Fernwood Notes is published quarterly and contains news, information about classes and events, and feature articles about gardening and nature at Fernwood.

Check here and our Calendar for special updates.

Annual Plant Sale and Festival of Blooms: May 9-11

The annual spring plant sale begins Friday, May 9 and continues throughout Mother's Day weekend. A large selection of perennial plants, including azaleas and a few wildflowers, will be available. The Garden Shop is also open and contains other unique items for your garden. The annual Festival of Blooms is going on all weekend with children's activities, food, musical entertainment, and lots of blooming flowers. On Saturday, May 10, the father/daughter team of Brent and Lisa Chilton combine vocals and guitar in a performance on the Green from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., and popular Fernwood performer John Tolhuizen is on the Green from 3:00 to 4:30. Executive Chef Tim Carrigan prepares a pulled pork meal for your enjoyment on Saturday. On Sunday, May 11, Chef Tim grills up a tasty shish-ka-bob meal. The first Second Sunday Concert of the season features "Lake Effect Winds" at 4:00. There is plenty for eveyrone, including Moms, this weekend, so come see us!

Do you know why Niles is called 'The Garden City?" Beginning in 1891, the massive gardens at the historic Niles Train Depot, managed by skilled Master Gardener John Gipner, grew and supplied all of the flowers for lady passengers, the dining cars, and train station restaurants on the Michigan Central Railroad line between Detroit and Chicago. Elaine Metzger from the Four Flags Garden Club digs into the history of the gardens at the train station and explains the garden club's involvement in maintining the gardens today. Don't miss this wonderful historical perspective on Saturday, May 17 in the Clark Gallery at 1:00. Members are free, and the public is free with admission.

Residents and businesses of cities such as Brooklyn, New York, and Salem, Massachusetts, have taken the challenge to beautify their homes and their blocks through window box competitions. Now Fernwood is offering residents and businesses of Niles and Buchanan to do the same. Registration is free—just give us a call or come out to Fernwood to be assigned an entry number and get in on the challenge. Resources will be available to help you in purchasing or making your window box, as well as information on plant design and maintenance. There are three categories: Business, Residential, and Youth. Criteria include Most Creative Window Box, Best Use of Color, Most Original Container, Best Theme (culinary, butterfly garden, etc.), and Best Overall Design. Judging will be August 1 and awards will be given in each category. Winners will be featured on our web site and in our newsletter. But the big reward is the challenge itself— beautifying your home or business and neighborhood, and being the envy of your neighbors. Registration deadline is June 1 so get in on the challenge today! Call Fernwood at 269-695-6491, or email us to register.

Mornings at Fernwood are special, quiet times. The sun appears in the arboretum, working its way down the hill to the gardens, filtering through the woods along the river. Plants and flowers glisten with dew in the early morning light. Wildlife can be seen waking up for the day or calling it a day after a night of foraging. Normally, only staff members are privilege to early mornings at Fernwood. But on April 15, as an added member benefit, Fernwood will begin opening its grounds to members on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday for early morning walks. Check-in time is 7:30 a.m. We are also working on starting yoga classes in the mornings or late afternoons. If you would like to participate in Member Mornings at Fernwood, please call the front desk for details.

Fernwood's Board of Directors cordially invites you to join us for a Summer Solstice Celebration on the South Vista lawn Friday, June 20. This grand evening under the stars begins with Hors D'oeuvres at 6:30 p.m., followed by an elegant dinner prepared by Fernwood's Executive Chef Tim Carrigan at 7:30 p.m. Local auctioneer Kent Stroud will call a live auction of some unique and interesting items, including original paintings by Chicago area artists of local landscapes, dinner for eight prepared by Chef Tim Carrigan, jewelry, an autographed baseball by pitcher Greg Maddux, and Japanese maples and other plant material. Other wonderful items will be sold at a silent auction, as well. Music will be performed by Lake Effect Winds and piano by Jim Robinson. Tickets are $75 per person, tables of eight for $600, and tables of ten for $750. Proceeds will benefit Fernwood's new environmental initiatives.

Jan Ferris Photo

Fasten your seatbelts as we head to Chicago for a day of green roof tours. These aren't just any roofs. All will be treated to a visit to the famous green roof atop Chicago's City Hall. This is a rare opportunity, as this is a nonpublic area. Most who have experienced the view have done so from neighboring skyscrapers. Did you know that Millennium Park is one of the largest green roofs, if not the largest, in the world? True. Enjoy a tour of the Lurie Garden, visit the Cloud Gate sculpture, the Crown Fountain, AND a special bonus of a behind-the-scenes look at the Pritzker Pavilion. After lunch on our own, we head to the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue to get a look at their rooftop garden before heading back to Fernwood. The date is July 23, and $100 will get you into all of the above. This opportunity is offered to Fernwood members only and will fill up fast, so call today.

The May book selected for Fernwood's new book group is Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. The book will be discussed at the May 31 meeting, set for 10:30 a.m. until noon. The June selection is Green Thoughts by Eleanor Perenyi. The Fernwood book group meets the last Saturday of each month with social time and refreshments beginning at 10:00 a.m. A voluntary donation at each meeting will go toward purchasing new books for Fernwood's Library. Join us for the discussion on May 31, or just come to see what it is all about. The book selection will include, but is not limited to, botanical mysteries, fiction and non-fiction books about gardening, nature, and the environment.

One of the area's greatest attractions is just a short bus ride away: the Lincoln Park neighborhood in Chicago, home to wild animals, beautiful plants, and a fantastic regional museum. On Friday, August 8 we'll start the day at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, enjoying their educational exhibits on the natural history of the Chicago Region. Spend time in the butterfly house, take a tour of the green roof growing overhead, and learn more about our environment. The rest of the day is yours to play! The Lincoln Park Zoo is home to apes, big cats, bears, raptors, and much more. Children can enjoy a train ride, the endangered species carousel, and the hands-on children's zoo. Step into the 118-year-old glass houses of the Lincoln Park Conservatory to view orchids, palms, and other beautiful exotic plants. Numerous restaurants are in the area, including the locally-famous R.J. Grunt's. Let Fernwood do the driving so you can enjoy time with your family and friends. With so much to see and do, this trip is perfect for people of all ages! Trip fee includes transportation, admission to the Notebaert Museum and green roof tour, and Fernwood staff services (admission to the Zoo and the Conservatory are free). Lunch and auxiliary activities are on your own. Seating is limited and advance registration is required by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29. Members $60, Public $75.

Bats of the World 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Come explore one of nature's most misunderstood creatures in this all new multi-media presentation! Discover megabats - the large fruit eating bats from the tropis - and the microbats - the smaller insectivorous bats that utilize echolocation to catch their prey. Live bats are featured for up-close viewing.

Animal Adaptations 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Discover the most fascinating features and adaptations of many nocturnal animals! This new multi-media program features live nocturnal animals including an owl, bat, sugar glider, and flying squirrel. It's a great opportunity for up-close viewing of creatures that often go unseen.

Early bird prices until Sunday, September 7:
One program:
Members - Adult $15, Child $7
Public - Adult $18, Child $9

Both programs:
Members - Adult $25, Child $10
Public - Adult $30, Child $14

After Sunday, September 7:
One program:
Members - Adult $20, Child $10
Public - Adult $25, Child $12

Both programs:
Members - Adult $30, Child $13
Public - Adult $36, Child $17

All children 5 and under Free

Jan Ferris Photo