What’s Happening at the Botanical Conservatory in May
Fort Wayne, Ind. –The Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory at 1100 South Calhoun Street presents the following events and programs this month.
Featuring:
Mother’s Day Plant Sale
Friday, May 9, 1:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 10, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 11, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Just in time for spring planting, the Botanical Conservatory offers over 700 varieties of plants at the annual Mother’s Day Plant Sale. Shop masses of locally grown herbs, vegetable starts, flowering perennials and native plants joining a host of annuals, mixed containers, hanging baskets, bonsai and houseplants. Essentials like potting soil and compost worms are also available. A team of knowledgeable plant advisors are even ready to answer questions and offer suggestions! This annual fundraiser supports Fort Wayne’s very own Botanical Conservatory. Sponsored by: Majic 95.1 WAJI, Fox55 and Koester’s Body & Frame Shop.
Please NOTE: The Mother’s Day Plant Sale on May 9 to 11 will be located at the McMillen Park Community Center, 3901 Abbott Street.
Mother’s Day in the Garden
Saturday & Sunday, May 10 & 11, public hours
Plan a special outing to the Botanical Conservatory where Moms get in free during Mother’s Day weekend. Together, browse the Conservatory Shop, visit live butterflies and admire lovely garden displays. Mothers receive a free plant while supplies last! Sponsored by: Aunt Millie’s, Majic 95.1 WAJI and 21Alive.
National Public Gardens Week
Tuesday – Saturday, May 9 – 16, public hours
All are invited to explore diverse plant collections while touring indoor and outdoor destinations at the Botanical Conservatory. As part of Fort Wayne’s downtown revitalization efforts since 1983, our mission is to “provide a unique botanical venue for quality public education and enjoyment.” Visit during National Public Gardens Week to learn, celebrate and discover all there is to see and do at your local public garden! Also take advantage of a special giveaway while supplies last. Regular admission fees apply.
Spring Bonsai Show
Saturday, May 17, public hours
Embrace peace and harmony while immersed in a bonsai display presented by the Fort Wayne Bonsai Club. Members are present and pleased to discuss this art form while answering any questions you may have. For those who would like to cultivate tranquility at home, a selection of beginning bonsai specimen and pots are available for cash-only purchase. Show entry included with general admission.
Iris Flower Show
Sunday, May 25, 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Revel in the beauty of showy spring blooms. Members of the Northeast Indiana Iris Society display a sublime array of prized blooms in various varieties. Be sure to vote for your favorite! Members are also happy to offer helpful growing advice. Show entry is included with general admission.
String Jams Spring Jam
Thursday, May 29, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Believe In A Dream presents the String Jammers performing in the Botanical Conservatory’s Terrace Garden. Representing students from across the city, string musicians of this youth orchestra share their youthful taste while playing contemporary music on classical instruments. Enjoy this Spring Jam concert included as part of a $1Night. No reservations required. Outdoor seating provided. Lawn chairs welcome.
Also Happening:
Color in Motion: Live Butterfly Exhibit!
Until June 22, public hours
Live butterflies have landed at the Botanical Conservatory bringing with them an array of natural beauty and wonder. Watch in awe, their wings in flight, as they flash with color pigments and refracted light. Observe exotic butterflies emerging from their chrysalides right before your eyes! An epic display of multicolored flowers and foliage elevates this annual spring exhibit. Sponsored by: the English Bonter Mitchell Foundation, Fort Wayne Park Foundation, “In memory of Jo Ann and William Wyatt,” 21Alive and 97.3 WMEE.
Grace Yencer: Gentle Turning
Until June 22
Grace Yencer has been creating art for as long as she can remember, inspired by a childhood dream of becoming an artist or art teacher. Yencer’s love for snail mail sparked an early career in greeting cards, but she soon shifted focus to art as self-expression. With roots in the Midwest, her style reflects both a sense of nostalgia and a playful exploration of the world around her, making her pieces as heartfelt as they are visually engaging. Her work invites you to pause, look closer and maybe catch a hint of sorrow in the details. “To create one’s world takes courage,” Georgia O’Keeffe.
Slightly Used Bulb Sale
Until May 4, public hours
This annual sale features slightly used tulips, daffodils and hyacinths from the Botanical Conservatory’s winter exhibit. Located in the outdoor Sales Garden, bulbs are $1.95/pot and are ready to plant in preparation for next year’s bloom! Purchases are made through the Conservatory Shop while supplies last. Admission is not required to shop.
