Friends of the Garden

Garden Volunteer Fair Social Mixer
2021-04-09 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States

CANCELLED: Kite and Pinata Festival
2021-04-10 11:00 - 16:00 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Springfield Sister Cities is so disappointed to cancel this event due to the poor weather forecast. The Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden will still be open for free admission from 10am-7pm, and the Gray/Campbell Farmstead will still be open for free viewing from 1:30-4:30pm.
Celebrate spring with the Springfield Sister Cities Association. Bring a kite to fly or build one with us on the Great Lawn. Whack a piñata nearby. Enjoy Japanese and Mexican children’s crafts at the Botanical Center, and free admission to the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden as it reopens for the season.
Admission is free. Kite building kits and mini piñata building kits are $5 each.

Butterfly House Docent Training
2021-04-14 17:30 - 19:00 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
You are invited to join our team of dynamic volunteers who are passionate about native Lepidoptera and the habitats that support their life cycles. Dr. Chris Barnhart, Distinguished Professor of Biology at MSU and Roston Native Butterfly House Curator, will lead this basic training on species variety and what it takes to become a docent for the 2020 season.
New Docent Training
Wed., April 14 from 5:30pm-7pm -OR- Sat., April 17 from 10am-11:30am
Both training dates cover the same material. You need only attend one. Children ages 10 or older may volunteer at the Roston Native Butterfly House along with an adult representative. These sessions are free.

Garden Society Plant Sale
2021-04-24 08:00 - 14:00 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Presented by park partner garden societies. Sale includes annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, bulbs, grasses, vines, ground covers, shrubs and trees. Cash or check only. Held rain or shine. Arrive early for best selection.
AGE
All ages
DATE
Sat., April 24
TIME
8 a.m.-2 p.m.
LOCATION
Springfield Botanical Gardens
FEE
Free admission, prices vary per plant

Earth Fair & Movie Night
2021-04-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Peace through People Pavilion, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Free screening of a family movie with an environmental message. Come early for tree activities and take-aways. Movie begins at dusk at the Peace Through People Pavilion.
AGE
All ages
DATE
Sat, April 24
TIME
7 p.m.
LOCATION
Peace Through People Pavilion
FEE
Free

Native Plant Market
2021-05-01 08:00 - 14:00 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Browse a wide variety of native plants from vendors like Ozark Soul Native Plants and Smiling Sun Gardens. Planting native is a beautiful way to help our environment and cut back on garden maintenance.

Gigs in the Garden
2021-05-02 14:00 - 15:00 | Peace through People Pavilion, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
About
Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and social distance to listen to live, local music in an extraordinary setting! Beverages available for purchase from Shakers Mobile Bartending Service.
The concerts are free to attend; a $10 donation is suggested to support garden projects (cash or card accepted). In the case of inclement weather, the concerts will move inside the adjacent Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center.
Location
Peace through People Pavilion
in the Kay Cummins Finnie Memorial Dogwood Garden
at the Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park
2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, MO
Dates and Performers

Sun., May 2 at 2 p.m. - Drury University Chamber Orchestra

Drury University Chamber Orchestra kicks off the series on Sun., May 2 at 2 p.m. with The American Sound, a concert celebrating the music of American composers. The orchestra is made up of string, wind and percussion players drawn from the Drury University community.

Sun., May 9 at 2 p.m. - Lancaster Station

Lancaster Station performs on Sun., May 9 at 2 p.m. The quartet performs a variety of popular songs from the late 60s to now with exceptional vocals and harmonies. Selected by Springfield Sister Cities Association to perform in Springfield’s sister city of Isesaki, Japan, donations collected at this concert will benefit the band’s travel costs.

Sun., May 16 at 2 p.m. - Joe Dillstrom

Singer-songwriter Joe Dillstrom performs on Sun., May 16 at 2 p.m. With an understated guitar style and a velvet baritone voice, Dillstrom’s warm, intimate and engaging stage presence aspires to the timelessness of his influences: James Taylor, Neil Young, Jim Croce, Jackson Browne and more.

