Bolz Conservatory                                                  back to top

Bolz Conservatory Exhibit: 

lIGHT gAPS

The trees are trimmed and the bushes are pruned during annual maintenance in the Bolz Conservatory...now it's time to see the light in the forest! Learn about light and how plants develop and change in the forest as light fluctuates. With more than 650 plants in the Bolz Conservatory, the tropical plants compete for every sunbeam that radiates through the glass pyramid. When a gap in the forest canopy is created naturally, or by a clipping from Olbrich's Conservatory staff, new growth develops at an exceptional rate.

April 13 - July 14, 2013

Admission
$2 per person

FREE to Olbrich Botanical Society members & children ages 5 and under

Garden Walks                                                           back to top

Join Olbrich staff for fun and informative garden walks. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Walks occur rain or shine, and will be cancelled only in the event of dangerous lightning. All walks begin in the Visitor Center Lobby. Advanced registration required.

Spring into Gardening - Get Ready for the Season

CLASS FILLED

Take a walk through the outdoor gardens with Olbrich Horticulturist Samantha Peckham as she discusses the best ways to prepare your garden for the season. Learn valuable time-saving tips and sustainable techniques to start your garden on the path to greatness this year. Space is limited; register early.

Thursday, April 4 , 5:30-7 pm

Registration Deadline:  March 28

Cost:  $15/$12 member | Course Number:  30-06

Yogalates

Yogalates is a fusion between traditional flowing yoga poses and more contemporary core strengthening Pilates exercises. This 60-minute, 19-week class will help you increase overall flexibility and strengthen your core! Use this class to help improve your posture and feel better functioning in everyday activities. Instructor Katie Michel, AAAI yoga certified, will help lead you to feeling great overall! Bring your own yoga or pilates mat, water bottle, and wear comfortable clothing. This class is held indoors/outdoors, weather permitting. Meet in the Lobby. For adults and youth (ages 8 and up); each attendee pays the registration fee.

Wednesdays, January 9 - May 22 (No class on March 27), 5:30-6:30 pm

Registration Deadline:  January 2

Cost:  $266 per person | Course Number:  20-13

Tai Chi Meditation
Tai Chi and Chi Kung are wellness practices that originated hundreds of years ago in China and are widely recommended by healthcare providers around the world today for their health benefits and positive impact on daily living. Incorporating exercise and movement, meditation and stillness, music and silence, this class offers a variety of Tai Chi and Chi Kung practices for artful integration of body, mind, breath, and spirit. Appropriate for adults of all ages, Tai Chi and Chi Kung movements are typically done standing but may be adapted for seated practices as well as other kinds of limitations. Jody Curley, MA, Certified Heart Rhythm Meditation Instructor and Tai Chi Chuan teacher, will lead you during each 8-week class. Register for one or both classes as a series. Wear comfortable clothing and footwear that facilitates movement and balance.

Mondays, January 14-March 11, 6-7 pm (No class on January 21)

Registration Deadline:  January 7

Cost:  $80 per person | Course Number:  20-10

and/or

Mondays, March 25-May 13, 6-7 pm

Registration Deadline:  March 18

Cost:  $80 per person | Course Number:  20-11

Effortless Gardening: Easy Movement Tips and Exercises for Pain-Free Gardening Workshop
Does you body pain get in the way of your gardening? It doesn't have to. In this workshop, you will learn about the inefficient movement habits that usually lead to pain from Miriam Levenson, author and internationally certified Feldenkrais practitioner. You will also learn easier ways to do your most common gardening tasks and participate in relaxing "Feldenkrais Method" movement exercises. Some gardeners find that their pain even disappears immediately once they change the way they use their body while gardening. Others need to find ways to work around stiff knees or other common problems. Regardless of your age or physical condition, Miriam will show you how to use your body so even heavy work starts to feel effortless. Bring a yoga mat and/or thick blanket, your most challenging garden tool, and a bag lunch. Wear comfortable footwear and clothing that facilitates movement. Space is limited; register early.

Sunday, April 14, 9:30 am-3 pm

Registration Deadline:  April 4

Cost:  $94/$75 member | Course Number: 20-37

Yoga
This is a participative experiential class for gardeners, nature enthusiasts, and yoga students. Held outdoors when weather permits. Comfortable, loose fitting clothing and a portable mat are recommended; feel free to bring a water bottle. Instructor Jonathan A. Garber, RMT, is a certified Kripalu Yoga teacher. Check with the instructor concerning holiday weeks. This class is held outdoors and indoors, depending on weather. Meet in the Lobby.

