures of trees across the grounds, nighttime — paired with some strategic lighting — throws their forms into stark relief against the night sky. Northern Lights, an illuminating experience among the trees, is our brand-new event that highlights the beauty of the Arboretum’s nighttime landscape and puts the Arboretum’s trees in the spotlight. The event — opening Nov. 20 — uses a blend of state-of-the-art projection, uplighting and soundscapes to transform the Arboretum’s gardens into an immersive, multi-sensory experience that celebrates our northern winter and inspires curiosity about the wonder of nature. We’re excited to welcome you to this first year of Northern Lights, which will not only bring families and friends together under the lights during the darkest time of the year, but also provide vital support for the Arboretum’s mission-based programming, our gardens and conservation efforts. Meanwhile, as the plants rest, I’m reflecting on the past year, its challenges and uncertainties, and above all, the strength and resilience of our community and the Arboretum. I’m inspired by what we’ve accomplished together and, as we look ahead to a new year, excited to continue our work to connect people to the beauty, wonder and essential value of plants to life on our planet. Thank you for your support, and see you under the Northern Lights!

Andrew Gapinski

ARBORETUM MAGA ZINE // WINTER 2026

I HIGHLIGHTS I

FLIPPING THE SWITCH ON

Northern Lights

Photo courtesy of The Morton Arboretum

Elise Bremer l Editor

Northern Lights, an illuminating experience among the trees, opens at the Arboretum on Nov. 20 and runs through Jan. 3. ARB.UMN.EDU // WINTER 2026

I HIGHLIGHTS I

n a cavernous stadium, the crowd roars as lights roam across the stage and music reverberates thunderously throughout the room. Meanwhile, at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, snow falls on tree branches, twinkling as it passes through beams of light that move and dance through the dark. As night cloaks the winter landscape for miles around, lights illuminate a tree-lined path as music swells from all around, beckoning visitors to explore what lies just ahead. For the team at Lightswitch, a Chicago-based visual and creative design company, both settings feel like home. The firm regularly stages eye-popping tour visuals for internationally known musical acts as well as immersive lighting experiences for cultural institutions like the Arboretum. This winter, the Arboretum is partnering with Lightswitch to transform the Arboretum’s nighttime landscape for Northern Lights, an illuminating 4

ARBORETUM MAGA ZINE // WINTER 2026

experience among the trees. The brandnew event — which opens on Nov. 20 and runs through Jan. 3 — puts the Arboretum’s trees in the spotlight while highlighting the beauty of Minnesota’s winter and the wonder of nature.

SEEING THE ARBORETUM IN A NEW LIGHT

For Hailey Featherstone, Senior Designer at Lightswitch, nature offers inspiration on a grand scale. “Nine times out of ten, we’re in a concrete box, whether it’s an arena, a ballroom or a convention center, so being able to literally break down the walls and have a much more expansive canvas to work in is a real joy,” said Featherstone, who grew up in the industry and even met her husband while touring with Paul McCartney. To get a feel for the Arboretum’s unique landscape and devise a completely new experience for Northern Lights, the Lightswitch team toured

the grounds in July, with Arboretum staff pointing out key locations, unique vistas and iconic trees. But it wasn’t Featherstone’s first visit to the Arboretum. When Lightswitch got the call from the Arboretum last January, Featherstone was already in Minneapolis on vacation. She and her travel companions made an impromptu detour to take in the frosty, snow-covered Arboretum landscape. “I’m born and raised in Chicago, so winter doesn’t scare me,” said Featherstone. “I love winter! It’s such a beautiful time of year, and I love the opportunity to be able to highlight some of the sculptural and architectural shapes that you get from trees and brush. It’s such a gift to be able to bring this kind of light and art to an outdoor area, especially in the winter.” Visitors will be awed by this year’s immersive show dreamed up by Lightswitch in partnership with the Arboretum. The experience will

Northern Lights features 18 brandnew light installations designed to spark curiosity and encourage a sense of wonder for winter, trees and the natural world — including Minnesota’s native wildlife. Rendering by Joe O’Connor

Research Center. “By working with professional lighting designers, we were able to design from-scratch installations that bring our story to life and create something that you can’t see anywhere else.” One exhibit in particular will pique visitors’ curiosity. A trail of illuminated animal tracks on the path will lead visitors to a dark clearing surrounded by trees. By activating buttons on top of a series of tree stumps, guests can interact with the display to reveal the incandescent forms of familiar winter forest animals native to Minnesota. Near the Sensory Garden, the regal old oak tree that drapes over the hillside will be completely transformed for Northern Lights. Pulsating lights will extend out from the base of the tree, illuminating its “roots,” giving guests a rare glimpse of the subterranean realm of the tree’s vascular system and shedding light on the world just below their feet. Near the end of the route, a final outdoor installation will bring art, nature and culture together for the new event. The exhibit is a collaboration with Paisley

Park that honors the life and legacy of Prince, Minnesota’s most iconic musician. Prince — who lived just down the road at Paisley Park — was an Arboretum member who found inspiration for his work in the beauty of the Arboretum’s landscape. In the final outdoor stop, visitors will be immersed in a glittering reimagining of Prince’s studio, with disco balls scattering light throughout the space. But like the rest of Northern Lights, the exhibit might hold another surprise for guests, just like Prince would have wanted.

