{CUSTOM_FORWARD: } Join us for this special series of fun family adventures. See bees, hummingbirds and other winged wonders and discover wildly fun facts about life in the Garden. Free with Garden Admission. Details

Garden Nights

Every Thursday until August 26, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
General Garden Admission Applies
Garden Nights has returned with live music, culinary delights and special southern themed festivities planned during Come Sit A Spell. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from Something Classic Catering. Details

Sponsored by:

Come Sit A Spell

Winners were announced at Garden Nights on June 10 with 5 people walking away with $500 for their design entries for the Come Sit A Spell Exhibit. Don’t forget you can still vote for Guest Favorite by text or at the DSBG Reservations office. Congratulations to our winners and all of our artists for making this exhibit come to life!

Adult Artist - Jennings Connell
   Honorable Mention - Joseph Nichols
Business - Rodgers Builders/Mid-Atlantic Construction
   Honorable Mention - Gary Marcus
School - St. Michaels Catholic School (8th Grade Class)
Community Group - Gaston Concert Association
UNC-G - Lauren Goodrum
   Honorable Mention - Melia Danals

Garden Adventure Camps

These half-day summer camps for children ages 4-12 use fun, environmental education experiences to build connections to nature through an engaging combination of science, art and adventure. Changing themes ensure a variety of camp options so children can attend multiple sessions. Activities will include hands-on gardening, outdoor nature explorations, indoor-based learning adventures and activities as well as take-home garden planters designed to fit the week’s theme. Details

Shutterbug 2010

The Garden’s seventh annual amateur photography contest, Shutterbug is back! We will be accepting photos from amateur youth and adult photographers in seven categories. Deadline for all entries is Dec. 31, 2010.

For official rules and an entry form please visit the website. Details

Something’s A-Flutter

The butterflies are coming soon! Something’s A-Flutter returns to The Orchid Conservatory this September as hundreds of butterflies will fill the conservatory. Enjoy butterfly releases, exhibits, demonstrations and lots more fluttering fun!

Stay tuned for more information.

Bug Ball

September 24, 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Save the date as our family-friendly fundraiser returns with new features and activities including live butterfly releases, bug presentations, live auction, pot-a-plant activity, carriage rides, dance performance by the Charlotte Youth Ballet, fun entertainment by Split Second Sound, and specialty foods and drinks throughout the evening. Advance registration is required by calling 704-829-1290 or emailing sperry@dsbg.org to request an invitation.

Continuing Education Classes

July classes include:

• July 10 – Tour of UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens
• July 24 – The 30-Minute Organic Garden
• July 24 – Bonsai for Beginners

For a complete list of Continuing Education classes please visit the website.

Photography Classes

July classes include:

• July 8 – Basic Digital SLR Photography (special Garden Nights)*
• July 10 – Advanced Digital SLR Photography*
• July 24 – Introduction to Adobe Photoshop Lightroom®

The starred (*) photography classes are intended for photographers with some experience and an existing knowledge of basic camera functions is recommended.

For a complete list of photography classes please visit the website.

First Tuesday Presentations

Upcoming First Tuesday presentations include the following:

• July 6 – No Space-No Problem: Creative Gardening for Those with Little Space
• August 3 – Creating a Backyard Bird Sanctuary

Mark your calendar! Free with Garden admission. No registration is required.

Private Events

Looking for a restful, inspiring ambiance in which to host a retreat or gathering? Then retreat to the Garden for a day to unwind and regroup with your company, friends or family. With eight gardens and twelve sparkling fountains you’ll easily find a place to recharge and reconnect.

For more information on corporate retreats and holiday party packages please call one our event specialists at 704-829-1272.

Garden Store

Be sure to visit the Garden Store to see beautiful hand-made jewelry designs in a variety of metals with semi-precious stones and crystals, unique hand-crafted pottery designs made by local and regional artists and an extensive selection of indoor & outdoor garden art.

Kick off your holiday shopping early with Garden members receiving a 10% discount at the Garden Store!

Volunteer Spotlight - George T. Hooks

Congratulations to July’s Volunteer of the Month, George T. Hooks! George retired after 35 years as an engineer with Detroit Diesel in Michigan and left the cold behind to live in Gastonia in 2001. With George’s love for plants and with a desire to make a difference he started volunteering at the Garden in 2002. George’s favorite thing about volunteering is what he calls, “Death and Destruction”, pulling out old plants during change over in preparation for the new plantings. Thank you to George and all the wonderful volunteers at the Garden!

Garden Tip

July temperatures are soaring so in order to keep you garden alive and healthy it’s important to keep all planted areas sufficiently hydrated. A good rule of thumb to remember is to provide at least one inch of water per week to the root zones of your plants, especially to newly planted ones that are still establishing themselves in the soil. Morning and evening watering is best to reduce water being lost due to evaporation.