Red Butte Garden & Arboretum Summer 2026

OUTDOOR CONCER T SERIES 2026

Sun, May 31 BIG HEAD TODD AND THE MONSTERS

Theoretical Blonde

Tue, Jun 2 An Acoustic Evening with TREY ANASTASIO Featuring Jeff Tanski

Thu, Jun 11 THE HUMAN LEAGUE Soft Cell & Alison Moyet

Tue, Jun 16 GRACE POTTER

Wed, Jun 17

GREENSKY BLUEGRASS

Tue, Jun 23 ZIGGY MARLEY

Sun, Jun 28

JOHN CRAIGIE + BLIND PILOT

Wed, Jul 8 WYNTON MARSALIS SEPTET

Fri, Jul 10

JJ GREY & MOFRO + THE WOOD BROTHERS

Sun, Jul 12 KALEO Dawes

Tue, Jul 14 GIN BLOSSOMS + BLUES TRAVELER Spin Doctors

Sun, Jul 19

Mon, Jul 20

MARCUS KING BAND Penelope Road

MAREN MORRIS Scout Willis

Wed, Jul 22 THE STRING CHEESE INCIDENT

Sun, Jul 26 TOTALLY TUBULAR FESTIVAL

Thomas Dolby & The Lost Toy People, A Flock of Seagulls, The Motels, The Producers, Animotion, The Escape Club, Tommy Tutone

Wed, Jul 29 ALABAMA SHAKES

Billy Allen + The Pollies

Thu, Jul 30 WYNONNA JUDD + MELISSA ETHERIDGE

Sun, Aug 2 FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS

Mon, Aug 3 ANDY GRAMMER Walk Off The Earth

Tue, Aug 4 INTERPOL Youth Lagoon

Sun, Aug 9 ANI DIFRANCO Valerie June

Wed, Aug 12 SUGAR J. Robbins (Jawbox)

Thu, Aug 13 HERBIE HANCOCK

Fri, Aug 14

JESSE WELLES Ratboys

Mon, Aug 17 MEN AT WORK + TOAD THE WET SPROCKET Shonen Knife

Thu, Aug 20 GOV’T MULE

Sun, Aug 23 RAY LAMONTAGNE The Weather Station

Wed, Sep 9 BONNIE RAITT Jon Cleary

Thu, Sep 17 THE NATIONAL PARKS Sun, Sep 20 THE RECORD COMPANY + CRACKER

Tue, Sep 22 THE REVIVALISTS

Paul McDonald & the Mourning Doves

FRONT COVER

Leafcutter Bee (Megachile sp.)

pollinating Gazania rigens

'Orange Flame' (Big Kiss™

Orange Flame Gazania)

Photo by Shawna McClanahan

BACK COVER:

Damselfly (suborder Zygoptera)

Photo by Shawna McClanahan

EDITORS

Kate Randall

Mindy Wilson

Sarah Zucca

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jason Baker

Peter Cain

Sam Crump

Neal Dombrowski

Steve Griffin

Kristan Jacobsen

Shawna McClanahan

Kate Randall

Heidi Simper

Dave Titensor

Steven Vargo

Matthew Wang

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Leslie Hanna

PRINTED BY IC Group

2026 ADVISORY BOARD

Kym Buttschardt, Chair

Curt Crowther, Vice Chair

Lindee Nance, Secretary

Lisa Andrues

Steve Barth

Nichol Bourdeaux

Carolyn Buma

Maura Carabello

Gary Christensen

Chelsey Curtis

Shaleane Gee

Greg Graham

Jeff Herring

J.D. Keller

Siamak Khadjenoury

Scott Mietchen

Jennifer Reed

JoLynda Stillman

Vicki Varela

Beverly Vargo

Kamrin Wilson

Emeritus Board Member

Sandi Behnken

So much goes unseen in a garden. Seeds germinating, microbes enriching soil, pollinators fertilizing flowers. These small but essential activities escape the casual observer’s notice as we wander by, lost in thought—until a brilliant bloom catches the eye.

