(West Palm Beach, FL – February 18, 2025) Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden will offer dozens of healthy and horticultural classes and events throughout March, including major special events and workshops with expert instructors, popular recurring programs, and the delightfully “frog-tastic” RIBBIT THE EXHIBIT II, featuring 18 whimsical, larger-than-life frog sculptures at work and play.

 

“We are inviting friends and families to both embrace and celebrate the arrival of Spring with an eco-friendly flourish at Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest public garden—Mounts Botanical Garden, a beautiful, tranquil, 20-acre oasis located just minutes from the hustle-and-bustle of downtown West Palm,” says Mounts Executive Director James E. May, touting the Garden’s numerous and informative horticultural presentations and workshops in March 2025.

 

Located at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach, Mounts Botanical Garden is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm (with last entry at 3 pm). Admission is $20 for adults; $18 for seniors, college students and military with IDs; $13 for ages 6 to 17; and free for children under age 6, Mounts members, and RAP (reciprocal program) members.

 

To register in advance for any of the following events and activities at Mounts, please visit: https://www.mounts.org/events/month/2025-03/.

Special Events

March 1

Plants on the Edge

with UF/IFAS Agent & Horticulturist Kara Krueger

Saturday, 10 am to 11:30 am 

Discover the fascinating world of plants thriving at the delicate boundary between land and water in this immersive tour and presentation – a fascinating dive into the unique ecosystem where aquatic and terrestrial environments meet. Discover the remarkable diversity of plant species that have adapted to thrive in waterlogged environments. Whether you're a gardening enthusiast or an ecology lover, you'll gain insight into how these hardy plants can be incorporated into home gardens, rain gardens, or natural water features. Tour of Mount’s wetland areas included.

 

March 2

Is Beekeeping Right for You?

with Joanna Diamond

Sunday, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Have you ever been fascinated by bees and wondered if beekeeping could be your next adventure?  Learn what’s involved in keeping bees, discover the steps to get started, and uncover the realities behind the buzz and get an insider’s peek at the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges of maintaining healthy hives.

 

March 8

Your Plants Aren’t That Thirsty

With UF Professor Dr. Kimberly Moore

Saturday, 10 am to 11:30 am 

Explore the overused practice of “set it and forget it” when dealing with sprinkler systems. In fact, most established landscapes and grasses do not need the excess irrigation we provide them to remain healthy, which comes at the cost of our rapidly depleting freshwater sources. Learn how a seemingly tiny change can add up to tremendous savings for the good of both people and plants

 

March 11

Aroids of the Tropical Forest Tour Aroid Tour

with Mounts Horticulturist Palmer Crippen

Tuesday, 10:00 am to 11:30 am

Join Mounts Horticulturist Palmer Crippen on a tour of our Tropical Forest Gardens and observe the diverse species of plants that thrive in this humid environment, explaining their unique adaptations and the vital roles they play in their ecosystems. This tour is not only a feast for the senses but an opportunity to learn about the incredible biodiversity of tropical climates, leaving one with a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the natural world.

 

March 14

Propagation Techniques

with Mounts Horticulturist Palmer Crippen

Friday, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
This hands-on workshop on the process of creating new plants from a variety of sources includes a detailed and comprehensive look at a range of propagation techniques including dividing clumping plants; collecting, preparing, and sowing seeds; and how to make and root soft and hardwood tissues with or without a misting system. This is an active participation workshop for both novices and cloning enthusiasts. Bring garden clippers or paper scissors. If desired, bring cuttings of particular plants that you would like to root.

 

March 15

Palm Beach Plen Air Painters: Paint-Out in the Garden

Plen Air Palm Beach Painters will be in the Garden all day painting Garden scenes, creating a lovely atmosphere for our guests to view art and artists at work. The Plen Air Painters are happy to answer questions about Plen Air Painting or their techniques, and they may have an original painting or two to sell to anyone in the market for some beautiful art.

 

March 16

Get GardenFit

With Madeline deVries Hooper, Host of Hit National PBS TV Series

Sunday, 9:30 am to 10:30 am

Take care of your body while taking care of your garden. For the second three special sessions, Madeline deVries Hooper will demonstrate simple, body awareness adjustments that will prevent aches and pains from bending, lifting, and even getting up and down from the ground as you weed, dig, plant, and prune. The final session at Mounts will be on April 5.

 

Recurring Events & Programs

For more information about any of these popular offering please visit the Mounts website at www.mounts.org/events/month/2025-03/ .

·        Orchid Series with Tropical Orchid Society – March 1

·        Beginner & Intermediate Tai Chi – March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

·        Casa Rituals – March 2, 9, 30

·        Beginner & Intermediate Watercolor Painting – March 4, 11, 18, 25

·        Palm Beach County Residents Day – March 5

·        Dogs’ Day in the Garden – March 9

·        Orchid Series with Orchid Society of the Palm Beaches – March 15

·        Forest Bathing – March 29, 30

 

RIBBIT THE EXHIBIT II

Back by popular demand is this collection of 18 larger-than-life, whimsical frog sculptures on exhibit throughout the Garden, offering a playful and imaginative exploration of amphibians. These fun and quirky sculptures also create opportunities for engaging programming about real frogs and their essential role in our environment. Each piece is handcrafted and colored with natural patina by artist Andy Cobb, and almost all the super-sized sculptures are new to Mounts.

 

Mounts Botanical Garden & Bloomberg Connects

Explore Anytime, Anywhere with New Mobile Garden Guide

Visitors can now explore Mounts Botanical Garden anytime from anywhere across the globe with the new Mobile Garden Guide. Launched in partnership with Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and cultural app created by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the guide is designed to elevate and enrich the visitor experience by making it easy to discover more of what people love before, during, and after their visit to the Garden. Multi-media content includes maps and information on Mounts Botanical’s 25 display gardens, art in the garden, and current and upcoming exhibitions, as well as an ever-growing spectrum of new photo, audio, and video content available exclusively via the app. To learn more and download the app, visit www.mounts.org/mobile-garden-guide/ [mounts.org]. 

 

About Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County:

With a mission to inspire and educate through nature, Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden. Visitors to this 20-acre tropical oasis will see an acclaimed collection of 25 unique garden areas containing more than 7,000 species of tropical and sub-tropical plants, including Florida natives, exotic and tropical fruit trees, herbs, palms, roses, cactus, bromeliads and much more. Mounts Botanical Garden is part of the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Department, in partnership with the University of Florida and the non-profit Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden. This project is sponsored in part by The Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council, and the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County. Mounts Botanical is located at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach. For more information, please visit www.mounts.org.

 

Attached Images:

1.   Dr. Kimberly Moore – March 8

(Photo Credit: Dr. Kimberly Moore)

2.   Mounts Horticulturist Palmer Crippen – March 11 & 14

(Photo Credit: Mounts Botanical Garden)

3.   GardenFit with Madeline deVries Hooper – March 16

(Photo Credit: Madeline deVries Hooper)

 

Available for Interview:

Misty Stoller, Director of Marketing & Communications

Mounts Botanical Garden

954.292.8169 / [email protected]

 

Also Available for Interview:

(Please contact Misty Stoller to coordinate)

• Madeline deVries Hopper
• Palmer Crippen, Mounts Horticulturist
• James May, Mounts Botanical Garden Executive Director

 

Media Contact:

Gary Schweikhart, PR-BS

561.756.4298 / [email protected]