The Bridge | Spring 2017 by Myriad Botanical Gardens

The Myriad Gardens Foundation wishes to thank our sustaining partners, leaders in providing major ongoing annual support:

BancFirst

The Chickasaw Nation

Continental Resources

Devon Energy Corporation

Gardner Tannebaum Holdings

Herman and LaDonna Meinders

Robert H. Meinders

Newmark Grubb Levy Strange Beffort

OGE Energy Corp.

The Oklahoman

Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust

The City of Oklahoma City

Avis Scaramucci

Join these community leaders as a partner with Myriad Botanical Gardens and you will be connected to one of Oklahoma’s venerable community resources

VISION STATEMENT

Myriad Botanical Gardens seeks to enhance the quality of life and vibrancy of downtown Oklahoma City by creating and sustaining a world-class public garden and offering yearround horticultural, cultural and recreational programs and events for all.

Myriad Gardens Foundation

Executive Board of Directors

Chairman

J. Larry Nichols*

Chair Emeritus

James R. Tolbert III*

Treasurer

Matt Cole*

Mark Beffort

John Hart

Paul Lefebvre*

Herman Meinders

Gary Pierson

David Rainbolt

Meg Salyer*

Avis Scaramucci*

Sean Trauschke

Myriad Gardens Foundation Staff

Executive Director

Maureen Heffernan

Chief Financial Officer

Chuck Davis

Deputy Director

Debora Morey

*Also a Community Board Member

Community Board Members

Paul Lefebvre, President

Brian Alford

Robert L. Allee

Tony Boghetich

Gerry Bonds

Lindsey Brock

Bob Calvert

Janie Comstock

Irma Elliott

James Everest

Warren V. Filley, MD

Chris Fleming

Ginny Greenberg

Cary Grenrock

Linda Haneborg

Seyan Hefner

Dannie Bea Hightower

Linda Horn

Gail Huneryager

Dixie Jensen

Michael Laird

Jean McLaughlin

Robert H. Meinders

James R. Morley

Allen Paine

Morton Payne

Kent Phillips

James A. Pickel

Christina Rehkop

Lynn Robberson

D. Joe Rockett

Kim Searls

Marsha See

Carl Shortt

Beth Wells

Roy H. Williams

OKC Beautiful Education Award to Maureen Heffernan, Myriad Gardens

Oklahoma City Beautiful’s 34th annual Distinguished Service Awards Luncheon was held on Thursday, March 23.

On the cover: Spring at the Gardens includes the light yellow foliage of Privet (Ligustrum ‘Vicaryi’) and red foliage of Barberry (Berberis vulgaris). Photo by Leslie A. Spears.

Gardens Executive Director Maureen Heffernan was honored for outstanding efforts put forth to improve Oklahoma City through various beautification education programs at the Gardens.

Upon receiving the award Maureen thanked the education staff: Ann Fleener, Lily Christman and Kodi Clifford.

DEAR MEMBERS & GARDENS FRIENDS

Spring is here at the Gardens in all of its luminous exuberance. Did you have a chance to visit and take in the spring bulbs especially the rainbow of tulips that swept down a long new bed near the Great Lawn? Nate Tschaenn, Director of Horticulture, had the brilliant idea to change out the underwhelming groundcover in this bed last winter and replace it with a stunning promenade of tulips.

To help us expand spring bulb displays, we are launching a luncheon event on May 11 to raise funds for a matching grant opportunity from the Robert Glenn Rapp Foundation. A lunch by Chef Kamala Gamble will be followed by a floral arranging demonstration by Dundee Butcher, co-owner of the renowned The Russian River Flower School in Napa Valley, California. I hope you will consider attending to support the Gardens.

In other horticultural news, we will be partnering with the City of Oklahoma City’s Water Utility Trust to offer educational programs on water conservation starting with a new “Irrigation School” on April 22 for to learn how basic irrigation systems for turf, garden beds and containers along with selection of drought tolerant plants can save on water and utility bills.

We are very excited to announce that the Gardens will be hosting the OKC Garden Fest on Saturday, May 13. More than 30 vendors will be selling gardening tools and supplies and “a real gardener’s” selection of plants including trees, shrubs, perennials, herbs and annuals and a wide selection of native plants.

In visitor amenity news, we are very excited to welcome Andra and Jacob Conger as our new seasonal food and beverage operator. Operators of the very successful Pitchfork food truck, Pitchfork in the Park is bringing their culinary deliciousness to the Gardens. Located adjacent to the Park House Event Center, they will be opening in early May. Check our website for the opening date and menu to be confirmed soon. Pitchfork in the Park will offer sandwiches, hot dogs, sides, drinks, ice cream, frozen fruit bar treats and more. See page 22 for more.

Do make Pitchfork in the Park your go-to refreshment site to enjoy when you visit the Gardens. Stop by before or after coming to one of your favorite events returning this summer including: Dancing in the Gardens, Mud Day, Sonic Summer Movies, Full Moon Bike Rides, Great Lawn Concerts, Shakespeare in the Park, Twilight Sunday Concerts presented by Oklahoma Arts Council and much more.

See you in the Gardens!

Executive Director

Maureen Heffernan

Presented by

Childrens’ Garden Festival: The Very Hungry Caterpillar opening June 3-11

Inspired by Eric Carle’s book The Hungry Caterpillar

Join us in the Gardens as we take a journey through a caterpillar’s transformation into a beautiful butterfly. The Children’s Garden will transform into a colorful and magical place inspired by Eric Carle’s book The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Enjoy crafts, activities and imaginative displays that will capture the essence of one of the most beloved children’s stories.

Related Events

FREE for members. Cost for nonmembers is $6 per person, $10 per person for Crystal Bridge and The Very Hungry Caterpillar package. FREE for members of the Gardens and FREE for children 2 and under.

To become a member join online at myriadgardens.org.

Check myriadgardens.org for more events to come!

SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 11 AM-1PM

Painting in the Gardens:

Happy Caterpillar

Terrace room

M: $20 register by calling (405) 227-0230

NM: $25 online at wineandpallette.com

Join Wine and Palette at the Gardens to create a unique piece of art. We will paint a caterpillar on an 11” by 14” canvas.

SATURDAY JUNE 3 & 10, 1-1:30PM

Storytime in the Garden Children’s Garden Porch

FREE with admission to The Very Hungry Caterpillar Best for ages 4 to 9

Join us Saturdays during The Very Hungry Caterpillar for an interactive reading of some of Eric Carle’s most beloved colorful nature stories. Audience members will have the chance to participate in the story and be the caterpillar, brown bear and other creatures as we read through these charming stories.

SATURDAY JUNE 10, 10-11AM

The Spectacular Caterpillar

Water Plaza Room

M $5; NM $7 Best for ages 5 to 10 Register by Tuesday, June 6

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is not the only caterpillar that’s hungry. Did you know caterpillars can eat three times their weight in food every day? In this class, we’ll learn all about the fascinating caterpillar with fun facts, interactive readings, a craft and a game to wrap it all up.