ON-GOING
Mondays, 5:30-6:45 pm, Check with instructor concerning holiday weeks.
Thursdays, 7:30-8:45 am, Check with instructor concerning holiday weeks.
Registration: Walk-In
Cost: $12/session or 9 sessions for $80

Design and Install Your Own Productive and Beautiful Vegetable Garden

Thinking about starting a vegetable garden and don't know where to begin? Tired of your unsuccessful garden and ready to rebuild it into something more inspiring? By designing and installing a garden right the first time you set yourself up for success year after year. Learn the step-by-step process of assessing your site, creating a design, sourcing materials, installing a productive and beautiful garden, and easy long-term maintenance tips from instructor Megan Cain. Space is limited; register early.

Tuesday, April 2, 6-8 pm

Registration Deadline:  March 26

Cost:  $38/$30 member | Course Number: 10-20

Native Plants for Any Garden

Are you thinking about using some native plants in your yard, but aren't sure where to start? Frank Hassler from Oakwood Ecological Services will share information about various native plants that are the best looking and highest performing in a variety of conditions to help you select those that are perfect for your landscape.

Wednesday, April 3, 6:30-8:30 pm

Registration Deadline:  March 27

Cost:  $15/$12 member | Course Number: 10-35

How to Grow Beautiful African Violets

Alice Peterson and Nancy Braun of the Sundowners African Violet Society Club will discuss and show you how to grow beautiful African violets. They'll cover everything from how to start an African violet from a leaf, dividing and transplanting, types of soils and fertilizers, how to water, light conditions needed, how to rejuvenate violets when they grow "necks," and much more. Each participant will receive one African violet starter leaf with instructions to take home.

Thursday, April 4, 6:30-8:30 pm

Registration Deadline:  March 28

Cost:  $19/$15 member | Course Number: 10-15

Pastel Expressions: Celebrate Srping!

CLASS FILLED

Celebrate spring's arrival with creative play! Join Professional Artist Kay Brathol-Hostvet in this fun and relaxing mini-workshop that lets you explore soft and iridescent pastels on colorful papers creating springtime, nature-based designs from your imagination. All supplies provided; no drawing or art experience necessary! For adults and teens; each attendee pays the registration fee. Space is limited; register early.

Sunday, April 7, 9:30 am-12:30 pm

Registration Deadline:  March 28

Cost:  $56/$45 member | Course Number: 20-50

Fun with Acrylic Paint!

Mini Workshop

Acrylic paint is one of the most versatile of art mediums. Come play with color and learn a bit about this water-soluble paint with Professional Artist Kay Brathol-Hostvet as we welcome back the spring season. All supplies provided; no drawing or art experience necessary! For adults and teens; each attendee pays the registration fee. Space is limited; register early.

Sunday, April 7, 1:30-4:30 pm

Registration Deadline:  March 28

Cost:  $56/$45 member | Course Number: 20-51

Frugal Gardener

CLASS CANCELLED

There are lots of ways to have an incredible garden without breaking your budget. Instructor Connie Glasheen will share techniques, tips, and resources on inexpensive and easy solutions to soil building, plant propagation, creating organic rooting hormone, saving seeds, planning a plant swap, and much more.

Tuesday, April 9, 6:30-8 pm

Registration Deadline:  April 2

Cost:  $15/$12 member | Course Number: 10-38

Herb Gardening From the Garden

to the Dinner Plate

Herbalist Lauri Lee of Herb 'n Gardener and the Madison Herb Society will provide you with a comprehensive herb-by-herb overview of how to choose, plant, grow, and use culinary herbs. This interactive herb garden class combines instruction with a hands-on taste, touch, and scent tour of 30 culinary herbs that takes you past the usual cast and beyond the basics. In the 'garden to dinner plate' segment, you will learn how and when to harvest and preserve your favorite herbs so you can enjoy them year round. Space is limited; register early.

Wednesday, April 10, 6:30-8:30 pm

Registration Deadline:  April 3

Cost:  $40/$32 member | Course Number: 20-29

Gardening Beside the Experts Hands-on Workshop

Here's your chance to meet Olbrich's horticulturists and work side-by-side with them, learning the techniques and tricks they use to make the outdoor gardens beautiful and sustainable. As you spend the morning rotating throughout the various specialty gardens, the horticulturists will share their gardening tips on spring clean-up and much more. Learn skills you can take home such as how to divide perennials and prune trees and shrubs. Dress to be outdoors and to get a little dirty during this hands-on workshop. Rain or shine. Wear sturdy shoes and don't forget to bring your gardening gloves and questions! Space is limited; register early.

