Thu Jan 1
throughout January

Local Harvest: North Jersey Farms, Food, & Family

An exhibit of photographs of Morris County farms, past and present. They will give viewers a glimpse of a rural lifestyle largely obliterated in Morris County by commercial and residential development, and of the farmers who continue to carry on this occupation in the face of that development.

This gallery exhibit is in conjunction with the Local Harvest: North Jersey Farms, Food, and Family to be held on Saturday, January 17— a farm showcase for all ages being sponsored by the Morris County Historical Society.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

Free.

Mon Jan 5
Mon Jan 5, Jan 12, Jan 26
10:30a - 11:30a

Tai Chi in the Moment with Brian Coffey

Start a new healthy cycle this winter or continue your path to health. Instructor Brian Coffey is a graduate of the Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Session meets 1/5, 1/12, 1/26.

Please register by December 22.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$30 members / $40 non-members for all three classes

Sun Jan 11
(Snow Date Sun Jan 25)
1:00p - 3:00p

Members Only New Year’s Party

The annual Friends New Year’s Party features refreshments and a presentation by a guest speaker. This Members-only event is free, but you must pre-register in order to attend.  The guest speaker for this year’s New Year’s Party is Marta McDowell.

Then and Now—a Hunt for Historic Gardens

It all started with a "visiting gardens" list, found in the Morris County Park Commission archives, that Miss Caroline Foster drew up circa 1928 for the Garden Club of Morristown. Eighty years later Marta McDowell (and friends) tracked down those properties and a few more for good measure. What did they look like then? Have they survived? Come on this entertaining, informative hunt for the treasures of our garden past.

Marta McDowell lives, writes and gardens in Chatham, New Jersey. Her garden writing has appeared in popular publications such as Woman’s Day, Fine Gardening and The New York Times. Following the relationship between the pen and the trowel led Marta to the poet Emily Dickinson. Marta’s book, Emily Dickinson’s Gardens, was published by McGraw-Hill in 2005. Marta also collaborated with artist Yolanda Fundora on a book of images and essays entitled A Garden Alphabetized (for your viewing pleasure). This project was exhibited in December 2007 at the Atrium Gallery at the Haggerty Education Center. For more information about Marta, visit her website, www.martamcdowell.com, and her blog, http://martamcdowell.blogspot.com.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

Free to members

Mon Jan 12
10:30a - 11:30a

Tai Chi in the Moment with Brian Coffey

Start a new healthy cycle this winter or continue your path to health. Instructor Brian Coffey is a graduate of the Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Session meets 1/5, 1/12, 1/26. Please register by December 22.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$30 members / $40 non-members for all three classes

Wed Jan 14
1:00p

Garden Sprouts: Animal, Vegetable, Mineral

Young scientists will decide what is alive and what is not and learn how they have a lot in common with plants -- another living thing.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$6 members / $9 non-members

Sun Jan 18
1:00p - 4:00p

Drawing the Amazing World of Orchids with Mindy Lighthipe

Draw and paint from a selection of orchids. Learn the difference between Dendrobiums, Oncidiums, Phalaenopsis, Cattleyas, Vandas and Cymbidiums. Mindy demonstrates how to prepare drawings to translate into finished paintings. Discussion of how to use macro photography and color notes is included. Bring lunch, art supplies and a camera if you have one.

Note: cost includes an orchid to take home

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$85 members / $95 non-members

Thu Jan 22
(snow day Thur Jan 29)
9:30a Registration & Early Book Sales
1:30p Greenwood Garden Tour

Planthropology -- The Myths, Mysteries and Miracles of My Garden Favorites -- with Ken Druse

No winter doldrums allowed when Ken Druse is in the house -- that house being The Frelinghuysen Arboretum in January.

His first speaking engagement on the topic of his new book, Planthropology: The Myths, Mysteries, and Miracles of My Garden Favorites will be held on January 22 (snow date January 29). The doors will open at 9:30 for registration and early book sales. Ken has published text and photographs for nearly every gardening and decorating magazine in the US and is a frequent contributor to the New York Times. He is a popular TV and radio guest and can also be heard online or via podcast at www.KenDruse.com. Check out some of his podcasts here: http://kendruse.typepad.com/.

His bestselling books include The Natural Shade Garden (now in its 12th printing), and Making More Plants: the Science, Art and Joy of Propagation, which received top honors from the American Horticultural Society. A recipient of the Garden Club of America's lifetime achievement award, Ken celebrates the secret stories of plants and explains their importance within daily life since ancient times.