SATURDAY JUNE 10, 10AM-5PM

Book Exchange & Author Visits The Children’s Garden Porch

Bring your child’s slightly used books and exchange them with other families or donate them to Gardens’ Little FREE library. It will be a day to celebrate reading at the Gardens. We will have local authors from Oklahoma onsite leading story times and other book related activities. Come celebrate the joy of reading with us. All ages welcome!

NICK BAYER KENTON PETERS CLARISSA SHARP JOE SLACK

Join us as we transform our Children’s Garden into a brightly colored world. We need volunteer help to assist with crafts, activities and imaginative displays. With expectations of over 10,000 visitors, we invite you to come help us help families create memories. Visit myriadgardens.org for more information about how to register to volunteer.

Dundee Butcher

“I opened Russian River Flower School in 2013 after training and working with some of the top floral design houses in London for many years. As well as teaching, I was privileged to create arrangements for a variety of events and occasions, including private parties, intimate dinners, corporate functions, weddings and even a palace!

My vision has been to fuse what I learned working in a more formal style of floristry in Europe with the excitement of the natural beauty and materials found in abundance in Northern California, to teach a form of “unstructured formality”. It is also to teach people to wander with their eyes open, see differently and enjoy the creative process.”

Myriad Gardens Foundation Invites you to attend

The Art of Flowers

Thursday, May 11 AT 11:30am-1pm park house events center

Join us for an elegant luncheon to celebrate the art of floral arranging while helping to support Myriad Gardens Foundation. Co-chaired by Annie Bohanon and Dannie Bea Hightower, guests will enjoy a garden-to-table seasonal lunch prepared by Chef Kamala Gamble.

Dundee Butcher, a master floral arranger and owner of the fashionable Russian River Flower School in Napa Valley, California, will demonstrate how to create gorgeous floral arrangements you can make for special occasions or everyday enjoyment.

A native of Texas, Dundee was trained at the elite McQueens School of Flowers in London. With a style that is a mix of English tradition combined with West Coast casual, her impressive resumé includes creating arrangements for members of the British Royal Family.

Enjoy watching the creation of artful arrangements while being entertained by her stories of making custom arrangements for such famous names and places as Kensington Palace, Victoria and Albert Museum and the celebrated five-star London hotels Claridge’s and Brown’s.

Robert Glenn Rapp Foundation Challenge Grant

This event serves to raise funds for the Myriad Gardens Foundation, the 501©(3) nonprofit organization that manages Myriad Botanical Gardens. Funds will be used toward meeting a Rapp Foundation challenge grant to establish a permanent endowment for spring bulb displays for the delight and enjoyment of all in our community.

All guests will receive a special thank you gift of a Kew Royal Botanic Garden rose pot

Tickets are $150. Sponsorships are available. Contact Debora Morey at (405) 445-7084 or email dmorey@myriadgardens.org

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

Linda Cavanaugh Oklahoma’s News Channel 4

A Look Back at the 2017 Tulip Season

Thousands of visitors to the Gardens this spring enjoyed the more than 35,000+ colorful tulip, daffodil, hyacinth and scilla blooms.

Our hard working horticulture team led by Nate Tschaenn, Director of Horticulture, carefully planted all of these bulbs last fall.

This season we planted our most diverse array of tulips that included ‘Big Smile’, ‘Salmon Impression’, ‘Leen Van Der Mark’, and ‘King’s Blood’ among the dozens of varieties planted.

Of the thousands of tulips, the most popular seemed to be the stunning double-petaled ‘Monte Carlo’ (photo left with the “Negrita’) and ‘Aveyron’ tulips.

Sincere thanks to the Robert Glenn Rapp Foundation whose matching grant of $200,000 to the Gardens will help us grow a permanent endowment to be used for spring bulb purchases each year.

If you’re on Instagram you’ll find plenty of photos under the hash tag #myriadblooms. Thank you for sharing your photos!

Horticulture Happenings

OKC Garden Fest Moves to Gardens

Saturday, May 13 with more than 40 vendors

Myriad Gardens is the proud new home of the OKC Garden Fest. The third annual event will be held Saturday, May 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Gardens, located at 301 W. Reno Avenue.

“Last year’s festival at the Farmers Public Market was well attended and our goal is to make this the premier garden festival in Oklahoma City,” said Bill Farris, event organizer and owner of Prairie Wind Nursery in Norman. “We are thrilled to host Garden Fest at Myriad Gardens because we will be in one of the most beautiful and inspiring spots in Oklahoma.”

Timed to coincide with Mother’s Day weekend, the festival will feature herbs, perennials, roses, produce, pottery, jewelry, wineries, food products and food trucks. Activities for children will also be offered and there is no charge for attending.

This year will again feature an area with information for those wanting to start a butterfly garden or Monarch Waystation, an intentionally-managed garden that offers food and habitat for the Monarch butterfly population. Several vendors will offer milkweed for Monarchs along with other pollinator friendly plants.

New this year will be educational talks and demonstrations about gardens and pollinators. For a complete list of vendors, activities and speakers visit facebook.com/okcgardenfest/. See vendors to date on page 20.

Desert Bird of Paradise

By Olivia Tegeler, Horticulture

Are you looking for a plant that can add a splash of color to your garden? Or perhaps one that can tolerate the blistering summer heat and drought? If so, Caesalpinia gilliesii, commonly known as desert bird of paradise, is an excellent choice. It is difficult to choose a favorite plant out of the multitude of options at Myriad Botanical Gardens, but this one definitely deserves the top position on my list of favorites in the Children’s Garden.

A member of the legume family (Fabaceae), this desert beauty has many wonderful characteristics, the most prominent being the exotic clusters of yellow flowers with long, bright red stamens that are displayed throughout the spring and summer months. Furthermore, the delicate, bluish-green feathery foliage makes this plant a sight to behold even without its beautiful blooms.

Once established, it can thrive in full sun, tolerate drought conditions and fix its own nitrogen, which means that it seldom requires fertilizer treatments. It can be watered deeply but infrequently, making it a good candidate for a water-wise garden. The only maintenance that may be necessary includes making sure the soil is well-drained and removing the fuzzy brown pods – which are deer resistant and poisonous if eaten – to encourage the plant to continue flowering.

In addition to all of these traits, this dainty shrub attracts a variety of bees, butterflies and hummingbirds which can be found buzzing or fluttering among the plethora of brilliant blooms all summer long. Gardener or not, the desert bird of paradise can be appreciated for its beauty, tolerant nature and its appeal to pollinators.

Desert Bird of Paradise, Caesalpinia gilliesii, grows in the Childrens Garden.

HBrowse from the Bridge

By Roberta Rowland, Conservatory Specialist

ave you ever given your cat some catnip or your dog a slice of carrot? Your animals probably don’t need these to survive but they LOVED it right? Most wild animals need a variety of plants to stay healthy physically and mentally. Birds like to tear apart plants just for exercise. Elephants like to move and ‘play’ with trees and then eat every piece, even the bark.

In zoos they call this type of “food for fun” enrichment or “browse” and it can be something animals eat or play with in their habitats.

