(CLEVELAND) – The fairies are returning to the forests and gardens of Northeast Ohio – this time to both the Cleveland Botanical Garden and the Holden Arboretum – and beginning Friday, July 9th children of all ages can see for themselves! The Holden Arboretum team worked with 22 regional artists to create woodland and garden creations for elusive fairies who chose the botanical garden and the arboretum as their summer home. The word is out in fairy world – Greater Cleveland is a great place to live, especially in the summer!
More than 50 handcrafted Fairy Doors and several fairy-inspired interactive exhibits created by artists invite guests to explore deep into the forests and gardens. The exhibit will be open through Sunday, August 29, 2021.
There is magic in the natural world, crafted by the unique qualities, forms, and structures of plants, the secretive and protective nooks and crannies between roots and branches, and the wild, miniature worlds found when we look closely in nature. Fairies are drawn to this magic, though, good luck spotting them! Fairies are notoriously swift and sneaky. Look closely and search for fairy doors and other enchanting encounters as you explore our forests and gardens.
Fairy Doors is sponsored by Lake County Visitor’s Bureau.
Here’s how to experience the fairies at both locations:
Hunt on your own! Request a map when you check-in and use it as you make your way through the trails of the botanical garden and the arboretum, see how many you can find as you look high and low in gardens filled with flowers and along woodland trails.
Attend a Class. Extend the magic of your Fairy Doors experience by registering for a scheduled program. Create a fairy garden of your own in July & August at our Arboretum campus & join us at the Botanical Gardens in August for an annual favorite, Fairy Tea. Visit holdenfg.org to register and for more information.
The gardens that will be featured (with the corresponding artist):
At the Cleveland Botanical Garden:
Geis Terrace and Allee – Anthony Andreoli
Mary Ann Sears Swetland Rose Garden – Gwendolyn Garth
Hershey Children’s Garden – Bette and Robb Durr
White Oak Walk – Haley Himiko Hudson Morris
Inspiration Gardens – Leslie Edwards Humez
Rain Garden – Owen Lowery
Woodland Garden – Shannon Timura
Japanese Garden – Bianca Breed
At the Holden Arboretum
Arlene and Arthur S. Holden Jr. Butterfly Garden – Tracey Gardner
Display Garden – Riley Mankin
Blueberry Pond Trail – Matthew Albright
Ponderosa Pines – Jane, Lynne & Coletta Baeslach
Cedar Grove – Holden Forests & Gardens Horticulture staff
Myrtle S. Holden Wildflower Garden – Jimm & Janine Poleman
Elliot and Linda Paine Rhododendron Discovery Garden – Hap Howle
Helen S. Layer Rhododendron Garden – Ian Petroni
Layer Rhododendron Garden at the Guardian of the Garden – Story Lee Rhinehart & Robin van Lear
Holden Grove – Peter Debelak
Fordham Island along Corning Loop Trail – Cat Swartz
Whitney Memorial – Higo Gabarron
The exhibit is included with general admission to the Cleveland Botanical Garden and the Holden Arboretum. Admission cost is $15 for adults, $10 for children three to 12 years old and free for children 2 and under. Please note: to enjoy the experience at each location, separate tickets will need to be purchased. For more information visit holdenfg.org.
And that is not all! Join us for Twilight in the Whimsical Woods
You are invited to Northeast Ohio’s picnic of the summer at the Holden Arboretum on Saturday, July 10, 2021 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. The event, Twilight in the Whimsical Woods, is Holden’s largest benefit of the year and helps to raise money for its mission to connect people with the wonder, beauty, and value of trees and plants, to inspire action for healthy communities. Tickets are on sale now at holdenfg.org or by calling Chris Keeney at (216) 707-2834. Tickets must be purchased by July 1st.
About Holden Forests & Gardens
Holden Forests & Gardens is made up of two of Northeast Ohio’s most important environmental and cultural institutions — the Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden — whose mission is to connect people with the wonder, beauty, and value of trees and plants, to inspire action for healthy communities. The 14th largest public garden in the country, Holden Forests & Gardens has nearly 17,000 member households and an annual attendance of approximately 350,000 for whom we strive to provide inspirational and educational visitor experiences. For more information, visit holdenfg.org
