Mounts Garden December Events

Holiday Tree (Mounts Garden)

(PRESS RELEASE)_(West Palm Beach, FL – November 17, 2022) Celebrating the holiday season with a horticultural flourish, Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden will be hosting two major exhibitions and 23 extraordinary workshops, classes and special events in December.
 
“This is the perfect time for people of all ages to come out and enjoy some of the many safe, seasonal, and sensational activities at our 20-acre paradise just minutes from downtown West Palm Beach,” invites Mounts Curator-Director Rochelle Wolberg.
 
November 19-December 31
Tropical Holiday Trees at Mounts
Tuesday through Sunday, 9 am to 4 pm. (last entry at 3 pm)
Tickets available for purchase at the gate or online at mounts.org; includes full Garden admission.
Mounts Botanical Garden is ringing in the holidays with three, framed, 8-15 foot trees designed by the Mounts Horticulture Team and installed with hundreds of colorful bromeliads, orchids and other tropical botanicals.
 
December 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Beginner Watercolor with Carl Stoveland   
Thursdays, 10 am to 12:30 pm
$15 for members; $20 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission). Classes are nonrefundable.
Registration is required; class size is limited to 15 adults. 
If you have always wanted to try watercolor but been overwhelmed by it this is the class for you. Start with the basics, focusing on a new technique and a simple painting each week. Join artist Carl Stoveland and share your love of art and nature with fellow art enthusiasts. Begin each class with a Nature Walk through the Garden led by the artist. The purpose of the walk is to inspire and give participants an opportunity to capture photos with their phone or tablet along the way. The group will then move indoors, where the instructor will start with a quick demo topic then assist people in choosing a subject and getting started on his/her watercolors. This class is for adults only. Bring pencils, pens, paints sketchpad or watercolor pad, (or journal) and your favorite photographic device (i.e., cell phone camera or tablet). 
To register, please visit https://www.mounts.org/events/2022-12/mounts.org

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​December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Tai Chi at Mounts
Fridays, 10 am to 11 am
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission) Classes are nonrefundable.
Registration is required; class size is limited to 25 adults.
Tai Chi features flowing and gentle, but profoundly powerful movements.  The main objective of the practice of Tai Chi is to magnify, strengthen and encourage the flow of the internal energy, the “chi”. When the “chi” flows throughout the body, one experiences over-all health, rejuvenation, and internal joy. Led by Josefina McMahon, this Tai Chi class is based on Sun Style Tai Chi which combines Qi Gong and Tai Chi.
Note: Wear sneakers or closed comfortable shoes and loose top and pants. Please bring a towel and water.
To register, please visit https://www.mounts.org/events/2022-12/mounts.org
 
December 3-31
Patrick Dougherty’s Stickwork
Tuesdays through Sundays, 9 am to 4 pm (last entry at 3 pm)
FREE for MBG members and children under 6; $15 for nonmember adults; $12 for seniors 65+, college students, and military with ID; $7 for children 6-17. Ticket includes full Garden admission.
Internationally acclaimed environmental artist Patrick Dougherty returns to MBG to construct the final large-scale Stickwork installation of his illustrious art career using 30,000 pounds of live willow branches.

• December 1-3 – Conclusion of Community Build

Dozens of community volunteers have been busy since November 15 working directly with the artist to hand-assemble and shape the willow saplings into a monumental piece of living art. To participate in this Community Build, email mountsvolunteer@pbcgov.org; limited space is available and advance registration is required.

• December 2 – Meet the Artist Behind Stickwork

From 11 to 11:45 am, experience the newest Stickwork sculpture through the eyes of artist Patrick Dougherty, who will lead a fascinating discussion of his design and building process, answer any questions, and share what inspires his creativity. Advance registration is required by visiting https://www.mounts.org/events/2022-12/mounts.org. 
(FREE for Mounts members; $20 for nonmembers. Ticket includes full Garden admission.)

• December 3 – Grand Opening of Stickwork

+ Members Only Talk & Tour with Patrick Dougherty, 11 am to noon
Limited to 100 adults, this special talk and tour of Stickwork is for Mounts members only. Dougherty will share behind-the-scenes insights about how he creates these massive works of living art. Advance registration is required by visiting https://www.mounts.org/events/2022-12/mounts.org. 
+ Grand Opening of Stickwork to the Public, 10 am to 3 pm
The afternoon will offer a wide range of fun and family-friendly activities, including events for kids, vegan cookies, arts and crafts, food truck and beverages, live entertainment by local sensations the Lubben Brothers starting at 12:30 pm, and more. Feel free to bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the music.
(FREE for Mounts members and children under 6; $15 for nonmember adults; $12 for seniors 65+, college students, and military with ID; $7 for children 6-17. Ticket includes full Garden admission.)
 
