DATE: 3/14/06

CONTACT: Christine Drais, (864) 656-3405; cdrais@clemson.edu

 UPCOMING APRIL EVENTS: THE SOUTH CAROLINABOTANICAL GARDEN

For additional event information and registration: www.clemson.edu/scbg. Registration with a credit card may be made by calling (864) 656-3405 or email scbg@clemson.edu.

THE NATURE OF QUILTS EXHIBIT: Fringe Sisters of the Midlands

Come in to see the colorful and artistic quilts by members of the Fringe Sisters group from the Midlands . These quilt artists translate color, flow and expression through an array of textures using fabric, beads and appliqué work. This year is a year in quilts at the Discovery Center Gallery and rotates quarterly with a special traveling exhibit this summer from Alaska . Free.

Location: Fran Hanson Discovery Center Gallery

Hours: Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm and Sunday 1:00 - 5:00 pm

PETER RABBIT’S SALAD GARDEN - April 1

Specialty lettuces, greens, edible flowers, and herbs are perfect choices for a family-friendly salad garden. Growing greens with a diversity of colors and textures make eating salads fun. Participants will learn the basics of growing spring vegetables and create a container garden to take home. This program is designed for an adult and child pair, but individuals are also welcome.

Fee: $25 per container ($20 for SCBG members & volunteers)
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Location: Nature Learning Center & Sprouting Wings Greenhouse

SPRING FOSSIL ADVENTURE! - April 1

Journey back in time with museum curators on a trip to the Lowcountry to collect ancient marine animals. Take home anything you find that is already in the museum’s collection. Register early since space is limited to 10 adventurers. Children 10 and older are welcome when accompanied by a parent. Transportation and lunch included.

Fee: $50 per person

Saturday, April 1, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Location: Meet at the Campbell Geology Museum

GETTING STARTED WITH PERENNIALS - April 3

Spring is a good time to learn how to start a new perennial bed or add to an existing one. Easy-care perennials provide lasting colors, textures, and forms to enjoy throughout the growing season. Join Lisa Wagner to learn about soil preparation, plant selection, and plant care, and to explore the wide array of perennials that perform well in our climate.

Fee: $15 ($12 for SCBG members & volunteers)

Time: 10 a.m. - noon

Location: Nature Learning Center

FOUNDATION YOGA - Wednesdays, April 5, 12, 19, 26

Foundation Yoga class is an excellent class for students who are interested in exploring the fundamentals of yoga poses. The focus of each class will be in developing an understanding of the poses while linking them with breath and awareness. Breathwork and meditation will also be emphasized. Students looking for pre-natal yoga will find this class to be helpful in managing their pregnancy and at the same time preparing them for labor and delivery. Bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothes. Class size is limited to 12 students per session so, pre-registration is suggested though drop-ins are welcome.

Tuition: $12 drop-in per class or $50 for 5 classes

Tuesdays, 6:00 - 7:15 pm

Location: Discovery Center

KNITTING – Wednesday Mornings – April 5, 12, 19, 26

This class is for beginners to advanced beginners or those ready for a slightly more challenging project. Get ready to learn some new stitches, techniques, and patterns to create any number of gifts (socks, cables, purses, and more). April’s class will focus on a felted handbag or project of their choice. Students provide their own needles and yarn - project choices and a materials list will be sent to all registrants. Class size is limited to 10.

Fee: $30 for 4 classes
April 1 - May 31: 10 a.m. - noon

Location: Carriage House Cafe

FLOW YOGA – Thursdays, April 6, 13, 20, 27
Flow Yoga class focuses on ashtanga vinyasa style yoga and provides a well-rounded workout to yoga students. This style of yoga challenges students of all levels and abilities through a sequence of postures that build strength and flexibility. The breathwork and meditation practiced in class reduces stress, induces relaxation, and brings clarity of mind. Renee is a practitioner of ashtanga vinyasa yoga and encourages all students to strive for a sense of wholeness and appreciation for where and who they are. Bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothes. Class size is limited to 12 students per session so, pre-registration is suggested though drop-ins are welcome.

Tuition: $10 per class

Thursdays: 6 - 7:15 pm

Location: S.C. Botanical Garden Hayden Conference Center

FIRST FRIDAY NATURE WALK – April 7
Meet at the Red Caboose for an informative walk with naturalist and Clemson University Professor David Bradshaw. Wear comfortable shoes and appropriate dress. Walks generally last between one and two hours.

