Posted: Tue, 26 Apr 2011 10:45 AM - 12,800 Readers

By: Rain Bird

Sponsored by Rain Bird and the American Public Gardens Association, National Public Gardens Day (NPGD) celebrates America's public gardens to raise awareness of the important role they play in the advancement of environmental stewardship, education and conservation in the communities they serve.

On May 6, 2011 the Wildflower Center will give expert guided tours to educate the Central Texas community on native plants' preferred habitat and their drought-tolerant capabilities. Additionally, visitors are invited to view photo exhibits and explore the Center's Visitors Gallery and its interactive stations to learn how wildflowers do much more than add beauty to landscapes.

"The Wildflower Center is proud to be participating in this special day," said Susan Rieff, the Center's executive director. "Native plants are essential elements of healthy environments as well as our cultural history, and public botanic gardens around the country are among the best advocates for conserving these plants and demonstrating their horticultural beauty."

National Public Gardens Day falls on the Friday before Mother's Day, which is the unofficial start of spring and a time when the environment is top of mind for most of the public. On this day, communities nationwide can visit and learn about the important role their public gardens play in promoting environmental stewardship and awareness, plant and water conservation, and education.

In support of National Public Gardens Day, Better Homes and Gardens is offering admission coupons through its web site to visit any of the featured public gardens free of charge on May 6, 2011. To learn more about the Better Homes and Gardens offer, visit www.bhg.com/freegarden. To learn more about Wildflower Center activities on National Public Gardens Day, visit: http://www.wildflower.org/gardensday/.

ABOUT RAIN BIRD
Based in Azusa, Calif., Rain Bird Corporation is the leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services. Since its beginnings in 1933, Rain Bird has offered the industry's broadest range of irrigation products for farms, golf courses, sports arenas, commercial developments and homes in more than 130 countries around the world. Rain Bird has been awarded more than 130 patents, including the first in 1935 for the impact sprinkler. Rain Bird and The Intelligent Use of Water is about using water wisely. Its commitment extends beyond products to education, training and services for the industry and the community. Rain Bird maintains state-of-the-art manufacturing assembly facilities in the United States, France, Sweden and Mexico. 

http://www.rainbird.com

ABOUT APGA
Founded in 1940, Pennsylvania-based American Public Gardens Association is an organization devoted to strengthening the public gardens throughout North America. With over 70 years of work increasing cooperation and awareness among the gardens, APGA has built a membership of more than 500 public gardens located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and seven other countries. Their members include public gardens as well as arboreta and zoos. APGA has also built up an international network of individual members in the U.S., Canada and 24 other countries. The APGA is committed to increasing public awareness for public gardens and supplying resources to the industry. Through their leadership and advocacy, public gardens have become vital to public appreciation and understanding of the irreplaceable value of plants.

http://www.publicgardens.org

*  Story Contributed by: Rain Bird