Lights, camera, action Be among the first to experience Northern Lights, the next chapter of the Arboretum’s beloved winter light tradition, on display from Nov. 20-Jan. 3. Learn more about the new experience and reserve tickets online at arb.umn.edu/northernlights.

Arboretum staff lead the team at Lightswitch, a Chicago-based visual and creative design company, on a tour of the grounds in July, highlighting key locations for Northern Lights installations. Photo by Jason Boudreau-Landis

transform the Arboretum’s indoor and outdoor spaces with a blend of theater-grade uplighting and projection, illuminated art installations, and synchronized music and soundscapes. A guided path will lead visitors under the lit canopy of the Arboretum’s trees and through a series of 18 light installations designed to spark curiosity, ignite play and foster connection with friends and family and the natural world.

SPOTLIGHT ON ART AND NATURE While all the dazzling installations at Northern Lights will leave a lasting impression, some might even inspire a newfound appreciation for trees, nature and winter — and even one of the Arboretum’s most famous neighbors. “We wanted to illuminate the mission of the Arboretum as much as possible through these exhibits,” said Andrew Gapinski, Executive Director of the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and Horticultural

Presenting Sponsor

Experience Sponsors Warming Hut

Silver Sponsor Geometric Gardens

ARB.UMN.EDU // WINTER 2026

I N AT U R E F O C U S I

LIFE UPSIDE DOWN

Matt Schuth l Naturalist

Nuthatches have a long, backwardsfacing claw called a “hallux,” which enables them to travel down a tree headfirst, spotting insects and larvae that other birds moving up a tree cannot see.

O Matt Schuth

is a naturalist and author of “Nature at Our Doorstep.” He has contributed a nature column to Arboretum Magazine for more than 30 years and hosts seasonal guided “Walks With Matt” exploring the natural world at the Arboretum.

n winter days, much of the animal world rests and rejuvenates, hidden in underground dens, hollow trees and beneath ponds sheathed in ice. At this time, there is a deep sense of solitude and the recognition of the timelessness of the seasons. However, even in the short, frigid days of late January, long before other birds have begun their love songs, the “wer, wer, wer” courtship song of the male white-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) can be heard high in the treetops at the first light of dawn. As he sings, he takes a bow, as if he is hoping this amorous behavior will impress a nearby female. If she accepts his charming proposal, he will begin to feed her. Mates make an “ip” contact call when they feed together, which continues into late April. This bond will last for life as they raise each new brood together. Nuthatches select a hole in a hollow tree for their nest. Before using it, they will sweep the nest with blister beetles, which secrete an oily, corrosive fluid, to sanitize it — similar

ARBORETUM MAGA ZINE // WINTER 2026

to painting a new house before moving in. The female will lay eight eggs. Nuthatches are known as the “upside-down bird.” As they feed, they travel headfirst down the tree in a spiral motion. Unlike other birds, they have a long, backwards-facing claw called a “hallux,” which enables them to see insects and larvae that woodpeckers and other birds moving up the tree cannot see. Consequently, they do not compete with woodpeckers for food. The whitebreasted nuthatches have an “ank” call, which can mean several different things. A single “ank” is a contact call, while a double “ank ank” means a mild disturbance. If there is a long, rapid series of “anks,” it means they are in conflict with other pairs of nuthatches. The genus name Sitta, in Sitta carolinensis, comes from the Greek word for nuthatch. It was originally used by Aristotle to describe a bird that pecked on a tree. In the Cherokee language, the word for nuthatch is “tsuliana,” meaning “deaf,” possibly because it was so tame and not bothered by human noises. These unique, beneficial little birds deserve our love and protection.