Sun., May 23 at 2 p.m. - Molly Healey

Molly Healey rounds out the series on Sun., May 23 at 2 p.m. Healey is a solo looping artist who blends her cello, violin, guitar and voice together to form unique original compositions and thoughtful covers. You may know her as violinist for The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, The Lacewings or The Kay Brothers.

Organizers
Gigs in the Garden is organized by Ric Mayer, maintainer of the Kickapoo Edge Prairie, and Linda Chorice, former  Springfield Conservation Nature Center Manager. The series is managed by Friends of the Garden and Springfield Sister Cities Association in cooperation with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.
Sponsors
Funding for the concert series is made possible through Central Bank and Central Trust’s sponsorship of the Dogwood Garden. Though the concerts are free to attend, donations are accepted to benefit and improve the Springfield Botanical Gardens.
About the PTP Pavilion
The Peace through People Pavilion was constructed in late 2016 to encourage more cultural performances and community events in the Springfield Botanical Gardens. The Pavilion furthers the Friends of the Garden mission to bring people, nature, and gardens together as well as the Springfield Sister Cities Association mission of Peace through People.
More Information
For more information, please call 417-874-2962 or e-mail info@friendsofthegarden.org.

Butterfly House Opening Day
2021-05-07 08:00 - 17:00 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
The Roston Native Butterfly House opens for the season on Friday, May 7 from 10am-6pm!
Typical Hours: May-September
Monday-Friday, 10am-7:30pm and Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm (hours vary based on volunteer availability – please call the Botanical Center at 417-891-1515 to confirm)
Learn more here or on the Butterfly House Facebook page.

Christian County Master Gardener Plant Sale
2021-05-15 08:30 - 12:00 | MO
Perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs, succulents, trees, grasses, shrubs, natives and house plants
LOCATION:
Nixa X Center, 701 Taylor Way, Nixa, MO
Contact Information
Email: christianmg@missouri.edu
Website: extension2.missouri.edu/counties/christian/master-gardeners
Facebook: Christian County Master Gardeners
Hotline: Monday-Thursday 9-12, Mid-March to Mid October, 417-581-4853

Gray/Campbell Farmstead Annual Meeting
2021-06-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Gray Campbell Farmstead, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, MO, 65807, United States

Butterfly Festival
2021-06-19 09:00 - 15:00 | Springfield Botanical Gardens, 2400 S Scenic Ave, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Butterfly Festival marks 12 years of celebrating pollinators
Join us as we celebrate the Roston Native Butterfly House and the native butterflies and moths it supports!
Friends of the Garden’s Butterfly Festival marks 12 years of celebrating pollinators on Saturday, June 19, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo. The free event features Master Gardeners of Greene County’s educational program for children, Young Sprouts in the Garden.
All ages are invited to celebrate pollinators and nature in an extraordinary setting. A variety of activities, performances and vendors offers something for everyone.
Visit the Roston Native Butterfly House and Caterpillar Petting Zoo to get an up-close look at the butterfly and moth life cycles. Volunteers raise and care for thousands of caterpillars, moths and butterflies throughout the year to make this unique exhibit possible.
Enjoy gardening adventures and create butterfly- and nature-related crafts provided by the Master Gardeners of Greene County as part of their Young Sprouts in the Garden educational program.
Schedule
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Vendors

Friends of the Garden
Master Gardeners of Greene County
Ozark Garden Railway Society
Ozark Soul Native Plants
Smiling Sun Gardens
Sno-Nut, LLC
Springfield Area Herb Society
Springfield-Greene County Park Board Concessions

