July 14^th – Butterflies in the Garden

Join us for a discussion on butterflies, focusing on life cycle, characteristics, and ways to attract them to your garden. We will take a closer look at the Monarch Butterfly and the Eastern Black Swallowtail.

July 21 – Seasonal Interest Walk

See the garden from a horticulturist’s point of view. Join Laura Roberts, Director of Horticulture at Van Vleck House & Gardens, for a refreshing stroll through the grounds to discover the beauty of the season. Tour will feature all that is exciting at the moment from enchanting details to majestic specimens.  Please dress for the weather with appropriate footwear.

July 28 – Tree ID

Join Laura Roberts, ISA certified arborist and NJ licensed tree expert, for an introduction to deciduous tree identification.  Sharpen your observation skills by getting to know trees as if you were meeting a new friend.  Learn where and how to look for the characteristics that distinguish one species from another.

August 4 – Fragrance Beyond Flowers

Let’s experience the garden in a new way.  Laura Roberts invites you to engage your senses and explore the numerous fragrant plants throughout the Van Vleck Gardens.  Let your nose lead the way to roots, stems, leaves, and flowers with distinct scents.

August 11 – Flower Anatomy

You are invited to explore flowers and their parts.  Marvel at the diversity of shapes achieved by just a few basic structures.  Participants will increase their familiarity with flower related botanical vocabulary through dissection of samples from the Van Vleck grounds.