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Volume 23, Issue 3 Summer, 2016 Quarterly Newsletter

The Arboretum’s mission is to showcase Kentucky landscapes and serve as a resource center for environmental and horticultural education, research, and conservation.

“For the Birds” 2016 Birdhouse Display & Auc on 

Display July 13 ‐ 31  Recep on and Auc on Finale, Sunday, July 31, 2‐4 p.m. 

Farm to Table Dinner A Legacy Campaign Event Celebra ng 25 Years of The Arboretum 

August 27, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.  

Come experience a rustic and elegant outdoor dinner surrounded by the natural beauty of The Arboretum botanical gardens. Cocktails begin in the Kentucky Children’s Garden at 5:30 p.m. followed by a one-of-a-kind meal featuring

fresh, local ingredients expertly prepared and served. Join us for a night of delicious, farm-fresh food paired perfectly with wine and cocktails. The Friends of The Arboretum will present a live and a silent auction to benefit the Legacy Campaign. The highlight of the evening will in-clude the unveiling of the Legacy Campaign Dorotha Smith Oatts Visi-tor Center Expansion Plans by campaign chairs Bill and Vange Lear and Roberto de Leon of de Leon & Primmer Architecture Workshop. Tickets will go on sale June 27th. More information will be forthcom-ing. All proceeds will benefit The Arboretum Legacy Campaign. If you have questions, please call: 859-257-6955 or visit The Arboretum web-site: arboretum.ca.uky.edu. 

“Returned to The Arboretum” Bluegrass Woodturners Exhibit and Auc on 

Exhibit: June 24 ‐ July 8  Recep on: July 10, 2‐4 p.m. 

The Arboretum welcomes the 10th annual Bluegrass Woodturners Exhibit featuring beautiful and original hand turned works of art; some of them created from downed trees from The Arboretum. Visit the exhibit during weekdays at the Visitor Center and place your bid on the displayed pieces. Winners will be announced at the reception July 10. The Arbo-retum and the Bluegrass Area Woodturners share proceeds from the auction.

How original, artistic or weird can a birdhouse be? Our many years of bird-house displays at The Arbo-retum have proved that the possibilities are boundless. So engage your creative en-ergies! The 2016 Birdhouse event is coming in July. To contribute a birdhouse to this year’s display, pick up an entry form at the Visitor

Center or download one from The Arboretum website. Entry fee is $10 per person ($5 under age 12) and must be received no later than 4 p.m. Monday, June 27. Deliver birdhouses to the Visitor Center Monday or Tuesday, July 11 or 12. Birdhouses must be able to withstand the weather.You may choose to enter your birdhouse in the Silent Auction or offer it just for display. Silent auction bid sheets will be available in the Visitor Center weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Proceeds from the Silent Auc-tion benefit The Arboretum.

Drummin’ Songsbirds by Steven Davis & Grandad

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 The Arboretum Staff 

Molly Davis, Director Dayna Baston, Admin. Assistant

Todd Rounsaville, Curator of Native Plants

Jesse Dahl, Horticulturist Jackie Gallimore,

Children’s Education Coordinator Janet Cabaniss,

Friends Admin. Assistant

The Arboretum Advisory Board George T. Barker

Robert Bolson Timothy Brooks

Ned Crankshaw, Co-Chair Warren Denny

Linda Gorton, Co-Chair Dewayne Ingram Nancy McNally

Andy Mead Jessica Nicholson

Rob Parately

Friends of The Arboretum  Board Officers 

Nancy McNally, President Dawn Bazner, Vice President

Dabney Parker, Treasurer John Hartman, Past President

Friends Board Members 

Tony Brusate Zinnah Caluag

Berle Clay Susan Daole Molly Davis

Charlotte Haney Bob Houtz

Jessica Nicholson Teresa Kennedy McReynolds

Karen Miner Janet Raider Scott Smith

Newsle er Editor 

Phyllis MacAdam To contact The Arboretum: 

Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center

500 Alumni Drive Lexington, KY 40503-0302

859-257-6955 Website: arboretum.ca.uky.edu 

 Find more Arboretum Informa on 

online at:  uky.arboretumexplorer.org: 

A search engine for names, features, and locations of trees and plants in the collection.

walkacrossky.blogspot.com:   Features photos and infor-mation about the Walk Across Kentucky.

