The Garden’s third annual Orchid Spectacular continues until March 14. The Orchid Spectacular is the perfect time to enjoy the beauty of orchids and learn more about them! Details

Presenting Sponsor:

Orchid Spectacular Classes

Pre-registration Required
A number of Continuing Education classes about orchids and tropical plants are being offered during Orchid Spectacular. Sign up today!

• February 20 – Orchid Clinic
• February 27 – Tour of Carolina Orchids

Orchids: Sensuality Stitched

February 6 - March 14
Beginning Feb. 5 through the end of Orchid Spectacular, orchids will be celebrated with needle and thread through a unique quilt exhibit presented by Fiber Art Options - a group of seven quilt artists who have worked over the past year to create small quilts based on photographs from The Orchid Conservatory at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Details

Shutterbug Contest Winners Announced

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is pleased to announce the results of its sixth annual Shutterbug Contest. Thank you to all the amateur photographers who participated this year! The Garden received more than 450 entries for the 2009 contest. Judges for this year’s contest were Kent Smith of Kent Smith Photography and Peter Zay of Peter Zay Photography. Sponsor of the 2009 Shutterbug Contest and Exhibition is “Things Remembered Custom Framing… And So Much More!” of Gastonia, who matted and framed the winning entries for the exhibit. Please click here to see our winners.

Wedding Showcase

Sunday, February 14, Noon - 5 p.m.
General Garden Admission Applies
The Garden’s annual Wedding Showcase has been rescheduled! The best of the area’s bridal industry will be on hand to help you with information on planning a spectacular wedding. If you are looking for ideas to plan a dream wedding you will have a chance to sample food, see the newest trends in wedding attire, and discuss floral arrangements and book services for the wedding. Garden staff will be available to discuss weddings at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Details

Community Foundation Run For The Money

Saturday, April 17, 8 a.m.
Join DSBG for the Community Foundation of Gaston County's Run for the Money in downtown Gastonia at the Rotary Pavilion for this competitive 5k run and a non-competitive 2k walk. You can help the Garden, and many other participating non-profits, by making a donation on their behalf to the Community Foundation of Gaston County. Donations will be accepted at the Community Foundation between February 15th and April 23rd! Details

Bluebird Day

Bluebirds help gardeners by feeding on insect pests, and also bring the wonder of nature into your garden. Join us for a day of programming celebrating these winged wonders.

• February 27 – Bluebird Walk
• February 27 – Bluebird Lecture
• February 27 – This is For the Birds! A Suet Cake Workshop

Continuing Education Classes

February classes include:

• February 3 – Botanical Illustration: The Beauty of Orchids
• February 6 – Sweetheart Living Wreath
• February 6 – Valentine Wreath
• February 13 – Success with Seeds
• February 27 – Planning Your Spring Vegetable Garden

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

Photography Classes

February classes include:

• February 6 – Photo Metering: How to Get the Perfect Exposure for Your Images
• February 6 – Depth of Field*
• February 13 – Macro Photography*
• February 13 – Basic Digital SLR Photography*

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.

Picture Perfect

March 6 - 7, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Photographers from all over the Carolinas are invited to a photography weekend at the Garden March 6th and 7th, 2010. Representatives from major camera manufacturing companies, camera stores, computer and photographic software manufacturers, plus representatives from famous wildlife photographers from all over the United States to tell you about their available workshops and tours. Everything a photographer needs will be there! Details

First Tuesday Presentations

Upcoming First Tuesday presentations include the following:

• February 2 – Bluebird Monitoring at the Garden
• March 2 – Great Plants, Great Resources, Great Gardens
• April 2 – Outdoor Lighting for the Homeowner

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

Volunteer Spotlight - Tohlei and Na’ye Dumizo

Our first sibling volunteer spotlight is of brothers, Tohlei and Na’ye Dumizo who have both been volunteering at the Garden since summer 2009. Tohlei’s favorite part of volunteering at the Garden is repotting plants and working in the growing center. Na’ye favorite part of volunteering at the Garden is also repotting plants. Outside of volunteering Na’ye likes going to the movies while Tohlei likes to work with computers and robotics! Tohlei’s favorite flower is tulips while Na’ye’s favorite is the orchid. A big thank you to brothers Tohlei and Na’ye who commit their time to volunteering at the Garden and who are a huge part of the Garden’s success!

Garden Tip

While you are waiting for the ground to thaw, February is a good month to check up on the health of your house plants. Provide ample moisture by misting regularly, since interior air tends to be too dry during winter for many plants to thrive. Wash leaves if necessary with mildly soapy water to curtail infestations of pests such as spider mites, aphids and whitefly. As for outdoor gardening, watch the ground for signs of early spring bulbs!