Inside the Crystal Bridge we have several large tropical trees that need regular pruning. Rather than disgarding all these leaves and limbs we try to find a better use for them. This year when we pruned our large ficus tree (Ficus maclellandii), we coordinated with Crystal Butler and Nick Newby from the Oklahoma City Zoo and delivered a truck load foilage to them in late January. As you may know, most trees in Oklahoma do not have leaves this time of year, so this was a very special treat for the pachyderms. Ficus was given to the rhinoceroses, elephants and even the giraffes.

Most ficus trees, banana leaves, some palms, willows, cottonwoods and many other plants we grow are not things that you or I would eat but animals at the zoo love them. We enjoyed giving the animals a new healthy snack almost as much as they did.

Welcome to the Horticulture Team

Kaitlin Bacon, Horticulturist

Kaitlin moved to the metro area in 2009 from northwest Oklahoma to attend the University of Oklahoma. It was in one of her general biology courses that she discovered her love for botany and plant life. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in plant biology, with an emphasis in ecology. She has experience as an assistant in both the university’s herbarium and greenhouses, and she was the laboratory technician and later manager for the plant ecology lab at the Oklahoma Biological Survey, which specialized in prairie and grasslands ecosystems. Because of her ‘accidental discovery’ in college, Kaitlin is most excited to be a part of the Gardens because of what it is and means to those who, without them, might not have necessarily had the opportunities for such green immersion and discovery.

Jessica Naylor, Horticulturist

Jessica grew up in Colorado, exploring the outdoors and developing her love for the natural world. She moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 2008 to attend Arizona State University where she earned a bachelor of science degree in conservation biology. After graduating, she began volunteering at the Phoenix Zoo in the horticulture department where she eventually secured a full time position as a horticulturist.

Although she had fallen in love with the beauty of the desert, Jessica found herself looking to move to Oklahoma. During a Thanksgiving visit to Oklahoma City, she discovered the splendors of the Gardens, which immediately gave her a sense of belonging; she knew that when she was able to move to Oklahoma City, she definitely would love to be working here. She is very excited to learn more about Oklahoma and to become an integral part of the Gardens team.

Pictured above: Elephants Chandra and baby Achara enjoy the clippings from the Crystal Bridge last January. Photo by Nick Newby, OKC Zoo. Below: Team Horticulture prunes the trees inside the Crystal Bridge.

SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1-4 PM

Irrigation and Water Conservation School

Water Plaza Room & Garden Grounds

Members FREE. Nonmembers $25 Register by Tuesday, April 18 Coffee and light snacks will be provided.

Beautiful home landscapes require water. Sometimes a lot of it. Celebrate Earth Day by learning how to conserve water and money through smart irrigation practices. Join us to learn the ins-and-outs of irrigating your lawn and plants. We’ll discuss how to use this time-saving tool, along with some other smart choices, to save you money and still be good to the earth.

1–2pm: Dr. Lou Anella, professor and Director of The Botanic Garden at Oklahoma State University, will give us an overview of landscape irrigation – what it is, why it’s helpful and some best practices. He’ll then delve into drip irrigation and how you can automate the irrigation of patio pots, window boxes and hanging baskets, allowing you to grow beautiful flowers, herbs, or even vegetables.

2–3pm: Robert Reaves, Water Conservation Coordinator with the City of Oklahoma City Utilities, will teach you how to program your controller, adjust sprinklers, and how to fix leaks in a sprinkler system. This will be a learning experience where you practice new skills with your own irrigation system.

3–4pm: Myriad Botanical Gardens Horticulturists will take you on a tour of the Gardens, discussing water-wise plants and other practices we use for water conservation, our irrigation system and ways we make it as efficient as possible.

Sponsored by Water Utilities Trust at City of Oklahoma City

SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 10:30–11:30AM Earth Day Nature Walk Adventure South Lobby and Garden Grounds M $3; NM $5 Best for ages 5-9 Tuesday, April 18

Join us on a nature walk adventure to celebrate Earth Day. Turtle Rock Farm’s Pat Hoerth, naturelover and retreat facilitator, will teach us how to use all of our senses. We’ll then explore together and gather seeds to make seed necklaces while we talk seeds’ awesome properties that help them grow into plants. Parents will also get tips on engaging their child with nature for their future adventures.

SATURDAY APRIL 29, 10 – 11:30AM Meet the Gardener Children’s Garden FREE

Best for children but all ages welcome Walk-ups welcome

Join our Children’s Garden Manager Abby Curry anytime from 10 – 11:30 a.m. to get a behind-the-scenes look at what we do in the Children’s Garden. On April 1 help Abby turn the compost in our large bin and feed the worms in our vermicomposting bin. On April 29, check out our newly planted herbs and help Abby plant some herb containers.

SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 9AM–4PM

Urban Herbs: Herb Sale and Workshops

Park House Event Center

$15 per Workshop or $60 for an All-Day Pass

FREE to shop the Herb Sale on the Park House Patio Register by Tuesday, April 25

Walk-up the day of to enjoy shopping our plant sale and attending one of our herb walks for FREE. Pre-register to attend one, or more, of our workshops. All Day Pass participants get five workshops for the price of four and early entrance into the herb plant sale at 8am.

Join us for a fantastic day filled with delicious, aromatic and healing herbs. All proceeds from this day will benefit the Myriad Gardens Volunteer Program.

8-9am Early Entrance to Plant Sale for All Day Pass Holders

10–11am Workshop 1

Planning Your Herb Garden $15

Learn how to select herbs for your lifestyle and plant them in a productive and useable manner by designing your own herb garden with our help.

11am–Noon Workshop 2

Creating A Window Sill Herb Planter $15

Herbs are powerful plants. Come see how growing just a few in a window sill container can enhance your cooking. You will receive three herb plants to take home to grow and use.

Noon–1pm Workshop 3

Instructional Herb Lunch $15

Don’t miss this opportunity to eat a scrumptious lunch and listen to an Oklahoma City favorite Kamala Gamble as she discusses how she grew, selected and prepared your entrée, a large spring salad with herbs.

1–2pm Workshop 4

Putting Up Your Herbal Harvest $15

Come learn how to preserve your herb harvest and practice making your own bundle to take home and dry.

Ongoing

Every Wednesday, 10am

Reading Wednesdays

Crystal Bridge South Lobby

FREE

Best for ages 2-5

Bring your youngster for story time each Wednesday at 10am. Books are naturethemed and selected based on the season. Children will also enjoy creating a small craft after the story. For groups of 10 or more please call Kodi Clifford at (405) 835-6789.

*Note: Starting June 21, we’ll pair up with our Weekly Walk-ups to bring you Reading Wednesday’s from 10am to noon in the Children’s Garden.

Last Saturday of Every Month

April 29, May 27 & June 24, 10am

Gardens Walking Tour

South Lobby and Garden Grounds FREE Walkups Welcome.

2–3pm Workshop 5

Lavender & Aromatherapy $15

In this workshop, we’ll discuss the many benefits of essential oils present in herbs and some practical ways to use them. Each participant will leave with their own personalized herbal sachet.