Like us on Facebook  To keep up with events at The Arboretum. Go to: The Arbore‐tum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky. 

Please note the new mee ng date:  

Friends of The Arboretum Annual Mee ng at the Visitor Center Wednesday, November 14, 5:30 p.m. 

 Our Annual Meeting date has been changed from August to November 14, at 5:30 p.m. We changed the date because we have a full calen-dar of events during August and the early fall. In November we will be able to report on the 25th Anniversary year at The Arboretum and all the many 2015-16 accomplishments. We will also elect new Board Officers at that time.

Volunteer Apprecia on Picnic and Free Band Concert Saturday, June 25    

Picnic at 5:30 p.m.  Please join us June 25th as we honor our wonder-ful volunteers. All volunteers and their guests are invited to attend the picnic at no cost. Protein and beverages will be provided. Bring a pot-luck dish according to the first letter of your last name: Starch/Bread: A-F; Vegetable: G-L; Salad: M-R ; Dessert: S-Z

Please RSVP to Dawn Bazner: kybrit@twc.com  Free Band Concert at 7:30 p.m.  Following the picnic, the Central Kentucky Concert Band, under the baton of conductor Leslie Anderson, will present their 19th annual pre-July 4th performance at The Arboretum. Everyone is invited to enjoy popular show tunes, marches, and patriotic favorites. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, and enjoy the show.

How We Have Grown in 25 Years! The structures of the Home Demonstration Garden and the old gravel Walk Across Kentucky were the first pieces of the of the original Arboretum Master Plan to be completed when The Aboretum opened in 1991. Since then, with the help of Friends, volun-teers, staff, donors, UK, and LFUCG, we have:

• Planted and cared for hundreds of trees/plants and created scores of new beds,

• Planted (and replanted) the Rose Garden, • Been named State Botanical Garden of Kentucky, • Paved the Walk Across Kentucky, • Constructed the Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Cen-

ter and the plaza and drive in front, • Provided hundreds of educational classes, work-

shops, events, tours, and volunteer workdays, • Created rain gardens and built a bridge over the

Mississippi Embayment area, • Built and opened the Kentucky Children’s Garden, • Completed several miles of winding, mulched

trails through the collections, • Logged and identified thousands of plants in the

collections for information, location, & online use, • Initiated the Legacy Campaign and Endowment, • Added new bathrooms . . . and so much more.

Thanks to all who helped make The Arboretum the wonder it is. Now on to the next 25!

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Arboretum Benefits from Summer Student Interns This summer a group of 25 summer interns will be assisting Arboretum staff in the Gardens and the Woods, along the trails, and at the Visitor Center. The students, from UK and Transylvania, present a rich variety of academic backgrounds from Economics to Chemistry to Landscape Architecture and more. Their first jobs in the late spring: pulling out old spring perennials, mulching beds, and replanting with summer annuals. (Not all the interns are pictured in the group below.) Assis ng Todd Rounsaville: Amanda Carroll, Cole Crankshaw, Mercedes Murphy, Kseniya Verenich, Amanda Wilburn Assis ng Jesse Dahl: Ben Browning, Sarah Detraz, Megan Griebel, Garrett Hamilton, Christian Hardy, Jacob Rardin, James Sanders Assis ng Jackie Gallimore in the KCG: April Lamb, Catherine Wu, Katie Morrison, Noah Abercrombie Assis ng in the Visitor Center: Kelly Hogan, Leah Callway.

Curator’s Choice: Solidago ptarmicoides (White Goldenrod) By Todd Rounsaville, Curator of Na ve Plants 

 Solidago (goldenrod) is a special genus for Kentucky. Not only is it (generically) the state flower, but over 30 species grow in Kentucky, several of which are globally threatened or endangered, including Solidago albopilosa which grows nowhere else on earth. For those who instantly cringe at the mention of ‘goldenrod,’ it is worth dispelling the rumors that: 1) they are a weedy group of plants. (Only a few attain such status), and 2) they causes allergies in the fall. (Completely false; goldenrod pollen is too heavy to be wind-

