What’s Happening at the Botanical Conservatory in November
$1 Night
Thursday, November 1, 5 – 8 pm
On the first Thursday of the month the Botanical Conservatory offers $1 admissions,5-8 pm, for adults and children. Babies and up to age 2 are still admitted free. Enjoy our evening hours and a special discount once a month. For more info, call(260)427-6440.
Orchid Show
November 3, 12 – 5 pm
November 4, 12 – 4 pm
Jewel-like blossoms never fail to enchant the viewer with their exotic charms at the annual juried orchid show. Orchid growers from all over the region will compete in specimen, collection, and creative display categories. Vendors will offer plants and orchid-related merchandise. Enjoy this spectacular display of orchids with a special Conservatory admission price: $3/adult, $2/child, age 2 and under free.
Sponsored by the Three Rivers Orchid Society.
Family Garden Close-Up
Saturday, November 3, 11 am-1 pm
Slithering snakes, creepy tarantulas, and snapping scorpions…Oh my! The Conservatory will host several live animals and a number of specialized plants found in a desert habitat. Find out what they eat, where they live, and how they beat the heat. Special garden exploration with knowledgeable staff included in admission price: $5/adult, $3/child age 3-17. For more information, call(260)427-6440.
Art of the Autumn Garden Exhibit: Through November 8
With the arrival of fall, the Conservatory has incorporated colorful chrysanthemums to their Showcase, to emphasize the art of the garden – the curves, textures, heights, and colors that form a garden experience. Each garden room invites its guests to pause, reflect, and absorb the ambiance. Sculptural touches are focal points, whether carved stone, flowing water, or deftly shaped bonsai tree. As the day length shortens, soak up some extra mind-green to carry you through the winter. Regular Conservatory admission: $5/adult, $3/child age 3-17. Children age 2 and under admitted free. For more information, call(260)427-6440. Sponsored by the Wilson Family Foundation.
Call of the Wild: The New Role of Home Landscapes
Thursday, November 8, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
What does your garden need to maintain a thriving, healthy ecosystem and how can we mimic nature to encourage our gardens to flourish? Join Marissa Jones from Neuhouser Nursery as we dig deep into the life of soil, water, and plants. We’ll take a close look at how our gardens influence the cycle of life, not only in our backyards, but also in the natural world around us. We will look at ways we can partner with our gardens to encourage healthier soil, waterways, and ecosystems by choosing plants that are native to Fort Wayne, while still appreciating the aesthetic beauty of our home landscapes. Ages 14-adult. Registration deadline: November 1. Min.8. Max. 35. $7/public; $5/Conservatory member. Held at the Botanical Conservatory,1100 S. Calhoun Street. To register, call(260)427-6011.
O, Christmas Tree
Saturday, November 10, 9:30 – 11 am
The holiday season will soon be upon us and if you’re thinking about putting up a real Christmas tree this year, then you won’t want to miss this discussion. Judy Reifenberg from St. Joe Tree Farm will offer valuable information you’ll want to know before selecting your tree. After an overview of the farm, Judy will teach you how to tell a Scotch pine from a Douglas fir, what to look for when selecting a tree, and how to get the longest life from your cut tree. She’ll suggest some other fun uses for the tree, including what to do with it when the holidays are over. Each registered participant will receive a bare root seedling so you can begin growing your own Christmas tree. Ages 12-adult. Registration deadline: November 2. Min.5. Max. 35. $9/public; $7/Conservatory member. Held at the Botanical Conservatory,1100 S. Calhoun Street. To register, call(260)427-6011.
Piñata Paradise
November 17-December 2
Botanical Conservatory, public hours, 1100 S. Calhoun St.
Piñatas, a traditional feature in Mexican birthdays and Christmas parties, are a creative outlet for everyday artists. Enjoy the Conservatory’s imaginative holiday piñatas, showcased in our Desert Garden. Scores of entries are designed and decorated by area children who want to share the holiday spirit. In mid-December, these candy-filled creations are donated to children’s agencies for their holiday celebrations. If your family, seniors group, school group, scout troop, or youth group would like to participate by designing, filling, and donating a piñata, please call427-6446. This exhibit is included in regular Conservatory admission. Sponsored by PBS 39 and WAJI Majic 95.1 FM. For more info, call(260)427-6440.