December 6, 13, 20, 27
Watercolor at the Garden with Carl Stoveland  
Tuesdays, 10 am to 12:30 pm
$15 for members; $20 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission). Classes are nonrefundable.
Registration is required; class size is limited to 25 adults.
Join artist Carl Stoveland and share the love of art and nature with fellow art enthusiasts. This class is for adults only. Bring your pencils, pens, paints sketchpad or watercolor pad, (or journal) and your favorite photographic device (i.e., cell phone camera or tablet). Some experience preferred. True beginners should consider the Thursday beginners class. Begin each class with a Nature Walk through the Garden led by your instructor, artist Carl Stoveland. The purpose of the walk is to inspire you and give you an opportunity to capture photos with your phone or tablet along the way. The group will then move indoors, where Carl will start with a quick demo topic then assist you choosing a subject and getting started on your watercolor.
To register, please visit https://www.mounts.org/events/2022-12/mounts.org
 
December 7, 14, 21, 28
Qi Gong Classes
Wednesdays, 10 am to 11 am
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission). Classes are nonrefundable.
Registration is required; size of “inside” classes is limited to 20 adults.
Relieve stress and increase metabolism, flexibility, and strength. Qi Gong (pronounced chee-gong) is an ancient Chinese exercise and healing technique. The exercises include simple, slow movements (which mimic nature), meditation, and focused breathing—like Tai Chi. Classes will be led by Roxanne Cumberland. 
To register, please visit https://www.mounts.org/events/2022-12/mounts.org
 
December 16
Tropical Spinach and Alternative Greens
Friday, 10 am to 11:30 am
$20 members; $25 nonmembers (includes full Garden admission) Classes are nonrefundable.
Registration is required; class size is limited to 35 adults; all classes are nonrefundable.
What is tropical spinach? Tropical spinaches include Malabar spinach, Okinawa spinach, Longevity spinach, and more. These easy-to-grow greens are not only tasty, but they are also beautiful ornamentals. Just two plants can produce enough leaves for a small family and can be harvested almost all year round. Learn from Mel Corichi how to plant, grow, and propagate all kinds of tropical spinach plants and other greens. Leafy greens such as Katuk, moringa, sweet potato vine, and more will be available for tasting. Pots, soil, cuttings, starts, and seeds will be given to all participants. Plants will be available for purchase after class.
To register, please visit https://www.mounts.org/events/2022-12/mounts.org
 
December 10
Palm Beach County Residents Day
Saturday, 9 am to 4 pm (last entry at 3 pm)
Palm Beach County residents receive FREE admission on the second Saturday of each month through December 2022.Visitors must show proof of residency for admission-free entry.
Note: Admission for non-residents is $15 for nonmember adults; $12 for seniors 65+, college students, and military with ID; $7 for ages 6-17. Purchase at the gate.
 
December 11
Dogs’ Day in the Garden
Sunday, 9 am to 4 pm (last entry at 4 pm)
FREE for MBG members and children under 6; $15 for nonmember adults; $15 for seniors 65+, college students, and military with ID; $7 for children 6-17. Ticket includes full Garden admission.
This dog-and-family-friendly monthly event is held throughout the Garden. Bring your favorite pooch and enjoy a relaxed garden stroll. There are many great spots to capture family photos for posting online with #mountsbotanicalgarden.
Guidelines:
+ Non-retractable leashes only; retractable leashes are not permitted.
+ No more than one dog per adult will be admitted.
+ Rabies vaccination must be current.
+ Visitors should bring their own and water treats for the puppies.
+  For all Dogs' Day rules, please visit www.mounts.org/dogs-day.
 
December 28-30
Garden Explorers Camp
Wednesday through Friday, 9 am to 3 pm
$150 for MBG members; $175 for nonmembers; $30 for optional extended care (covers 8 to 9 am and 3 to 4 pm)
Note: Campers must register for all three days; there will be no one-day registrations.
Explore the amazing and science-based wonders of Mounts Botanical Garden. Children ages 7 to 11 can be super Garden Explorers and participate in both outdoor and indoor activities. Campers will have access to cool, safe, inside space when needed due to excessive heat or in the event or rain.
For more information and/or to register, please visit: https://www.mounts.org/events/2022-12/mounts.org
 
December 30
Restoring Florida’s Native Orchids with Mike Sands
Friday, 10 am to 11:30 am
$20 members; $25 nonmembers (includes full Garden admission).
Registration is required; class size is limited 50 adults; all classes are nonrefundable.
Join Mike Sands, President of the Tropical Orchid Society, as he speaks about his current work on wetland renovation, and the repopulation of native orchids and other epiphytes in Palm Beach County. He is involved in a joint project with the Village of Wellington to re-establish the dwindling native orchid populations. In the past, native orchids were ripped from trees by the thousands and sold as potted orchids in northern flower shops, this along with habitat loss, brought the native orchid population to dangerously low numbers. Sands and his partners are passionately invested in bringing them back to healthy numbers and restoring the orchid paradise that once graced Florida’s wild spaces – who knows, maybe you can help by growing native orchids in your own yard. He will have native orchids (Encyclia tempenis) for sale after class, these orchids are part of the million orchid project.
To register, please visit https://www.mounts.org/events/2022-12/mounts.org