Each spring, cherry trees across Japan explode into colorful blooms, turning cities and gardens pink and white. Educator Yvonne Wolf, who has lived and worked in Japan, will provide an overview of the cherry blossom’s importance in Japanese culture and welcome spring through the celebration of the cherry blossoms.
Bringing the celebration out onto the grounds of the Arboretum, director of collections and curator Kim Shearer will lead a guided walk highlighting the Arboretum’s cherry trees in the Asia Collection and their stories.
In this class, participants will:
- Learn about cherry blossoms and their significance in Japanese culture
- Create paper cutting art of cherry blossoms to take the celebration home
- Take a guided walk through the Arboretum’s Asia Collection to learn how cherry trees survive in our region’s changing climate
Join the annual celebration by learning about cherry blossoms in Japan and the cherry trees located here at The Morton Arboretum.
This program meets in person at the Arboretum.
Instructors: Yvonne Wolf, owner, Chinese Intercultural, LLC; Kim Shearer, curator of collections and manager of new plant development, The Morton Arboretum
Age: 16 and older
Course number: N057
Instructors
Yvonne Wolf, owner, Chinese Intercultural, LLC
Educator Yvonne Wolf makes Chinese and East Asian culture accessible and relatable to a wider audience. She speaks at libraries, museums, and community centers about East Asian arts, culture, and people. She has lived in four countries, visited over 25 countries, speaks three languages (English, Chinese [Mandarin], and Danish) and has studied three others (Spanish, Japanese, and Greek).
Kim Shearer, curator of collections and manager of new plant development, The Morton Arboretum
Kim Shearer is curator of collections and the manager of new plant development for The Morton Arboretum’s Daniel P. Haerther Charitable Trust New Plant Development Program. She came to the Arboretum after completing her master’s degree in horticulture with a focus on plant breeding and genetics at Oregon State University. Her experience and education are concentrated on the propagation, development, and evaluation of tree and shrub species from around the world. In addition to overseeing the Arboretum’s collection, she manages the New Plant Development Program, engages audiences around the country to promote trees and shrubs through the ChicagolandGrows® Plant Introduction Program, and works closely with academics and the nursery industry in the evaluation of tree and shrub selections.
What to Know
This program meets indoors and outdoors.
Check the forecast and dress for the weather.
Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes and plan to walk more than a mile on uneven terrain.
All supplies will be provided. This program will conclude in the Asia Collection (parking lots 17 and 18).
Please bring water and a snack.There will not be a lunch break.
Program Schedule
Saturday, March 8, 2025, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sycamore Room, Visitor Center (Parking Lot 1), East Side
