Russell hybrid lupines in the Perennial Garden | Photo by Jason Boudreau-Landis
June is a beautiful time to visit the Arboretum. Everything is bursting with new life — from the banks of the pondside Iris Garden to the showy lady’s slipper orchids (banner photo by Mark Paulson) on the Bog Walk and in the Dayton Wildflower Garden. (Hurry, the lady slippers won't last long!) In the Wilson Rose Garden, hybrid tea and shrub roses are showing their colorful and fragrant blooms, and you can discover many other Arboretum blooms on our Garden Highlights page, and on Facebook and Instagram.
Looking for events, activities and exhibits at the Arboretum? Read on to discover just how much the 1,200 acres at the Arboretum have to offer!
1. Bike the Arb on June 10
Leave your car behind for the day on Saturday, June 10 for a reimagined Bike the Arb, kicking off with a family-friendly bike ride, looping cyclists around Three-Mile Drive, which will be closed to vehicles from 8-10 a.m. During this two-hour, vehicle-free timeframe, cyclists of all ages and abilities are invited to enjoy the rolling terrain, flora and fauna and the Arboretum’s unique plant collections and specialty gardens.
For those wanting to bike TO the Arboretum, utilizing the Highway 5 Regional Trail, group rides will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Chaska, Chanhassen, Excelsior and Victoria. Activities on the grounds will include an Amazing Race event; an Arboretum Art Ride; bike repair stations; and a Wilder Buffalo concert with Ben Weaver, Strong Buffalo, Jothsna Harris of Change Narrative and QUDDUS MASKAX (fka The Witches). Advanced registration to the event is required for all, but is free for cyclists and members.
2. Spend a day with artist Kristen Lowe
Celebrate the new, large-format art exhibition in the Arboretum’s Reedy Gallery, “Ballad of the Blue Heron: The Carved Drawings of Kristen Lowe” with an intimate ArtWalk with artist Kristen Lowe, starting at 11 a.m. June 17 in MacMillan Auditorium in the Oswald Visitor Center. Then attend an ArtTalk with Lowe from 1-2 p.m. June 17 in the MacMillan Auditorium to find out how Lowe pioneered her own technique of creating “carved paintings.”
Both events are free for members or with Arboretum daily admission, but pre-registration is required for the ArtWalk because space on the walk is limited. All visitors are invited to stop by the ArtTalk.
Photo by Jason Boudreau-Landis
3. Say goodbye to the YouBetcha Stick Sculpture
The super-fun four-year run of the YouBetcha Stick Sculpture is coming to an end. Installed in May 2019 by acclaimed artist Patrick Dougherty, the willow-branch structure became a fast favorite for families and photographers, who explored and captured its beauty in all seasons. See the sculpture now through June 18 (Father’s Day) to snap some final photos.
4. Attend a lecture by Abra Lee on June 24
Join author Abra Lee for a public lecture — “The Great American Garden Road Trip” — from 10-11:15 a.m. Saturday, June 24 — illuminating the historic and influential figures in Black garden history. From an extraordinary tale of espionage in the name of flowers, to familial ties to the Harlem Renaissance, Black America has long sown seeds of greatness in the garden.
Lee’s forthcoming book, “Conquer The Soil” shares stories of Black America and the untold stories of the nation’s ornamental gardeners, farmers and growers. Lee is the Director of Horticulture at Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta. Advanced tickets are required.
5. Find your bliss
The Arboretum’s fourth-annual Summer Solstice Yoga Retreat will run from 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m. June 24 in the Sensory Garden with partner studios leading participants through classes and sessions. Relax your mind, body and spirit while embracing the height of the summer season and exploring on-site wellness vendor booths. Full- and half-day reservations are available.
“Wohpe” at High Point by Marlena Myles | Photo by Bobby Twidale
6. Celebrate an AR exhibit opening June 25
Celebrate the Grand Opening of the Dakota Sacred Hoop Walk from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, June 25, featuring five augmented reality (“AR”) art exhibit stops. Festivities start in the MacMillan Auditorium with a welcome, a Revelo AR app orientation and an ArtTalk with award-winning Spirit Lake Dakota artist Marlena Myles. Then go out on the grounds to experience the walk, hear storytelling by Fern Renville, see a hoop dancing by the Sampson Bros., visit Indigenous vendors and try Indigenous foods. Advanced tickets are required.
Photo by Don Olson
7. Tap your toes at Music in the Gardens
All summer long, enjoy live music at the Arboretum from 6-7:30 p.m. on select Thursdays and from 1:30-3 p.m. on select Sundays with Music in the Gardens. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and settle in to hear local bands and community groups. All performances are included with general daily admission, which is free for members and ages 15 and younger, and $15 for ages 16 and older.
Photo by Jason Boudreau-Landis
8. Experience firefly magic this summer
Immerse yourself in the summer nighttime wonder of fireflies flashing on the Arboretum grounds. Marvel at glowing winged beetles (also known as lightning bugs), take a walk among them and learn about other special creatures from local experts and Master Naturalists — from 8:30-10:30 p.m. June 22-24, June 29-30, July 1, 6-8 (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays). Advanced tickets are required and quantities are limited.