The conservation and research team at Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, on the other hand, is devoted to closely and systematically observing such natural phenomena and understanding their implications. From examining rare plant seeds in stunning detail to studying the health of the Garden’s bee population, our staff work to protect at-risk plants and conserve the biodiversity of native plants and animals. Their research is improving our stewardship and has the potential to benefit landscapes far beyond our garden.

You too are a crucial part of this ecosystem. When you renew your membership, buy tickets to an event, or volunteer your time, you grow our capacity and help us expand what’s possible. Your support enables this innovative research and helps keep this treasured corner of the Wasatch healthy and beautiful.

The Summer Solstice Garden Party on June 25 is another opportunity to invest in our future while reconnecting with friends on a beautiful summer evening in a place we all cherish. Last year’s event sold out, so we encourage you to secure your tickets now. We can’t wait to celebrate with you and thank you in person.

Remember that the Garden is an open invitation for you any day, every day, to breathe deep, look closer, and appreciate the big difference all the little things make. See you in the Garden!

Derrek Hanson, Executive Director

We acknowledge that this land, which is named for the Ute Tribe, is the traditional and ancestral homeland of the Shoshone, Paiute, Goshute, and Ute Tribes. The University of Utah recognizes and respects the enduring relationship that exists between many Indigenous peoples and their traditional homelands. We respect the sovereign relationship between tribes, states, and the federal government, and we affirm the University of Utah’s commitment to a partnership with Native Nations and Urban Indian communities through research, education, and community outreach activities.

New Paths through Our Living Landscape

By Neal Dombrowski, horticulturist

Following completion of the Hillside Connection project, we’ve added three new sections of trail to our Natural Area. These trails invite visitors to step into and wander through a diverse natural landscape of plants, offering exceptional views of the Salt Lake Valley. They provide a gradual ascent through the urban–wildland interface and lead directly into sego lily and sagebrush habitat.

While much of the land surrounding the new trails currently appears bare, it is undergoing active restoration with native seed and plants by horticulture staff and volunteers. As this natural vegetation fills in, the trails will become more defined and better integrated into the surrounding landscape. Imagine walking these paths as wildflowers bloom all around you. How might that change your experience? You might even find yourself stopping a little more often to take it all in (and maybe snap a photo or two along the way).

Summer Solstice Garden Party

AT RED BUTTE GARDEN & ARBORETUM

June 25 from 5-10pm

Tickets required (timed-entry)

Garden members: $150

General public: $200

A family-friendly celebration of nature & community

Friday, June 12, 12–7pm

Floral installations by local artists, immersive activities, self-guided walks

Small Seeds, Big Impact

By Lisa Potter, University of Utah research communications specialist, and Sarah Zucca, Garden marketing & communications specialist

At first glance, they don’t look like much. But under a powerful new microscope, seeds are revealing clues that could transform how scientists restore fragile ecosystems.

Here at Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, conservation program manager Matthew Wang is one of very few scientists in the country using high-resolution imaging to study seeds in unprecedented detail. What began as a curiosity—documenting “cool seeds”—has grown into a research effort that could have real conservation impact, especially for rare plants like Sclerocactus , a group of small, endangered cacti native to the American Southwest.

Using a Leica Ivesta 3 microscope the Garden recently acquired, Wang creates ultra-sharp images through “Z-stacking,” layering dozens of photos taken at different depths. The result is a level of clarity that reveals microscopic structures, details that can help scientists understand how seeds function and what they need to survive.

For Sclerocacti, those insights are especially valuable. Along with many other rare plant species, these cacti are notoriously difficult to grow in

nurseries, making restoration a challenge. But the microscope is helping uncover why. Wang has observed that different species have distinct features at the hilum—the point where the seed attaches to the plant— including subtle color differences that can help distinguish species. Some of these seeds also have thick coatings that may explain why they remain dormant, while others have fleshy structures that suggest insects could play a role in dispersal or germination.

These discoveries are more than just interesting—they’re actionable. By better understanding seed structure, researchers may be able to identify invasive species, track how plants spread, and even help authorities distinguish seeds confiscated at airports or borders. It may also protect rare plants from illegal collection.