RESCHEDULED

NEW Date: Friday, May 3, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

NEW Registration Deadline:  April 25

Cost:  $47/$38 member | Course Number: 20-04

Designing a Culinary Herb Garden Workshop

This workshop provides the tools, techniques, and hands-on experience you need to design the herb garden you have always wanted. Guided by Lauri Lee of Herb 'n Gardener and former president of the Madison Herb Society, this workshop offers instruction on how to transform a random collection of herb plants into a well-designed garden. For your inspiration, examples of attractive and functional herb gardens will be shown and discussed, and information on herb habit, cultural needs, and ideas for theme gardens will be provided. Lauri will guide you step-by-step through several herb garden designs, showing the start-to-finish process of how to achieve a pleasing garden design. Each participant will receive herb seeds, templates, laminated herb planting guide, handouts, and an herbal snack.

Tuesday, April 23, 6:30-8:30 pm

Registration Deadline:  April 16

Cost:  $44/$35 member | Course Number: 20-30

Sustainable Gardens:

Creating and Maintaining a Gravel Garden

Green or sustainable gardens make sense for many reasons - they are good for the environment and they are good for us. Many people want beautiful gardens, but don't have the time, nor want to see precious resources like water and energy go into growing them. Olbrich's Director of Horticulture Jeff Epping and his staff have created a number of gravel gardens at Olbrich that can easily be incorporated into home landscapes. These gardens are as beautiful as any perennial bed or border, but require just a fraction of the labor to grow. Don't confuse these gardens with traditional rock or alpine gardens that can look more rocky than green. These gravel gardens, based on concepts developed by German horticulturist Cassian Schmidt are as lush, green, and colorful as any perennial border around. Jeff will show you how Olbrich has replaced lawns and traditional perennial beds with these sustainable gardens.

RESCHEDULED

NEW Date: Thursday, May 2, 6:30 – 8:30 pm

NEW Registration Deadline:  April 25

Cost:  $15/$12 member | Course Number: 10-60

Wet-Felted Flower

Wet-felting is magical and easy to do at home! Take colorful wool roving, add soapy water, and some hand-agitation and viola! Join Jan Falk, artist and art instructor, as she demonstrates how to make wet-felted flowers and guides you through the process to make one from start to finish in this workshop. The charming flower can be used as a pin, sewn onto a hat or purse, glued onto a package, or much more. You will learn the process in this workshop and go home with one finished flower, including beads. All supplies included; no experience necessary to learn this fun technique. Space is limited; register early.

Saturday, April 27, 9 am-12 pm

Registration Deadline:  April 18

Cost:  $50/$40 member | Course Number: 20-43

Introduction to woodland Management and Stewardship Planning

Creating a woodland management and stewardship plan for your woodland property is interesting, challenging, and can even be fun. There are numerous reasons to develop a plan - to enhance wildlife habitat and diversity, to generate income (from timber sales, for example), expand recreational enjoyment, or to establish a succession plan to assure stewardship of your family property into the future. Susan Churchill, woodland owner and former WI Department of Natural Resources' director of training, will help you identify your personal interests, expectations, and objectives you wish to achieve on your woodland property. Discussion will include the components of a management plan, including property information and history, maps, setting objectives, conducting inventories, scheduling and recording activities, and information on the many resources that are available to help you. Space is limited; register early.

Tuesday, April 30, 6:30-8:30 pm

Registration Deadline:  April 23

Cost:  $38/$30 member | Course Number: 10-64

Spring has Sprung: Herbs for Food and Medicine

Did you know that young yellow dock leaves contain a substance that relieves the irritation from stinging nettle? Did you know that cooking, pulverizing, and drying stinging nettle takes away the sting and leaves one of the most nourishing plants on the planet? When this series of four classes is finished, you will know all of this and a whole lot more! Join herbalist and wild forager Linda Conroy for this fun and inspiring herbal series. We will visit the early plants of spring and learn plant identification, lore, and harvesting techniques, as well as applications for food and medicine passed down throughout history. You will leave inspired with lots of information, recipes, and preparations for wild food that promotes deep nourishment as well as herbs for healing minor cuts and ailments. This is an experiential class that includes a plant walk, instruction, a handout with recipes, samples, and one or more hands-on projects each week. A $20 materials fee will be collected on the first day of class by the instructor. Space is limited; register early.