I H O R T I C U LT U R E & C O L L E C T I O N S I

Points of Contention Nick Kreevich l Curatorial Manager

T Though it produces simple white flowers in early summer, the Mount Emei rose (Rosa omeiensis f. pteracantha) is typically planted for the ornamental value of its large, blood-red prickles. Drawing by botanical illustrator and Arboretum instructor Scott Stapleton

Examining the difference between spines, thorns and prickles

he Arboretum’s winter landscape is scattered with the bare bones of deciduous trees and shrubs, casting shadows and creating figures that delight the senses. If you take an even closer look, a sharper kind of beauty begins to emerge. Most people would likely agree that the sharp points that we tend to despise as gardeners or stewards of the land are called thorns. Botanists, however, classify this plant armor into three distinct categories: spines, thorns and prickles. Each of these plant adaptations evolved over time to solve specific survival challenges, while inadvertently adding some flair to the winter landscape when fallen foliage reveals the eye-catching structures of plants. Now that we know every sharp protrusion is not necessarily a thorn, let’s look at what makes spines, thorns and prickles different from one another. “A Botanist’s Vocabulary,” a comprehensive reference and illustrated guide to botanical terms, defines the key differences: • A spine is a sharp, pointed modified leaf, leaflet, bract, sepal or stipule. • A thorn is a sharp, pointed modified stem. Thorns may be branched or unbranched. • A prickle is a sharp, pointed epidermal projection. They can occur on stems, leaves, fruits and adventitious roots.

ARB.UMN.EDU // WINTER 2026

I H O R T I C U LT U R E & C O L L E C T I O N S I

ARMORED DEFENSE

The relationship between plants and hungry herbivores is an evolutionary race. As herbivores developed tougher mouths and feeding strategies, plants fought back by forging armored defense strategies, known as spinescence. Plants protect themselves utilizing two main strategies: • Constitutive defenses: Permanent physical traits that exist before an attack. • Inducible defenses: Chemical responses activated after damage occurs. Spines, thorns and prickles represent constitutive defense strategies that have formed over hundreds of millions of years, first appearing in fossil records from the Devonian period. They serve as the plant’s frontline protection from hungry herbivores. Over the course of these evolutionary timescales, as herbivores adapt to these defenses, plants can respond by also adapting the density, sharpness and placement of their armor. In each sharp tine, a story of struggle for survival can be found.

THE ARBORETUM’S SHARPEST SHIELDS

Although there are more than 1,500 living accessions of roses in our collections, they are not the only plants at the Arboretum that display these constitutive defenses. This winter or next growing season, see if you can locate the following plants to get a closer look at a unique example of spines, thorns and prickles.

BOTANICAL NAME: Pelecyphora vivipara COMMON NAME: Spinystar DEFENSE: Spines LOCATION: Capen Prairie Garden Typically found throughout the Great Plains, Mountain West and Southwest of the United States, this cactus is a state endangered plant in Minnesota. Known for its extreme cold hardiness, 8

ARBORETUM MAGA ZINE // WINTER 2026

Botanical illustration of spinystar (Pelecyphora vivipara) from Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, 1900, courtesy of the Andersen Horticultural Library.

the spinystar produces vibrant hot pink to magenta flowers. Fifteen to 20 spines can be found radiating from the cactus’s tubercules, or raised bumps. In 2020, the Arboretum’s Plant Conservation Program, spearheaded by David Remucal, began leading a project to seed bank and translocate plants of the only population in Minnesota, working in collaboration with partner organizations including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy and the University of Minnesota’s College of Biological Sciences Conservatory and Botanical Collection.

BOTANICAL NAME: Rosa omeiensis f. pteracantha COMMON NAME: Mount Emei rose DEFENSE: Prickles LOCATION: Nelson Shrub Rose Garden

BOTANICAL NAME: Crataegus pinnatifida COMMON NAME: Mountain hawthorn DEFENSE: Thorns LOCATION: Hawthorn Collection

A small, deciduous tree, the mountain hawthorn typically reaches heights of only 20 feet at maturity. Native to East Asia, including parts of Russia, China and the Korean Peninsula, this species is best known for its fern-like leaves. Its bright red fruits were the original fruit used in tanghulu, a traditional Chinese snack made of fresh fruit coated in a hard, crunchy sugar shell. Due to its 1- to 3-inch-long thorns, caution is advised when pruning this plant.

Unfortunately, it worked too well. Now the rose is a noxious weed in many states because it produces up to 500,000 seeds per plant annually. Ultimately, spines, thorns and prickles are far more than everyday garden hazards. They represent an intersection of evolutionary science, anthropological history and ornamental horticulture. The next time you walk past an armored plant at the Arboretum, take a pause and admire a work of art in natural engineering. See the unique thorny beauty of the plants featured in this story in person by using the Plant Finder on the Arboretum’s website. Visit arb.umn.edu/plant-finder to find specific plant locations across the grounds. Botanical illustration of mountain hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) from Revue horticole, 1829, courtesy of the Biodiversity Heritage Library.

DEFENSES AS TOOLS

This rose is named after Mount Emei, the highest of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China, a place regarded for enlightenment. Its native range extends through parts of Mongolia and central China, including Tibet. When in bloom, the plant produces single, white flowers; however, this form is typically grown for its very large, blood-red prickles, reminiscent of a medieval torture device.

