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Mounts Botanical Garden to Host 10 Public Events in September & October 2011: Everything Orchids / A Shady Affair Plant Sale, Gourmet Food Truck Garden Party,
Fall Family Festival, Workshops on Backyard Vegetable Gardens, Landscape Design & Orchids, Plus the Summer’s Final Evening Garden Walk
(West Palm Beach, FL – August 23, 2011) The Friends of Mounts Botanical Garden today announced 10 major public events in September and October 2011:
Everything Orchids; A Shady Affair Plant Sale
Saturday & Sunday, September 10-11 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Members FREE, Non-members $5
This weekend event showcases a select number of top orchid and shade plant growers, artists, and craftspeople that will share their
knowledge and passion for orchids and plants. The event features fun and informative lectures, a silent auction of horticultural tabletop
arrangements and other botanical delights.
Special Dedication & Ribbon Cutting of New Bridge & Overlook
Saturday, September 10 – 3 to 5 p.m.
Friends and fans of Mounts Botanical Garden are invited to attend a special dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony of the new bridge
and overlook, My Lovely Distraction, in the Zimmerman Shade & Color Garden on the Island at Mounts. Artist Mark Fuller will be on hand,
as well as Elayna Toby Singer, Director of Palm Beach County Art in Public Places. In addition, luscious hors d’oeuvres, beverages and
cake will be served in honor of the 60th birthday of Michael Zimmerman, the longtime president of Friends of Mounts Botanical Garden.
The Bridge & Overlook project was generously funded by the Esther B. O’Keeffe Foundation. RSVPs are requested at 561.233.1757.
Farm-Your-Backyard / Vegetable Garden
Saturday, September 17 – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Exhibit Hall A
Members $30, Non-members $40
Now is the time to begin planning your vegetable garden. Mounts Horticulturist Mike Page and Arthur Kirstein, Coordinator of Agricultural
Economic Development, will teach how to successfully grow vegetables. This program’s focus is on establishing and managing small
vegetable projects. Tips on site preparation, seedling establishment, planting, maintenance and harvesting will be covered.
Register early, this popular workshop has sold out quickly in the past.
Evening Walk with the Director
Wednesday, September 21 – 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Meet at front gate of the Garden
Members FREE, Non-members $5
Enjoy the beauty of Mounts Botanical Garden in the early evening hours. Garden Director Allen Sistrunk will share information about the
Garden’s history and future vision, plus stories of folklore and ethno-botanical uses of South Florida plants. This is a wonderful opportunity
to experience the evening fragrances of exotic flowers. Meet at the front entrance of Mounts.
Designing, Creating & Maintaining Your Home Landscape
Saturdays, October 1, 8 & 15 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Exhibit Hall A
Members $50, Non-members $60
This three-session workshop will take participants through all the steps needed to improve a home landscape.
+ Session One (October 1) includes an evaluation of site conditions, how to avoid common landscape mistakes and a review of good design principles.
+ Session Two (October 8) will begin with a tour of Mounts Botanical Garden to see and discuss a large number of plants suitable for South Florida. Attendees will also learn about purchasing, planting and establishing the plants.
+ Session Three (October 15): Master Gardeners will work closely with participants to address individual landscape problem areas, evaluate ideas and discuss options. Tips and techniques to conserve water, reduce pesticide use and minimize maintenance will finish the program.
Registration deadline is September 28.
Orchid Care 101
Saturday, October 1 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mounts Auditorium
Members $30, Non-members $40
This workshop with instructors Tom Wells and Sandi Jones of Broward Orchid Supply, will explain what orchids need – water, light,
fertilizer, temperature. Attendees are encouraged to bring an orchid (up to 6 inches) to be repotted or mounted. Several methods will
be demonstrated such as potting and mounting on tree fern, cork bark or grapevine. Orchid supplies will be available for purchase.
Gourmet Food Truck Garden Party
Sunday, October 2 – Noon to 7 p.m.
In the Garden
$5 Suggested Donation – Food & Beverages Additional
The food truck frenzy is coming to Mounts. With authentic, innovative, gourmet cuisine rumbling into the Garden from all over South Florida,
Mounts Botanical Garden will be packed with hungry mobile gourmands chomping at the bit to try the latest meals on wheels from many of the
most popular gourmet food trucks in South Florida.
Fall Family Festival
Sunday, October 16 – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In the Garden
Members & Children under 10 FREE, Non-members $3
Co-sponsored by the Junior League of the Palm Beaches, this annual family festival will feature games, hands-on activities, music,
refreshments, and prizes for all. Popular activities include pony rides, face painting, seedling giveaways, bounce house, kiddie train rides and more.
Eye-popping booths featuring ladybugs, butterflies, herbs and plants will be a fun & educational experience for children and adults alike.
Children and adults are encouraged to come in Halloween costume. Some activities will be free, while others will have a nominal charge.
About Mounts Botanical Garden:
Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm Beach County's oldest and largest public garden. Mounts displays tropical and subtropical plants from
around the world, including plants native to Florida, exotic trees, tropical fruit, herbs, citrus, palms and more. As a component of the
Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service, and through its affiliation with the University of Florida IFAS, Mounts is the place to
connect with Extension Horticulturists, Master Gardeners, the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program, and professional horticultural
advisors. Mounts also offers a variety of horticultural classes, and garden-related events and workshops.
Located at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach, Mounts Botanical Garden is open Monday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The suggested donation for entry to the Garden is $5 per person.
For more information, please call 561.233.1757 or visit
www.Mounts.org
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Available for Interview:
Allen Sistrunk
Garden Director
561.233.1757
E-mail:
Media Contact:
Gary Schweikhart
PR-BS, Inc.
561.756.4298
E-mail:
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