3–4pm Plant Sale Final Hour

Join us to expand your Oklahoma plant knowledge and get great ideas for your yard. Each month changes as the plants grow through the seasons; in April and June we’ll discuss plants for color and in May we’ll highlight plants for water conservation. Can’t make it for the guided tour? Pick up a self-guided handout in our South Lobby.

Tuesdays, 5:45pm

Yoga in the Gardens

No late arrivals after 5:50pm Meet in the South Lobby for check-in

M: Suggested $5 donation NM: $10

JUNE 2017 | CALENDAR OF EVENTS

WEDNESDAYS, 9PM MOVIE STARTS

SONIC Summer Movie Night

Great Lawn and Bandshell FREE

June 21 SING

June 28 The Karate Kid (1984 version)

July 5 Star Trek Beyond

July 12 Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

July 19 Moonrise Kingdom

July 26 42-The Jackie Robinson Story

A much-loved summer tradition is back thanks to our sponsor SONIC, American’s Drive-In. Join us each Wednesday on the Great Lawn for movies, activities, food and lots of fun. Thanks to SONIC these movies are completely free. Come early to get a great seat. Bring a picnic or enjoy food from our line-up of food trucks.

THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 11AM-2PM

International Mud Day

Great Lawn and Bandshell

Drop-in activities

$2 suggested donation per child

CHILDREN AGES 2-12; 6-8PM ADULTS

Register by Wednesday, June 28 at noon 11am-2pm Best for ages 2-12, all ages welcome. 6-8pm Best for adults, all ages welcome.

NATIONAL POLLINATOR WEEK

JUNE 19-25, 2017

Celebrate National Pollinator Week with us as we focus on one of our favorite pollinators, the honey bee. We’ve got a class for kids, a class for adults and honey for all.

SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2-3:30PM

Buzzing Bees

Terrace Room and Children’s Garden

M $7; NM $9

Best for ages 6 to 10

Young explorers will love this interactive class where we’ll dive into the mind of a bee. We’ll talk about why bees buzz, what attracts them and why they’re so important to us and our world. We’ll visit our pollinator garden and look for bees and wrap up with a honey tasting and beeinspired craft for kids to take home.

SATURDAY JUNE 24, 10:30AM–NOON

Infused Honey’s Workshop

Terrace Room

M $12; NM $15

Buzz in for a unique workshop experience that is sweet. Come prepared to learn about the amazing honeybee and how to infuse fresh herbs, spices and fruits into their golden nectar. Tastings will be conducted. Everyone will leave with their own four-ounce jar of scrumptious infused honey.

Education Spotlight Myriad Gardens to be Represented at National Conference this Summer

At the Gardens one of the organizations we look to most often is the American Public Gardens Association (APGA), which shares exciting new ideas and best practices with Public Gardens across the nation. APGA boasts over 500 member gardens and thousands of individual members. I am excited to be serving a two year term on the Presentation Selection Committee, the committee which reviews and selects all the presentations that will be given at the annual conference each June.

This past October and November I reviewed over 100 presentations submitted for the 2017 conference and worked with the rest of the committee to make the final selections. This June I’ll begin recruiting individuals to submit presentations for the 2018 conference. This has been a fantastic experience and has given me a great picture of what other Gardens are doing across the U.S. and Canada. I’m excited for another opportunity for the Gardens to expand its reach and name beyond Oklahoma.

By Dr. Ann Fleener, Director of Education

presentation on what public gardens can learn from public parks. I will also be presenting with several other presenters from gardens across the nation. We will be giving a talk about Monarch conservation which will give me the chance to talk about the Gardens’ efforts in raising awareness about pollinator conservation. Last year we celebrated “The Year of the Pollinator” with nine pollinatorrelated events that focused on native bees, earth conservation, butterflies – including Monarchs - and gardens that are beneficial for pollinators, such as our prairie garden. This year, we’re continuing to focus on pollinators with educational signage in the Gardens, various pollinator focused events, and participation in a new conservation group, the OKC Metro Monarch Network.

I’m looking forward to sharing these efforts at the conference and coming back with more ideas for conserving these important creatures. After all, every third bite of food we take is thanks to them.

At this year’s conference, the Myriad Gardens will be represented by two staff members. Maureen Heffernan, our Executive Director will be giving a

Kids Can Explore the Gardens with our Adventure Packs!

Interact in the Children’s Garden in a whole new way. These packs will lead kids on an adventure full of scavenger hunts, games and fun facts. Kids will have so much fun they won’t even realize they’re learning! Each child will take home three great souvenirs - an Adventure Badge, bookmark and coloring sheet.

Adventure Pack times are Monday-Saturday, 9am4pm and Sunday 11am-4pm in the South Lobby of the Crystal Bridge Conservatory. Best for ages 7-10. Plan on 30 – 60 minutes to explore with the packs. Available for free until July 1, 2017 thanks to the Hogan Taylor Foundation.

Unpacking the Adventure Packs

Our Adventure Packs will help bring the Children’s Garden to life for children and adults alike. Each pack comes with a scavenger hunt, coloring sheet, binoculars, and adventure sheets that guide kiddos through the many parts of the garden. The different adventure sheets teach children about the wildlife, plants and interactive areas in the garden, all while kids practice their observing, writing, drawing, acting and exploring skills. Some of our favorite

activities lead children through doing “The Bee Waggle Dance”, identifying some of Oklahoma’s most common birds as they sit in our giant birds nest and turning our compost bin as they learn how composting works.

Adventure Pack offers a variety of items to help children further explore and educate themselves on garden life.

Group Reservations

The Adventure Packs are great for both families and groups. Families are welcome to walkup during business hours and check out a pack (or two or three!) to explore the garden together. We also have enough packs to accommodate larger groups who book in advance, such as school groups, scout troops, day camps and more. Groups of 10 or more must book in advance by calling (405) 835-6789.

The

Plant it Forward

By Maureen Heffernan, Executive Director

Our 2017 Oklahoma Gardening School’s theme was “The Layered Garden for Year-Round Beauty and Sustainability.”

Over 275 attendees heard presentations by: Linda Horn of Total Environment landscape company; Mary Bays, Urban Forester with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture; Andrea Delong-Amaya of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Texas; and Kelly D. Norris from Des Moines Botanical Garden in Iowa.

All speakers stressed that great garden design includes planning for varying layers of plant heights, textures and colors and it all starts with selecting and placing trees first. Trees provide invaluable benefits to our landscapes: beauty, shade, wind breaks, food and shelter for wildlife, increased property value, and if you have young children, larger trees are the best

outdoor jungle gym for climbing, playing hiding and dreaming. For all these reasons and for the pride of planting a young tree sapling and watch it grow into a grand tree, this spring, take the time to select and plant a tree or two.

Maybe link it to an occasion like Mother’s Day, a graduation, birthday, wedding or anniversary which will imbue the tree with even more value for you and your family as it grows. Give a tree as a gift. To help you select a tree, I’d like to share a list of some of the recommended trees that speaker Mark Bays shared at the event. These trees are all Oklahoma tough. They say that you don’t just plant a tree for yourself but also for your grandchildren or others you will never know but who will enjoy its shady canopy when it matures.

