Happy Holidays from the Gardens!

It's time to celebrate the season, so the garden gates will be closed December 24 and 25 and January 1. Only the warmest of holiday wishes to you and yours. We thank you for your support of Botanica in 2007 and look forward to sharing the Gardens with you in 2008.

Don't miss the last weekend of Illuminations!

This Friday, Saturday and Sunday are your last chances to see the Gardens glow! Join us for Illuminations, a family-friendly event that showcases Botanica's 9 1/2 acres in a completely different light. More than 4,000 luminaries and tens of thousands of lights combine with nature to create a stunning atmosphere and a "HO, HO, HO" lot of holiday fun! Get into the holiday spirit with a visit from Santa Claus, crafts, live music, warm drinks and homemade goodies.

The event runs December 7-9 from 6-9pm each night.
Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door at Botanica. Tickets are $8 for adults ($7 for Botanica members) and $3 for children 2-12.

May your holidays be merry and bright!

Illuminations Starts Friday!

Come see the Gardens glow! Join us for Illuminations, a family-friendly event that showcases Botanica's 9 1/2 acres in a completely different light. More than 4,000 luminaries and tens of thousands of lights combine with nature to create a stunning atmosphere and a "HO, HO, HO" lot of holiday fun! Get into the holiday spirit with a visit from Santa Claus, crafts, live music, warm drinks and homemade goodies.

The event runs on November 23-25, 30 and December 1-2, 7-9 from 6-9pm each night.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at Botanica. Tickets are $8 for adults ($7 for Botanica members) and $3 for children 2-12.

Call 264-0448 or log on to www.botanica.org for more information.

Photo Competition Winners Announced

Last night was the awards reception for Botanica's annual photography competition, A Portrait of Botanica. This competition captures the beauty of Botanica through the art of photography and provides a forum to display and sell the work of amateur photographers. The competition is sponsored for the community by DPI.

Twenty-five awards totaling more than $1,250 were given out by a panel of judges. Linda Mae Richardson took home top honors in the adult division for her photo, entitled "Amberwing" and Emily Ritter took home top honors in the youth division for her photo, "Taking Flight."

Adult Division
1st PLACE: Linda Mae Richardson: "Amberwing"
2nd PLACE: Gary Martin: "Reflections of a Water Lily"
3rd PLACE: Beverly Strouse: "Chard Tree"

Youth Division
1st PLACE: Emily Ritter: "Taking Flight"
2nd PLACE: Kelsey Prather: "Beauty Sleep"
3rd PLACE: Evan Riepe: "Unfolding Magnolia"

Congratulations also go to the following photographers for their award-winning photos:
Tammy Bach, Ben Foster, Kelly Gottschalk, Jennifer Keller, Carmen Latimer, Sara Penner, Marsha Phelps, Gary Taylor, Sigrid Trombley and Charlotte Wilson.

Orchid Show and Sale this weekend

Join us on on Saturday, November 3 from 10am-5pm and Sunday, November 4 from 10am-4pm for the Kansas Orchid Society's annual Tabletop Show and Sale. See beautiful orchid specimens, buy orchids of your own or learn more about these fascinating plants from members of the KOS.

Daffodil Sale- September 20

Join us on on Saturday, September 20 from 10am-3pm for the annual Daffodil Sale. Find new varieties to add to your garden or just learn more about daffodils from members of the Wichita Daffodil Society. Shop early- they sell out fast!

Tuesdays on the Terrace-Toad Lilies & Bat Bites: September 16

This isn’t your garden variety afterwork party. Each month (April-October), Botanica pairs a floral bloom with a featured cocktail for Tuesdays on the Terrace. It’s all about the art of mixology and horticulture and gathering with friends and co-workers for a good time in the Gardens. We like to think of it as social irrigation!
Featured Bloom: Toad Lilies
Featured Cocktail: Bat Bites
Live Music by: Good Question
Hors d'oeurves provided by: DeFazio's

Gallery in the Gardens this Sunday!