Joining Ken to present 2 mini-talks are his friends, Louis Bauer, Director of Horticulture at Greenwood Gardens and Lesley Parness, Superintendent of Horticultural Education at the Morris County Park Commission. Louis will be speaking on "Artful Restoration at Greenwood Gardens," highlighting the extraordinary decorative elements at this 28-acre public garden in Short Hills, NJ, whose terraces, grottos and teahouse were designed in the early 20th century by William Whetten Renwick. Lesley will exhibit and discuss books from the Commission's Elizabeth Donnell Kay Rare Book Collection that match the plant explorers in Planthropology.

This altogether fabulous morning is capped by a book signing and refreshments provided by the Artisanal Cheese Company of Manhattan. Registrants may also avail themselves to a special tour of Greenwood Gardens given at 1:30. Greenwood Gardens will be undergoing major renovations and plans to close to the public for several years, so if you have not yet visited, this is your last opportunity to do so.

The best wine and cheese, the best books, the best gardening talk -- make your reservation soon by calling 973-326-7603.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$30 members and $40 non-members

Thu Jan 22
1:00p

Garden Sprouts: Baby, It's Cold Outside

Sure, it's cold but there's a lot going on in the garden. Explore the various gardens and look for early signs of spring. Please dress for the weather.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$6 members / $9 non-members

Sat Jan 24
(Snow Date: Sat Jan 31)
1:00p - 3:00p

Winter Woodland Walk

Don't let the winter blues keep you from enjoying the outdoors! Join Horticultural Program Specialist Sarah Kelsey for an easy-to-moderate hike through the woodland, meadow, and conifer collection. Learn about ecology of this area in winter, and view specimen conifer trees such as dawn redwood planted in a naturalistic setting. Afterwards, gather for hot cider at the Haggerty Education Center. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear sneakers or hiking boots. This walk takes place on unpaved trails.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$10 members / $15 non-members

Sun Jan 25
1:00p - 3:00p

Winter Cooking Series: Chocolate, Chocolate, and More Chocolate

Learn the techniques for tempering chocolate to make your own truffles, chocolate molds and chocolate dipped strawberries with Chef and Master Gardener Cynthia Triolo. We will also put together a mix that makes a fabulous French-style hot chocolate. Just in case that isn't enough chocolate for one day, we will be sampling chocolates from around the world. Participation is required in this class, so bring an apron and prepare to get messy. The Winter Cooking Series meets 1/25, 2/22, and 3/22. Sign up for all three dates to receive a $5 discount.

Cost per Class: $15 members/ $20 non-members
Cost per Series: $40 members / $55 non-members

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

Mon Jan 26
10:30a - 11:30a

Tai Chi in the Moment with Brian Coffey

Start a new healthy cycle this winter or continue your path to health. Instructor Brian Coffey is a graduate of the Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Session meets 1/5, 1/12, 1/26. Please register by December 22.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$30 members / $40 non-members for all three classes

Sun Feb 1
(Snow Date: Sun Mar 8)
1:00p - 2:30p

Sunday Series: Beijing De Lu Xin - The Green Heart of Beijing: Its Public Parks and Imperial Gardens

Beijing is a city of 17 million inhabitants, covering an area of 6636 square miles or roughly ten times the size of London. Its gardens are varied but have one thing in common -- their place in the daily life of Beijingers. Dr. Lesley Parness, Superintendent of Horticultural Education, will lead you on a journey through Beijing's horticultural history. Light refreshments are served following the talk.

Please register no later than January 25.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$5 members / $10 non-members

Sun Feb 1
Throughout February

Mindy Lighthipe -- Spring is Coming!

While February may be the shortest month of the year, it always seems that spring will never come. Mindy Lighthipe, accomplished artist and instructor of Botanical Illustration Courses, will exhibit her vibrant and bold watercolors of flowers and butterflies that are sure to take away the winter blues. See Mindy's winter class listings.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

Free.

Mon Feb 2
10:30a - 11:30a

Tai Chi in the Moment with Brian Coffey

Start a new healthy cycle this winter or continue your path to health. Instructor Brian Coffey is a graduate of the Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Session meets 2/2, 2/9, 2/23. Please register by January 26.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$30 members / $40 non-members for all three classes

Mon Feb 2
1:00p

Garden Sprouts: Shadow or No Shadow?