Take this page with you to a garden center and help make OKC more green and leafy.

TREES TO LAYER IN YOUR GARDEN

Smaller Trees – 10’-40’

Redbud Cercis canadensis

Sumac Rhus glabra

Chinese Pistache Pistacia chinensis

Golden Raintree Koelreuteria paniculata

Medium Trees – 40’-60’

Chinkapin Oak Quercus muehlenbergii

Live Oak Quercus fusiformus

Buckley Oak Quercus buckleyi

Lacebark Elm Ulmus parvifolia

Cedar Elm Ulmus crassifolia

Hackberry Celtis occidentalis

Western Soapberry Sapindus drummondii

Shantung Maple Acer truncatum

Autumn Blaze Maple Acer freemanii

Loblolly Pine Pinus taeda

Large Trees – 60’+

Cottonwood Populus deltoids

Shumard Oak Quercus shumardii

Bur Oak Quercus macrocarpa

Bald Cypress Taxodium distichum ‘Shawnee Brave’ and ‘Frio’

Kentucky Coffeetree Gymnocladus dioicus

American Sycamore Platanus occidentalis or Platanus x acerfolia

Bald Cypress trees align the Meinders Terrace walkway.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Donors!

Listed are financial and in-kind donors to the Myriad Gardens Foundation from January 1, 2016 to February 2017.

$50,000+

The Chickasaw Nation

Devon Energy Corporation

The Meinders Foundation

OGE Energy Corp.

Robert Glenn Rapp Foundation

$25,000 - $49,999

The Anschutz Foundation

Bancfirst

Continental Resources

Gardner Tanenbaum Holdings

Kirkpatrick Family Fund

Mr. Robert Meinders

Newmark Grubb Levy

Strange Beffort

Oklahoma City Community Foundation

Parks & Public Spaces

Initative

Scaramucci Foundation

$10,000 - $24,000

Ad Astra Foundation

Anonymous

Downtown OKC Inc.

Express Employment Professionals

Mr. and Mrs. David McLaughlin

McGee Foundation, Inc

OU Physicians

SONIC, America’s Drive-In

Tinker Federal Credit Union

$5,000 - $9,999

Arnall Family Foundation

Ms. Eloise Bentley

Cox Communications

E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation

Mr. John M. Gordon

Amy and Kelly Gray

Leslie and Cliff Hudson

Nabholz Construction

Mr. and Mrs. J. Larry Nichols

Records-Johnston Family Foundation

Telefora

Mr. and Mrs. James R.

Tolbert III

$2,500 - $4,999

ADG, PC

Delta Dental of Oklahoma

Enable Midstream Partners

First Mortgage Company

Mrs. Henry Freede

Holiday Inn Express

HoganTaylor LLC

Jean I Everest Foundation

The Kerr Foundation, Inc.

Kids Joining Eternity

Manhattan Construction

Mason Realty Investors

Mattison Law Group

Mr. and Mrs. Tyler Morey

Mrs. Jeaneen Naifeh

Prodigal LLC

REHCO Downtown Development, LLC

St. Anthony Hospital

$1,000 - $2,499

Allied Arts Foundation

American Fidelity Foundation

Bank of Oklahoma

Van and Pat Barber

Barkocy Construction

Mr. and Mrs. Dan Batchelor

BC Clark Jewelers

Ben E. Keith

Bob Moore Land Rover

Mr. and Mrs. Tony Boghetich

Calvert’s Plant Interiors

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Calvert

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Champlin

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Coats

Crowe & Dunlevy

Deep Deuce Grill, LLC

Dr. and Mrs. Warren Filley

First National Bank of Oklahoma

FIS Foundation, Inc

Fred Jones Family Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Greenberg

Aimee and David Harlow

Ms. Maureen Heffernan

Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Jirous

Kirkpatrick Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Mark McCubbin

Midtown Vets

Oklahoma City Dodgers

OU Health Sciences Center

Mr. and Mrs. Ray Potts

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Pugh

Mr. and Mrs. Carson See

Mr. R.L. Sias

Smith & Pickel Construction

Total Environment, Inc

Williams, Box, Forshee & Bullard, P.C.

