National Public Gardens Week at Sherman Library & Gardens
In celebration of National Public Gardens Week, Sherman Library & Gardens will deliver both education and enjoyment each and every day from Saturday, May 11 to Saturday, May 19 with a variety of planned events for the community to enjoy. “We’ll be joining other landmarks throughout the country, like Niagara Falls, and illuminate Sherman Library & Gardens in green light,” said Scott LaFleur, Gardens Director, and Board Member of the American Public Gardens Association.
Join Sherman Library & Gardens, a nationally recognized public botanical garden for its line-up of activities.
Saturday, May 11 – Newport Beach Garden Tour (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Stroll through seven private residential gardens in Newport Beach. Each residence will feature an artist painting in the garden throughout the day. The ticket price also includes a light lunch and live music at Sherman Gardens. After the Tour, return to Sherman Gardens for an after party from 3-5 p.m. where raffle and silent auction prizes will be awarded. Tickets are $50 for members, $60 for non-members. Shuttle service to each of the gardens on the tour is available for an additional cost of $45. Proceeds from the Tour will help support the redesign and landscaping of the frontage of Sherman Library & Gardens. Tickets available at slgardens.org or in the Garden Office.
Sunday, May 12 – Mother’s Day Brunch at Café Jardin (10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.)
Reservations required: 949.673.0033.
Monday, May 13 – Volunteer Day (10:30 a.m. – 12 noon)
Meet the Volunteers and Docents of Sherman Library & Gardens and learn how you too can join in on the fun and friendship!
Tuesday, May 14 – Sustainable Gardening Day
Class: Bee Bungalows (9 a.m. – 11 a.m.): Horticulturist Joel Friesen will show you how to attract even more pollinators to your garden by designing and building a unique, personally-stylized bee bungalow of your very own. Pre-registration required.
Neighborhood Garden Walk (10:30 a.m. -noon): Join Sherman Gardens’ horticulture staff for a casual stroll down the ‘flower streets’ of Corona del Mar. Discover how gardeners in our community are using sustainable practices in residential settings. Meet at Sherman Gardens’ back gate at 10:30 a.m.
Movie Night: The Gardens of Piet Oudolf (7 p.m.)
Influential landscape designer Piet Oudolf is responsible for New York’s High Line, Chicago’s Lurie Gardens and numerous sites around the world. This award-winning documentary immerses the viewer in Oudolf’s work and takes us inside his creative process. Free event. Doors open at 6 p.m., the movie begins at 7 p.m. Enjoy a no-host bar and free popcorn!
Wednesday, May 15 – Culinary Gardens Day
Class: Garden Bounty Floral Arrangement (9 a.m. – 11 a.m.): Using fresh clippings (citrus, herbs, and florals) from the garden, participants will create an arrangement that is both lovely and delicious. Pre-registration required.
Class: Square-Foot Gardening (1 p.m. – 3 p.m.): Learn how to grow several different vegetables and flowers in the same raised garden. Participants will create a mini square-foot garden to take home, along with a planting chart with seasonal guidelines. Pre-registration required.
Garden Fusions Dinner: Public Gardens – An Epicurean Adventure (6 p.m. - 9 p.m.)
Garden Fusions is a unique interactive gourmet dining experience. Every dinner has a horticulture theme featuring a special horticultural host. In honor of National Public Gardens Week Garden Director Scott LaFleur will share his favorite public gardens and the best dishes he has enjoyed at each. Chef Pascal will recreate those dishes so you too can experience the cuisine of these exceptional public gardens. This fusion of culinary and horticulture promises a unique one-of-a-kind experience. Reservations required. Call Café Jardin at 949.673.0033.
Thursday, May 16 – Arts Day
Class: Mosaic Flower Pot (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.): Create a fun and whimsical 6” flower pot, while learning to mosaic on a curved surface. Instructor Jeannette Gonzalez, owner of Piece of My Heart Mosaics, will teach you how. A perfect class for beginners! All supplies provided. Pre-registration required.
Floral Demonstration (11 a.m.): Watch our own floral designer Dawn Mones create a beautiful arrangement inspired by a plein air painting from the Sherman Library collection. Free with garden admission.
Sherman Library Self-Guided Art Collection Tour: Sherman Library is home to a collection of California Impressionist art, including works by William Wendt, Edgar Payne, Clarence Hinkle, and Anita Hills. Come and take a self-guided tour of this remarkable art collection. Free with garden admission.
Newport Beach Garden Tour Artists Reception (5 p.m. – 8 p.m.)
View beautiful plein air paintings from the Newport Beach Garden Tour. Meet the artists, enjoy live music and light refreshments. The paintings will be available for purchase with proceeds benefiting Sherman Library & Gardens. The Artist Reception is complimentary, bring your friends!
Friday, May 17 – Collections Day
Library Collections (11 a.m. & 2 p.m.): Take a brief tour of Sherman Library’s book collection. Rare books will be on display as part of the tour.
Gardens Collections (11 a.m.): Horticulture Manager Erin Aguiar will help you discover the rare and exotic plants from living botanical collections.
Saturday, May 18 – Family Day
Fuchsia Festival (10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.): Celebrate Sherman Garden’s signature flower at this family-friendly event featuring a fuchsia sale, seminars, and a special appearance by Robin Jones, beekeeper and founder of Honey Girl Grows. Children’s activities will be ongoing throughout the day and include snail races, crafts and activities, lawn games and a scavenger hunt. The Tea Garden Creperie will feature delicious handmade crepes, wine, champagne, coffee, juices, and a selection of kid-friendly choices. Gardens Director Scott LaFleur will be manning the barbecue and selling burgers and hot dogs. The Fuchsia Festival is free with garden admission.
Class: Fuchsia Basket (11 a.m.): Learn how easy it is to grow quality fuchsias. Watering, feeding, soil mix and propagation will be discussed. Participants will plant a fuchsia basket to take home. Pre-registration required.
Class: Print Making in the Garden (1 p.m. – 3 p.m.): Join the fun of making relief prints inspired by the gardens. You’ll learn to make a foam print and print multiple copies. No skills necessary and all supplies will be provided. Instructor Carol Kreider is a local artist and experienced teacher and printmaker. Pre-registration required.
Sunday, May 19 – Health & Wellness Day
Class: Goat Yoga (9 a.m. & 11 a.m.): Yoga instructor Darnell Renee will lead an hour of flow yoga in the garden alongside goats walking and playing around you. Party Goats Los Angeles is partnering with Sherman Gardens to combine nature, animals, and yoga. Pre-registration required.
The public is encouraged to support Sherman Library & Gardens during National Public Gardens Week by texting MYGARDEN55 to 71777.
For more information, or to register for any National Public Gardens Week events taking place at Sherman Library & Gardens, visit slgardens.org or call 949.673.2261.