dispersed). The presumption that goldenrods are weedy has led many gardeners to shy away from their cultivation. In fact, the majority of species make fantastic additions to both sunny and shady garden environments. One such species is ‘white goldenrod,’ Solidago ptarmicoides. It has only been reported in Ken-tucky a few times, and while it generally occurs in more northerly prairie communities, it is to be expected in dry open woodlands and barrens. In the Walk Across Kentucky Collections it is thriving in a dry, sunny site amidst two bear oaks (Quercus ilicifolia) in the Cumberland Mountain Region. As goldenrods go, Solidago ptarmicoides is quite uncharacteristic of the ge-nus. Suggested by the common name, the inflorescences are predominately

white as a result of the cream-colored ray flowers. Leaves are small and linear, and the plants themselves grow much shorter than most goldenrods. This species’ dissimilarity to most goldenrods has led many to classify it within a new genus, Oligoneuron. In Oligoneuron, it becomes O. album because of its original name: Inula alba. Because of a blatant paraphylly of Oligoneuron within Solidago, we have chosen to retain the name S. ptarmicoides. Last season (2015) our mass planting of S. ptarmicoides remained in bloom from July until October and was a huge hit for both staff and visitors. The cream-white blossoms were prolific and dense, and our mono-culture planting grew into a nice ground-cover. This plant would be a great choice for areas with full sun, especially in dry rock-gardens.

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            2016 SUMMER CALENDAR OF EVENTS  Events and classes meet at the Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center unless otherwise noted.

Pre-registration is required for all workshops unless indicated. Please call 859-257-6955 or email dmbast0@uky.edu.

ADULT & FAMILY PROGRAMS Guided Walks through the Gardens 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, 11 a.m. - noon Jesse Dahl, Arboretum Horticulturist, will lead walks through the horticultural and display gardens highlighting plants of particular interest at the time of each tour. Those who have served as Arboretum tour docents are encouraged to attend (free of charge) to increase knowledge of the horticultural are-as. Tours start at the Visitor Center. Cost $3. Limit of 25 people per tour. Groups of 5 or more must pre-register. June 15: Flowering shrubs and long-lived perennials July 6 & 20: Summer annuals and vegetables August 3 & 17: Shade trees & water features September 7 & 21: Ornamental grasses and Fall annuals & perennials October 5 & 19: Fall gardening & evergreens Birdhouse Building Workshop: Prepare for ‘July is for the Birds!’ Thursday, June 16, 1 - 3:30 p.m.

Join Wild Bill Gordon, noted bird expert, for a bird-house-building workshop. Purchase birdhouse kits of your choice or construct them with Wild Bill’s able assistance. Birdhouses for bluebirds, woodpeckers, and screech owls will be available at the class (cash or check only). Class limited to 30. Children age 6 and older are welcome with an adult. Cost: $5 per family or individual.

Volunteer Apprecia on Picnic & Free Band Concert Saturday, June 25. Picnic at 5:30; Free Concert at 7:30 See details on page 2 11th Biennial Lexington in Bloom Beau fica on Contest  Awards Ceremony Sunday, June 26, 2 - 2:30 p.m. Lexington in Bloom, sponsored by the Lexington Council Gar-den Clubs, recognizes gardens and plantings in Fayette County from five categories. A reception recognizing the winners and participants from this year’s event will be held at The Arbore-tum Visitor Center. Open and free to the public. Tree Health Programs UK’s Urban Forest Initiative (UFI) will offer multiple opportu-nities this summer to learn about keeping trees healthy.  Program I: During June: Join one of the several 2-hour ses-sions offered at various locations and times during the month. (This program is not held at The Arboretum)

You are invited to join a two-hour survey and training session about local tree health and care. Participants will

learn to spot the signs of unhealthy trees and will walk their neighborhood to report on the health of trees there. All training is free and materials about your neighbor-hood’s street trees will be provided. Morning, afternoon and evening sessions are offered. To secure your spot, go to the survey URL: tinyurl.com/zmm2y7r

Program II: Saturday, July 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (This Tree Health program is at The Arboretum.)  

Learn about tree health and how to assess the trees in your own yard, neighborhood, or community. Meet at the Visi-tor Center. Training will be facilitated by trained and aspir-ing tree professionals thanks to the Summer Sustainability Research and Creativity Fellowship funded by UK’s Envi-ronmental Stewardship Program. Pre-registration is re-quired. Contact Grace Coy: grace.coy@uky.edu or call (502) 475-9392 with comments or questions. 

