Courtesy Garvan Woodland Gardens
Garvan Woodland Gardens
Architecture and design share top billing at a garden meeting spot near Hot Springs, Ark.
Garvan Woodland Gardens is a dream realized by Arkansas businesswoman Verna Cook Garvan, whose 210-acre peninsula on Lake Hamilton has become a world-class botanical garden, under management of the University of Arkansas school of landscape design.
Internationally recognized architect E. Fay Jones designed its rock-and-cedar pavilion for events of up to 125. The Garden of the Pine Winds, which pairs Arkansas’ geographic features with Asian architecture, was created by Japanese-trained landscape garden artist David Slawson.
“We’re Japanese traditional with an Arkansas twist,” said Bledsoe.
An amphitheater in the quiet woodlands seats 500, while trade show or reception tents can be set up on the wide Great Lawn with an English garden flowering border. Smaller groups can meet among the bonsai in a pagoda-like learning center. A 57-foot-high wood, glass and stone chapel seats 175, lake and woods views framed by floor-to-ceiling windows.
During breaks, attendees can learn about the gardens’ history, plants and architecture on docent-led tours, or stroll on their own across a 120-foot-long canopy bridge above a ravine filled with fern, oakleaf hydrangea and dogwood.
The gardens’ master plan calls for a larger welcome center with meeting rooms for 200 to 300, which will more than double current capacities.
“Gardenwise, we’re still a babe-in-arms, as we’ve only been open for 10 years,” Bledsoe said. “Our goal is to continue Mrs. Garvan’s charge, to keep everything as natural as possible and not flood the garden with buildings.”
800-366-4664
www.garvangardens.com
Huntsville
Botanical Garden
The Huntsville Botanical Garden in Huntsville, Ala., is the ultimate community garden.
Begun 23 years ago by 14 volunteers, the Rocket City showplace has grown from 35 acres to 120. Garden volunteers now number 2,600.
Its vegetable garden feeds low-income seniors; its Garden of Hope is part of a horticulture therapy program for autistic children and those who are grieving.
“We’re known as Huntsville’s back yard,” said Nikki Hogan, director of communications. “Every area has certain people who work only there, and those people have wonderful stories to tell.”
Among the gardens are an assortment of meeting spaces. The largest is the Arbor, a domed building whose courtyard has garden views. A year after a $45,000 upgrade, another indoor venue, Murray Hall, can seat 45 classroom-style. Its deck overlooks a lake and a three-story covered terrace, which is surrounded by a grassy meadow that can be tented.
“Huntsville has lots of Fortune 500 companies that often use our 500-seat amphitheater for large picnics and annual meetings,” Hogan said. “Within five years, we’ll add another rental facility.”
A list of 30 approved caterers gives planners choices such as P.F. Chang’s upscale cuisine, on-site restaurant Clementine’s Southern fare, or finger sandwiches and tea made by local ladies.
256-430-3572
www.hsvbg.org
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is an open-air and under-glass museum of thousands of exotic plants that were gathered on expeditions to tropical rain forests.
On 14 acres in a Sarasota, Fla., residential neighborhood, the gardens are best known for a living collection of more than 6,000 orchids. They also feature the world’s largest collection of epiphytes, plants that grow on other plants.
Opened in 1975, the gardens are the legacy of wealthy resident and enthusiastic gardener Marie Selby, who started many of the display plants herself.
A 1934 National Register, Colonial-style mansion has space for small meetings in upstairs rooms and downstairs galleries.
“The Great Room by the bay is our showpiece,” said Dan Johnson, private events associate. “Its 60-by-60-foot floor-to-ceiling windows overlook Sarasota Bay with a great sunset view.”
During breaks, attendees can explore bamboo and banyan groves, and gardens that spotlight tropical fruit, succulents and hibiscus. In the humid Tropical Conservatory, trees are filled with orchids, bromeliads and other epiphytic plants.
“Not only do we have a diversity of plants, but we have strong education and research programs,” said Diane Creasy, marketing director. “A group can arrange ahead of time and take a behind-the-scenes tour of our research facility.”
The Children’s Rainforest Garden is scheduled to open this summer.
941-366-5731
www.selby.org
