NATURE’S OWN: DELTA RIVERS STRESSES ‘FUN’ FOR PLANT SHOW

By Lewis Delavan/Stephens Media

Ugly plants, perfect plants, native and exotic plants — all may be entered in an upcoming show at the Delta Rivers Nature Center in Pine Bluff.

Hours for the fifth annual Gardening in the Bayou Plant Show, Contest and Sale will be 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. June 27 at the center in Regional Park.

Entrants should arrive after the center opens at 8:30 a.m. to enter and set up their plants, said Allison Neely, the center’s education coordinator. There is no charge to compete or to attend.

“Amateur or professional, first-grader or senior citizen, participation is open to everyone,” Neely said. “It’s a great way to show off your skills, meet new people and win a blue ribbon and other prizes.”

Categories include ugliest, prettiest, tallest, native plant, exotic plant, mixed container and “kids corner.” The latter group is for ages 15-under.

“We want it to be a fun event for everyone,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to it.”

Vendors will sell plants and gardening products. Members from several garden clubs are expected to participate.

Judges will include naturalists, gardeners, park staff and volunteers. Prizes will include ribbons, gardening tools and coupons for Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, Neely said.

“This is a great family event, so come on out and see what plant enthusiasts have grown and then enjoy what the nature center has to offer,” she said.

Delta Rivers is open year-round. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, hours are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. After Labor Day, the center closes at 4:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Nature trails are open daily year-round from dawn to dusk.

The paved Discovery Loop starts with a wildflower prairie. Flowers bloom from early spring to late summer, Neely said. After the prairie, Discovery enters a bottomland hardwood forest.

Delta Rivers was the first education center opened by the state Game and Fish Commission. Centers are funded through the state’s one-eighth-cent conservation sales tax.

“Part classroom, part museum and part playground, the centers help people of all ages better understand their natural surroundings,” Neely said.

Fish and alligator feedings are popular. Fish are fed at 11 a.m. Tuesday through Friday, and at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Alligators are fed after the fish.

Story hours are at 9:30 a.m. Thursday through Aug. 27.

“Come enjoy the nature stories and maybe see an animal or do a craft of some kind,” Neely said.

Newest of the commission’s four centers is the Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center in Little Rock. Its hours of operation are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-4:30 p.m. Sunday and is closed Monday.

The 16,232-square-foot building sits on 3.4 acres, overlooks the Arkansas River and is within the Julius Breckling Riverfront Park.

The site is part of the River Market District, and is adjacent to the Museum of Discovery and the William J. Clinton Presidential Library.

For more information on the Pine Bluff plant show, contact Neely at 534-0011.