Before our modernday advancements in technology, humans utilized plant defense mechanisms as practical solutions to create tools. In present-day Utah, also known as the home of Ancestral Puebloans, archaeologists unearthed a 2,000-year-old tattoo tool, the oldest ever found in western North America. The tool was crafted from prickly pear cactus spines bound to a wood handle, showing how cultures have repurposed plant armor to form tools for identity, status and sacred art for millennia. For thousands of years, humans have used thorny and prickly hedges as living fences. In the 1930s, the U.S. Department of Agriculture famously promoted the multiflora rose as a natural barbed wire fence for livestock. ARB.UMN.EDU // WINTER 2026

I PEOPLE I

The quiet power of a winter walk

Julie Peters l Communications Strategist

Thirty-eight years as a grade school teacher in the Eastern Carver County Schools taught

Jodi Potter how to see things through the eyes of a child. After all, most of her classroom time was spent with curious kindergartners. On spring field trips to the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum with her students, they’d make discoveries together: a tiny seedling in the soil, an interesting pattern on tree bark, animal tracks in the woods. Every trip was a new adventure. She enjoyed those Arboretum field trips so much that when she retired from teaching in 2019, her co-workers surprised her with an Arboretum membership. “It was the best gift I ever received and now my kids renew my membership for me,” Potter said. For Potter, winter is an especially coveted time at the Arboretum because it offers an entirely new experience — if one takes the time to notice. “I love snow,” she said. “I love the calmness. You focus on different things — you start to see shapes and patterns in nature that you don’t see when the trees are full.” Potter comes to the Arboretum to walk every single day. “Winter is my favorite season and not enough people realize how wonderful it is to walk at the Arboretum year-round,” she said. “I love the beauty of winter, the quiet and reflection.”

10 ARBORETUM MAGA ZINE // WINTER 2026

Potter also believes in the health benefits of being outdoors. “Science supports being in nature,” she said. “In challenging times, there’s something about the continuity of nature. It’s a good break mentally.” She doesn’t mind the cold; she layers up and is good to go. “It’s surprising how little you need if you’re moving,” she said. “I’ve been out here when the Arboretum wind chill is 30 below and been fine.” member Jodi Potter (below left) When there’s enough snow, she visits daily to walk snowshoes at the Arboretum, too. the Arboretum’s Potter especially appreciates the trails, but winter is hard-working grounds crew who make her favorite season to observe the it possible for her to traverse the Arboretum landscapes in every season. beauty of nature, often visible in the “I have a huge appreciation for all the smallest details. staff,” she said. “It really is an amazing Photos by Jodi gift in Minnesota to have this place.” Potter

I A R T AT T H E A R B O R E T U M I

Macrophotography exhibition reveals the ‘hidden legacies’ of

SEEDS Elise Bremer l Editor

A “Hidden Legacies” gives viewers an upclose look at the unique seed dispersal methods of Minnesota’s rare plants, such as the explosive mechanical propulsion of the lanceleaf violet (Viola sublanceolata) shown here, which flings seeds — and the plant’s genes — far and wide.

new collection of photographs coming to the Reedy Gallery this winter explores the minute world of seeds on a macro scale. The images, collected by volunteers of the Arboretum’s Plant Conservation Program, depict the seeds of Minnesota’s native plants. The documentation is part of a broader effort, in collaboration with partner organizations across North America, to build up a database of seed images that will aid researchers in correctly identifying the seeds of rare native plants. While the images are an important scientific tool, it didn’t take volunteers long to realize that they are inherently beautiful, too. The seeds featured in the exhibition’s photographs range in size from a speck of dust, such as the seeds of the showy lady’s slipper

orchid (Cypripedium reginae), to the relatively massive, coin-sized seeds of the Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus). When scaled up with macrophotography, the exhibition’s tiny seeds become suddenly monumental, revealing the evolutionary engineering that allows seeds to float on air, hitch a ride on a passing mammal, or explode propulsively like a jack-in-the-box, all in pursuit of spreading each plant’s genes far and wide. The exhibition, “Hidden Legacies: A MACROcosm of Native Seeds,” seamlessly blends fine art ARB.UMN.EDU // WINTER 2026

I A R T AT T H E A R B O R E T U M I

The coin-sized seeds of the Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) are among the largest in the exhibition, and are thought to have once been dispersed by extinct megafauna.