Will the Groundhog see his shadow or will he hide for six more weeks? Look for early signs of spring, play a little shadow tag and make an indoor grass groundhog to care for at home -- don't worry, he's not going to eat everything.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$6 members / $9 non-members

Sat Feb 7
(Snow Date: Feb 14)
1:30p

Matilda's Tea Party: It's a Dog's Life

Families in the Gilded Age loved their dogs and Matilda Frelinghuysen was no exception. At this annual tea we'll celebrate her favorite pet -- the dog. Learn how love for the dog as a family pet a century ago shaped how we feel about them today. Meet a service dog and learn how they are trained. Then, make a perfect puppy flower arrangement to take home. This elegant tea is perfect for young and old alike. Please bring your favorite stuffed dog and a box of dog treats that will be given St. Hubert's.

Recommended to ages 6 and up.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$25 per person for members / $30 per person, non-members

Sun Feb 8
1:00p - 4:00p

Tu B'shvat -- The Birthday of the Trees

Learn about the Jewish New Year for Trees. Crafts, tree tours and special holiday food sampling are part of the celebration presented by the Morris County Connection of the Jewish Community Center of Metrowest.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

Free.

Tue Feb 10
11:00a - 2:30p

Painting Leaves with Mindy Lighthipe

The foundation of a good botanical painting starts with accurately drawn leaves. Through demonstrations, Mindy will show the step-by step method for drawing leaves. Artists may work in graphite, colored pencil and/or watercolor.

Recipes for accurately mixing greens will be given in class.

Bring lunch and art supplies.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$55 members / $65 non-members

Tue Feb 10
1:00p

Garden Sprouts: The Message of Flowers

Different flowers have different meanings and when given as a gift can send a message. Touch and smell different flowers and make a few valentine flowers to send.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$6 members / $9 non-members

Thu Feb 19
Repeated on Feb 23
1:00p

Garden Sprouts: Yum, Yum, Yum!

Weather permitting, the sap will be running in the maple trees. Learn how and why this happens and if we're lucky, we'll have a taste of that liquid maple gold. By popular demand this class will run twice. It will be repeated on February 23.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$6 members / $9 non-members

Sun Feb 22
1:00p - 3:00p

Winter Cooking Series: Making Maple Syrup

Bakers rejoice! It's maple syrup time! Learn how syrup is collected and then taste a variety of colors, grades and types from around the country. Chef Cynthia Triolo will demonstrate maple syrup's use in waffles and biscuits. Wear a coat as class begins outside.

The Winter Cooking Series meets 1/25, 2/22, and 3/22. Sign up for all three dates to receive a $5 discount.

Cost per Class: $15 members/ $20 non-members Cost per Series: $40 members / $55 non-members

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

Sun Mar 1
Daily

Dwight Hiscano - Photography Exhibit

Internationally published and highly collected, Dwight Hiscano has been creating images of the natural landscape for more than 25 years. Having spent much of his childhood exploring the rugged hills in the New Jersey Highlands, his love for the outdoors has led to a passionate effort to capture the North American wilderness on film. He also is the instructor for classes at the Arboretum. See course listing elsewhere in Events.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

Free.

Mon Mar 2
and Mondays Mar 9, 16, 23 and 30
10:30a - 11:30a

Tai Chi in the Moment with Brian Coffey

Start a new healthy cycle this winter or continue your path to health. Instructor Brian Coffey is a graduate of the Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Session meets 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30.

Please register by February 23.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$50 members / $60 non-members for all five classes

Wed Mar 4
Leaves 12N sharp! Returns about 9pm

BUS TRIP: Bella Italia --The Philadelphia Flower Show

This year, the Philadelphia Flower Show is about the allure of Italy, the artistry and the passion. Visit San Remo's famed flower fields, the canals of Venice, the beautiful Tuscan countryside, the inspirational artwork of Florence, and the fashionable runways of Milan. From the exotic paradise of the Italian Riviera and the Lake Region to the North, to the sunny retreats of the South, the Flower Show will embrace Italy in breathtaking displays.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$78 members / $88 non-members

Thu Mar 5
1:00p

Garden Sprouts: Wormy Wonders

Worms are a gardener's best friend. Learn what they do and how they do it and discover how you can have worms at home (if you want).

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$6 members / $9 non-members

Tue Mar 10
1:00p

Garden Sprouts: Winds of Change

Spring is just around the corner. Young explorers will travel outside, look and feel for signs of spring.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$6 members / $9 non-members

Wed Mar 11
10:30a - 12N

Newbies for Your Garden

Learn about the new 2009 flower and vegetable varieties. A basil that looks like boxwood, an almost black cauliflower, the world's first red Rudbeckia from seed and more than 50 other plants tested for hardiness and disease resistance by the National Garden Bureau.

