My own poison garden (above) is nothing compared to what the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers has planned this summer. Their Wicked Plants exhibit opens in April and runs through October, and while I won't see it unveiled for a few months, I've managed to coax a few hints out of them and trust me, it's going to be AMAZING. (Hint: There will be murder and intrigue!)
The Conservatory is offering a special deal to garden clubs, Master Gardener groups, and other such groups who may want to tour the exhibit together this year. Here are the details:
Wicked Plants: Botanical Rogues & Assassins runs from April 7 to October 30, 2011.
Groups ranging in size from 10 to 40* are invited to contact Guest Services Manager Michelle Manzer at 415-225-2899 or email hidden; JavaScript is required to reserve a 45-minute private tour by Conservatory docents including all 5 galleries and Wicked Plants. Group rates are $3 per person (a significant discount from the regular $7 per person fee!), and, for garden clubs and Master Gardener groups, every attendee will receive a free packet of seeds from the Botanical Interests Wicked Plants Seed Collection. *Larger groups may be permitted by the Conservatory; groups over 40 people will need to stagger tours over a two hour period.
In addition, Master Gardeners and Garden Club members will receive 15% off tickets to the following events:
May 4 – “Mischief and Mayhem in the Garden” Lecture & Book signing with Rosemary Harris, author of Dead Head, Slug Fest, and the other titles in the Dirty Business Mystery series
Doors 5:30 pm, Lecture 6-7 pm, Q&A/Book Signing 7-7:30 pm • Tickets are $5/Free to Conservatory of Flowers Members
Harris will walk us through the history of the garden, through the lens of mischief and mayhem, beginning with Adam and Eve, and leading to her modern day Dirty Business Mystery sleuths. She’ll also discuss the dirty business of writing, and what led her into the garden to find her stories.
June 1 – “Wicked Plants” Lecture & Book Signing with author Amy Stewart
Doors 6:30pm, Lecture 7-8 pm, Book Signing to follow • Tickets are $10/$7 for Conservatory of Flowers Members
I’ll present my research for Wicked Plants through a talk and slideshow, identifying the rogues of the plant world featured in the Conservatory’s exhibit.
October 6 – “Wicked Bugs” Lecture & Book Signing with author Amy Stewart
Doors 6:30pm, Lecture 7-8 pm, Book Signing to follow • Tickets are $10/$7 for Conservatory of Flowers Members
I’ll present a lecture on the subject of my new book – Wicked Bugs – introducing you to the miniscule villains that have spread disease, inflicted pain and suffering, caused destruction on a large scale, and changed the course of civilization.
All events are held at the Conservatory of Flowers. Tickets to these events are available online at www.conservatoryofflowers.org/events/specialevents or at the door. For more information, to receive your 15% discount, or to arrange for your group to attend one of these event, preceded or followed by a personal tour, please contact Guest Services Manager Michelle Manzer at 415-225-2899 or email hidden; JavaScript is required.