Mad Hatter Tea Party

The Albuquerque Garden Center was recently the site of a Mad Hatter Tea Party hosted by members of several of the Albuquerque Garden Council clubs in conjunction with the Council's "Alices's Adventures in Wonderland" Flower Show.

The event, which was open to the public, featured a Mad Hatter-themed menu that included everything from tea sandwiches to scones and clotted cream and, of course, plenty of tea. The lovely spring-like weather and the garden center's beautiful landscape set the stage for attendees to enjoy a relaxing afternoon.

The efforts of the great team of club volunteers resulted in a great time for everyone! Even the White Rabbit stopped by to enjoy a spot of tea!

Gardening U Class (June 7th)

The Gardening U topic for the month of June was “Taking Better Smartphone Photos”, by Debra Sorrell. This was an amazing presentation for non-professional photographers. We all got our phones out as she talked, and learned about the camera features we never knew existed. There were lots of “wows” as we learned about composition, lighting angles, leading lines, burst mode, black & white, editing, etc. We are now sufficiently knowledgeable to take amazing photos anywhere. There are some upcoming photography contests (New Mexico Magazine and the NM State Fair) and we are energized to enter our photos.

The July Gardening U topic will be learning about bees, with the ABQ Beekeepers Association presenting and bringing a live hive! Please join us for an exciting evening.

Xeric Events (July-September 2023)

Saturday July 8 | 10 AM - 11 AM

The Xeric Garden Club of Albuquerque invites the public to a docent led tour of Xeric’s Certified Wildlife Habitat Demonstration Garden. Docent Peggy Wells will speak on the topic Plant Strategies for Surviving Drought and A Description of Plants in this Habitat. She will also provide information on how to create a wildlife habitat garden in your own backyard. Backyard wildlife habitats help support both the environment and wildlife. When you transform your garden into a native habitat you provide food, shelter and places to raise young including native bees, beneficial insects, lizards, a myriad of birds and mammals.

Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Boulevard NE. Free.

On Saturday, July 15, our membership will visit the Rio Grande Nature Center for a conversation with garden volunteers at the Native Plants Garden in the outdoor classroom. Xeric club members may go on self guided tours of the park afterwards.

Monday, July 17 through Friday July 21 our Xeric group runs the Garden Guardians Summer Day Camp from 8:30am - 2pm This year’s theme is The Magic World of Herbs. Open to children 6–10 years old. This summer day camp is held at the Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Boulevard NE. Contact the Albuquerque Garden Center for further info.

https://www.albuquerquegardencenter.org

Saturday August 5 | 10 - 11 AM

The Xeric Garden Club of Albuquerque invites the public to a docent led tour of Xeric’s Certified Wildlife Habitat Demonstration Garden. Docent Deborah Vogel will speak on the topic Native Plants and Their Fauna and Flora.

She will also provide information on how to create a wildlife habitat garden in your own backyard. Backyard wildlife habitats help support both the environment and wildlife. When you transform your garden into a native habitat you provide food, shelter and places to raise young including native bees, beneficial insects, lizards, a myriad of birds and mammals. Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Boulevard NE. Free.

On Saturday Aug 26, Judith Phillips, landscape designer, garden writer, teacher and activist with 30 years experience designing arid-adapted and native gardens in the high desert of New Mexico will speak to our members about The Xeriscape Park: Changes Over 30 Years. Her presentation will also include other topics she wants to share, while giving our members a tour of the City of Albuquerque’s Xeric Garden Park.

Saturday Sep 9 | Our Xeric group will have it’s Members’ Meeting at 9 AM.

The public is invited at 10 AM to a Presentation by Xeric member Terri Dettwiler speaking about A Pollinator Corridor in Albuquerque. Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Boulevard NE. Free

Saturday September 16 | 10 AM - 11 AM The Xeric Garden Club of Albuquerque invites the public to a docent led tour of Xeric’s Certified Wildlife Habitat Demonstration Garden. Docent Lu Lu Sage will speak about Sustainability Gardening: How Many Species Will This Plant Support.She will also provide information on how to create a wildlife habitat garden in your own backyard. Backyard wildlife habitats help support both the environment and wildlife. When you transform your garden into a native habitat you provide food, shelter and places to raise young including native bees, beneficial insects, lizards, a myriad of birds and mammals.

Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Boulevard NE. Free.