Garden Events

Listed below are some of the upcoming programs which will be offered through the Garden as well as through the CSU Continuing Education Department. CBG members will continue to enjoy a discount on educational programs provided specifically by the Garden, and volunteers may earn the chance to attend up to three programs per year free of charge through working at the garden.

A great deal of effort goes into securing quality, professional speakers to instruct our programs. Purchasing and preparing materials is also required.

Effective January 2010, prepayment by cash, check, or credit card will be required for all seminar registrations to ensure that adequate space and materials are available. "Walk-ins", or individuals who have not pre-registered for classes will be allowed for lecture programs only. We will no longer purchase "extra" materials for hands-on classes for possible last minute participants.

Take advantage of the abundant education opportunities available at YOUR botanical garden. Ensure a quality experience by registering early!

The basic concepts of composting are easy to understand, but choosing the right method for the circumstances, getting the right mix of materials to breakdown, and knowing when it’s “done” are less obvious.

Once glorified, now vilified, kudzu has earned the nickname “the plant that ate the South”. In its native Japan, however, it is used both as a food and a craft material. This is your opportunity to put kudzu to good use as you learn to create a simple basket or wreath to take home. Participants will share in an interactive discussion of kudzu’s history and uses while crafting their projects.

Start planning now for the 2nd Annual Scarecrow Contest. The contest last year produced several great scarecrows including Charlie Chaplin, The Shaggy Dog, Chuck Norris, Gumby, Coraline, and Sponge Bob. Awards will be given to 1st, 2nd, 3rd place and People’s Choice winners in both the adult and youth categories. We received feedback that last year’s movie theme was limiting, so to give your minds room to roam no theme will be set. This year’s only requirement: All scarecrows must contain 50% or more repurposed, reused, or recycled materials. Materials to consider for your entries: mop heads, old clothes, crates, wood, metal and any material that can withstand the elements. Your entries can be done in groups or on your own. Anyone can participate! The deadline for entry forms and fees has been extended!! So, put your imagination to work and create a fun, interesting character for the fall season at CBG.

Entry forms and fees must be received by September 17. The entry fee is $10. We look forward to having many original entries, each reflecting their creator’s personality and interests.

Saturday, October 2 will be the set-up day for all fully assembled scarecrows.

Volunteers are needed to help install the scarecrows around the gardens on Oct. 2.

Awards

Awards will be given to both adult and youth categories.

1st: $100

2nd: $50

3rd: $25

People’s Choice: $50

This year’s signature fundraising event will feature Remco van Vliet, who creates the stunning floral displays at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He will construct dazzling floral designs from a selection of flowers flown directly from Holland for his presentation. The Gala will be held at Green Island Country Club and will kick off with a reception where you can meet and greet Remco while enjoying morning refreshments (mimosas, bloody marys) from 10-11 a.m.

A silent auction is planned for this segment and will include artwork, jewelry, and vacation home opportunities. A special feature of the auction will be a selection of equally sized and priced botanical paintings created by local talents, including artists and designers. There will also be a custom designed item offered for Remco to autograph.

Remco’s one and a half hour presentation will start at 11 a.m. and will be followed by a delightful luncheon enhanced by tables decorated with hand painted overlays and arrangements created by our imaginative Gala committee. Remco’s floral creations as well as items from the luncheon decor will be offered for sale along with all items at the auction.

Following the luncheon, the afternoon promises a special opportunity for those who would like an in-depth floral arranging experience. Remco will instruct a floral workshop at the Columbus Botanical Garden at 2:30 p.m. for up to 25 participants who will learn more about his principles for working with flowers.

Over 30 outstanding people are working together on this second signature fundraising event. Led by chairs, Rose Steiner and Erwin Key, each committee member has undertaken a key assignment to create an incredible event that will live up to the high standard set by our first Garden Gala last year.

We welcome the patronage of each CBG member to help make this year’s Gala another memorable day of fun, friends, and flowers with exceptional proceeds to benefit CBG and its environmental education mission.

Born in Holland and raised within the flower industry, Remco van Vliet and his brother, Cas Trap, are third generation floral designers, trained as Master Florists. They worked for their father’s event design company based in Holland, designing for many clients throughout Europe, including the Dutch Royal Family. Remco came to New York in 1994 where he and his brother founded their event design company, Van Vliet and Trap, in 1997. Today, they are the chosen in-house event and floral designers at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and have some of the most prestigious clients in New York City.

As your Great Gourds! mature and are ready to be harvested, proper preservation and curing are crucial to obtaining a quality gourd for a birdhouse, container, or other craft. Learn the techniques used to preserve gourds and gourd seeds, and see a variety of decorative and other useful items that that can be created from gourds.

Lots of fun for families! Come in costume, if you wish, to learn about those shy, shadowy friends that eat mosquitoes and other flying insects by the hundreds-- the bats! An interactive slide presentation will explain why bats are cool, not creepy. Families will make a Bat House to take home. This program is designed for families with elementary school age children.

October 30th and 31st will be a whirlwind of fun activities. A costume contest will be hosted by CBG on October 30th. The Joann Holt Walking Trail is open during all daylight hours so that participants may take advantage of the woodsy vistas along the trail during Kid’s Weekend. Activities for this event will include pine cone critters, dried flower cards, plant pounding, and rock pets. The sand box and the rock box will be open for enjoyment. Each activity is either FREE or $1. Tickets are worth $1 each and may be purchased at the door. Refreshments will be available at various stations on the grounds. CBG’s mission is to provide a unique educational experience for all who visit. Our activities are based on naturally made materials. Kid’s Weekend is not possible without assistance from our dedicated volunteers. This year like last year, we need help not only to man the stations but, to set up, take down and clean up. We look forward to the fellowship while getting materials inventoried and having a productive weekend.

Now it’s time to turn those plant parts into works of garden art! Last in the Great Gourds! Series, participants in this hands-on workshop will have an opportunity to try gourd crafting techniques, and begin a project to take home.

Traditional kissing balls are fun and easy to make. You will be surprised how long this romantic arrangement that you make yourself will last in your home. Join CBG Director, Nicole Sanchez, for an exploration of traditional Holiday floral arrangements and how they are made. Enjoy a demonstration of arranging techniques before crafting your own.

Call Columbus Botanical Garden at 706-327-8400 or email us at yourcbginfo@yahoo.com to register for a class.