Celebrating its fifth year, we invite you to experience Gallery in the Gardens, a unique art show and sale set against the beautiful backdrop of Botanica’s 24 themed gardens. Art combines with nature as more than thirty artists from across Kansas provide a wide variety of quality artwork, including: paintings, jewelry, photography, pottery, fibers, glass, sculpture and more. The event runs from 10:00am-5:00pm on September 16 and is $6 per person at the door.

Jazz Under The Stars

Join us Thursday, September 13 at 7:30 pm for the second installment of our Concerts in the Gardens series featuring the Pete Zimmer Quintet.

This highly touted quintet has been called "The best kept secret in straight ahead jazz circa 2006" by All Music Guide and drummer Pete Zimmer has been called one of the most talented composers to ever sit behind a drum kit. They have taken New York by storm and are ready to entertain you at their Wichita debut. Make plans to join us for a fine example of modern mainstream jazz in the colorful backdrop of the Gardens in autumn.

Tickets are $12 ($10 for Botanica members) and are available for purchase in advance by calling 316-264-0448.

Teddy Bear Picnic- Septem"bear" 8

A "paw"sitively magical time is in store for you at our annual Teddy Bear Picnic. Throughout the Gardens, children can listen to stories, learn about bear facts, visit the Well-Bear Clinic, watch a magic show, and participate in numerous other "beary" fun activities. Teddy Bear Picnic is from 9am-2pm on Septem"bear" 8. Admission is $6 per person at the door. Children under 2 and teddy bears admitted free. This event is made possible by Wichita Clinic.

Woodland Bird Garden Groundbreaking August 23

Join us as we break ground on our 25th themed garden!

August 23rd
1:30 pm
South of the Water Well Garden

FREE Photography Workshop: August 11

Join us on Saturday, August 11 from 7:00-7:45am for a FREE Photography Workshop with Ric Wolford. Whatever your skill level, learn tips and techniques to enhance your photos at Botanica. After the workshop, stay until 9:00am to photograph the Gardens. No reservation required.

Remember that the deadline for the Portrait of Botanica Photography Competition is September 21. Complete details for this year's competition are available at www.botanica.org.

FREE Ice Cream Social!

Make plans to celebrate Botanica's 20th anniversary at our 4th annual Ice Cream Social, Tuesday, July 31st from 6:30-8:00pm. Reflect on the past and present at the Gardens, relax to the sounds of the 312th Army Band and enjoy a beautiful summer evening with complimentary beverages and ice cream. Bring your friends, family and neighbors, because admission is FREE for everyone!

Rock with the Roses

Join us Thursday, July 12 at 7:30 pm for the second installment of our Concerts in the Gardens series featuring jazz artist David Basse.

Basse has been an integral part of the Kansas City jazz scene for more than twenty years, using his talents as a vocalist, bandleader and drummer to entertain audiences worldwide. Basse will be joined by Bob Bowman, Tim Cambron, Joe Cartwright and Bobby Watson. Their magnificent blend of both instrumental and vocal jazz in the beauty of the Gardens will turn a summer evening into something special.

Tickets are $12 ($10 for Botanica members) and are available for purchase in advance by calling 316-264-0448.

In Bloom at Botanica: Bird of Paradise

Botanical Name: Caesalpinia gilliesii 'Yellow Bird of Paradise'

Where: Shakespearean Garden

Description: This drought-tolerant shrub quickly grows to a height of 10' with an 8' spread. It will produce clusters of yellow flowers with long, red stamens. As the pods mature, they split spewing seeds.

Growing Tips: Prefers a sunny location to part shade. It likes sandy, well-drained soil. May be pruned to encourage a more dense growth.