Photo by Katie Knapp
9. Have some Family Fun at the Farm
Bring your family and friends for hands-on learning experiences at the Farm at the Arb from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on select summer Saturdays, June 24, July 15 or Aug. 12 at Family Fun at the Farm. Meet Minnesota food growers and producers and learn about their work. Try Minnesota flavors through plant-to-plate cooking demonstrations and samples. Explore interactive exhibits, games and hands-on activities. Tour the Farm at the Arb crop plots, food gardens, orchards and more.
10. Meet artist Stephanie Spencer
Flowers will be blooming inside and out at the Arboretum starting June 22 in the Cafe Gallery thanks to Stephanie Spencer’s creations. Defined by rich hues and sumptuous images, her works show what’s possible with paint, a palette knife and a passion for art. Stop by between noon- 2 p.m. June 24 for an Artist Meet & Greet to chat with Spencer about her inspiration, motivation and techniques.
Photo by Deb Frymet
11. Seek out StoryTime
On the last Friday of each month, take part in StoryTime in the Andersen Horticultural Library, including June 30 and July 28 at 10:30 a.m. Celebrate plants and nature and foster a love for books and reading using the library's vast collection of children’s books. StoryTime is recommended for ages 0-5, but all are welcome.
12. Plan for Private Garden Tours
Take a trip with the Arboretum Auxiliary on luxury air-conditioned motor coaches to tour specially selected private gardens in the community followed by Sunday brunch, Sunday evening wine and light bites or weekday lunch. Dates are Sunday, July 16 (daytime or sunset); Monday, July 17; and Tuesday, July 18. A $25 portion of the fee is a tax-deductible contribution to the Arboretum Auxiliary. Register at arb.umn.edu/GardenTours. Call and leave a message at 612-625-9865 with questions.
“Blue Flag Iris” by Kim Gordon
13. Learn about batik
“Sanctuary: A Batik Journey by Kim Gordon,” an exhibit now showing in the Cafe Gallery, continues through June 18 — just around the corner from The Eatery at the Arboretum, featuring explanatory panels that show how the fascinating process of batik layering works.
Watch the osprey, 24 hours a day, with audio, on the Arboretum’s live osprey cam.
14. Awe at the osprey cam
Have you been following the Arboretum’s live osprey cam? So far the birds have had their challenges — a nearby eagles’ nest for one. But they have managed to produce three eggs. Follow the Nature Notes blog to see the birds’ progress or pose your own questions for Lori Arent, the Assistant Director of The Raptor Center at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota.
"Raku Fired Porcelain Vase" by Joseph Tashjian
15. Catch ceramics talent on display
Explore the unique works of talented local ceramic artists at a new exhibit in the Great Hall lobby of the Oswald Visitor Center now through June 25 with Earth, Hand and Fire: A Ceramics Exhibit at the Arboretum. All of the artists honed their craft at the internationally renowned Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis as part of a program called MN NICE (New Institute for Ceramic Education).
16. Make plans for poochie
All About Dogs Day at the Arboretum was rescheduled from early June (due to canine influenza) and is now Saturday, Aug. 12 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Arboretum’s Dog Commons and tickets are on sale now.
Though dogs aren’t allowed in the main gardens at the Arboretum, on this day they’re the stars of the Arboretum’s 65-acre Dog Commons, an on-leash dog trail designed by the Nature-Based Therapeutics experts at the University of Minnesota. Dog owners are invited to come together to walk the Dog Commons trails, heel for photos and meet other dog-lovers.
A Pet Expo features 40 pet vendors while events include contests (cutest dog, best trick, best costume, dog-owner look-alikes), doga (dog yoga), agility demos and prizes. Advanced registration is required.
Photo by Instructor Karen Campbell
17. Take a course or class
Summer adult, child and family class options at the Arboretum are open for registration. Check out class schedules for Adults and/or Kids in a fascinating array of topics, including Art, Crafts & Literature, Food & Wine, Gardening, Guided Walks/Tours/Nature Appreciation, Online & Virtual Photography, Pollinators, School & Homeschool, Special Access Experiences and Youth & Family.
Photo by Jason Boudreau-Landis
18. Book tickets for Taste & Toast
At Taste & Toast on July 26, ticket holders can enjoy local beer, wine and cider with tastes of savory and sweet bites from local restaurants, all with live music in the background. This event sells out quickly, so get your tickets now.
19. Win a one-of-a-kind quilt
The 2023 Arboretum Auxiliary fund-raising quilt — titled "Minnesota Woodlands" — features a whimsical collection of woodland creatures, flowers, animals and birds of Minnesota. It measures 59" x 75", and is on display in the Oswald Visitor Center Great Hall, where raffle tickets are on sale now for $2 each. The drawing will be held in the Snyder Auditorium on Oct. 7 as part of the Auxiliary's Annual Harvest Sale.