BROOKINGS – Tulips are unfurling their blooms, letting a vast array of colors wash through McCrory Gardens in Brookings.
The blossoms are only a tiny section of the wonders within the garden. Tulipalooza showcases 8,500 tulips choreographed to bloom en masse and 15,000 additional spring bulbs that will unfurl during the month of May.
May kicks off many events in the 25-acres of formal gardens and 45 acres of arboretum, north of the site's visitor center.
Special events coming up include:
• Mad Hatter Garden Tea Party – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 7
High tea is based around the theme of Alice in Wonderland.
Three food and beverage stations will be located around the gardens with family activities in between to occupy the children and entertain the adults.
One station will feature tea made from the medicinal garden and local herbs. Another station will feature light snacks such as finger sandwiches. A third station will feature decadent desserts and sweet teas.
The gardens will be transformed into a wonderland to bring in families and organizations around the community and region to listen to music, explore McCrory Gardens and Brookings.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for McCrory members, and $10 for youth and SDSU students. Kids 5 and younger are free.
• National Public Gardens Day – Friday, May 12
The Garden Discovery Festival will celebrate National Public Gardens Day. The gardens open for self-exploration at 9 a.m., and the festival events run from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Activities include bird banding, a "bio-blitz," take-home crafts, gardening education, and painting the tulips on canvas.
Enjoy free admission to the gardens and festival. There is a separate fee for the painting class.
• Mother's Day Brunch – 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday, May 14
Make plans to enjoy brunch at the Education and Visitor Center among the thousands of tulips. Reservations and prepayment are required.
• Third Thursday at the Gardens – 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18
A presentation by Dr. John Ball, SDSU professor and Extension forestry specialist, will focus on selecting and planting trees.
Planting the right tree in the right spot is critical to having it become a long-term asset to your landscape.
This seminar will cover the best trees to consider for different objectives and conditions in landscapes. Ball will show how to properly select and plant ornamental trees and shrubs from bare-root to container.
Hours for Memorial Day will be noon to 6 p.m. May 29.
Summer hours began May 1. The gardens are open 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon until 6 p.m. Sunday. Learn more at http://www.mccrorygardens.com/.
Lisa Marotz, interim director at McCrory Gardens, said 42,000 visitors enjoyed the gardens last year, which were 6,000 more than the year before. And that count includes the SDSU students admitted free.
The gardeners start 40,000 plants from seed every year, utilizing the greenhouses on the South Dakota State University campus. It's not only a cost savings but a point of pride.
One by one, seedlings grow in seed pots, then are nurtured and added to the garden, according to Marotz. Chris Schlenker is the long-time head gardener, assisted by Christina Lind-Thielke.
Lind-Thielke serves as the McCrory education coordinator as well.
Twelve student gardeners, some in high school and some SDSU students, work with part-time post graduates as they plant, weed, hoe, water, rake and care for the plants and facilities.
Special Events Coordinator Cindy Pfennig works with groups who use the Education and Visitor's Center for business meetings, reunions, education and weddings.
Many volunteers donate their efforts to projects and upkeep.