All ages are needed to help count butterflies at the Kickapoo Edge Prairie with Dorothy Thurman and Jeff Grayless, both citizen scientists and volunteers at the Roston Native Butterfly House Docent. The numbers are recorded to monitor butterfly populations each year. Meet at the welcome tent at Noon to participate.
Purchase your wildlife-friendly plants, get lost in a story as read by the Springfield-Greene County Library District and watch in awe as The Instars perform their Butterfly Magic Show. Enjoy free admission to the widely-acclaimed Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden and free tours of the historic Gray/Campbell Farmstead and Liberty School.
Learn about necessary host and nectar plants that support butterfly life cycles by participating in garden walks through the Butterfly and Herb Gardens. Experts from the Botanical Gardens and the Springfield Area Herb Society will be on hand to answer your questions.
Cool off inside the Botanical Center building and enjoy nearly 100 photos from the Eagle Eye Camera Club. All photos on display were taken at the Springfield Botanical Gardens. This club introduces 4th, 5th and 6th grade students, from the John Thomas School of Discovery in Nixa, to photography through fun and experiential learning.
Many volunteers are needed to ensure this popular community event runs smoothly. If you are interested in helping, please visit Our sign-up page to volunteer.
Friends of the Garden is proud to partner with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board and Master Gardeners of Greene County to make this event possible.
The Butterfly Festival is also made possible by generous community sponsors: The Jeannette L. Musgrave Foundation and the City of Springfield Environmental Services.
For more information, please call 417-864-1341 or e-mail info@friendsofthegarden.org.
Facebook Event Page
Event Flyer
Friends of the Garden’s mission is to inspire the discovery, understanding, and appreciation of nature by creating and maintaining gardens at the Springfield Botanical Gardens and by supporting the mission of the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center and Park Board.

Gray/Campbell Farmstead Open House
2021-09-05 13:30 - 16:30 | Gray Campbell Farmstead, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Visit with volunteer docents to look inside historic buildings and learn more about life in the Ozarks in the 1860s. Open weather permitting.

Japanese Fall Festival
2021-09-10 17:00 - 22:00 | Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Springfield Sister Cities Association, in partnership with the Springfield- Greene County Park Board, proudly presents the 25th Japanese Fall Festival on Friday-Sunday, September 10-12, 2021, in the beautiful Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden located within the extraordinary Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo.
Uzumaru, a yosakoi dance ensemble from San Jose’s Japantown, headlines the festival. Yosakoi is an energetic style of dance that blends traditional and modern Japanese movements and music.
Yasu Ishida, storyteller and magician originally from Ube, Japan, returns to the festival for an encore performance. Ishida combines traditional Japanese theatre, music, origami, magic and storytelling to bring the enchanting land of Japan to his audiences.
Favorite performers returning to the festival include St. Louis Osuwa Taiko, ensemble drummers; Kizuna, Springfield’s Japan America Friendship Club; and Tracy’s Kenpo Karate Studios of Southwest Missouri, martial arts demonstrators.
In addition to numerous vendor and artisan booths featuring wares authentic to Japanese culture, guests will enjoy the Nihon bunka taiken tent (Japanese culture experience tent), the omiyage and dagashi tent (souvenirs and snacks tent), and concessions.
The festival offers many cultural opportunities geared toward children including an activity area featuring traditional Japanese games and crafts led by Japanese language students from Kickapoo High School and Japanese art activities led by the Springfield Regional Arts Council.
Bring your glow sticks and enjoy a hologram projected concert, Miku Matsuri, organized by Springfield Cosplay on Saturday, September 11 at 9 p.m. Cosplay Day is Sunday, September 12; come to the festival in your cosplay (costume role play) to receive $3 admission. In celebration of its 6th anniversary, Springfield Cosplay presents a cosplay showcase featuring Shiny Dreamers at 5 p.m.
Beginning at dusk on Friday and Saturday, September 10 and 11, hundreds of torches light the garden pathways and soft Japanese music fills the air to create a romantic strolling atmosphere. Purchase a wishing lantern and set your dreams afloat on one of the koi ponds.
Festival hours are 5 p.m.-10 p.m. on Friday, September 10; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Saturday, September 11; and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday, September 12.
Admission for adults is $10 on Saturday, September 11 and $7 on Friday and Sunday, September 10 and 12. Children 12 and younger are $3 on any day. People dressed in cosplay (costume role play) receive a $3 admission price on Sunday, September 12.
Face coverings are strongly encouraged at interaction points.
Members of Springfield Sister Cities Association receive free entry all weekend. An annual membership ranges in price from $5 for a student to $50 for a family; join and view additional membership benefits at peacethroughpeople.org/membership.
Hundreds of volunteers are needed to work the Japanese Fall Festival; volunteers receive free entry to the festival on the day of their shift. For more information and to sign up, please click here.
New vendor applications are welcome; proposed booths must be authentic to Japanese culture for consideration. For more information and to apply, please click here.
Support for the Japanese Fall Festival is provided by Queen City Real Estate Company, Tony and Linda Shalloup, Tom Finnie and Chase. Sponsorship opportunities are available; learn more at peacethroughpeople.org/sponsorship.
The Japanese Fall Festival is a celebration of authentic Japanese culture highlighting Springfield’s 35-year-old sister city relationship with Isesaki, Japan. In typical years, Springfield and Isesaki exchange performers to entertain and share culture at each other’s festivals. These exchanges were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.
Springfield Sister Cities Association donates half of the Japanese Fall Festival’s admission proceeds to the maintenance and development of the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, sponsored by Simmons Bank. The remaining proceeds benefit cultural programs which further Springfield Sister Cities Association’s mission of “Peace through People.”
For more information regarding the Japanese Fall Festival or Springfield Sister Cities Association, please visit peacethroughpeople.org/jff or call 417-874-2962.

