Letter from the Executive Director

Given the brutal weather of the past two months, it seemed necessary to grace the August newsletter with an image of something that seems to flourish in the heat, a blooming Campsis grandiflora 'morning calm' – commonly known as the Chinese trumpet vine – from the courtyard garden. It's amazing to think that anything can thrive in this weather. My own state of being could best be described as languid, as evidenced by the brevity of this month's newsletter. I do, at least, want to make sure you are aware of some important upcoming dates and deadlines. I hope you'll take advantage of your membership to receive discounts on programming and sales at the Garden. And if you're not a member, we happen to have a membership promotion ongoing until the end of August. Joining for renewing in August will get you some great plant discounts from our nursery as well as benefits related to some big events through the year. Details on the membership promotion are below. We look forward to seeing you at the Garden this fall. We continue to add to our normal offerings so I hope you'll visit us and see what we've done since the last time you were here. Until then, stay safe and enjoy the rest of your summer. Warm regards,

Randy Twaddle Executive Director

Back to the Garden, Selections from the John Gaston Fairey Mexican Folk Art Collection at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas closes Saturday, August 20th. Here's info for tickets: Exhibition/Garden tour will be $10 for members, $20 for non-members. Purchase Exhibition/North Dry Garden tour tickets here. Exhibition-only tickets will be $5 for members, $15 for non-members. Purchase Exhibition-only tickets here.

Become a member of The John Fairey Garden during the month of August and receive a voucher for big discounts on plant purchases in The John Fairey Garden Nursery the rest of the year. You can find details here.

Our first Open Day of the fall will be Saturday, September 10th. We're going to experiment with a different format this fall. Open Days will be the second and fourth Saturday of the month, and we're adding an afternoon tour so tours will be at 10, 11, and 1pm. We will also offer food and drink. We aim to provide a reason for you to spend more time at the garden and nursery.

Our first annual Trunk Show, a sale of desirable and difficult to find trees from The John Fairey Garden Nursery, will be on Saturday, October 1st. You can see a preliminary listing of available trees and estimated quantities here. We'll also have something to drink and organic food prepared by our friends at Blackwood.

And finally, our ninth annual Taking Root luncheon, our biggest fundraising event of the year, will be at The Bayou Club in Houston on Thursday, October 13th. This event accounts for much of our operating capital, helping us continue our mission to preserve, share, and advance the horticultural and artistic legacy of John Fairey. Tickets to the luncheon are $250. If you'd like to purchase tickets or make a contribution of any amount, you may do so here. Author Lyanda Lynn Haupt will speak this year on the importance of human interaction with nature. Lyanda's most recent book is Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit. We'll have signed copies of the book for sale at the luncheon.

Closeups from the Garden