Wang is building an image library that could eventually scale into a national database, supporting conservation efforts far beyond Utah. It’s a reminder that even the smallest details, hidden in something as unassuming as a seed, can hold the key to protecting entire ecosystems.

Read more about Wang's research in @theU, attheu.utah.edu

What a Garden of Can Teach Us about

By Lisa Potter, University of Utah research communications specialist, and Sarah Zucca, Garden marketing & communications specialist

To most guests, Red Butte Garden and Arboretum feels like a peaceful escape—but look closer, and it's also a thriving research site revealing how cities can support biodiversity. In 2015, scientists documented 130 bee species within the Garden’s 100 acres, about 10 percent of all bee species in Utah. Now, that work is being revisited to better understand how urban landscapes can become ecological hotspots.

Led by conservation director Sarah Hinners, the research explores how bee diversity reflects ecosystem health. By tracking which species are present and which are missing, scientists can identify what makes habitats successful. The Garden’s mix of native plants, continuous blooms, water sources, and nesting spaces creates ideal conditions for pollinators, fueling a powerful cycle: more bees support more plants, and more plants support more life.

Collecting and identifying bees is meticulous work, but the results matter. These tiny pollinators help sustain entire food webs, from seeds and fruits to birds and mammals.

The takeaway? Biodiversity doesn’t require vast wilderness. Small, intentional changes, like planting native flowers, reducing pesticides, and leaving space for nesting, can transform urban spaces into vibrant ecosystems. What’s happening at Red Butte shows that even in the heart of a city, conservation can flourish, and it’s something we can all help create.

Read more about Hinners' research in @theU, attheu.utah.edu.

Bees about Biodiversity

Horticulture Highlight: Grow Better—Follow Us!

By Peter Cain, social media coordinator

Follow @redbuttegarden on Instagram to see behind-the-scenes content with our horticulture staff on how they plan, plant, cultivate, and care for each area of the Garden. Whether it be rose pruning with Craig, climbing trees with Charlie, or a look inside our greenhouse at the peak of plant sale production with Kara, our friendly experts are eager to share their work with you. Head over to our Instagram today to learn more about the people and plants of Red Butte.

Look Who Joined Our Team

Join us in welcoming these talented people to the Garden’s full-time staff

Zoey

Kopp

Facility & Sanitation Team

Zoey grew up learning the value of working hard to achieve her goals. Though new to custodial work, she cleaned neighbors' homes as a teen, motivating herself to get out there, help others, and learn the importance of working hard for your earnings. Outside of work, Zoey loves dance, hip-hop culture, building community, and spending time with loved ones. Zoey strives to bring a positive attitude to her life every day, influencing the environment and individuals around her.

Leo Weaver

Guest Services Supervisor

Pronouns: They/Them

Leo has been an established friend of the Garden since spring 2022. They started working as a guest services representative, quickly moved into the role of guest services shift lead, and and is now taking on the role of guest services supervisor. Leo loves spending time at the Garden, whether it be volunteering with our horticulture crews, exploring the Natural Area, crafting with friends, painting landscapes, appreciating the wildlife, or attending concerts. They are excited to spend more time here at the Garden, grow their knowledge, and nourish the connections they have made.

Dig Deeper with Red Butte Garden

Join the Cottam Club!

The Cottam Club is a philanthropic community dedicated to elevating and sustaining Red Butte Garden and Arboretum for future generations while inspiring generosity in others. Join us in our efforts to enhance the world around us through conservation, science education, and community engagement.

As a Cottam Club member, you will enjoy exclusive access and experiences, engage with Garden experts, and get to know other people committed to learning, plant science, and the impact living landscapes can have in our community.

To learn more about how you can deepen your connection to Red Butte Garden, visit redbuttegarden.org/cottam-club or call Angela Wilcox at 801.585.3813.

Dedications

The following individuals have made contributions to Red Butte Garden and Arboretum to celebrate, honor, and remember their friends and loved ones. We appreciate these generous dedications and value being a part of the lives recognized through these gifts.