Following the PowerPoint presentation, there will time for planting a flat of some newbies for your garden.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$10 members / $15 non-members

Sun Mar 15
1:00p

Sunday Series: The Gardens of Japan

View the history and features of Japanese gardens from a landscape designer's perspective. Dr. and Mrs. Fred Palace will give a talk and slideshow with photos of their journey. Light refreshments will be served following the talk.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$5 members / $10 non-members

Mon Mar 16
1:00p

Garden Sprouts: Helping Mrs. Robin

The birds are returning to the garden - hooray! Learn why birds are good for the garden and for plants and how to make your garden a bird's paradise.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$6 members / $9 non-members

Sun Mar 22
1:00p - 3:00p

Winter Cooking Series: Muffins, Scones and Biscuits

It's a little early for local produce, so let's make delicious and healthy muffins, scones, and biscuits! We'll make a "master" muffin batter that can easily be transformed into almost any muffin of your choosing.

Chef Cynthia will demonstrate recipes for both sweet and savory muffins, scones, and biscuits. As always, recipes and tastings will be given; coffee too.

The Winter Cooking Series meets 1/25, 2/22, and 3/22. Sign up for all three dates to receive a $5 discount.

Cost per Class: $15 members/ $20 non-members Cost per Series: $40 members / $55 non-members

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

Sun Mar 22
1:00p - 4:00p

Pansies with Mindy Lighthipe

One of the first flowers to hit the gardening centers are pansies. The flowers come in a variety of colors and are easy to draw. Learn how to draw them and apply color. Mindy will demonstrate step-by-step how to draw and mix colors. Students may work in graphite, colored pencil and/or watercolor. Bring lunch and art supplies.

Dec. 13th update: Mindy just got accepted to display her work with the RHS in London so she won't be able to teach this class. While disappointing for her Frelinghuysen Arboretum students, this is great recognition for her. Congratulations, Mindy!

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$55 members / $65 non-members

Wed Mar 25
1:00pm

10th Annual Blackburn Scholarship Tea with Guest Speaker Tovah Martin

This year, The Friends of The Frelinghuysen Arboretum celebrate their 10th Anniversary Blackburn Scholarship Tea on March 25, 2009 with a talk by guest speaker - Tovah Martin.

Ms. Martin is a writer specializing in many areas of gardening including heirloom flowers, tropicals, exotics and cottage gardening. She has been featured in Connecticut Cottage & Garden, Perennials magazine, Country Home, Renovation Style, Horticulture, Garden Design, House & Garden, O -- The Oprah Magazine, as well as many other publications. Ms. Martin also appears on the PBS television series -- "Cultivating Life." Read more about her on her website, http://tovahmartin.com/

Following the program, our very popular and delicious afternoon tea will be served featuring finger sandwiches, our special tea punch, and a surprise dessert.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$55 members / $60 non-members

Thu Mar 26
1:00p

Garden Sprouts: Get Up! Get Growing!

Time to think about that spring garden. Warm days are just around the corner and young green thumbs will start a variety of annuals that will be ready to go outside right about Mother's Day.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$6 members / $9 non-members

Sat Mar 28
9:00a - 12:00N

Capturing the Winter Landscape with Dwight Hiscano

Learn from accomplished nature and landscape photographer Dwight Hiscano. This class will include outdoor instruction on the grounds of The Frelinghuysen Arboretum. Learn about techniques for spotting the potential of a natural setting, for "seeing" photographically and artistically, and for rendering images on film.

A slide presentation and question and answer session will follow, featuring images of North America, discussion of photographic equipment and techniques, and the role of landscape photography in today's society and in conservation.

Dress for the outdoors and bring a camera - digital or film, whichever you prefer. Participants are also encouraged to bring a tripod.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$55 members / $65 non-members

Sun Mar 29
1:00p - 3:00p

Landscapes of Hostas with Bob Solberg

Bob Solberg is the founder of Green Hill Hostas in Chapel Hill, NC, and has introduced many popular hosta cultivars to the market. He will give an overview of the uses of hostas in the landscape, showing scenes from several famous hosta gardens and photos of great new and exciting hostas.

Location: Haggerty Center.

Sponsor: Friends

$20 members / $25 non-members

Please note that bus trips are open to all. Please see Bus Excursion rules and general information for more details.