Contributing Members at Garden Leader Level

Peter, Hillary, and Rowan Farrell

S. Kim and Suzette Hatfield

Brian and Allison Pugh

$250 - $999

Accel Financial Staffing

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Alford

Mr. Robert Allee

American Plant Products

Wesley and Serena Anderson

Andrews Davis

BDK CPA & Advisors

Mrs. Gail Beals

Mr. and Mrs. William Barnes

Beck Associates Architects

PLLC

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Belanger

Mrs. Annie Bohanon

Mr. and Mrs. Ken Bonds

Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Booker

Mr. Lindsey Brock

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Browne

Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Bryant

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Calvert

Tatianna Cannon

Capital West LLC

Ms. Joanna Champlin and Mr. Shawnee Brittan

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Clark

Colcord Hotel

Mr. Matt Cole

Sherman Cole and Carolyn Barnes

Mr. and Mrs. Bill Comstock

Cox Enterprises, LLC

Crowe & Dunlevy

Cuppies & Joe LLC

Mr. Scott Davis

Dr. Shirley Dearborn

Dobson Technologies

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Edwards

Ms. Irma B. Elliott

Mr. and Mrs. James Everest

Ms. Tricia Everest

Hillary, Peter & Rowan Farrell

Mr. Paul Lefebvre

First Liberty Bank

Mr. Chris Fleming

Fowler Holding Company

Frankfurt Short Bruza

Ms. Joan Frates

Mr. Charles L. Freede

Gray, Blodgett and Company

PLLC

Greenstock Nurseries

Mr. and Mrs. David Griffin

Hall Estill

Ms. Bonnie Hand

Mrs. Linda Haneborg

Mrs. Jane Harlow

Mr. and Mrs. John Hefner

Mrs. Dannie Bea Hightower

High Caliper Growing, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hill

Ms. Elizabeth Hines

Mr. and Mrs. Dale Hume

Ms. Gail Huneryager

Ms. Dixie Jensen

Mr. Shane Jewell

Ms. Linda Kissler

K & K Nursery and Landscape, Inc

Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. Laird

Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Mavon

Linda Rosser McDaniel

Mr. and Mrs. Mark McDaniel

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Merson

Mr. and Mrs. Joe McFall

Midtown Renaissance

Minick Materials

Mock Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Ron Morey

Mr. and Mrs. James Morley

Mr. and Mrs. David Neff

Ms. Karen Nester

Oklahoma City Beautiful

Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau

Oklahoma City University

Mr. and Mrs. David Ostrowe

Mr. and Mrs. Allen Paine

The Painted Door

Paycom

PB and J Your Way

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Parry

Mr. and Mrs. Morton Payne

Ms. Glenda Payne

Mr. Kent Phillips

Mr. James Pickel

Plant Wisdom Garden Center

Precure Nursery & Garden Center

Presbyterian Health Foundation

Prosperity Bank

Roger and Joy Quinn

Mr. Gene Rainbolt

Mr. Marc Rice

Mr. and Mrs. John Robberson

Mr. and Mrs. D. Joe Rocket

Ms. Meg Salyer

Scissortail Salon LLC

Mrs. Kim Searls

Janice and Lee Segell

Mrs. Tiffany Self

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Shortt

Dr. and Mrs. Gregory Skuta

Mr. and Mrs. John Slay

Mr. Lee Allan Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Roger Spring

Mr. and Mrs. Renzi Stone

Ms. Ranee Taylor

TLC Nursery & Greenhouses

UMB Bank

Ms. Erin Van Laanen and Mr. John Myles

Vicki Vanstavern & Don

Narcomey

Mr. and Mrs. Ed Wells

Mr. and Mrs. Mark West

Mr. Dean White

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wiggin

Mr. Roy H. Williams

Don T. and Carolyn T. Zachritz

Mr. Charles Michael Zeek

Contributing Members at the Benefactor Level

Dr. Thomas Coniglione

Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Hudson

Mr. Ronald Javitch

Mr. Gene Rainbolt

$1 - $249

Ms. Laura Ainsworth

Ms. Judith Fell Austin

Dr. Sterling S. Baker

Ms. Kelley Barnes

Ms.. Karen Beckman

Mr. and Mrs. John Biggs

Dr. and Mrs. Bob Blackburn

Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Blaney

Mr. and Mrs. G.T. Blankenship

Mr. and Mrs. Jordan Braun

Ms. Phyllis L. Brawley

Mr. Steve Brown

Mr. James Burnett

Ms. Sandra Casteel

Center for Economic Development

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Charnay

The Honorable Nancy Coats and

Mr. Charlie Ashley

Mr. and Mrs. Ted Cox

Mr. and Mrs. Greg Crotchett

Mr. and Mrs. David Dautenhahn

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Davis

Mrs. Libbi Davis

Mr. and Mrs. Roland Denman

Mr. and Mrs. R.T. Devero

Dig and Hope Garden Club

Mr. Max D’Souza

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Edwards

Ms. Elizabeth Eickman and Mr.

Marvin Quinn

Mr. Robert Eskridge

Ms. Carol Eyster

Mr. and Mrs. Jay Farber

Mr. Corey Farmer

Mr. Craig Fishbein

Mr. and Mrs. Bill Frankfurt

Mrs. Nan Frates

The Generation Group

Ms. Ann Felton Gilliland

Mr. Cary Grenrock

Mr. and Mrs. Barry Grove

Sandra Harrison

Dr. and Mrs. Don W. Haskins

Ms. Teresa Helt

Mr. and Mrs. Edward D. Hervey

Mr. and Mrs. Larry Herzel

Mr. David High

Senator and Mrs. David Holt

Ms. Linda Horn

Ms. Mary Houston

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Howard

Ms. Audrey Huffman

Ms. Robin Hurley

Ms. Nancy Izfar

Ms. Dixie Jensen

Mrs. Brenda Johnson

Mr. Mark Kelly

Mr. Dusty Kitchko

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Krywucki

Ms. Peg Kunneman

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen LaFollette

Mr. and Mrs. Tim Larason

Mr. Paul Lefebvre

Mr. and Mrs. James Loftis

Mr. Laurence D. Lucas

Ms. Linda Manaugh

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Marshall

Ms. Joy A. McBride

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald T. McDaniel

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce McDermott

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. McKenzie

Mr. and Mrs. John Michalski

Mr. and Mrs. James Rocky Moore

Mr. Melvin Moran

Ms. Joanne Necco

Oklahoma School of Science & Mathematics

Mr. Charles Oppenheim

Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Parker

Ms. Phyllis Pennington

Mrs. Melissa Pepper-Stevener

Mr. James Prock

Republic Bank & Trust

Mr. and Ms. Mark Reser

Ms. Patty Roloff

Sherry Rowan

Dr. and Mrs. Carl Rubenstein

Ms. Belinda Ruffel

Mr. Roger Runge

Mr. and Mrs. Terry J. Schuur

Mr. David Scott

Mr. and Mrs. Dean Sergent

Mr. and Mrs. David P. Severe

Mr. and Mrs. Randel Shadid

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Shelby

Mr. and Mrs. J. Roy Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Neil Stanfield

Mrs. Judith Steelman

Mr. Allan Storjohann

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Stover

Mr. and Mrs. Hatton Sumner

Mr. and Mrs. Udho Thadani

Ms. Kym Thompson

Ms. Gena Timberman

Mr. and Mrs. Steve Tippett

The Tree Bank

Mr. and Mrs. Dan Trigg

Ms. Nancy Hill Tucker

Ms. Jean Marie Warren

Mr. Robert White

Councilman and Mrs. Pete White

Mrs. Martha V. Williams

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Woods

Mr. and Mrs. Denver W. Woolsey

Mr. and Mrs. James L. Yoch

Mr. John Yoeckel

Ms. Anne Zachritz

Ms. Claranell Zimmerman

Contributing Members at Patron Level

Ms. Sharon Beasley

Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Bryant

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Capucille

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hill

Ms. Veena Khanna

Dr. T homas Kupiec

Mr. and Mrs. David Lam

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Page

Mr. and Mrs. William Paulk

Mr. Chris Salyer

Mr. and Mrs. Roger Stong

Ms. Nancy Hill Tucker

Mr. and Mrs. Mario Zuniga

In-Kind

Adorn

Arts Council of Oklahoma City

Barre3

Beau’s Wine Shop

Boat House District

Bricktown Starbucks

Colcord Hotel

Broadway Wine Merchants

Calvert’s Plant Interiors

DG Productions

Double Shot Bar Service

Dust Bowl OKC

Earl’s Rib Palace

Factor 110

Flint

Full Circle Bookstore

The General Store

Great Plains Coca-Cola

The Green House Inc

Harkins Theater

Heydey Entertainment

Homeland Stores

iFLY Oklahoma City

405 Magazine

Magic Services

MidAmerica Roofing

New Leaf Florist

Oklahoma Banana

Olive & Company

Ozarka Water & Coffee Service

Panera Bread

Redbud Floral

Roxy’s Ice Cream Social

Avis Scaramucci

Scissortail Gifts

Signs by Tomorrow

Southwestern Stationery

THG Financial Advisor

This Land Yoga

TLC Nurseries

Topgolf OKC

Trader Joe’s

Whole Foods Market

Wild Birds Unlimited

Wilshire Garden Market

Member Spotlight

The Hernandez Family

Gardens has become so much more than a backdrop for your family photo

BBy Erin Zerhan, Membership Manager and Development Associate

renda and Jorge Hernandez take a break from their fastpaced life to enjoy the beauty of nature and community in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City. From Pumpkinville to Dancing in the Gardens the Hernandez family enjoys the entire year at Myriad Botanical Gardens. In their own words they share some of their favorite aspects of being members of the Gardens.

What made you decide to become a member of Myriad Gardens?

We love to attend all of the special events held throughout the year at the Gardens, especially at the Children’s Garden, so it made perfect sense for us to become members to not only support the Gardens but also to save money on the different events.

