After remediating the 132-acre site formerly occupied by the Glenbrook municipal golf course, the Houston Botanic Garden broke ground in 2019 to become a place that enriches “life through discovery, education, and the conservation of plants and the natural environment.”
Approximately half of that acreage is on an island surrounded by the Sims Bayou channel and meanders. That island now holds the Global Collection and Culinary gardens plus a pine grove and woodland glade. In addition, the South Garden section holds the Susan Garver Family Discovery Garden and the Community Garden.
On Thursday, April 21, St. Paul’s Primetimers will explore the gardens at their own pace and then settle in for a class about tropical plants.
The warm and sunny Houston climate makes our homes and gardens ideal places to grow tropicals plants, and the instructor will talk about some of the most fascinating varieties and how to care for them at home. Each participant will take home a small potted tropical plant.
In your discovery walk, you may wish to preview some of those topical plants. As you enter the Botanic Garden, the Welcome Fountain on the left gently nudges you toward the Global Garden, which includes tropical and subtropical specimens. (This garden also includes plants for arid climates). To the right of the entry is the Culinary Garden.
St. Paul’s member Claudia Gee Vassar is president and general counsel of Houston Botanic Garden.
The class size is limited to 15 people. To reserve your spot, RSVP by Thursday, April 14, by emailing primetimers@stpaulshouston.org or by calling 713-528-0527. The per-person cost of $25 payable in advance covers garden entry, the class, and a box lunch. Lunch will be in the Picnic Grove.
To go by church bus, meet in St. Paul’s small parking lot at 9:45 am Thursday, April 21. Arrival back at the church should be 2 pm. Those who prefer to drive are encouraged to do so, but due to the limited class size, please RSVP and pay by April 14 as described above.