Fabulous Flowers – Family Friendly Afternoon at Harcourt Arboretum

We were all about flowers at this week’s family friendly afternoon at Harcourt Arboretum!  In late summer and autumn most visitors to the Arboretum notice seeds on a variety of trees, but many do not associate these seeds with the flowers that preceded them, or notice some of those flowers when they were in bloom.  While some trees have showy flowers that demand attention, others have subtle flowers that are easily missed.  Therefore this week’s trail highlights some of the fabulous flowers to be found at the Arboretum through the year from bright rhododendron and magnolia to understated oak and Acer.

If you would like to see which of our flowers are in bloom in August and learn about flowers that bloom at other times of the year, for instance February, come to the Arboretum this week and take part in our Fabulous Flowers trail that runs until Monday 25^th August.

Eucryphia - in flower now

As always with our family friendly afternoons we had three crafts for families to make. There were stem flowers made with cut up recycled paper and a stick, six petal flowers made with recycled paper and strung up with raffia, and pipe cleaner flowers that could be big and fluffy or thin and shiny.

 

Children (and parents) seemed to enjoy making all three crafts with none being favoured. We had a great turnout of repeat visitors as well as new faces this week. It is great to know that families are enjoying their time with us by saying so and also by coming to multiple events.

 

Our event would not have been a success without the help of our two wonderful volunteers this week. Their readiness to help fold loads of bits of paper and help little ones with sellotape dispensers did not go unnoticed by staff and parents.

“I liked making the stick flowers.” - 6 ½ year old participant

“I liked making the flowers.” - 4 ½ year old participant

“It was EPIC.” - 5 year old participant

“The activities are great + the staff really good with the little ones.”

“Great flower making…excellent helpers.”

“Lovely crafts, thank you! And attentive staff.”

If you would like to participate in our summer family friendly afternoons here at the Arboretum there is just one chance left! Splendid Seeds will take place on Tuesday 26^th August from 1 pm – 4 pm.  See you there!

Corie Edwards.