“Returned to The Arboretum”  Bluegrass Woodturners Annual Display & Silent Auc on Display: Friday, June 24 - Friday, July 8. Weekdays Reception & Silent Auction: Sunday, July 10, 2 - 4 p.m. See details on page 1 The Arboretum Visitor Center will be closed Monday, July 4!  ‘July is for the Birds’ 

13th Birdhouse Display and Silent Auc on Display: Wednesday, July 13 - Sunday, July 31 Reception: Sunday, July 31, 2 - 4 p.m. Close of Silent Auction: 3:30 p.m. July 31 See details on page 1. Morning Bird Walk Friday, July 15, 8 a.m.

Early risers, please join Carey Tichenor, retired Kentucky State Naturalist, as we look at birdhouse sites and bird activity throughout The Arboretum. Group limited to 30. Cost: $1 Farm to Table Dinner, A Legacy Campaign Event Saturday, August 27, 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. Join us for an delightful evening to benefit The Arboretum Leg-acy Campaign. Begin with cocktails at 5:30 followed by an ele-gant featuring locally grown food. See article on page 1 Looking ahead: Party for the Pumpkins Saturday, October 15, 2016, 2-6 p.m. Friends Annual Mee ng:  Wednesday, November 14, 5:30 p.m.

Upcoming Opportuni es for Volunteers All Volunteers: Please download a 2016 Volunteer Agreement from the website: arboretum.ca.uky.edu/forms. Bring your com-pleted form to the Visitor Center before your start your work. Kentucky Children’s Garden Workdays:  9 - 11 a.m. on 2nd and 4th Monday of the month: (June 13 & 27; July 11 & 25; August 8 & 22, etc.)  Vegetable Garden Workdays:  9 - 11 a.m. on 1st and 3rd Mondays (June 6 & 20; July 18; August 1 & 15, etc.)  Na ve Plant Workdays:  Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 12 noon, year round, weather permitting. 

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 Weekly Summer/Fall Ac vi es in the KCG* 

Thurs.  Fri.  Sat.  Sun. 

Create a  Cra  

11 a.m. 1 & 3 p.m. 

 

Story Time 11 a.m. 

1 & 3 p.m.  Except First 

Friday Fun Days 

Sow It  Saturday 11 a.m. 

1 & 3 p.m.  

Nature  Explora on 1 & 3 p.m. 

Wed.* 

Go Wild 11 a.m. 

1 & 3 p.m. Summer only 

Train  mes: 11:30‐12:30 (except Sunday), 1:30‐2:30, and 3:30‐4:30 *Please note that KCG is NOT OPEN ON WEDNESDAYS in the fall.  

First Friday (of each month) Fun Days in the KCG  

July 1: Wild About Water August 5: Fruits and Vegetables September 2: Incredible Insects October 7: Amazing Autumn 

        

2016 Summer Hours June 1 ‐ August 28 

Wednesday ‐ Saturday: 10 a.m. ‐ 5 p.m. Sunday: 1 ‐ 5 p.m. 

2016 Fall Hours September 1 ‐ October 30 

Thursday ‐ Saturday: 10 a.m. ‐ 5 p.m. Sunday: 1 ‐ 5 p.m. 

Closed on UK home football game days 

Admission $3 per person (under 2 years FREE) 

$10 per family/household (up to 5 people) $75 season pass (up to 5 people) 

Pe ng a corn snake at First Friday Fun Day in May,“Animal Friends” 

 PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS Junior Master Gardeners (Ages 8 ‐ 11 and parent/guardian) Saturdays, June 18 - August 6, 3:30 - 5 p.m. Learn about gardening as a family through this wonderful pro-gram! Each class will focus on a different gardening topic such as plant growth, soil, landscaping, fruits and vegetables, and more! Pre-registration is required. Cost: $110 ($100 for friends) $30 for an additional sibling or parent/guardian. Limit to three people per group. Insect Safari Friday, September 9, 7 - 9 p.m. Join us for a family-friendly night of insects, spiders, and science! We’ll begin at 7 p.m. when experts from UK’s De-partment of Entomology present insect-themed games, activities, and displays. Brave souls can try their hands at the live insect petting zoo with tarantulas, scorpions, giant roaches, and other creatures. When darkness falls, UK’s specialists will lead us onto The Arboretum trails for a night-time insect safari. Be sure to bring a flashlight! Cost $1 per person.

