The new year offers the opportunity of new beginnings, renewal, and rejuvenation. Visit the Babs Asper Display House at The Leaf to embark on a journey of discovery and self-reflection inspired by plants and the beauty of nature. Take a deep breath, relax, and unfurl.
As you enter the Babs Asper Display House, you will be greeted with the soft sound of trickling water alongside vibrant, fresh green foliage. Journey along a winding pathway that mimics the unfurling of a fern and echoes a Fibonacci sequence, a pattern used in the structural design of The Leaf.
Along this path you’ll encounter a stone bath at the heart of a gazebo which features floating flower blooms and encourages stillness and reflection. Then, move through the pillar walk, signifying the transition to a new phase in yourself, reflected in the change from lush greens to brilliant blue and soft pink florals. Your visit ends in a secluded nook that offers a calming atmosphere and a space for contemplation.
Throughout this season, programs, workshops, activities and opportunities to connect at The Leaf will highlight themes of contemplation, renewal, rejuvenation, and restoration.
The Latin word “esculenta” translates to edible or good to eat. Colocasia, or taro, produces a starchy root vegetable and is commercially grown as a food crop in Hawaii and China. You will recognize this vegetable as an ingredient in sweet desserts like sago, halo halo or in bubble tea. Here at The Leaf we use this plant ornamentally for its striking dark, elephant ear-shaped leaves!
Rhododendron is a group of closely related plants that have over 1200 different species. Rhododendrons grow naturally in temperate rainforests and tropical jungle conditions in areas ranging from Asia, North America, Europe, and northern Australia. Rhododendrons exhibit enormous diversity in size, form and flower. Catawbiense Album is a cultivar that presents a soft pink to white flower; it was bred for its cold hardiness in England during the late 1800’s.
Join our creative team of volunteers in the Tannis M. Richardson Classroom for some hands-on crafting. We’ll be using natural or recycled products to keep this activity as sustainable as possible. Crafts are appropriate for kids and families of all ages and are accessible without admission to the biomes. Space is limited in the classroom. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Crafts are available on the following dates from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm while supplies last: Sundays, January 22, February 5, February 19, March 5, and March 19.
Sunday February 12 in the biomes at The Leaf, time TBA
Evans Coffie, also known as Coffieman, is an outstanding performer of the music and dance of West Africa, specifically from Ghana. Coffie demonstrates his collection of African (or talking) drums by playing rhythms of Djembe, Conga, Woyo, Talamandi, Kinasona, Nagala and Highlife styles.
Pause for a chat with a member of our horticultural team while you explore The Leaf! In these chats our expert gardeners will explore our connections to plants, and provide insider knowledge about the beautiful plantings within the biomes. Gardener Chats are free with admission to The Leaf. Click here to see the schedule.
Sustainability was front of mind when the Leaf was designed. Join us on a free tour that explores some of the sustainability features that support our LEED certification. Tours available on January January 21, February 18, March 18. Click here to learn more.