Fee: Free

Time: 7 a.m.

Location: Meet at the Red Caboose Parking Area

SPRING NIGHT HIKE - April 13

Join naturalist Lisa Wagner for an evening hike in the garden. Experience the sights, sounds and sensations of a 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 5) ($5 for SCBG members & volunteers)

Time: 7 - 9 p.m.

Location: Meet at the Discovery Center Parking Area

GARDENING WITH NATIVES: CREATING A GARDEN FULL OF LIFE - April 17

Using a broad array of South Carolina native plants in your garden enriches the diversity of your backyard ecosystem, which promotes ecological balance in your garden, as birds, beneficial insects, and other critters increase, and plant pests and diseases diminish. In this program, Education Director Lisa Wagner will recommend favorite native species for Piedmont gardens, including examples from her own yard, transformed from lawn to wildlife garden through additions of native trees, shrubs, and perennials.

Fee: $5 (free for SCBG members & volunteers)

Time: noon - 1 p.m.

Location: Nature Learning Center

PLANT SELECTION FOR THE PIEDMONT - April 20

Spring often provides ideal growing conditions for plant establishment and growth, with adequate moisture and mild temperatures. Topic of discussion will be selecting trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants that will thrive in your landscape, whether in sun or shade, and how to choose plants that will suit your needs and gardening style. This program is designed for beginning and intermediate gardeners who’d like to expand their gardening skills.

Fee: $12 includes a behind-the-scenes SCBG plant sale preview

($10 for SCBG members & volunteers)

Time: 1 - 3 p.m.

Location: Nature Learning Center

SPRING PLANT SALE - April 21 & 22

Get your plant lists together and come out to pick from the area’s best selection of hardy perennials, trees, shrubs, grasses, and more. Garden staff, volunteers and members of the Master Gardeners of the Foothills will be here to assist you with gardening questions and planting issues.

Friday: 2:30 - 6 p.m. - FRIENDS PREVIEW PLANT SALE

Must be current Friends member to enter. New Friends may join at the sale. Membership covers two adults per household and starts at $25.

Join Friends now or call 864-656-3405.

Saturday: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. - PUBLIC SPRING PLANT SALE

Location: S.C. Botanical Garden Plant Sale Operations Area

Garden Gift Shops
The Garden Gift Shop and the Campbell Geology Museum Gift Shop offer unique holiday gifts for children and adults. Beautiful handcrafted gift items by local artists, gardening and geology books, t-shirts, logo items, jewelry and more. The Garden Gift Shop is located at the Fran Hanson Discovery Center and is open Mon.-Sat. 10am – 4pm and Sunday 1:00 – 5:00p.m. The Campbell Geology Museum is open Thur. – Sat. 10am – 5pm and Sunday 1:00 – 5:00p.m. Call 864-656-3405 for more information.

Be a Garden Volunteer

No matter what your background or the time you have available, there is a place for you at the S.C. Botanical Garden. Volunteer opportunities are available in grounds maintenance and gardening, education programs, special events, and visitor services. Call Judith Gardner at 864-656-3405 or email scbg@clemson.edu or go to the web site www.clemson.edu/scbg.

Special Event Planning at the Garden

Whether you’re planning a business meeting, birthday party, or a wedding the SC Botanical Garden offers a peaceful setting for your important day. Call Judith Gardner, Garden Rentals, for more information at 864-656-3405, email scbg@clemson.edu or go to the web site www.clemson.edu/scbg.

GARDEN HOURS OF OPERATION:

Discovery Center & Garden Gift Shop Hours: Mon.–Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sun. 1-5 p.m.

Geology Museum Hours: Thurs.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun. 1-5 p.m. Admission: $3/adults and $2/children 12 and under. Annual passes available.

The Garden is located on the Clemson University campus at the intersection of Highway 76 and Perimeter Road. It encompasses 295 acres of gardens, streams and woodlands, and is open year-round from sunrise to sunset, free of charge. Support the Garden, become a ‘FRIEND of the Garden’; contact Christine Drais for more information at (864) 656-3405 or cdrais@clemson.edu.

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