Friendship Botanic Gardens

Have you ever spotted these colorful little orange and white bugs while gardening? This is the ailanthus webworm moth, an insect with a fascinating natural history that challenges what it actually means to be considered an "native species".

The Ailanthus webworm moth is originally native to tropical regions of North America, but it was able to migrate northward thanks to the introduction of the invasive tree-of-heaven, upon which its caterpillars feed.

So while the ailanthus moth isn't strictly native to our region, it moved to our area somewhat naturally by migrating up from southern regions of the continent. It's caterpillars also seem to feed entirely on the tree-of-heaven, which is considered a destructive invasive plant species. Ailanthus moth caterpillars seem to pose little to no risk to native plants and ecosystems. They may actually be beneficial in controlling the spread of the tree-of-heaven.

Furthermore, the ailanthus moth can't actually survive our freezing winters, so new populations migrate up from the south every year and replace those that died out last year!

For these reasons, the ailanthus moth isn't considered a destructive invasive pest species despite its tropical origin.

"I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars." - Walt Whitman

Bearded iris bulbs are now on sale at the Friendship Botanic Gardens plant sale! Bearded irises are perennials that sport spectacularly colorful blooms. They're also easy to grow and care for. Now available 3 for $1.00.

There's still time to get in some gardening before winter rolls in, and our plant sale will continue through October. Stop by the table near the Friendship Botanic Gardens welcome cabin Tuesday - Sunday from 9am to 5pm CDT to browse a varied assortment of plants to take home for low prices. Many plants are even deer and rabbit resistant!

✨Weddings in The Gardens✨
Congratulations to the newlyweds, Natalie & Mike, on their beautiful wedding at Friendship Botanic Gardens!💍 Special thanks to Justin and Haylee Photography for capturing these wonderful moments. 📸

✨Weddings in The Gardens ✨
Congratulations to Paul & Erin on their beautiful wedding at Friendship Botanic Gardens! 💐 Thank you to Brenda Elizabeth Photography for capturing the special moments.

Don't Forget! Yoga in the Gardens with instructor April Fallon happens every Thursday at 9:30 am CDT until the end of September! Unplug and connect with nature for an hour each week in the Gardens. Classes are $20 each, cash or Venmo - paid directly to April. (Please bring your own yoga mat and water) Admission to the class also admits you to the Gardens - feel free to take a Garden stroll after!

Whether you are a beginner or an expert, this class is for you!

“Nature is loved by what is best in us.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

A painted turtle catching the last rays of summer 🐢

Dear Friends of the Gardens,

Our annual Haunted Trails event is just around the corner, and we need your help to make this our most Spooktacular afternoon of family fun yet! We're now accepting donations of candy and gently-used Halloween decorations. Our welcome cabin can accept candy donations any time from 9am to 5pm CDT Tuesday through Sunday. You can contact us at 219 878-9885 or [email protected] for more information or to arrange drop-off of decorations at our service building. Thank you! 🎃

The entire Friendship Botanic Gardens family would like to express its deepest gratitude to Horizon Bank for choosing to volunteer with us as part of the Horizon Cares day of service. Despite the heat, volunteers worked for hours clearing out weeds and beautifying multiple areas including our parking lot and the Horizon Bank Labyrinth Garden. By the end of the day Horizon volunteers had pulled and shoveled up multiple trailer loads full of brush and weeds!

It means the world to us to have the support of Horizon Bank, and we couldn't exist without dedicated community partners who are willing to work so hard to help us keep The Gardens growing! Thank you!

"Many eyes go through the meadow, but few see the flowers in it." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Stock up on greenery at the Friendship Botanic Gardens plant sale before the cold weather rolls in! Stop by our welcome cabin during open hours, from 9am to 5pm CDT Tuesday through Sunday, to pick up some new residents for your home garden. Many plants are deer and rabbit-resistant and perfect for the Northwest Indiana climate. 🌿☘️

It's Skipper Season in The Gardens! Skippers are small flying insects that are often described as being "in-between" butterflies and moths. Though they belong to the butterfly family and mostly behave like butterflies, they have stout furry bodies like moths. Their flight pattern is also very moth-like, with lots of quick darting and erratic zig-zagging.

Butterflies usually rest with their wings folded together closed, while moths usually rest with their wings flat and open. Skippers can often be seen splitting the difference, with their wings resting halfway between closed and open!

The species pictured here are called the peck's skipper and the firey skipper. Check out the native flowers near the Celebration Pavilion this time of year and you can see dozens of skippers "skipping" and darting along from flower to flower!

Yoga in the Gardens with instructor April Fallon happens every Thursday at 9:30 am CDT! Unplug and connect with nature for an hour each week in the Gardens. Classes are $20 each, cash or Venmo - paid directly to April. (Please bring your own yoga mat and water) Admission to the class also admits you to the Gardens - feel free to take a Garden stroll after! Whether you are a beginner or an expert, this class is for you!

The Gardens are OPEN on Labor Day, Monday Sept. 2nd from 9am to 4pm CDT. It's the perfect day to bring the whole family for a picnic or a stroll through nature!

“I go to Nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put together.” –John Burroughs

In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.
- Aristotle

TOMORROW! Tickets are still available for "Opera in the Gardens"! 4-6pm CDT at Friendship Botanic Gardens. Get tickets now at https://friendshipbotanicgardens.org/event/opera-in-the-gardens-2/

Friendship Botanic Gardens will CLOSE early at 2:30pm CDT on Sunday, August 25th for the "Opera in the Gardens" Concert.

This Sunday! Experience the magic of classic opera selections and beloved Broadway showtunes resonating through the majestic natural landscapes of Friendship Botanic Gardens! Tickets still available at FriendshipBotanicGardens.org