Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden will host its ever-popular Winter Plant-A-Palooza, plus a variety of fun and informative workshops, classes, and special events throughout the month of February, including several inspired by the current exhibition ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN.
To register, please visit:
https://www.mounts.org/events
“We are hosting an event-packed February, so we are inviting people of all ages to come out and enjoy many of the happy and healthy horticultural events—plus a robust array of programming related to our current Origami exhibit--all at our beautiful 20-acre oasis, located just minutes from downtown West Palm Beach," invites Mounts Interim Co-Director Misty Stoller.
February 2, 9, 16, 23
Mat Pilates in the Pavilion with Stephanie Pierce
Fridays, 10 to 11 a.m.
$20 for members; $25 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission). Classes are nonrefundable.
Registration is required; size is limited to 30 adults.
This mat Pilates class focuses on building strength, increasing flexibility, and reducing stress. The class incorporates contemporary Pilates repertoire with whole-person framework modalities. The exercises are low-impact and excellent for enhancing the mind-body connection. All levels are welcome, and modifications will be offered to ensure a pain-free experience. Class Supplies: yoga mat and water, exercise bands (optional), yoga block (optional), and hand/ankle weights (optional).
February 3, March 2, April 6, May 5
Orchids are for Everyone: Putting Workshops
Presented by Mounts Botanical Garden & Tropical Orchid Society
with Donna Tobey & Maria Trenor
Saturday, 10 to 11:15 a.m.
$10 Members $25 Nonmembers (includes full Garden admission).
FREE for Members of West Palm Beach Orchid Society with proof of membership
Registration is required; class size is limited to 35 adults; classes are nonrefundable.
February Topic: Cattleyas
Held in the Mounts Garden Pavilion next to the Welcome Center, the interactive workshop will be conducted by board members of the Tropical Orchid Society. There will be a brief review of the selected orchid's characteristics with specific growing advice, followed by hands-on repotting demonstrations and Q&A. Attendees may bring one orchid in need of repotting, plus their preferred media and pot or mount.
February 3
ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN: The Movie
Saturday, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
$10 for members; $25 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission).
Registration is requested. Walk-ins Welcome.
ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN: The Movie is an art film, a love story, and the journey of two artists as they strive to spread peace and inspiration throughout the world through sculpture, featuring Kevin & Jennifer Box, Robert J. Lang, Michael LaFosse and Beth Johnson. Popcorn available.
February 4, 18
Awakening Hearts: A Cacao Ceremony & Sound Immersion Experience with Casa Rituals
Sunday, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
$25 for members; $35 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission).
Registration is required; class size is limited to 30 adults; classes are nonrefundable.
Under the guidance of instructors Marit Tuisk and David Lepp, participants will receive a ceremonial smudging and blessing upon arrival to release the burdens of day-to-day life and will be given a cup of the highest quality, Ceremonial Cacao to take part in a sacred heart-opening Cacao Ceremony. This will be followed by a Yoga Nidra mediation and deep sound healing during which everyone will be immersed in the healing energies of the Gong, Crystal singing bowls and other high-frequency instruments.
Note: Please bring a yoga mat or blanket, and do not drink alcohol on the day of the ceremony or consume caffeine three hours before and after the event.
February 6, 13, 20, 27
Gentle Yoga & Body Balance with Hegina Rodrigues
Tuesdays, 10 to 11 a.m.
$20 for members; $25 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission).
Registration is required; class size is limited to 30 adults; classes are nonrefundable.
Come join in this body movement class designed for all abilities. Gentle yoga stretches combined with body balance movements will Increase your energy, improve stamina, stretch and strengthen muscles. This unique class will help you to stay motivated, refreshed, and relaxed. Yoga mat is optional. Chairs will be available for those who choose to not use a mat. Classes are led by certified fitness/yoga instructor Hegina Rodrigues. The class will be held in the Pavilion near the entrance of the Garden. Class Supplies: yoga mat (optional), water, yoga block (optional).
February 6, 13, 20, 27
Watercolor at the Garden with Carl Stoveland
Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
$20 for members; $25 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission). Classes are nonrefundable.
Registration is required; class size is limited to 15 adults.
Join artist Carl Stoveland and share the love of art and nature with fellow art enthusiasts. This class is for adults only. Bring your pencils, pens, paints sketchpad or watercolor pad, (or journal) and your favorite photographic device (i.e., cell phone camera or tablet). Some experience preferred. True newbies should consider the beginners class. Each week or two, the class will start a new painting project. Time will be split between demos by Stoveland and supervised painting time for participants. Subjects will be chosen by the instructor with assistance from the class.