What was your first impression of the Gardens, and how has that opinion changed through the years?

I would say my first impression of the Gardens was that it was just a beautiful location for family pictures, but throughout the years the Gardens have become one of our favorite places to go and enjoy as a family, especially with all of the family entertainment that has been added in recent years. This is the place we go to play and make lasting memories with our little ones.

How many children do you have, and what are their ages? What are their favorite parts about the Myriad Gardens and membership?

We have two children. My daughter Adamari is 9 years old and my son Emiliano is 5 years old. Being members allows us to come as often as we’d like, with free admission to the majority of the events held at the Gardens, or at a discounted price. My kids love to go to the Gardens in the fall for Pumpkinville. It’s become an annual family tradition for us. The pumpkins, activities and all

the fall decorations really create a fun atmosphere for the kids and it’s a great way to welcome the fall season. They also love to come and play in the Thunder Fountain during the summer and ice skate at the Devon Ice Rink during the winter season.

How often do you visit the Gardens?

My children and I visit the Gardens on a regular basis, especially since it’s so close to their school, John Rex Elementary. It’s the perfect place for walks after school and play dates with friends.

What is the best part of being a member of the Gardens?

The best part of being a member is having a place that plans fun-filled monthly events for our family. There is always something exciting going on, something new. Our children look forward to their many adventures at the Gardens each month.

What event would you bring them to?

One of our favorite events that I would love for them to enjoy is Dancing in the Gardens. This family-friendly event takes place during the warm summer months and brings everyone together for a fun night of dancing outdoors in the beautiful Gardens. Salsa dancing with downtown Oklahoma City as the background makes for an unforgettable evening with family and friends.

Any final thoughts about the Gardens or membership you would like to share?

We are so grateful to the Gardens for providing this beautiful space for our community to enjoy. We hope more families will come out to the Gardens and see firsthand all that it has to offer.

Jorge, Emiliano, Adamari and Brenda pose for their family Christmas card photo. The Gardens to them is a great family photo backdrop and so much more!

Jorge and Brenda hosting Dancing in the Gardens for their second year in a row. They’ll be back for the third year on May 5.

Adamari, Brenda and Emiliano enjoying the Devon Ice Rink after school at John Rex Elmentary.

Oklahoma City-based Smart Pots joins Gardening School 2017 as new sponsor

High Caliper Growing in Oklahoma City jumped at the chance to participate in Gardening School 2017 as a firsttime sponsor. The company has been a pioneer in both the tree nursery and container gardening industries since 1980 by introducing soft-sided fabric grow containers to the horticulturist around the world.

Ralph Reiger originally invented the Root Control Bag at his tree farm in Guthrie, Oklahoma and targeted tree farmers who are still current customers of the Root Control Bag. His son and current owner, Kurt Reiger, helped his father improve the product and took it one step further by introducing the Smart Pot which has been embraced by master and hobbyist gardeners throughout the U.S. and internationally.

Plenty of Smart Pots were on hand for Gardening School attendees to not only see but to take home as well. The fabric material used in the

Root Control Bags and Smart Pots are completely free of BPA contaminants and are manufactured in Oklahoma City. High Caliper Growing holds numerous patents and continues its product enhancements with patents pending.

“High Caliper Growing has always had a passion to help educate fellow growers,” said Karen Murphy, marketing director. “Whether it’s educating them on the benefits of using a fabric grow container, working with schools on gardening projects for the children, or collaborating with organizations who construct urban community gardens. Because of this passion, High Caliper Growing is honored to be a sponsor of the Myriad Botanical Garden’s Oklahoma Gardening School.”

Smart Pots are available at your local Grow store, Hydro shop, Organic Garden store and Garden Centers. For more information visit their website at smartpots.com.

American Plant Products supports a love of learning and gardening

For Rodd Moesel, a love of plants and public spaces inspires his longtime dedication to Myriad Botanical Gardens. First as an officer of the Myriad Gardens Conservancy and now as a corporate sponsor, Moesel, says teaching Oklahomans about gardening is what appeals to him about the Gardens in general, and Gardening School in particular.

“I want to support initiatives like Gardening School that teach people about planting the right plants in the right spots because in this part of the country, we deal with the full weather rodeo,” Moesel said. “If people are successful at gardening, they will keep doing it. And we want them to keep doing that and support that effort.”

As the owner and operator of American Plant Products, Moesel and his wife Dona design and build research greenhouses for research universities and teaching facilities across the country. Located in Oklahoma City, the business also designs and builds commercial greenhouses for agricultural as well as ornamental crops. The 35-year-old wholesale company specializes in quality horticultural equipment, supplies and services to commercial growers, schools and universities, research facilities, retail garden centers and conservatories.

Growing up on a truck farm in Pauls Valley he watched his parents use any extra funds they had to buy green houses. So, when the family relocated to Oklahoma City, Moesel joined the local 4-H club that at the time met at the Oklahoma governor’s mansion.

“I was an introverted little kid, and 4-H encourages people to reach out and make presentations and get involved,” he said. “I had grown up helping people and telling them how to grow things and I guess people were fascinated by a little kid who could tell them how to grow things.”

After graduating from Oklahoma State University, for which he paid his tuition by building and selling terrariums, Moesel opened American Plant Products.

Among the many greenhouses the company has designed, of note is the Noble Foundation facility in Ardmore. Founded by Lloyd Noble, the Sam Roberts Noble Foundation is the largest independent agricultural research institution in the United States.

In 2014, Moesel was honored for his longtime work and dedication to agriculture with the Governor’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Agriculture.

“I love and support public spaces, like Myriad Botanical Gardens, that inspire learning and teach people how to garden,” Moesel said. “Gardening School is the perfect way to do just that.”

Rodd Moesel

Poetry at the Gardens this Spring

By Maureen Heffernan, Executive Director

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” –Mary Oliver

What better month than April to honor poetry when there is so much to observe and appreciate in nature as it stretches and wakes up from the winter? Every April, I seem to see and hear about more activities devoted to national poetry month.

Perhaps the need to slow down, observe, feel and think deeply by reading or writing poetry, is catching on as a much-needed balance to our rattled and fragmented attention spans as screens compete with the natural world for our close attention.

The practice of reading poetry can then serve as a kind of speed bump for our too hectic lives, slowing us down to not miss the passing scenery.

Thanks to a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, we are excited to offer an exhibit of the poetry of Mary Oliver this spring in our gardens. Oliver brilliantly writes about plants gardens and the natural world with exceptional devotion, appreciation, tenderness and affection for it. Her poems often capture a quiet moment observing nature but the end effect is like a thunderclap startling you to not take the beauty of the world or your brief time in it for granted. A Pulitzer prize-winning poet and prose writer, Oliver is described as an “indefatigable guide to the natural world.” I hope you enjoy experiencing her poems in the Gardens.

Cloudscape Haikus and Rain Poems on display

Another poetry exhibit at the Gardens is paired with Cloudscape, an art exhibit by Oklahoma City artist Marc Baker. Located in the south lobby of the Crystal Bridge through May 14, Baker’s moody and atmospheric cloud paintings are paired with haiku cloud poems. Big billowing clouds and the delicacy of the haikus enrich enjoyment of each.