In Memory of Neena Ashton

D. J. Gamble

In Memory of R. Endo

Joni D. Endo

In Memory of Susan B. Fillmore

DAFgiving360

In Memory of Diana Hallen Herrington

Cynthia Hallen

In Memory of Peggy LaTour

Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding

In Honor of Carl S. Minden

Betsy J. Minden

In Memory of Patricia Neves

Jennifer Wingenroth

In Memory of Jane N. H. Paul

Ian Paul

In Memory of Ruth Schachter

Carolyn Levine

Gifts recognized were made between January 1–March 31, 2026. For corrections, please contact Madison Parsons at madison.parsons@redbutte.utah.edu

Members: Rediscover, Reconnect, Renew

When you renew your membership, you’re not only securing your special access, you’re also investing in the Garden’s growth, educational programs, and impact on community health and well-being.

Membership means more:

• 1) Unlimited visits & a front-row seat to what’s blooming and 2) Concert member-presale discount on tickets*

• Reciprocal admission to more than 380 gardens in North America

• Member-exclusive events and priority access to paid events

• Discounts on summer camps, classes, and lectures

• Gift shop discount

• Discount on tickets

*Garden-Flex level and above

SUMMER 2026 CALENDAR

EXHIBIT ARTISTS

Top: “Mahonia Berry Dissections” by Rose Torres Bottom: “Refresh” by Jeanne Hansen with Park City Artists Association

Please visit our website and social media for more Garden event information.

ART EXHIBITS

Nature-themed media by Utah artists. Admission not required to shop.

JUN 30-JUL 27

Rose Torres: The Hope of a Seed Artist Reception Jul 11, 5-7pm

JUL 31-AUG 31

Park City Artists Association: Nature’s Summit

Artist Reception Aug 1, 2-5pm

GARDEN EVENTS

MAY-SEP

Outdoor Concert Series

Red Butte Garden

Amphitheatre

Spend a night under the stars with 30-plus shows packed with world-class music. Proceeds support our mission to connect people with plants and the beauty of living landscapes, improving the quality of life in our community. Get your tickets now.

Jun 12

Blooming with Pride: Rooted Together

Fri, Noon-7pm

Spend the day surrounded by color, plants, and connection as the Garden comes alive with floral art installations designed by local artists to celebrate Pride and creativity. Registration required.

JUN 20

Treescapes: Rooted in Art Utah Museum of Fine Art Sat. 1-4pm

Create tree-inspired artwork from trees that grow at Red Butte and are featured in UMFA’s collection. Throughout the month of June, take the Treescapes tour at the Garden featured on our app. Free admission at UMFA.

JUN 25

Summer Solstice Garden Party: Four Seasons, One Elevated Evening Thu, 5-10pm

Join us for an enchanting sensory journey featuring dishes, drinks, and musical vignettes inspired by spring, summer, fall, and winter. Tickets required.

Garden members $150 General public $200

JUN 22

Friends & Family Night: Who Lives Here? Mon, 6-8pm

Discover the animals, insects, and birds that live here. Explore their habitats and see how the Garden provides a safe place for wildlife to thrive.

JUL 13

Friends & Family Night: Water Walkabout Mon, 6-8pm

Follow the flow as you explore the Garden’s ponds, plants, and the ways people depend on water every day.

AUG 7

Garden Member Block Party Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre Fri, 5:30-10:30pm, movie starts at sunset Family-friendly games, live local music, and the film The Incredibles . Registration required.

AUG 10

Friends & Family Night: Tree Tales Mon, 6-8pm

Wander the Garden to uncover the secrets hidden in bark, branches, and leaves, and learn how trees grow, change, and support the world around them.

Treescapes

Rooted in Art

SUMMER 2026 CALENDAR

MEMBERS RECEIVE 20% OFF PUBLIC PRICES FOR CLASSES.