   StoryWalk at The Arboretum: An Outdoor Literacy Program for Children  

June & July, Dawn to Dusk In partnership with the Lexington Public Library and the Jessa-mine Co. Public Library, a new StoryWalk has been installed at The Arboretum. StoryWalk is a delightful way for children to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Laminated pages from a children's picture book are attached to wooden posts installed along the path from the Visitor Center, through the Home Demonstration Garden, ending at the entrance to the Kentucky Children’s Gar-den. As you stroll along the path, you're directed to the next page in the story. At the end of the walk you can complete a survey to earn points and be entered to win a prize at your local library. The featured book for June is Spot the Plot: A Riddle Book of Book Riddles by J. Patrick Lewis. July’s book will be Quiet in the Garden by Aliki.

Let’s Grow a Pizza!  A new “Pizza Garden” in the KCG is growing pizza  veggies and herbs: tomatoes, garlic, peppers, onions, basil, oregano.  

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Calling all Gardeners!  

Do you enjoy working with roses? The Arboretum needs gardeners willing to Adopt-a-Plot in the rose garden. The main responsibilities include regular weeding and dead-heading. For as little as an hour a week you can help our roses bloom and grow. Anyone interested in

volunteering in the rose garden or maintaining an adopt-a-plot should email Jesse Dahl: jesse.dahl13@uky.edu, or Dawn Bazner: kybrit@twc.com.  

 Please Adopt Me 

Volunteer of the Quarter:  Joan Haas By Sylvia Ahrens 

Fun facts about Joan: She is an avid swimmer. The mystery writer Sue Grafton is her cousin. She can make binoculars out of empty toilet paper tubes. Joan Haas and The Arboretum go way back. She remembers when the land contained little more than a bike path, a gazebo, and a water tower. As a member of the Lexington Council of Garden Clubs, she viewed the original plans for The Arboretum, never dreaming "this windy hill" would grow into its present state. Each time she comes up the drive, she is "truly amazed at what has been accomplished."

Born and raised in Louisville, Joan springs from "a long line of backyard gardeners." A self-described tree hugger, she loves her volunteer work in the Children's Garden, at the reception desk, and with special events like Addie's Day. Volunteering has great benefits for Joan. Besides contributing to the Lexington community, she also enjoys helping children connect to nature. Working at the reception desk, she has met people from all over the world. With husband Ron and daughter Libby, Joan has made volunteering a fun family affair. The Arboretum offers a wonderful, educational place to unwind and spend quality time or to just appreciate the beautiful surroundings. Visitors to the UK hospital often take respite in the quiet atmosphere of the gardens. Joan used to bring her mother, who was wheelchair bound, to enjoy the sites and sounds. After retiring as a teacher and Early Childhood Administrator, Joan received donations to The Arboretum in her name. Those gifts provided the water pump located in the Kentucky Children’s Garden. She encourages others to honor a teacher, librarian, office mate, or family member by donating. These contributions to The Arboretum provide a lovely and lasting tribute for all to appreciate and enjoy. "It will be a gift that keeps on giving." Thanks, Joan!

Friends of The Arboretum Membership By Nancy McNally, Friends President  

The benefits of Friends membership are many - for you and for your family. Your annual membership helps support The Arboretum educational programs, encour-ages volunteering to support the day-to-day operations and growth of our beautiful gardens, and helps ensure we will be enjoying The Arboretum for many years in the future! If you have been a member, please renew. If you are new to The Arboretum, please join us.

Inaugural Arboretum Founders Day, May 22, 2016  

Dorotha Smith Oa s & Sibu Saha  Joe Dietz & Tim Brooks  Jerry and John Shaw 

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 Party for the Planet: Celebra ng the Past, Earth Day, and Arbor Day 

While Celebra ng the Past, visitors got to observe spinning, churning, and several other aspects of Kentucky’s early history. 

The Glendover School chorus entertained the crowd in the Visitor Center on a rainy Arbor Day. 

One of many hand‐painted flags celebra ng 25 years of The Arboretum. 

On Earth Day, April 22, Arboretum staff and Friends helped students at William Wells Brown Elementary School learn about gardening and conserva on. Students helped plant a tree on the school grounds and selected plants to nurture. Below are a few thank you le ers. 

Councilwoman Susan Lamb read the annual Arbor Day proclama on. 

Smith

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Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center 500 Alumni Drive Lexington, KY 40503-0302

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