photography, plant conservation and science to reveal the unique seed dispersal methods of Minnesota’s rare plants and the intricate textures, geometric patterns and defensive armor of seeds in crisp detail. Seeds featured in the exhibition are organized into “chapters” based on the method by which they are dispersed: water, animal, gravity, air or mechanical. The three-pronged seed pod of the lanceleaf violet (Viola sublanceolata) shown in the exhibition’s lead image uses mechanical propulsion to catapult seeds out of the pod. The pod opens with the seeds exposed, poised in their canoe-shaped structures. Gradually, the “keel” of each canoe dries, slowly building up pressure until the seeds are forcefully ejected from the pod, traveling as far as 9 feet away from the plant! The seeds of the Kentucky coffeetree pose somewhat of an evolutionary mystery. The round, brown seeds are encased in a large, fleshy pod, about 6 inches long, and surrounded by a sticky pulp. Today, the Kentucky coffeetree is primarily dispersed by humans, who plant the tough trees along city boulevards and in parks. But what purpose do the plant’s large pods serve in the dispersal process, and how are its seeds dispersed in nature? The Kentucky coffeetree is an evolutionary anachronism, 12 ARBORETUM MAGA ZINE // WINTER 2026

meaning the prehistoric mammals that coevolved with the plant and dispersed its seeds are now extinct. The tree’s fruit, or seed pods, were likely consumed and dispersed by the American mastodon. Mastodons, which went extinct around 10,000 to 11,000 years ago, would have scarified the seeds by chewing and digesting them, preparing the seeds for germination before depositing them far from the mother tree. Uncovering the hidden legacies of the exhibition’s seeds began in the lab at the Horticultural Research Center. But capturing a photo of a seed the size of a grain of salt isn’t easily done on an iPhone. Thankfully, three volunteers with the Plant Conservation Program were up to the task. Shanda Fisher, Bob Bowden and Joe Tashjian are all amateur photographers in their own right, but quickly realized that capturing and processing high-quality images of the minuscule seeds would require some specialized skills and equipment. The team learned how to use macrophotography and “focus stacking” to create magnified images of the seeds that were collected by the Plant Conservation Program. To photograph such small objects, the camera takes around 100 images of the subject, changing the focus by 0.1 millimeters of depth

The images featured in the exhibition were captured using macrophotography and “focus stacking” to document the minuscule seeds of plants such as the showy lady’s slipper (Cypripedium reginae). (Below) Plant Conservation Program volunteer and photographer Shanda Fisher sets up the copy stand used to photograph seeds at the Horticultural Research Center.

for every shot. The images, which are captured at 9 times magnification, are then layered together using specialized computer software to create a single, focused macrophotography image. When the team shared the initial images with Wendy DePaolis, Senior Curatorial Consultant at the Arboretum, she recognized the images’ potential to captivate viewers and cultivate a sense of wonder at the beauty of nature in new audiences. For DePaolis, the macro seed images give viewers access to nature’s designs that are typically off-limits to the human eye. Despite their micro

size, the seed’s forms, patterns and textures resonate with humans because of our evolutionary love of nature, known as biophilia. “The images are not only beautiful, but offer harmony in an otherwise chaotic world. Nature is offering us this visual calm that quiets our mind, quiets our ego, reminds us that we have a connection to something bigger than ourselves,” said DePaolis. “The macro views of these seeds turn these speck-sized organisms into monumental landscapes that force the viewer to slow down and realize that this kind of beauty isn’t just reserved for mountains and oceans, but that it can exist in the smallest grain.” Viewers of the exhibition will see large-scale aluminum prints of the seed images, roughly 2 feet by 3 feet wide, which will be accompanied by samples of the seeds themselves, images of each plant’s flower, and didactic panels that explore the dispersal methods of each seed. “Hidden Legacies” will be on display from Jan. 28 to April 11 in the Reedy Gallery in the Oswald Visitor Center. Don’t miss the opening celebration, “Seeds of Discovery,” a family art and science celebration, on Feb. 6. ARB.UMN.EDU // WINTER 2026

A tropical jewel box in winter Elise Bremer l Editor

14 ARBORETUM MAGA ZINE // WINTER 2026

I H O R T I C U LT U R E & C O L L E C T I O N S I

Arboretum regulars who

arrive on the early side might be accustomed to a familiar morning sight in the Snyder Building’s Meyer-Deats Conservatory: Horticulturist Ricky Garza watering the Conservatory’s hundreds of tropical plants and preparing the space for the day’s visitors. Garza, who has worked at the Arboretum for more than 20 years, started out working with native plants but loves rare, weird and wonderful plants from around the globe. The fragrant, humid air that emanates from the Conservatory — it’s typically about 70 degrees Fahrenheit inside — draws visitors throughout the winter months and offers a temporary escape from the chill, dry air outside. The collection features tropical plants such as bromeliads, air plants, plenty of orchids, and anthurium, Garza’s favorite tropical houseplant. To keep the plants in the Conservatory looking their best for visitors, Garza shuttles plants between the Arboretum’s production greenhouse and the Conservatory, putting plants on display when they come into bloom. Garza estimates that there are about 1,000 orchids and bromeliads in circulation between the two spaces! Some of the earliest plants in the Conservatory’s collection were bromeliads given by Dr. Edith Potter, an esteemed alumna of the University of Minnesota. Dr. Potter’s pioneering work in perinatal pathology and early contributions to the understanding of Rhesus (Rh) disease drastically reduced infant mortality rates. During her retirement in Florida, Dr. Potter became an expert in tropical plants, particularly bromeliads. What visitors see in the Conservatory today is a double donation from Potter — a gift of more than 120 bromeliad cultivars from her own collection, as well as a charitable gift annuity that established the Meyer-Deats Conservatory in 1980, named after her two late husbands, Alvin Meyer and Frank Duryea Deats. “Dr. Potter had a profound interest in tropical plants and bromeliads, and she donated plants she wanted to be shown in the Conservatory,” said Garza. “People up here in Minnesota often have no real connection to the tropics, so she was sort of bringing that small jewel up this way for us to enjoy.”

