Summer is a wonderful time to revel in nature's beauty, especially its glorious flowers. Our love affair with flowers has blossomed with such joy and enthusiasm in the past few years - visitors to the Arboretum marvel at the color and beauty that can be found throughout the gardens.

The time has come to expand our greenhouse operations, and FOTA is pleased to announce that a donation of $125,000 is being offered to the city to build a second greenhouse. Volunteers grew 23,000 plants this past winter, pushing the greenhouse to capacity and overflowing into the smaller frame house.

This donation comes with great excitement, as it is a significant gift from the FOTA organization. Each dollar has been raised with lots of hard work and effort by all the membership. This gift will also mean more opportunities to work in the greenhouses, so be sure to get on the waiting list. We will also need the help of volunteers to get the additional plants in the ground come spring. Perhaps a "Done in a Day" project.

Design work is just beginning and then bids and contracts have to be done. Ideally, the building would get started this fall, but much depends on contractors' schedules. We will be sure to keep you apprised of the progress.

Come, take a walk, explore the Arboretum, see the flowers and watch us grow.