February 6, 13, 20, 27
Beginner Watercolor with Carl Stoveland
Tuesdays, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
$20 for members; $25 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission). Classes are nonrefundable.
Registration is required; class size is limited to 15 adults.
If you have always wanted to try watercolor but been overwhelmed by it then this is the class for you. Geared toward novice watercolor enthusiasts, this class will focus on the basics, focusing on a new technique and a simple painting each week. Join artist Carl Stoveland and share your love of art and nature with fellow art enthusiasts. This class is for adults only. Bring pencils, pens, paints sketchpad or watercolor pad, (or journal) and your favorite photographic device (i.e., cell phone camera or tablet). Each week or two, the class will start a new painting project. Time will be split between demos by Stoveland and supervised painting time for participants.
February 7, 14, 21, 28
Qi Gong with Roxanne Cumberland
Wednesdays, 10 to 11 a.m.
$10 for members; $18 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission). Classes are nonrefundable.
Registration is required; size of “inside" classes is limited to 20 adults.
Relieve stress and increase metabolism, flexibility, and strength. Qi Gong (pronounced chee-gong) is an ancient Chinese exercise and healing technique. The exercises include simple, slow movements (which mimic nature), meditation, and focused breathing—similar to Tai Chi but less structured.
February 7
Grapevine Wreath with Succulents & Origami Figures with Michael Spencer
Saturday, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
$35 for members; $45 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission).
Registration is required; class size is limited to 15 adults; classes are nonrefundable.
In honor of the current exhibit at Mounts, Michael Spencer will take participants on a journey into Japanese culture, teaching them how to fold three simple origami animals to decorate a wreath. In this “make-and-take workshop," attendees will arrange their folded creations with beautiful live succulents on a grapevine wreath to bring home. Come have fun, learn something new, and create a unique wreath design to celebrate ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN.
February 10-11
Plant-A-Palooza Winter Plant Sale
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Saturday: 8 to 9 a.m., members-only preview; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., open to public; last entry at 3:30 p.m.
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Sunday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., open to public; last entry at 2:30 p.m.
FREE for members. For nonmembers: $20 (adults); $18 (seniors 6+, college students and military with ID); $13 (ages 6-17); FREE for children under 6 and AHS Reciprocal Admission Program members. Note: Tickets are nonrefundable. Admission is by credit/debit card ONLY; no cash.)
- Mounts Botanical Garden's Winter Plant Sale features more than 40 of Florida's highest quality and well-known plant growers and experts. Visitors can fully engage in the world of plants and learn new gardening techniques, discover what's trending in floral design, while also enjoying Mounts Botanical's tranquil tropical oasis. Plant-A-Palooza highlights will include:
- a wide variety of rare, exotic, and hard-to-find orchids, plants, trees, herbs, ornamentals, succulents, cactus, bonsai, butterfly/native plants, shrubs, and fruit trees, as well as garden accessories, baskets, fine crafts, and more.
- Learn about South Florida's plant culture by speaking directly with growers.
- Fun and informative presentations by speakers and authors who are experts in their respective fields.
- Plus, horticultural “must-haves" and unique treasures for the home and garden are also available in the Garden's Nursery and Vintage Garden
- Food and dessert trucks throughout Mounts Botanical Garden.
- During Plant-A-Palooza week, a full list of vendors and a location map will be available on both the Mounts website (www.mounts.org) and the Bloomberg Connects Mobile Garden Guide at
www.mounts.org/mobile-garden-guide/ [mounts.org].
February 16
New Flavors in the Garden: Discover Edible Perennials with Nada Vergili
Friday, 10 a.m. to Noon
$20 for members; $35 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; class size is limited to 15 adults; classes are nonrefundable.
Have you ever experienced the sheer delight of making a salad or healthy smoothie with greens grown in your own backyard? With this easy class, all one needs is a small green space or patio to learn to grow fresh and nutritiously rich veggies year-round in South Florida. Step outside the box and discover tropical and easy-to-grow perennials to add new flavors to any dinner plate. Participants will be sampling some of the edible greens that are found throughout Mounts during a group walk after class. Please wear comfortable footwear and bring a water bottle; mosquito spray recommended.
February 17, April 13
Origami Paper Folding Class for Families with Reiko Nishioka
Saturdays,
10 to 11:30 a.m.
$7 for member adults; member kids Free; $12 for nonmember adults; nonmember kids $5 (includes full Garden admission). This is a family class. Kids are welcome; must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required; class size is limited; classes are nonrefundable.