Astronomy Class
2021-09-11 20:00 - 22:00 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Join members of the Springfield Astronomical Society as they walk us through the basics of star gazing and moon phases. Telescopes provided. Held on the Botanical Center roof. For ages 12 and up.
Questions? Call 891-1515, ext. 4

Fall Bulb Planting
2021-09-15 18:30 - 19:30 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Success for Spring!
Learn about all the different varieties of spring-blooming bulbs and how to have a successful spring showing.

Garden Story Time
2021-09-16 10:00 - 11:30 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Johnny Appleseed
This month we’ll read a story about Johnny Appleseed and make an apple-themed craft!

Backpack Buddy Adventures
2021-09-18 11:00 - 12:00 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Grab a fully stocked Explorer Backpack and join us on third Saturdays to look more closely at the wild things in the garden.
Botanical Center 891-1515
Age: 4-12 yrs.
Time: 11a.m.-12p.m.
Fee: Free program,$15/backpack FOG members,$18/backpack non-members

30th Annual 1860’s Lifestyle Expo
2021-09-18 11:00 - 16:30 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Rediscover pioneer life at the Gray/Campbell Farmstead, with apple-butter making, horseshoes, hearth cooking, fiber arts, crafts,wood carving and more. Tour the barn, kitchen, Liberty Schoolhouse, and the oldest house in Springfield. Concessions available.
Gray/Campbell Farmstead 891-1515
Age: All ages
Time: Sat., 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sun., 12-4:30 p.m.
Fee: Free

Garden Walk & Talk
2021-09-18 13:00 - 14:30 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Audubon Garden
Join us as we venture to the Audubon Garden. We will learn about the plants that provide food and habitat for birds. We’ll also view the birds that utilize this favorite spot. Tram available for transport.

Native Plant Sale
2021-09-25 10:00 - 14:00 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Fall is the perfect time to plant! Join our vendors on the Botanical Center roof and shop a variety of trees, shrubs, and perennials.
Hang around for monarch butterfly tagging afterwards!

Monarch Tag and Release
2021-09-25 14:00 - 15:00 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Be a part of one of the most remarkable natural events on the planet! Join Friends of the Garden and Monarch Watch to tag and release migratory monarch butterflies.
Botanical Center 891-1515
Age: All ages, 7 yrs. and up to tag
Time: 2 p.m.
Fee: Free

Orchid Show and Sale
2021-10-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
The Springfield Orchid Society brings a juried show of rare, beautiful and exotic orchids to the Botanical Center. Plants available for purchase. Most years, this event is the 3rd weekend in March.

Butterfly House Closes for Season
2021-10-03 10:00 - 18:00 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
The Roston Native Butterfly House closes for the season on Sunday, October 3.
Stop by before then to enjoy Missouri’s first native butterfly house.
Hours are Monday-Friday, 10am-7:30pm and Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm (hours vary based on volunteer availability – please call the Botanical Center at 417-891-1515 to confirm).

