July 2014 Events

To submit a garden-related public event for the e-gardens calendar, please e-mail details to events@sperrygardens.com. Deadline is the 15th of the month prior to the event date.

Austin / Travis County
Enjoy the summer fun of Nature Nights at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center — free nights of hands-on learning for families. The series, now based in the new Luci and Ian Family Garden, includes expert talks, hikes and more. “Snakes” is the theme of the July 10 Nature Night. “Wildlife Tracking” is the focus on July 17, and “Birds of Prey” is the focus on July 24. Find details at www.wildflower.org/nature/.

Corpus Christi / Nueces County
Learn all about plumerias on Saturday, July 12, at the South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, when Plumeria Society president Frank Eicholz presents “New Plumeria Passions.” The presentation (10 a.m. – noon) is free with admission and will be helpful preparation for the society’s annual sale (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.) on Saturday, July 19, at the Garden Senior Center, 5325 Greeley. http://www.stxbot.org/stxbot_education_events.html

Enroll the youngsters in Kids Summer Nature Camp at South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center. Sessions are scheduled for July 14-18 and July 21-25 for ages 5-7 and 8-10. Tuition: $90 ($75 members). http://www.stxbot.org/stxbot_education_events.html

See “Metal In Motion 2” now through Labor Day (outdoors) at South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center. The displays feature the over-the-top scrap metal work of Mark “Scrapdaddy” Bradford. The artist is best known for large, robotic, recycled metal creatures that often move by pneumatics and hydraulics, some breathing fire and opening their jaws. His work has been shown throughout North and South America and Europe. Find details at http://www.stxbot.org/.

Dallas / Dallas County
Enjoy music in a pre-Fourth of July celebration at The Dallas Arboretum on July 3. The last concert of the spring/summer Cool Thursdays series features the Dallas Wind Symphony playing patriotic music on the concert lawn overlooking White Rock Lake. Find details at www.dallasarboretum.org.

Celebrate Independence Day at “Fair Park Fourth: Red, White and Butterflies!” It’s a park-wide celebration on the 4th of July, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. You can enjoy Texas Discovery Gardens and the butterfly house for “just one buck” during this family celebration. http://texasdiscoverygardens.org/events_and_classes.php#july

Check out the full schedule of children’s summer camps and garden parties at the Dallas Arboretum this month and next. Available slots are filling fast, so don’t delay. Visit http://www.dallasarboretum.org/education/summer-camps.

Fort Worth / Tarrant County
Buy tickets now for Concerts in the Garden at Fort Worth Botanic Garden July 2 through July 5. Break out the picnic basket and relax under the stars while listing to great music provided by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and friends. The series has been described as “Fort Worth’s best seasonal outing” (Star Telegram), and this year’s events once again include fabulous fireworks every night leading up to July 4. Click for details.

Enjoy Family Drop-In time on Thursday, July 17, at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 6-7 p.m. Meet just outside the Garden Center in the Leonard Courtyard for this month’s Flower Fairy project. Kids will create tiny flower fairies from chenille sticks and silk flowers. Bring a picnic to enjoy afterwards. http://fwbg.org/family-drop-in/

McKinney / Collin County
Take “A Walk in the Park” at Myers Park in McKinney on Saturday, June 28, 9 a.m. – noon. Collin County Master Gardeners have partnered with the park staff for the past five years to create award-winning research and demonstration gardens that include perennials, annuals, crape myrtles, vegetables and herbs. Master Gardeners will serve as guides, and butterfly experts will be in the perennial garden to point out host and nectar plants. Additional activities include tours of the Farm Museum, rainwater collection displays, and children’s activities in the Pole Barn. Myers Park and Event Center is located at 7117 County Road 166. Find details at www.ccmgatx.org.

Nacogdoches / Nacogdoches County
Attend the July lecture in the Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series on Thursday, July 10, when Paul Wilson, retired LSU food technology consultant, presents “I Came All the Way from Louisiana to Explain to You What Real Salsa is All About.” The garden lectures are held on second Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the new Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St. in Nacogdoches. A rare plant raffle is included. The lectures are free and open to the public, but donations will be appreciated. Parking is available at the nearby Raguet Elementary School. For more information call 936-468-1832 or e-mail sfagardens@sfasu.edu.

San Antonio / Bexar County
Take the kids to Summer Camp at San Antonio Botanical Garden this summer. There are several choices this month for ages 3-5 and 6-8, plus special needs camps in August for ages 7-12 and 13-19. Find details at http://www.sabot.org/?nd=summer, or contact programregistrat@sabot.org.

Enroll your budding food grower in the Fall 2014 Children’s Vegetable Garden Program at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. The Saturday morning sessions (for ages 8-13) begin August 23 and continue through Dec. 6. Children will grow their own vegetables and ornamental plants with the help of instructors from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Bexar County Master Gardeners, as well as other volunteer organizations. Fee: $50 per child or $60 for two children sharing a plot. For details, visit http://www.sabot.org/?nd=vegtable.

Mark your calendar for what’s coming in September at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. It’s a Nature Connects exhibit – art made with Lego bricks!