Last updated 19 April 2024 History of Eclipses Eclipses have captivated humanity for millennia, with records of their observation and prediction stretching back thousands of years. The term ‘eclipse’ originates from the Greek word ekleípō, meaning to forsake a usual place or failing to appear. Among the earliest documented evidence of this fascination are inscriptions on ox bones unearthed in Anyang, China, dating back to 1400-1200 B.C.E. This bone bears an inscription which has been identified as the lunar eclipse of 27-28 December 1192 BCE. See more information and images at University of Ca ..read more

The Fort Worth Botanic Garden invites guests to explore the rich traditions of Japan during the Spring Japanese Festival, April 20-21. This highly anticipated event offers a unique opportunity for guests to immerse themselves in the art and culture of Japan while enjoying the beauty of the Garden.  Hosted in cooperation with the Fort Worth Japanese Society, the festival includes cultural demonstrations, performances, unique shopping opportunities, and traditional foods. According to the Japanese zodiac, 2024 is the year of the wood dragon. Like spring, the symbolism of wood represents a t ..read more

Guests arriving at the Native Texas Boardwalk in early April will find Garden has employed some unusual temporary staff of the four-legged variety. Goats are coming to the Garden. Why goats? “Goats are nature’s weed wackers,” says Horticulturist Sebastian Alarcon. “They’re a great, natural solution for cleaning up an overgrown space.” Invasive Overload The Native Texas Boardwalk is a three-acre area located west of the Garden Center. A raised boardwalk meanders through the deeply wooded space. “The area was designed as a living experiment, with native plants on one side of the Boardwalk and n ..read more

New Program Will Provide Both Fresh, Organic Produce and Opportunities for Urban Agriculture Education and Outreach Kids at the Backyard Vegetable Garden Horticulturists are hard at work preparing the Backyard Vegetable Garden for upgrades and renovations that will allow the Garden to increase production and begin sharing the harvest with the Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County (UGM-TC). The upgrades are possible thanks to a recent award from the American Public Gardens Association and the United State Botanic Garden as part of their Urban Agriculture Resilience Program. “This award will he ..read more

It’s finally here! The always-popular spring plant sale at the Fort Worth Botanic will take place April 5 (2-6:30 p.m.) and 6 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.) at the Garden’s Grove area. A special preview and Q&A will take place on April 4 (5-6:30 p.m.). Participants must register at https://fwbg.org/events/spring-plant-sale-2024/ to attend.  The spring plant sale will feature a wide assortment of annuals, perennials, citrus trees, fruit trees, shrubs, bulbs, and seeds. The sale will also include many specialty plants grown at the Garden, as well as plants offered by various local plant societies. Ven ..read more

FWBG’s New Landscaping Crew is the G.O.A.T We’re not kidding … goats are coming to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden! With generous support from the Anita Berry Martin Memorial Fund at North Texas Community Foundation, FWBG will be hosting a small herd of goats, April 5-15, to help us clean up the invasive plant species in our Native Texas Boardwalk area. The goats will be visible for guests during regular Garden hours and monitored by a herder 24/7.   Frequently referred to as “goatscaping,” goat herd grazing is a management strategy already practiced by nature centers, airports, ranche ..read more

Fort Worth Botanic Garden was selected as one of the South’s Most Beautiful Gardens by Southern Living magazine. Fifteen botanical gardens were honored by the iconic magazine, with FWBG being the only Texas location chosen. The elite list was compiled by the editors of Southern Living who report, research, and visit gardens across the South throughout the year. Other gardens selected include the United States Botanic Garden (DC), the Atlanta Botanical Garden (GA), and the Sarah P. Duke Gardens (NC), among others.  “The Fort Worth Botanic Garden is honored to be recognized as a top garden ..read more

April 8 promises to be an extraordinary day for Fort Worth residents–a day when the wonders of nature will leave us all breathless. The total solar eclipse promises to be an extraordinary experience. In 1982, The Atlantic magazine published an essay by American poet and writer Annie Dillard about her experience viewing a total eclipse. Her quotes provide a sense of magnitude of the experience. On the difference between a total and partial eclipse: “A partial eclipse is very interesting. It bears almost no relation to a total eclipse. Seeing a partial eclipse bears the same relation to seeing ..read more

Lauritzen Gardens has named Ennis Anderson IV its new CEO, effective May 1, 2024. Anderson currently serves as senior vice president of guest services and operations for Fort Worth Botanic Garden in Texas and holds a leadership position with the Executive Board of the American Public Garden Association (APGA).  Anderson brings more than 20 years’ leadership experience in the private and public sectors, including the last eight years at Fort Worth Botanic Garden, one of the oldest major botanic gardens in Texas. He’s also served as vice president of operations and chief financial officer d ..read more

The total solar eclipse is only days away, and the Garden is in overdrive preparing for this incredible opportunity. Our education team–and the great science educators at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History–are preparing multiple fun and educational activities for children and families on April 8. You can get a jump-start and start building excitement at home this week with some ideas from the Garden. “The eclipse will be an unforgettable experience for kids, no doubt about it,” says Vice President of Education Tracy Friday. “But by mixing in some science facts and activities, you can ..read more