Tuesdays, May 7-June 4 (No class May 21), 6-9 pm

Registration Deadline:  April 30

Cost:  $106/$85 member | Course Number: 20-52

Ornamental Container Gardens

Loved by small and large space gardeners alike, containers are a fabulous way to dress up your patio, deck, or balcony. In this presentation and workshop, Olbrich's Director of Horticulture Jeff Epping and Horticulturist Samara Eisner will guide you on how to plant containers with overflowing beauty. You will go home with one finished ornamental container with plants appropriate for the lighting conditions you indicate. Upon registration, please indicate whether you prefer sun or shade plants. All materials supplied. Space is limited; register early..

Tuesday, May 21, 6:30-8:30 pm

Registration Deadline:  May 14

Cost:  $82/$66 member | Course Number: 20-26

Yogalates
Yogalates is a fusion between traditional flowing yoga poses and more contemporary core strengthening Pilates exercises. This 60-minute, 19-week class will help you increase overall flexibility and strengthen your core! Use this class to help improve your posture and feel better functioning in everyday activities. Instructor Katie Michel, AAAI yoga certified, will help lead you to feeling great overall! Bring your own yoga or pilates mat, water bottle, and wear comfortable clothing. This class is held indoors/outdoors, weather permitting. Meet in the Lobby. For adults and youth (ages 8 and up); each attendee pays the registration fee.

Wednesdays, January 9 - May 22 (No class on March 27), 5:30-6:30 pm

Registration Deadline:  January 2

Cost:  $266 per person | Course Number:  20-13

Pastel Expressions:

Celebrate Srping!

Celebrate spring's arrival with creative play! Join Professional Artist Kay Brathol-Hostvet in this fun and relaxing mini-workshop that lets you explore soft and iridescent pastels on colorful papers creating springtime, nature-based designs from your imagination. All supplies provided; no drawing or art experience necessary! For adults and teens; each attendee pays the registration fee. Space is limited; register early.

Sunday, April 7, 9:30 am-12:30 pm

Registration Deadline:  March 28

Cost:  $56/$45 member | Course Number: 20-50

Fun with Acrylic Paint! Mini Workshop

Acrylic paint is one of the most versatile of art mediums. Come play with color and learn a bit about this water-soluble paint with Professional Artist Kay Brathol-Hostvet as we welcome back the spring season. All supplies provided; no drawing or art experience necessary! For adults and teens; each attendee pays the registration fee. Space is limited; register early.

Sunday, April 7, 1:30-4:30 pm

Registration Deadline:  March 28

Cost:  $56/$45 member | Course Number: 20-51

Toddler Story & Stroll:  Celebrate Spring Series

Learn and play with your youngster in this fun, hands-on series that focuses on nature and the seasonal changes of spring. Classes include a story, a stroll through the outdoor gardens, and theme-related activities designed for you and your preschooler to spend quality time together. Sign up for one class or the entire series. Ages 2-4 with an adult. Space is limited; register early!

It's Spring!

CLASS FILLED

Friday, April 19, 10-11 am

Registration Deadline:  April 11

Cost:  $9/$7 member | Course Number: 50-09

Wind

CLASS FILLED

Friday, April 26, 10-11 am

Registration Deadline:  April 18

Cost:  $9/$7 member | Course Number: 50-10

Rain

CLASS FILLED

Friday, May 3, 10-11 am

Registration Deadline:  April 25

Cost:  $9/$7 member | Course Number: 50-11

Flowers

CLASS FILLED

Friday, May 10, 10-11 am

Registration Deadline:  May 2

Cost:  $9/$7 member | Course Number: 50-12

Birds

CLASS FILLED

Friday, May 17, 10-11 am

Registration Deadline:  May 9

Cost:  $9/$7 member | Course Number: 50-13

Wisconsin Gourd Festival                                   back to top

Attend the 7th Annual Wisconsin Gourd Festival at Olbrich! Wisconsin Gourd Society provides a venue to learn about gourds, gourd art, and gourd growing during this one day annual event. Come meet gourd artists, let your creative juices flow in a class or two, see demonstrations, gather gourd growing advice, and participate in the raffles, silent auction, and Kid's Corner. Gourds, gourd art, and gourd-related products will be available from a variety of vendors. Cap off the day by attending the Wisconsin Gourd Society's membership dinner.

For more information on the festival or to register for a gourd class, visit
http://www.wisconsingourdsociety.org or contact thegourdgirl@thegourdgirl.com or gourdready@gmail.com.

Saturday, April 13, 9 am-4 pm

Free Admission