Also Blooming: Crocosmia, Butterfly Bushes, Daylilies and many varieties of annuals

The Quilted Garden

June 3: The Quilted Garden, 10am-5pm

Botanica invites you to share in the excitement of The Quilted Garden, a unique outdoor quilt show where more than 225 quilts set in the beautiful backdrop of Botanica’s 24 themed gardens. All quilts have a botanical theme or are pieced together with botanical fabrics, creating the perfect complement to the flowers and shrubs in the Gardens. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3.50 and are available for purchase at Botanica in advance or at the gate. Lunch will also be available for purchase from Friends of Botanica.

Mid-America Fine Art Gallery: Dale Strattman

Make plans to join us June 5th from 6-8 pm for the opening reception for our June gallery artist, Dale Strattman. Strattman's showing will feature 36 black and white botanical photographs showcasing the texture and contrast of flowers and foliage. If you can't join us for the opening, stop by the Gardens any time from June 5th-June 28th to see the beauty of nature in black and white.

In Bloom at Botanica: Astilbe

Botanical Name: Astilbe x arendsii 'Fanal'

Where: Woodland Wildflower Garden

Description: This deep-garnet red feathery bloom rises above the bronze-green foliage on this shade loving perennial. It grows in mounds reaching a height of 2'.

Growing Tips: Prefers shady locations and moist soil.

Uses: Great herbaceous plant for adding texture and color to your shade garden.

Also Blooming: Poppies, Indigo, Penstemons and Coreopsis.

FREE Garden Party Friday!

Enjoy spring color in the Gardens, children's activities, a book signing with Annie Calovich and a great entertainment line-up! All activities and entertainment are FREE with your Wichita River Festival button.

Entertainment Schedule
11:30 United States Air Force Academy Band: Blue Steel
11:30 Book Signing with Annie Calovich
4:30 The Dance Center
5:30 Boeing Concert Band
6:15 Wichita Broadway Singers
7:15 Senseney Community Band

Sponsored for the community by Johnson's Garden Centers, Koch Siedhoff Hand & Dunn & B-98 FM

Mother's Day is FREE for everyone!

Sunday, May 13, 1-5pm
Skip the bouquet and give your mother an entire garden! The perfect place to take your loved one for a memorable day, Mother’s Day at Botanica is fantastic: with beautiful flowers, elegant sculptures, flowing streams, FREE admission and activities for all ages.
This event is sponsored for the community by AngelWorks.

The BIG BULB Sale Continues!

The big tulip bulb sale that is! This Friday (May 4) beginning at 8:00am is the last scheduled date for our annual tulip bulb sale. That's right, after their bloom season, we sell our tulip bulbs for $0.15 a piece! With more than 80 varieties to choose from, there are plenty of colors and types to make a colorful impact on your yard next spring.

Start digging for nickels and dimes, grab your garden gloves and bring a plastic bag or two to take your bulbs home.

In Bloom at Botanica: Azalea

Botanical Name: Rhododendron hybrid 'Girard Crimson'

Where: Water Well Garden

Description: Hardy evergreen azalea with crimson red flowers and glossy green leaves. Grows to 3' high and wide.

Growing Tips: Prefers part sun to shade in our area with protection from strong south winds. For a happier plant, give it afternoon shade, amend the soil with an acidifier and fertilize with acid feed.

Uses: Azaleas spruce up woody areas and add accent color to shady spots. Look for an array of colors on the market that are hardy for our area.

Also blooming: Salvia, Verbena, Phlox, Allium, Pansies and some Irises and Peonies.

Get your hands dirty!

Want to get your hands dirty? Try volunteering in the Gardens!
Garden volunteers assist with seasonal planting, trimming, deadheading, weeding and other general garden upkeep. Or keep your green thumbs busy as a garden specialist and do detail work in the garden of your choice.
Ready to dig in? Contact Lillian Gattis, Director of Volunteer Services at 316.264.0448 or lgattis@botanica.org.

In Bloom at Botanica: Creeping Phlox

Botanical Name: Phlox subulata ‘Fort Hill’

Where: John Firsching Pinetum

Description: This creeping phlox has deeply cut flower petals of strong pink with a darker center. It will grow 4-6" in height with a spread of 18-24". It is fragrant and blooms early to mid spring.