GARDENING & HORTICULTURE

JUN 9, 16 or JUL 22, 29

Lose Your Lawn (2-class series)

June Session: Tue, 6:30-8:30pm July Session: Wed, 6:30-8:30pm

General public $48

JUN 10

Rose Maintenance Workshop

Wed, 6-8:30pm

General public $35

JUN 13

Perennial Planting Design & Hydrozoning for Landscape Incentives Sat, 10am-12pm

General public $18 Members free with pre-registration

AUG 8

Smart Irrigation for the Beehive State Sat, 10am-12pm

General public $30

AUG 18

Your Landscape 101: Growing Success in Utah’s Challenging Soil Tue, 6:30-8:30pm

General public $38

AUG 30

Tree Planting 101 Sun, 10:30am-12pm

General public $24

NATURE & ECOLOGY

JUN 20

League of Giants Tree Tour Sat, 10-11:30am Free with pre-registration

AUG 5

Backyard Chickens (online) Wed, 6:30-8:30pm

General public $35

WELLNESS

JUN 21

Summer Solstice Forest Bathing Sun, 10am-1pm

General public $75

AUG 22

Meditation Mini-Retreat Sat, 10am-12pm General public $35

Year-Round

Yoga & Sound Bath with Kristin Vance Sun, 9:30-10:30am General public $18

JUN 10, JUL 7, AUG 5

Forest Bathing: Dusk in the Garden Days vary, 6:30-8pm General public $35

JUN 28, JUL 12, AUG 9

Forest Bathing: Awaken Your Senses Sun, 9:30am-11pm General public $35

JUN 3, JUL 13, AUG 10

Tending to You: Self

Myofascial Release and Nervous System Support Evenings, 6-7:30pm Mornings, 10-11:30am

General Public $24

JUN, AUG

Qigong & Tai Chi with Sifu Toni Lock Thu, 9:30-10:30am

General public $18

JUN, JUL, AUG

Tai Chi & Qigong with Emily Mon, 9:30-10:30am

General public $18

JUN, JUL, AUG

Everyday Mindfulness with Charlotte Bell Wed, 10:30-11:30am

General public $18

JUN, JUL, AUG

Yoga & Qigong with Sarah Elizabeth Thu, 5:30-6:30pm

General public $18

BUTTE GARDEN & ARBORETUM

Details and registration for all classes and workshops at redbuttegarden.org

CREATIVE EXPRESSION

MAY 31

Block Printing for Textiles Sun, 1-4pm

General public $75

JUN 6

Terrarium Workshop: Create Your Own Miniature World Sat, 1-3pm

General public $85

JUN 6

Macro Photography Workshop

Sat, 3:30-5:30pm

All attendees $39

JUN 17

Pressed Flower Bookmarks Wed, 6-7:30pm

General public $70

JUN 20, JUL 18, AUG 15

Botanical Painting for All Sat, 10am-1pm

General public $60

JUN 27

Fused Glass

Suncatcher Workshop

Sat, 10am-12pm OR 1-3pm

General public $60

JUL 11

Floral Design 101 Sat, 12-2pm

General public $60

AUG 29

Pressed Leaves in Upcycled Frames Sat, 2-4pm

General public $65

Complimentary & Private Garden Tours

Take a one-of-a-kind tour with a volunteer docent to learn about our plants, history, and more. Find information or make a reservation online at: redbuttegarden.org/plan-your-garden-visit/garden-tours

BLOCK PARTY

CONTACT US

Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre

Fri, Aug. 7, 5:30-10:30pm, movie starts at sunset. Family-friendly games, live local music, and the film The Incredibles. Registration required.

Visitor Center 801.585.0556

Website: www.redbuttegarden.org

Comments: 801.581.5754 or email pr@redbutte.utah.edu

GO GREEN!

Opt out of printed newsletters. Email membership@redbutte.utah.edu with "NEWSLETTER OPT OUT” in the subject line. We’ll take care of the rest.

THANK YOU

Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) Program for your support.

@redbuttegarden

Red Butte Garden and Arboretum is one of the largest botanical gardens in the Intermountain West, a regional center for plant-focused science education, conservation and research, and cultural enrichment. Communityfunded, the Garden is renowned for its diverse plant collections, themed gardens, and spectacular mountain setting, with over 607,000 springtime blooming bulbs, awardwinning horticulture-based educational programs, and an iconic outdoor summer concert series.

Copyright

300 Wakara Way

Salt Lake City, UT 84108

OUR MISSION

To connect people with plants and the beauty of living landscapes.