A Scavenger Hunt in a Scavenged Garden

As part of a recent birthday celebration at the Botanical Art Garden (Barden), the father of the birthday girl, philosophy professor Alexander Englert, created a whimsical map of the Barden and used it as part of a scavenger hunt for the birthday party. 

It's fun to see the Barden's mix of features represented on a map, some made by nature, others made by people. Scavenging has played a big role in the creation of the Barden, with nearly all materials being of the found variety, rescued from a trip to the landfill. 

Sunday, Aug. 7: May's Barden Cafe and Native Plant Tour

Come this Sunday, Aug. 7, to the Botanical Art Garden at Herrontown Woods to enjoy, socialize and learn. Our monthly May's Barden Cafe serves coffee and baked goods from 10-12, and to celebrate the peak blooms of mid-summer, FOHW president Steve Hiltner will be there from 9am to 1pm, giving informal tours of the many native plants that grow along the pathways. Along with drinks and treats, we'll also have some plants for sale. The Barden, as we call it, is located next to the main parking lot at Herrontown Woods. (Check our website at HerrontownWoods.org or our facebook page if the weather is looking iffy.) 

Many visitors start with our Veblen Circle of 30 labeled native wildflowers that surround the gazebo. 

 

This time of year, several sweeps of clustered mountain mint look like a miniature Serengeti, with pollinators playing the role of grazers.

Lots of the plants blooming now are well adapted for raingardens, deeply rooted to do well even in droughts.