April Activities/Workshops 

Butterfly Seasons: Spring          

Saturday, April 9, 1 pm to 2 pm

We're proud to announce this new butterfly series, taught by Dallas County Lepidopterist' co-founder Dale Clark. The first class focuses on butterfly life histories and survival strategies for the often tumultuous springs of North Texas. From the diminutive Falcate Orangetip, which flies for only a few weeks during the year, to the returning Monarchs as they head north to re-colonize North America, we'll talk about many species as spring brings them back to the landscape. $15; $10 for TDG Members.  Register online!

Garden Walk: Get Outside in the Garden

Saturday, April 16, 11 am to noon

It's National 'Get Outside' month, and we'll show you how easy and fun it is to explore wildlife and plants in our urban garden setting! If we're lucky, we'll see hawks, squirrels, roly polies, and more exciting local wildlife. Appropriate for ages 3+. Included with admission ($8/adults, $6/seniors 60+, and $4/children 3-11). Pay at door.

Butterfly Gardening Workshop

We offer 3 dates for this class: April 30, May 5, and May 7; 9 am to noon 

Discover how easy it is to grow your own butterfly garden with the expertise of our entomologist, John Watts, and our director of horticulture, Randy Johnson. Get the dirt on host and nectar plants, as well as native butterflies. The class includes a sit-down portion and a tour through the Gardens. Our Butterfly Gardening Workshop sells out quickly, so sign up early! You receive a flat of starter plants grown organically  in-house worth $54. You'll also receive a butterfly gardening primer. $60; $48 for TDG Members.  Register online!

Historical Review of the Month: Botanical Illustrations Combine Science, Art

Paintings on display at our current exhibition.

A mixture of aesthetics and science, botanical illustrations showcase the form and color of a particular plant, often including the seeds, fruit, and roots.  They got their start before the introduction of plant taxonomy, or the science of classifying plants. Knowledge was passed down through the use of illustrations, which often accompanied text. 

In 1753, with Carl Linnaeus' introduction of the classification system we know today, illustrations became even more important. The influx of books on the subject required accurate botanical prints.

Botanical illustrations continue to thrive today, a blend of science and art. You might think that photography rendered them obsolete. However, illustrators can merge differences in individual plants to create an ideal image. Think about popular bird, butterfly or plant guides. It's easy to match a generalized drawing to the live individual you see in front of you. Illustrations can also include several viewpoints of a plant at once as well as characteristics that will be visible during varying seasons.

Before the weather gets too hot, try your hand at a nature journal, recording what you see and sketching leaves, flowers and seeds. You'll be following a long line of esteemed artists and botanists who set out to record the natural world around them.

See illustrations up close by local artists Cynthia Padilla and Julio Suarez. Our current exhibition, Earth, Petal, Wing: a Collection of Scientific Illustrations and Botanical Paintings, runs through April 24.