Forcing bulbs for winter blooms

In late winter and early spring, the Meyer-Deats Conservatory and the rest of the Arboretum’s indoor spaces are transformed for the Spring Flower Show, and forced bulbs such as amaryllis, paperwhites, daffodils and crocus fill the air with their sweet scent. Forcing bulbs at home is easy to do with a bit of advance preparation: •

Spring bulbs are available in garden centers in the fall, as most require a period of dormancy, or chilling, to bloom.

•

For beginners, Garza recommends amaryllis or paperwhites, which are pretty undemanding and don’t require chilling before planting.

•

Other traditional spring blooms such as crocus, hyacinth and daffodils do require a period of dormancy. Garza recommends chilling these in the refrigerator crisper drawer for about three months before planting, though each bulb has slightly different requirements. Just be sure to keep the bulbs separate from any fruits that release ethylene gas, such as apples, as it can be harmful to bulbs.

•

After chilling, plant bulbs in standard potting soil, root side down. Water well and place on a brightly lit windowsill, keeping the soil moist, not wet, as the plants grow.

(Opposite) The Arboretum’s balmy Meyer-Deats Conservatory offers visitors a much-needed respite from cold and snow during the winter. (Left) Horticulturist Ricky Garza estimates there are about 1,000 orchids and bromeliads (pictured here) in circulation between the Conservatory and the Arboretum’s production greenhouse. Photos by Jason Boudreau-Landis

See spring bulbs, orchids and more at the Spring Flower Show, on display from Jan. 29-March 14. Learn more at arb.umn.edu/flowershow.

ARB.UMN.EDU // WINTER 2026

I E D U CAT I O N I

WHERE WILL PROHORT TAKE YOU? Three program graduates, three unique horticultural journeys Cathy Bjeldanes, Laura Vogel l Education

Photo by Katie Knapp

Every gardener’s learning journey is different. It may begin with a single houseplant, a small vegetable garden or an after-school job at a garden center or nursery. Along the way, plants and gardens grow, along with wonder and curiosity. Inevitably, the questions that arise, such as “What’s wrong with my tomatoes?” and “How do I support pollinators?” become opportunities to learn more, seek expert guidance, improve results and develop a deeper understanding of the science behind successful gardening. For many budding horticulturists, ProHort is the next step in that journey. Designed for home gardeners and horticulture professionals alike, ProHort is a self-paced online course from the Arboretum and the University of Minnesota Extension that provides a comprehensive foundation in horticulture — the same trusted, research-based education offered to Master Gardeners, without the volunteer commitment. The program includes 14 modules covering a wide range of topics, Q&As with experts and year-round support from a program coordinator. We spoke to three recent ProHort graduates, each with a unique horticulture background, to learn how the program has influenced their work and gardens.

Join the next ProHort cohort

Whether you’re growing food to share with your community, finding more sustainable ways to care for your garden or learning to garden in a new climate, ProHort offers a chance to take the next step in your own horticulture journey. The course begins Jan. 12. Learn more and register at arb.umn.edu/ProHort.

16 ARBORETUM MAGA ZINE // WINTER 2026

JOHN HEINEMAN

Location: Bemidji, Minn. ProHort cohort year: 2024 Favorite plant:

“I enjoy growing peppers and tomatoes.” John Heineman is retired from the Minnesota DNR, where he worked as a forester for 24 years and later flew helicopters and airplanes, tracking wolves and moose from the air. He grows veggies on his back deck and in a community garden in Bemidji, and signed up for ProHort to learn more about gardening and growing fruit trees and turf grass. Since completing the ProHort course, Heineman estimates he’s donated more than 50 pounds of home-grown produce to his local food shelf. Heineman’s home was ground zero for the 120-mileper-hour wind storm that hit Bemidji in the summer of 2025, resulting in the loss of more than 100 trees on his property. “You could hear the chainsaws running for months after the storm,” said Heineman. In addition to the knowledge he gained throughout his career in forestry, Heineman used his ProHort training to select and plant more than 65 new trees, including white pines, crabapples, basswoods, black walnuts, maples and more. “It’s important to include diversity,” said Heineman. “You don’t know what pest or challenge is going to come next.”