Growing Tips: It prefers a sunny location with will drained soil. Shearing the plant back halfway following flowering will promote dense foliage and some reblooming.

Uses: Good ground cover for rock gardens, borders, banks and slopes.

Also blooming: Pansies, Iris, Tree Peonies and Tulips

In Bloom at Botanica: Miniature Iris

Botanical Name: Iris 'Wise' MDB

Where: Garden on the Rocks

Description: In spite of the cold weather, this miniature iris is in full bloom! The standard and style arms are dark purple. Falls are darker purple with a dark purple band. The beard is white and gold in throat and is wide and bushy. The ruffled edges and pronounced fragrance are an added bonus.

Growing Tips: Prefers well drained soil and a sunny site.

Uses: A really neat little flower to add to your collection of spring bloomers.

Also blooming: Pansies, Tulips and Tree Peonies.

In Bloom at Botanica: Candymint Crabapple

Botanical Name: Malus ‘Candymint’

Where: Margie Button Fountain & Peony Collection

Description: This dwarf crabapple has irregularly spreading branches and is smothered with bright pink flowers. It will grow to about 10ft with a spread of 15ft. The foliage is purple tinted, moving to a bronze-green as the season progresses.

Growing Tips: Prefers a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Plant from a container or balled and burlapped.

Uses: Excellent for smaller lots, container use and patio gardening.

Also blooming: Rhododendrons, Virginia Blue Bells, Pansies and Tulips.

Protect Your Plants

We've been spoiled the past couple of weeks with unseasonably warm temperatures, but Mother Nature is calling us back to reality tonight with forecasted lows in the low to mid 30s. Most plants will tolerate the cold, but protect any warm season plants with a sheet, bucket or other covering.

The BIG BULB Sale!

The big tulip bulb sale that is! That's right, after their bloom season, we sell our tulip bulbs for $0.15 a piece! With more than 80 varieties to choose from, there are plenty of colors and types to make a colorful impact on your yard next spring.
We dig them up as they finish up, so each week we'll have new varieties for sale.
Mark your calendars for the following dates and times:
April 20: beginning at 8am
April 27: beginning at 8am
May 4: beginning at 8am
Start digging for nickels and dimes and bring a plastic bag or two to take your bulbs home.

And if you haven't been to Botanica to see the tulips this spring- don't wait, visit The Gardens today!

In Bloom at Botanica: Fringed Tulip

See what's in bloom this week:
Botanical Name: Tulip ‘Valery Gergiev’
Where: Sally Stone Sensory Garden
Description: This red fringed tulip is a new bulb variety for Botanica this season. It is supposed to be a late bloomer, but our warm temperatures combined with the nice moisture have moved it ahead of normal timing.
Growing Tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Uses: Tulips make an awesome display of color in the spring landscape.
Also blooming: Virginia Blue Bells, Spring shrubs, Lenten Rose and, of course, more Tulips.

NOW OPEN: 43,000 Tulips

Here's the latest dirt-
There is ALWAYS something great going on at Botanica, but this is something that you just CAN'T MISS! Nothing says "spring" like tulips and with the largest tulip display in Kansas, we have plenty of spring here. More than 43,000 tulips are blooming- in brilliant reds, yellows, pink, purples and oranges. Tulips will be blooming now through April 15 (weather permitting). Visit soon to enjoy a relaxing stroll through the Gardens or pick out new varieties of bulbs to add to your home landscape.

...remember, Botanica is now open Monday-Saturday from 9am-5pm and Sunday from 1-5pm for your viewing pleasure. That gives you more time to see the tulips!

Welcome to The Daily Dirt

Welcome to The Daily Dirt, the best place to get the most up-to-date information on events and happenings at Botanica, The Wichita Gardens. We'll let you know about what's in bloom, what events you can't miss and what tips our pros have for gardening in Kansas.
Check back often to see what's new and get the latest dirt about the Gardens!