Gigs in the Garden
2021-10-03 14:00 - 15:00 | Peace through People Pavilion, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
About
Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and social distance to listen to live, local music in an extraordinary setting! Beverages available for purchase from Shakers Mobile Bartending Service.
The concerts are free to attend; a $10 donation is suggested to support garden projects (cash or card accepted). In the case of inclement weather, the concerts will move inside the adjacent Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center.
Location
Peace through People Pavilion
in the Kay Cummins Finnie Memorial Dogwood Garden
at the Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park
2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, MO
Performers

Sun., Oct. 3 at 2 p.m. - Brandon Moore

Singer/songwriter Brandon Moore kicks the series off on Sunday, October 3 at 2 p.m. with his high-spirited, barefoot-in-the-grass-under-funky-stars, feel-good songs with danceable grooves.

Sun., Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. - Magnolia Wind

The ladies of Magnolia Wind perform on Sunday, October 10 at 2 p.m. The trio combines folk, bluegrass, gospel and old-time music to create a unique Ozarkian sound.

Sun., Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. - 83 Skidoo

83 Skidoo performs on Sunday, October 17 at 2 p.m. With vocals, guitar and a bass, they work 80s and 90s pop hits into different genres to give new life to old favorites.

Sun., Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. - Auntie Em and the Tornadoes

On Sunday, October 24 at 2 p.m., Auntie Em and the Tornadoes perform their original songs with special guest David Wilson. The dobro, mandolin, fiddle, guitar, and bass complement their tight harmonies.

Sun., Oct. 31 at 2 p.m. - Hamburger Cows

Hamburger Cows rounds out the season on Sunday, October 31 at 2 p.m. with a healthy mix of original and cover material ranging from blues to country to bluegrass to rock’n’roll.

Organizers
Gigs in the Garden is organized by Ric Mayer, maintainer of the Kickapoo Edge Prairie, and Linda Chorice, former  Springfield Conservation Nature Center Manager. The series is managed by Friends of the Garden and Springfield Sister Cities Association in cooperation with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.
Sponsors
Funding for the concert series is made possible through Central Bank and Central Trust’s sponsorship of the Dogwood Garden. Though the concerts are free to attend, donations are accepted to benefit and improve the Springfield Botanical Gardens.
About the PTP Pavilion
The Peace through People Pavilion was constructed in late 2016 to encourage more cultural performances and community events in the Springfield Botanical Gardens. The Pavilion furthers the Friends of the Garden mission to bring people, nature, and gardens together as well as the Springfield Sister Cities Association mission of Peace through People.
More Information
For more information, please call 417-874-2952 or e-mail info@friendsofthegarden.org.

Proper Pruning Techniques
2021-10-13 18:30 - 19:30 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Learn how best to prune trees, taught by a certified arborist. Each attendee will be able to practice on provided material.

Homeschool Horticulture
2021-10-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Fabulous Fungi!
The month of October we’re studying fungi. There’s more to them than just toadstools. We’ll dissect edible mushrooms and learn why they are so important for our world. $5 per student, for students age 5-12, registration required. Call 891-1515 to register.

Homeschool Horticulture Series
2021-10-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
School-age kids are invited to a variety of classes about nature. Second Thursday of the month. Registration required.
Botanical Center 891-1515
Age: 5-12yrs.
Time: 10-11a.m.
Fee: $5/student

Garden Story Time
2021-10-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Pre-schoolers and family are invited to listen to a garden-themed story followed by a fun craft or activity. Held third Thursdays and the following Saturday.
Botanical Center 891-1515
Age: All ages
Time: Thurs. or Sat.,10-10:30a.m.
Fee: Free

Garden Walk and Talk
2021-10-23 13:00 - 14:00 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Master Gardener Demonstration Garden

Houseplant How-To
2021-11-17 06:30 - 07:30 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Houseplants are more popular than ever. Learn how to care for their individual needs so they can thrive.
Botanical Center 891-1515
Age: 18 yrs. and up
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Fee: Free