BRYN ATHERTON

BARBARA LANG

“I really love asters; they’re one of my favorite plants.”

“Too many to choose from!”

Location: Excelsior, Minn. ProHort cohort year: 2025 Favorite plant:

Bryn Atherton signed up for ProHort to learn more about gardening and growing food in her Excelsior yard. While Atherton had gained some gardening knowledge over the years, she wanted to dig deeper, in particular, to learn about organic and ecologically friendly gardening, as her yard and garden are enjoyed by her kids, dog, and pollinators and insects of all stripes. While Atherton’s front yard already had a pollinator garden, she’s using the knowledge she gained from ProHort to plan and execute a backyard makeover that will include a food area with fruits, vegetables and herbs; a pollinator garden; native trees; and more. She’s also sharing her newfound horticulture knowledge with her community. Atherton is on the conservation committee for her chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a nonprofit organization founded in 1890 whose members trace their ancestry to the American Revolution. The committee has planted and maintains pollinator gardens throughout the Twin Cities metro.

Location: St. Louis Park, Minn. ProHort cohort year: 2025 Favorite plant:

After retiring from a career in biomedical engineering, Barbara Lang traded her sunny Los Angeles garden for a blank-slate yard in St. Louis Park to be closer to family and her granddaughter. She signed up for ProHort to learn about what she could cultivate in her new zone and to keep any postretirement blues at bay. “And it certainly made the winter go a lot faster,” said Lang. In southern California, Lang cultivated a fragrant garden, or a “smelly garden,” as she jokingly told her friends. “I had a lot of lavender, rosemary, roses and sage.” ProHort helped her develop a new palette of plants that would thrive in her St. Louis Park yard. Now that she has completed the ProHort program, Lang is also using her training in the community. Lang volunteers weekly at the Arboretum and completed Master Gardener training the year after ProHort, giving herself another year with the course material and the opportunity to volunteer in the community as a Master Gardener. Both volunteer experiences helped the material click. “Once you get your hands dirty, it’s like, ‘Oh, now I get it!’” said Lang.

ARB.UMN.EDU // WINTER 2026

I J OY O F G I V I N G I

Sara Thoms connects with the healing power of nature in her St. Louis Park, Minn., garden and through her support of the Arboretum’s Nature-Based Therapeutics program. Photo by Jacqueline Hanson

Tapping her way into HEALING

Jeff Iseminger l Contributing Writer

“Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” To those words of John Muir — so vivid they seem to lift off the page — Sara Thoms says hallelujah, and she’s turned her hallelujahs into healing by becoming, of all things, a scribe. In 2000, the Nature-Based Therapeutics (NBT) program at the Arboretum, headed by Jean Larson, hosted a conference on NBT. All the speeches had to be later transcribed from tapes, and the scribe turned out to be Thoms, who happened to be in what she called “full volunteering mode.” Listening to the speeches, tapping away at an IBM Selectric, “I had a wonderful time learning about NBT,” she said. The program brings the healing power of nature to the public with scientifically backed educational programs to improve wellbeing. “I knew from my own gardening how healing it is, so NBT made sense to me,” said Thoms. Buoyed and illumined by her 18 ARBORETUM MAGA ZINE // WINTER 2026

transcription project, she knew she wanted to financially help the Arboretum’s NBT program, starting in 2003. She also knew she wanted to support Jean Larson. “She has a passion for her subject, and she really knows what she’s doing,” said Thoms. “The big thing I’ve supported is staffing for Jean.” And here’s the beauty of her giving, she added: “I get to see the results, instead of waiting until the end of my life.” She was used to seeing results in her business career, first as founder of a marketing communications firm she sold in 2000 and then a landscaping business she ran out of her home in St. Louis Park. Thoms knows quite well that the NBT program is part of a whole: “I feel the same about the Arboretum as I do about NBT. I’ve visited arboretums across the country, and ours is at the top of that list. It has gorgeous gardens, wonderful classes and botanical research. How can you not love that?”

Photo courtesy of The Morton Arboretum

I EVENTS & CLASSES I

What’s in Season

Northern Lights

Rootstock Seasonal Teas

Open evenings Nov. 20-Jan. 3 A brand-new light display is coming to the Arboretum this winter! Northern Lights, an illuminating experience among the trees, puts the Arboretum’s trees in the spotlight while highlighting the beauty of Minnesota’s winter and the wonder of nature. The immersive indoor and outdoor experience guides visitors through 18 new light installations that use a blend of colorful light projection and uplighting, synchronized music and interactive elements to spark curiosity at every turn! Don’t miss this exciting after-hours adventure — perfect for visitors of all ages! Arboretum members save $10 per ticket; SCAN HERE children ages 15 to register or visit and under are free. arb.umn.edu/northernlights.

