DENVER – Green inside and out, Denver Botanic Gardens began in 1951 and is considered one of the top botanical gardens in the United States and a pioneer in water conservation. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Gardens’ living collections encompass specimens from the tropics to the tundra, showcasing a plant palette chosen to thrive in Colorado’s semi-arid climate. The Gardens is a dynamic, 24-acre urban oasis in the heart of the city, offering unforgettable opportunities to flourish with unique garden experiences for the whole family – as well as world-class education and plant conservation research programs.

APRIL EVENTS:

EXHIBITION:
EDGE OF THE PLAINS: PAINTINGS BY SHARON FEDER
February 18 – May 3, 2015
Reception: February 18, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Artist Talk: 6:30 p.m.
Denver-based artist, Sharon Feder, captures details that may go unnoticed by others such as a nondescript building or a vantage point that is seemingly unremarkable. Her work has been informed by decades of technical experience as a set designer, muralist and sign artist. The exhibition, on view in the Gates Garden Court Gallery, is organized in collaboration with Goodwin Fine Art, Denver.

KIDS + FAMILY PROGRAMS:
SEEDLINGS CLASSES Tue: 18-24 mo. old, 9:30 & 10:45 a.m.; Weds: 3-6 year old, 9:30 & 11 a.m.; Thur: 24-36 mo. old, 9:30 & 10:45 a.m.
$11 for 18-36 month old, $9 member; $13 for 3-6 year old, $11 member
Seedlings classes offer a fun, hands-on way for young children to explore the plant world, while developing an understanding and appreciation for plants. April classes include “A Log’s Life” week of April 1; “Cool Season Veggies” week of April 7; “Be a Bee” week of April 14; “Earth Day” week of April 21; “April Showers Bring May Flowers” week of April 27.

LITERATURE OF THE LAND BOOK CLUB:
“THE BEES” BY LALINE PAUL
April 22 or 23, 7-8:30 p.m., $5
Join us for the spring 2015 session of Literature of the Land, a book club series hosted by the Helen Fowler Library. This spring, the crucial role of pollinators in our ecosystem are examined. “The Bees” is hailed as a cross between “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “The Hunger Games” that explores a working beehive through a societal lens– governance, socialization and our place in society. Registration is mandatory as attendance is limited.

GARDENING CLASSES:
SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF WATER-SMART GARDENING
Tuesday, April 7 or April 14, 6 – 8 p.m.
$62, $55 member
Gardening remains high and dry in the Rocky Mountain region! Water-smart gardening is an environmentally friendly way to create a beautiful home landscape that will thrive under low-water conditions. Learn principles of water-smart gardening and some of the many plants that can thrive in your yard.

HARDY BULBS FOR COLORADO
Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
$60, $54 member
Hardy bulbs effortlessly transform gardens with their lively seasonal exuberance. Many of these low-input, high-return, ecologically attuned plants are ideal for the Front Range climate. Lauren Springer-Ogden discusses the best performers and shows how to artistically integrate them into the garden.

BEGINNING BONSAI
Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
$82, $78 member, includes $30 for materials
Are you mystified by the many-centuries-old Japanese tradition of bonsai? This entertaining and informative class with local Bonsai Master Harold Sasaki, and the Gardens’ Bonsai Specialist Larry Jackel debunks the myths, fictions and misconceptions surrounding this living art form. Each participant receives a tree, ceramic pot, wire, soil and gravel in this hands-on experience of creating a finished bonsai.

TOTALLY TOMATO
Saturday, April 25, 9:30 a.m. – noon
$33, $30 member, includes $6 for materials
The most sought after vegetable for home gardeners is the tomato. This class covers a variety of heirloom and hybrid tomatoes. Learn how to select which are best for a beginner and which might be best for advanced growers. Learn about starting seeds v. transplanting, growing challenges, pests and diseases and how to overcome them and options for organic care of your prize vegetable. Each student takes home seeds.

HEALTH & WELLNESS CLASSES:
MINDFULNESS SATURDAY
Saturday, April 4, 1-4 p.m.
$50, $45 member
Mindfulness Saturdays is led by Dr. Jean Leonard, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist and a registered yoga teacher. This series of afternoon retreats focuses on themes related to mindful living and is led by an experienced mindfulness-based stress reduction teacher. Life deals unexpected, unwanted, unpredictable and sometimes unpleasant experiences – whether an injury, illness or loss. This class explores how to navigate the vulnerability of being human and how meditation practice offers the possibility of dancing with, rather than being defeated by, discomfort and difficult emotions.

KUNDALINI YOGA
Mondays, April, 6, 13, 20 and 27, 6-7:30 p.m.
$10, $8 member
Instructor Chris Anne Coviello teaches Kundalini, the oldest form of yoga. All levels welcome. Participants are asked to bring water and a yoga mat.

EVENING VINYASA YOGA IN THE GARDENS
Wednesdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 6-7 p.m.
$12, $10 member
Instructor Blake Burger teaches vinyasa yoga against the stunning backdrop of the Gardens. All levels welcome. Participants are asked to bring water and a yoga mat.

URBAN HOMESTEADER CLASSES:
BACKYARD CHICKEN KEEPING
Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m. – noon
$35 member and nonmember
This class provides an accessible introduction for anyone interested in raising backyard hens. Join Sundari Kraft, of EatWhereULive and Heirloom Gardens to learn how to choose the perfect chickens (best breeds and how/where to purchase), care for chicks and create housing and fencing. Participants also learn how to navigate financial considerations, overcome common challenges and get proper livestock licenses.

Visit http://www.botanicgardens.org for the complete calendar.
WINTER HOURS
Through Mid-May: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

FREE DAYS
Chatfield: April 7
York St.: April 22