June 2013 Events
Saturday, June 1
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
National Trails Day
Get out with the family and enjoy National Trails Day at the Garden! Kids can decorate their own walking stick and then pick up a nature scavenger hunt kit at the visitor center for a trail hike.
Saturday, June 8
10 a.m. & 12 p.m.
Plants of the Cross Timbers
Learn about the unique ecology of the Cross Timbers on a plant hike with Patty Smith, instructor at Tulsa Community College. Hike through forest and prairie on a 1.5 mile trail and discover some of the interesting trees, wildflowers and other plants
Saturday, June 15
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Father’s Day Fun
Fathers and families can try their hand at a photo scavenger hunt on the grounds at the Garden. Inside the visitor center, children can make and decorate a grass seed head for dad.
Saturday, June 22
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Family Day: Pollinator Party
National Pollinators Week is June 17-23. Pollinators play a key role in the production of more than
150 food crops in the U.S, such as apples, alfalfa, almonds, blueberries, melons, pears, and squash.
Families can visit the Garden for activities and crafts to learn about bees, hummingbirds, bats and other pollinators.
Saturday, June 29
11:00 a.m.
Water Gardening
Mary Lou Havener, owner of MB Garden Landscapes, will share tips on starting a water garden, including container water gardens and plants that can attract beneficial wildlife to your landscape. Attendees will be entered in a drawing for an aquatic plant.
The Oklahoma Centennial Botanical Garden, which is taking root on 170-acres northwest of downtown Tulsa, is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays April through October. Suggested donation for admission: Adults: $2; Children: 50 cents. Members: Free.
Visitors can pick up a map at the visitor center to explore the site which includes the seven-acre Centennial Lake, a three-quarter mile lake trail that includes the Garden’s first plantings of 300 ornamental and shade trees and a 1 ½ mile nature trail which winds through prairie and Cross Timbers forest. The Garden is located 8 miles northwest of downtown Tulsa 1.5 miles west of the intersection of W. 43rd St. N and N. 52nd W. Ave. For more information, call 918-289-0330.
May 2013 Events
Saturday, May 4
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Family Day: For the Birds
Learn about some of the birds of our area, including colorful migrants, and some of the plants important for their survival. Families can try out bird watching, discover why some birds look the way they do, and learn some common bird calls. Kids can make a bird-friendly craft to put in their home garden.
Friday & Saturday, May 10 & 11
Please note, special hours: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Celebrate National Public Gardens Day
The Garden will be open on Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11 special hours – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate National Public Gardens Day. On both Friday and Saturday, kids can decorate pots and plant a seed to take home and use plants to decorate a card for Mother’s Day. On Saturday at 10 a.m., Karen McMahon will lead a “Walk with the Wildflowers – What to Look for to Identify Wildflowers”. Karen is an instructor of biological sciences at University of Tulsa. National Public Gardens Day is celebrated the Friday prior to Mother’s Day as a national day of awareness in which communities nationwide are invited to visit and learn about the important role their public gardens play in promoting environmental stewardship and awareness, plant and water conservation, and education.
Saturday, May 11
4 – 7 p.m.
The DIG: Day In the Garden
The inaugural fundraising event for the future Children’s Garden will include a picnic at the Garden with games, face-painting and crafts for kids. Arthur Thompson Enterprises will be on hand with drums for kids to try out. Other live music will be provided by Paul Benjaman Band and Klondike 5.
Reservations are required. Cost for Garden members is: $25 for one adult; $40 for two adults. Cost for non-members is $50 for one adult; $75 for two adults. Children are free with paid adult. For more information or for reservations, call 918-289-0330.
Saturday, May 18
11:00 a.m.
Native Plant Hike
Learn about the early uses of some of our native plants on an informative hike with Dr. Jay Walker. Jay will identify plants along the trail and share interesting facts such as how the plant may have been used by Native Americans or early settlers. Jay is an adjunct assistant professor at OSU-Tulsa and a member of the Flora of Oklahoma committee. Comfortable walking shoes and hat are suggested.
Saturday, May 25
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Family Day: Wildflower Hunt
Our April showers will bring May flowers – this should be a good time to look for wildflowers at the Garden. Bring the family to go on a wildflower hunt on the Garden’s paths. Inside the visitor center, look at the parts of a flower and make a craft to take home.