This spring, April showers will also bring poetry “flowers” as Downtown OKC ‘plants’ rain poems throughout downtown. Written by Oklahomans, these poems are only visible when the sidewalk is wet. Two will be located at the Gardens near our northeast and southeast corners. So when it rains and the world is “mud luscious and puddle wonderful” as the poet e. e. cummings famously wrote, grab your umbrella and wander out to discover these ephemeral literary blooms.

Seeking Volunteers at the Gardens

Interested in volunteering yourself or your company at the Gardens? We offer two options: Partner Volunteers and Occasional Volunteers. Partner volunteers make a commitment, and in return receive a wonderful list of benefits for their time and effort. Occasional volunteers participate when they are available or when an activity or event of interest to them is going on. If you are looking for a great place to give back, please consider joining us!

Partner Volunteers:

Requirements

• Must agree to volunteer a minimum of 36 hours per year (or 3 hours/month)

• Must be 18 years of age or older

• $25 processing fee

• Complete a simple application

Benefits

• Receive a free parking pass to use while volunteering at the Gardens

• $20 off Myriad Botanical Gardens Family Membership

• Reduced/Complimentary access to various Myriad Botanical Gardens’ special events, including all education programs at Partner Volunteer price

• Receive free, instructional orientation and trainings

• Receive free admission plus 10 free passes to our spring and fall festivals to share with your family and friends

• Invitation to our Annual Appreciation Banquet and Holiday Party

• Opportunities to guide indoor and outdoor garden tours

Opportunities for Occasional Volunteers

With so much going on at the Gardens we always need and appreciate the help that our Occasional Volunteers provide. Due to a variety of reasons, these volunteers cannot commit to being a Partner Volunteer. However, they come help whenever we have special activities and events.

For more information email Ann Fleener at afleener@ myriadgardens.org

Find a great variety of garden plants & more!

FREE ADMISSION. CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES. SHOP FOR MOTHERS DAY, (SUNDAY, MAY 14).

VENDORS INCLUDE

360 Farms

CD3 Farm/ Tap your Health Source

Duck Creek Farms

Garden Anywhere Box

Grahams Jewelrey Box

Jo’s Garden Shop

Lost Creek Mushroom Farm

K&K Nursery and Landscape

Laughing Rabbit Soap Co.

Mustang Creek Alpacas

Nature Conservancy

Peppers and More

Plant Wisdom Garden Center

Prairie Wind Nursery

R&E Plants “The Herb Place”

Roses Inc. Green Country

Skyridge Farm

Southern Plant Farm

Tall Grass Prairie Soap

Tinroof Studios

Utopia Gardens

White Dog Chiles

Wild Horse Canyon Farms

Wild Things Nursery

Wine and Palette

Book the Park House Events Center for Your Next Event

With beautifully landscaped acres of formal and natural gardens, the Myriad Botanical Gardens offers you a choice of so many striking places to gather for your next happening. The Park House Event Center is new in the line-up to rent for your special occasion. It’s perfect for corporate events, weddings, wedding receptions, networking events, birthday celebrations and more. With its natural light and striking panoramic views of the Gardens, breathtaking sunsets and nighttime glow of the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory, the Events Center will make your next gathering a truly special occasion. The Events Center holds 120 people for a ceremony, 120 guests for dinner and 200 for a standing reception. Prices vary depending on day of the week and more.

Contact Goldie Jackson, (405) 208-0000 gjackson@myriadgardens.org

Community Partner Events at the Gardens

Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park launches its 33rd season. Gardens’ members receive two, nontransferrable tickets to each performance listed below. Show your membership card at the ticket table at the Myriad Gardens’ Water Stage. Nonmembers tickets are $20.

The Taming of the Shrew By William Shakespeare

June 1-24 (June 1-3, June 8, June 15-17, June 22-24

Hamlet By William Shakespeare

September 14-30 (September 1416, 21-23, 28-30

For more information on Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park visit okshakespeare.com

deadCENTER

Film Festival

June 8-10

deadCenter Film Festival for more than 100 independent films from filmmakers across the globe. Films are screened in a total of seven downtown Oklahoma City locations.

Visit their website for dates, titles & times deadcenterfilm.org

Sunday Twilight Concerts

Sundays, June-August, 7pm

Arts Council of Oklahoma City’s Sunday Twilight Concert Series returns to the Gardens on June 11. Enjoy a variety of bands. Bring a picnic lunch. Bring a chair or blanket. Names will be announced in May.

For more information visitartscouncilokc.com

Love, Peace and Goodwill Festival

Sunday, June 4, 10am-9pm

Inspired by our community and a collective desire to postively impact our city, the Peace Love & Goodwill Festival is designed to provide a one-of-a-kind extra-sensory experience for the entire family. Listen, Eat, Shop and Explore the very best Oklahoma has to offer during this one day event.

For more information visit peacelovegoodwill.org

Pitchfork in the Park to open at Gardens

Opening mid May at Seasonal Plaza

The Myriad Gardens is pleased to announce Pitchfork in the Park as a new amenity to visitors of the Gardens. Andra and Jacob Conger, operators of the very successful Pitchfork food truck, will bring their culinary deliciousness to the Gardens. Located adjacent to the Park House Event Center, they will be opening in early May.

From The Oklahoman, Steve Lackmeyer: Pitchfork Kitchen & Bakery in September 2015. But in that short time, the couple drew a loyal following with an array of local menu items including cinnamon rolls, unique sandwich offerings and old family recipes.

Hunter Wheat, owner of the city’s leading food truck park, Bleu Garten, ranks Pitchfork among the top three operators among 76 that visited last season in terms of popularity.

“There isn’t a truck that does better than Pitchfork,” Wheat said. “They’ve got a good system. They serve a lot of food, they do it fast, and it’s great. And they’re creative — they have a bacon chocolate chip cookie that is out of this world.”

Check the Gardens website myriadgardens.org for the opening date and confirmed menu very soon. Pitchfork in the Park will offer sandwiches, hot dogs, sides, drinks, ice cream, frozen fruit bar treats and more!

Hours will be 11 a.m. through 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. With expanded hours during summer weekends, special events in the Gardens, and Thunder games.

Shop Scissortail Gifts at Myriad Gardens

Scissortail Gifts serves as the in-house gift store at the Myriad Botanical Gardens and has expanded its selection to include garden inspired gifts. The gift store features Made in Oklahoma products, Oklahoma-inspired gifts, and a new selection of garden & botanical books, gifts, and Myriad Botanical Garden branded items. Scissortail’s brand will become synonymous with this unique, iconic Oklahoma City attraction.

Visitors can shop good while doing good. A portion of sales go towards helping to support Myriad Botanical Gardens. Gardens members receive 10 percent off discount.

Avis Scaramucci pictured second to the left enjoys iced tea with staff Deborah Morey, Maureen Heffernan, Kerry Rapp, Jessi Reisenberg, Tatianna Cannon, Erin McPhall 22