April events planned in the S.C. Botanical Garden

Published: March 30, 2012

These events are planned for April in the S.C. Botanical Garden at Clemson University. For more information or to register, visit www.clemson.edu/scbg.  

Friday, April 6
FIRST FRIDAY GARDEN WALK
Meet with naturalist David Bradshaw for an unforgettable tour of the Garden. Walks are offered the first Friday of every month, but no two outings are the same.
Fee: Free
Time: 7 a.m. (April through September)
Location: Meet in caboose parking lot

Wednesday, April 4
BIRD NESTS & NATURALLY DYED EGG CENTERPIECES
Learn how to create a beautiful, lasting spring centerpiece. Garden educators Allison Jones and Kendra Vincent teach participants about plant-derived egg dyes, the art of hand-blowing eggs and decorating them with leaves and flowers from the Garden. To complete the project, we’ll make a beautiful ‘bird’s nest’ to house the egg art, which can be enjoyed for years to come. Children are welcome. Participants must register at least five days in advance.
Fee: $12 per participant ($10 for members and volunteers)
Time: 3–5 p.m.
Location: Nature Learning Center

Friday, April 6
SPRING NIGHT HIKE
Join naturalist Lisa Wagner for an evening hike in the garden. Experience the sights, sounds and sensations of an early spring evening and see the rise of the full moon if the weather permits. Please wear walking shoes and clothing appropriate for walking in the woods.
Fee: $7 per family (up to five) ($5 for members and volunteers)
Time: 7–9 p.m.
Location: Meet at the Discovery Center parking area

Tuesday, April 10
GARDEN NATURALIST: TRACKS AND TRACES
Many animals in the Garden are up and about when we’re not here. So how do we know who lives here without seeing them? Find out how to bring the landscape to life by finding and understanding animal signs with Garden educator Sue Watts. Begin in the classroom to become familiar with tracks, traces and signs, then complete the morning with fieldwork in the Garden searching for signs of the most elusive garden inhabitants.
Fee: $20 ($15 for members and volunteers)
Time: 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Location: Hanson Nature Learning Center

Wednesday, April 11
HOW TO CREATE A NATIVE WOODLAND GARDEN
The plants that grow in our native forests provide a wonderful palette for creating diverse and beautiful woodland gardens using native plants. We’ll cover the variety of species that you can use, their characteristics and growth habits and soil requirements.
Fee: $15 ($10 for members and volunteers)
Time: 10: 30 a.m.–noon
Location: Hanson Nature Learning Center

Thursday, April 12
NATIVE PLANTS IN YOUR GARDEN
Native trees, shrubs and perennials provide an excellent selection of plants to include in your landscape and support a diverse array of native wildlife. We’ll identify some of the best plants to use and talk about their characteristics, growth habits and how to integrate them your landscape.
Fee: $15 ($10 for members and volunteers)
Time: 10:30 a.m.–noon
Location: Hanson Nature Learning Center

Thursday, April 12
TREASURES OF THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT
Spices and herbs have always been fundamental to Indian cuisine, adding flavor as well as having health-giving properties. Enjoy heady spices as we make and savor a meal showcasing India’s culinary diversity.
Fee: $35 ($30 members and volunteers)
Time: 5:30–8:00 p.m.
Location: Hanson Nature Learning Center

Saturday, April 14
HUNT CABIN DROP-IN – Fabric and fabric arts
Step back into the 19th century as you enter the historic Hunt Cabin. Join Garden educator Sue Watts and a variety of visiting craftspeople to learn more about life on the South Carolina frontier. Enjoy a roaring fire, listen to tall tales and folk tales and experience some of the chores and entertainments of the past.
Fee: Free; donations to the Hunt Cabin Fund appreciated
Time: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: Hunt Family Cabin

Tuesday, April 17
PLANTING A POCKET MEADOW
Pocket meadows provide a low-maintenance, wildlife-friendly alternative to traditional perennial borders. Join Lisa Wagner to learn about how to combine drought-tolerant native grasses and wildflowers in attractive small meadow plantings.
Fee: $15 ($12 for members and volunteers)
Time: 10:30 a.m.–noon
Location: Hayden Conference Center

Wednesday, April 18
CREATING A SMALL WATER FEATURE
The soothing sound of water is a wonderful addition to a garden. Constructing a small water feature is easy and worry-free. Join Children’s Garden manager Ginny Steadman to learn how to use native materials such as stones, branches and recycled materials to create an attractive water garden.
Fee: $15 ($10 for members and volunteers)
Time: 10–11:30 a.m.
Location: Hanson Nature Learning Center

Thursday, April 19
PIEDMONT GARDENING 
Plants chosen for drought tolerance, pest resistance, and multiseason good looks provide the basis for successful home landscapes in the Upstate. Regionally adapted natives and well-behaved plants from elsewhere provide an excellent plant palette for gardens that thrive in this region. Program includes a Garden Plant Sale preview.
Fee: $15 ($12 for members and volunteers)
Time: 10 a.m.–noon
Location: Hanson Nature Learning Center

Friday, April 20
FRIENDS PLANT SALE
South Carolina Botanical Garden sales provide a choice selection of plants for home gardens and landscapes. They are open to Friends of the Garden and Geology Museum and those who'd like to join at the sale.
Fee: Free for members
Time: 2:30–6 p.m.
Location: Garden Horticulture Support Area

Saturday, April 21
PUBLIC PLANT SALE
South Carolina Botanical Garden plant sales provide a choice selection of plants for home gardens and landscapes, with an even larger selection of perennials and annuals this year.
Fee: Free
Time: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Location: Garden Horticulture Support Area

Tuesday, April 24
GARDEN NATURALIST: ECOLOGY OF REGIONAL NATIVE FERNS
Join Tom Goforth, owner of Crow Dog Native Ferns and Gardens, for an all-day workshop on native ferns. Tom will provide an overview of the life cycles, history, taxonomy and ecology of regional native ferns and their landscaping applications. After a bring-your-own lunch in the Garden, you’ll learn how to develop and install a native fern garden by participating in the Garden’s reconstruction of a cove habitat.
Fee: $40 ($35 for members and volunteers)
Time: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Location: Hanson Nature Learning Center

Saturday, April 28
THE LOST HERITAGE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Join noted botanist and historian Richard Porcher, Citadel professor emeritus, for a fascinating look into the plantations and lives of people whose homes were flooded by Lake Moultrie. His comments will be followed by a special tour of the Hanover House, one of the few homes saved when the lake was flooded.
Fee: Free
Time: 1–3 p.m.
Location: Hayden Conference Center

ART GALLERY
Featured artists: Patti Connor-Greene (ceramics) and Jessica Erin Bowers (paintings).
Gallery hours: 10 a.m-5 p.m. Monday–Saturday, Sunday 1-5 p.m. Sunday
Admission: Free
Location: Fran Hanson Discovery Center

GARDEN INFORMATION
The South Carolina Botanical Garden is located on the Clemson University campus at the intersection of U.S. 76 and Perimeter Road. The Garden encompasses 295 acres of display gardens, nature trails, woodlands and streams and is open year-round from dawn to dusk, free of charge. The Garden is partially supported by the state of South Carolina via Clemson University, but relies on private funding, memberships and proceeds from educational events to continue operations. Contact the Visitors Center for more information at 864-656-3405 or scbg@clemson.edu, or visit www.clemson.edu/scbg.  

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