Thursday, May 30
10 – 11:30 a.m.
Volunteer Orientation
Find out about opportunities to get involved as a volunteer at the Botanical Garden. Learn about helping with open days at the Garden as well as upcoming opportunities for helping with gardening projects. Contact Lori Hutson, to register for the orientation at 918-289-0330.
The Oklahoma Centennial Botanical Garden, which is taking root on 170-acres northwest of downtown Tulsa, is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays April through October. Suggested donation for admission: Adults: $2; Children: 50 cents. Members: Free.
Visitors can pick up a map at the visitor center to explore the site which includes the seven-acre Centennial Lake, a three-quarter mile lake trail that includes the Garden’s first plantings of 300 ornamental and shade trees and a 1 ½ mile nature trail which winds through prairie and Cross Timbers forest. The Garden is located 8 miles northwest of downtown Tulsa 1.5 miles west of the intersection of W. 43rd St. N and N. 52nd W. Ave. For more information, call 918-289-0330.
Map and directions
Oklahoma Centennial Botanical Garden Unveils 25-Year Master Plan
TULSA, Okla. (December 12, 2012) – The Oklahoma Centennial Botanical Garden unveiled its new 25-year master plan at a news conference on Wednesday, and officially launched Phase II of the Garden’s development.
The announcement follows a year’s worth of careful work, with input from garden board members and staff who worked with landscape architects, interpretive specialists and consultants nationally-known in botanical garden planning. With this master plan, the Garden aims to build a first-class botanical garden for Tulsa, Green Country and all of Oklahoma.
“We are proud to present this imaginative and bold new vision for the Garden,” OCBG CEO Todd Lasseigne, Ph.D. said. “This plan is full of excitement, creative spirit and timeless beauty. We are all excited as to the future of the Botanical Garden.”
The 25-year plan envisions a series of gardens encircling Centennial Lake, the crown jewel of the Garden’s Phase I development, which was completed in 2009. In overall theme, the master plan leaves the natural areas natural, while calling for the development of those parts of property that are ecologically less sensitive.
The Lakeside Promenade, the Garden’s central walk, will feature a parade of color, textures, patterns and fragrance. From there, visitors will experience unique and exciting gardens including: Ornamental Gardens, a showcase attraction encompassing over 2 acres of terraced gardens with stone retaining walls, cascading water features, and choice and select ornamental plants suited for Oklahoma gardens; Edible Gardens (3.2 acres) telling the story of food crops and their origins throughout the world ; and Inspiration Gardens (2.6 acres) which will demonstrate best techniques for home gardeners and serve as an ever-changing trial garden area to test plants for Oklahoma.
“This new plan will bring to Tulsa a truly special, uniquely “Oklahoma” botanical garden, one that everyone will cherish,” Lasseigne said. “The diversity of gardens, styles, and future programs will make this Garden appeal to all people — men and women, young and old — who enjoy beauty and nature.”
Other gardens planned include: Oklahoma Gardens (4.6 acres), which will showcase native flora from throughout the state while celebrating the rich relationships between Oklahoma’s peoples and the land; Asian Garden (2.3 acres), which will interpret the unique Cross Timbers landscape using time-honored eastern design principles and plantings; and a Children’s Garden providing experience-based learning opportunities set in a fantastical "wonderland" environment filled with beautiful plants and interactive exhibits
“The Board of Directors and Staff of the Oklahoma Centennial Botanical Garden have set forth a visionary master plan for a botanical garden in Tulsa.” said Tary Arterburn, principal of Studio Outside and one of the landscape architects who worked on the plan. “It is one that strives to be unique and destination-oriented and will make the City proud of its presence as a high-quality venue for residents and visitors to the area. It will add to the already significant museums and public institutions that call Tulsa home. Tulsa's rich history of gardening will be celebrated in a grand way through the development of the Garden as envisioned.”
Arterburn and fellow landscape architect Tres Fromme of 3 Fromme Design have extensive experience with public gardens including Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix, Ariz.), Atlanta Botanical Garden, Bok Tower Gardens (Lake Wales, Fla.) and Red Butte Garden (Salt Lake City).
“This plan is a true synthesis of a bounty of ideas and thoughts,” Lasseigne said. “We celebrate the future and invite anyone and everyone to join us on the journey ahead.”
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