Select afternoons November through April Experience a sophisticated, classic tea in the comfort of the historic Snyder Building’s Tea Room. Drawing inspiration from seasonal flavors, Rootstock Chef Niki Heber creates delectable savories and sweets that include classic flavors as well as twists on old favorites. A special ticket is required for this event; ticket includes Arboretum general daily admission.

SCAN HERE

to view all upcoming events and browse by topic at arb.umn.edu/events.

Photo by Lily Smith

EVENTS, CLASSES AND MORE

Discover something new at the Arboretum this season. In addition to 1,200 acres of gardens, collections and natural areas, the Arboretum offers a wide range of events, art exhibitions and classes so visitors can learn something new on each visit and deepen their connection with nature. Find a few upcoming events and classes highlighted here and view the full selection online.

SCAN HERE

to register or visit arb.umn.edu/rootstock-seasonal-teas. ARB.UMN.EDU // WINTER 2026

I EVENTS & CLASSES I

Full Moon Hikes

DISCOVER THE GIFT OF LEARNING THIS WINTER

Take in the Arboretum’s unique winter landscape under the light of the full moon. During the winter months, snowshoes are available for rent (depending on snowfall) so visitors can explore winter trails and find the best spots for moon viewing before warming up around a bonfire and roasting marshmallows.

Explore, create and connect with nature at the Arboretum this season through a wide range of expert-led classes designed for adults and kids. Classes make great gifts! For assistance with enrollment or giving a class as a gift, contact our Education team by phone at 612-301-1210 or via email at arbedu@umn.edu.

Full Wolf Moon Hike Jan. 22, 5-8 p.m.

SCAN HERE to browse our

full selection of class offerings or visit arb.umn.edu/learn.

SCAN HERE

to register or visit arb.umn.edu/fullmoonhikes.

Photo by Don Olson

Photo by Sara Pace

Full Snow Moon Snowshoe Hike Feb. 20, 6-9 p.m.

Spring Flower Show

Included y with dail ! n io s admis

Jan. 29-March 14 Discover the power of pollination at the Arboretum’s annual Spring Flower Show! Buzz into the Arboretum for an early taste of spring with thousands of plants, including spring bulbs, orchids and tropicals, on display in the Oswald Visitor Center and Snyder Building. This year’s flower show gives visitors an up-close look at the often hidden world of plant pollination, whether carried out by wind, by insects or SCAN HERE by human hands in the Arboretum’s to learn more or visit research orchards. arb.umn.edu/flowershow. Photo by Jason Boudreau-Landis

Food and Wine Chefs Beth Fisher and Cheo Smith invite you to warm up in the Myers Kitchen Classroom with seasonal cooking classes that inspire kitchen creativity and teach new flavors and techniques. Classes cover a range of topics including the science behind sparkling wines, the art of baking and how to prepare healthy, cozy winter meals. The Science of Sparkle with Professor Soon Li Teh Dec. 5, 5:30-8 p.m. Layers of Flavors: Soups, Stocks and Stews Jan. 23, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

20 ARBORETUM MAGA ZINE // WINTER 2026

SCAN HERE

to view upcoming classes or visit arb.umn.edu/food-wine.

I EVENTS & CLASSES I

Botanical Art and Illustration Botanical art and illustration have a rich history, blending science and art to capture the beauty and detail of the natural world. Take your fine art skills to the SCAN HERE next level in classes led by to view upcoming classes or visit arb.umn.edu/botanical-art. expert botanical artists. Botanical Drawing I Six-session series: Jan. 26-March 2, noon-3 p.m.

Art by Kathy Creger

Beginning Botanical Watercolor Six-session series: Feb. 3-March 10, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Photography Classes Discover picture-perfect opportunities to build your photography skills this season, with the Arboretum landscape and the Spring Flower Show as your inspiration and professional instructors to guide you.

Photo by Don Tredinnick

Macrophotography at the Spring Flower Show Feb. 17, 1-5 p.m.

Photo by Sara Pace

Photographing Winter’s Wonders Jan. 9, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. SCAN HERE

to view upcoming classes or visit arb.umn.edu/photography-classes.

Gardening and Horticulture Get your projects and passions growing this winter! Connect with horticulture experts at the Arboretum and University of Minnesota to advance your gardening and horticulture skills and dream up summer garden plans ahead of the growing season. ProHort Online Horticulture Course Starts Jan. 12, self-paced with live learning opportunities Plant Propagation Series: Seeds, Soil, Grafting and More SCAN HERE Saturdays, starting to view upcoming programs or Jan. 16, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. visit arb.umn.edu/gardening-classes.

ARB.UMN.EDU // WINTER 2026

3675 Arboretum Drive Chaska, Minnesota 55318-9613

Give today! Your gift supports the

Arboretum’s gardens, educational programs and horticultural research. Scan the QR code or visit arb.umn.edu/supportus to donate today.

Photo by Jason Boudreau-Landis