The large sculptures throughout the Garden are an inspiration to make Origami art. Come and learn how to fold a square of paper and create a piece similar or identical to the large Origami in the Garden. Each class will focus on a different category and students will learn how to fold up to eight different figures to take home. The instructor will give step-by-step instructions from simple to intermediate folds. All materials will be provided.
Note: January, Origami Flowers; February, Origami Animals, April, Birds.
February 17, April 13
Origami Paper Folding Class for Adults with Reiko Nishioka
Saturdays,
12:30 to 2 p.m.
$15 for members; $25 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission).
Registration is required; class size is limited to 20 adults; classes are nonrefundable.
The large sculptures throughout the Garden are an inspiration to make Origami art. Come and learn how to fold a square of paper and create a piece similar or identical to the large Origami in the Garden. Each class will focus on a different category and students will learn how to fold up to eight different figures to take home. The instructor will give step-by-step instructions from simple to intermediate folds. All materials will be provided.
Note: January, Origami Flowers; February, Origami Animals, April, Birds.
February 17, 23, 25
Forest Bathing: Nature Therapy Walks and Tea Ceremony with Kathy Andio
Friday, Saturday, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
$25 for members; $35 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission).
Registration is required; class size is limited to 15 adults; classes are nonrefundable.
Forest Bathing—also known as Nature Therapy—is an immersive experience in nature that gives participants an opportunity to reset their outlook on life and have an encounter with nature in a way that they have never before experienced. It is a sensory practice away from phones, computers, and social media and back to what the body yearns for—a connection with nature, a sense of peace, a sense of relaxation, and a sense of being in the present moment. It provides the perfect time to become a human “be-ing" instead of a human “do-ing". During a Forest Bathing experience, attendees will be invited to slow down and reconnect with nature's perfect balance using their senses to see the sunlight playing through the leaves, smell the flowers, and feel and hear the gentle wind whispering to return to one's native roots and discover a deeper self. The nature encounter concludes with a tea ceremony to connect with other like-minded nature lovers. Forest Bathing has been scientifically proven to boost immune strength, lift depression, reduce stress, and improve sleep. But beyond these physiological changes, this contemplative experience demonstrates how important it is for well-being to take time in nature on a daily basis.
Note: Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before start time and bring a chair or yoga mat.
February 24, March 9, April 19, May 4
Evening at Mounts Sake Tasting Soiree
Saturday, 4 to 6 p.m.
$25 for members; $30 for nonmembers; $18 for non-Sake-sipping drivers (includes full Garden admission). Registration is required; class size is limited to 35 adults; classes are nonrefundable.
Take advantage of the perfect weather and enjoy an evening at Mounts sipping sake and strolling through the Fragrance Garden. Attendees will have the rare opportunity to explore the Fragrance Garden at its most sweet-scented time of day. Specialists will be on hand to guide the sake sampling adventure. Seven samples are included with admission along with cheese pairings from around the world. Additional sake and traditional Japanese drinkware will be available for purchase. For guests ages 21 and older; please show ID at check-in.
February 25
Full Moon Release Ceremony, Cacao Ceremony and Sound Healing with Casa Rituals
Sunday, 10 a.m. to Noon
$35 for members; $45 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission).
Registration is required; class size is limited to 30 adults; classes are nonrefundable.
Come be inspired in the Herb Garden of Wellbeing as we explore the healing power of the sound and personal intention while immersing in the transformative power of nature during the Full Moon Flower Release Ceremony. This awe-inspiring gathering takes place in a tranquil garden, carefully adorned with aromatic flowers and lush greenery. The Casa Rituals philosophy is deeply rooted in helping to bring everyday mindful intention to the busy modern-day person. This is achieved by creating a deeper and more aligned space, working with the vibration of sound healing and sacred rituals for internal peace and harmony. Upon arrival, participants will receive a ceremonial smudging and blessing, helping to release any burdens from day-to-day life, followed by a cup of the highest quality, Ceremonial Cacao to take part in our sacred heart-opening Cacao Ceremony. The Cacao works to relax, open the heart chakra, and help one to be receptive to the healing. During the Release Ritual, attendees will learn how to release that which no longer serves with Intention and Grace and with power of the Full Moon. Finally, relax into Yoga Nidra meditation and deep sound healing during which everyone will be immersed in the healing energies of the Gong, Crystal singing bowls and other high-frequency instruments.
Note: Please bring a yoga mat or blanket, and do not drink alcohol on the day of the ceremony or consume caffeine three hours before and after the event.