Science Fun: Heating Up with Thanksgiving
Saturday, November 17, 11 am & 1 pm
Would you like to learn some cool science tricks to impress your friends? Each month we’ll investigate a different topic with fun and family-friendly experiments, demonstrations, and activities – most of which can be repeated at home. Before you begin eating this Thanksgiving, you should probably think about heating first. Your food, that is! No one likes cold food so learn what foods to eat first and what foods tend to stay warmer longer on this day of thanks. We’ll also experiment with gravy and the best insulator for it. With all this food, there’s sure to be a stain or two, so learn about stain removal techniques as well.
Programs are appropriate for ages 5 and up. Preregistration is not required and the program is free with regular Conservatory admission: $5/adult, $3/child ages 3-17. Members and volunteers admitted free.
Sales Garden Holiday Open House
Saturday, November 17, 10 am – 5 pm
The anticipation of Christmas is in the air, as temperatures drop and the year winds to a close. Get a jump on the holidays by visiting the Conservatory Gift Shop and Sales Garden during our holiday open house. We’ll be offering fresh, local wreaths, cut trees, holiday ornaments, and, as always, great ideas for gift giving. Free hot chocolate while you shop! No admission is required to shop at the Conservatory, but to visit the gardens, regular admission applies. For more information, call (260) 427- 6440.
Holiday Kick-Off Party
Wednesday, November 21, 5-9 pm
Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun St.
Enjoy hot chocolate and a cookie, meet Mrs. Claus, and get a free photo with Santa. You can also meet two live reindeer that know all about the North Pole. The gardens are decorated for the holidays, and you won’t want to miss the animated light show outdoors. Be sure to participate in the Fort Wayne Downtown Lighting Ceremony either before or after your visit to our beautiful holiday garden and displays. Regular Conservatory admission fees apply: $5/adult, $3/child age 3-17. Children 2 and under are admitted free. No reservations required. For more information, call(260)427-6440. Sponsored by PBS 39 and WAJI Majic 95.1.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Conservatory exhibit
November 21-January 6
From the Dr. Seuss tale, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” comes a new twist on Fort Wayne’s annual holiday celebration. In this new garden exhibit, join the citizens of Whoville in the midst of colorful poinsettias and discover the power of Christmas to overcome the most dour of Grinches. Bring the family for pictures or to gather around the tree and sing. Even if the sleigh does not return from Mt.Crumpet with the toys, food, and presents, we can still have Christmas in our hearts! The Conservatory's traditional 12-foot-tall poinsettia tree will decorate the Atrium as a family photo backdrop, and your stroll through the lighted, decorated gardens indoors and out will provide a satisfying visit. Sponsored by the Kuhne Foundation. For more information, call(260)427-6440.
Last Saturday
Saturday, November 24, 10 am – 5 pm
As part of the monthly promotion of downtown life, the Conservatory is offering a $1-off discount on admissions every final Saturday. The Downtown Improvement District coordinates festivities for these monthly occasions to promote our community’s arts and cultural assets. From 4 pm-11 pm on Last Saturdays, a free shuttle gets riders within 2 blocks of participating venues, traveling Main Street to Clay, to Washington Blvd, to Ewing and back to Main. For details, call (260) 420-3266or go online to www.downtownfortwayne.com.
Evergreen Centerpiece Workshop
Friday, November 30, 9 – 10:30 am or
Saturday, December 1, 9 – 10:30 am
Create a beautiful centerpiece for your holiday table from fresh, mixed evergreens. Conservatory volunteer Penny Krebs will talk you through the process of turning cut, fragrant branches of balsam, Douglas fir, cedar, boxwood, and pine into an arrangement you’ll be proud to call your own. The centerpiece incorporates a candle chimney, ribbon, and pine cones in a lush and fragrant design. Fee includes all materials mentioned as well as a stroll in the holiday gardens. Bring garden gloves, clippers, an 8-9” taper candle, and any extra accents you want to include. Ages 16-adult. Registration deadline: November 20. Min.12. Max. 36. $26/public; $23/Conservatory member. Held at the Botanical Conservatory,1100 S. Calhoun Street. To register, call(260)427-6011.
