Garden & Nature events

Floral displays featuring nearly 100,000 tulips across the estate celebrate the majesty of Frederick Law Olmsted’s legacy as Biltmore’s master horticulture planner. Biltmore’s restaurants will feature special menu items, with the Winery offering wine seminars. Included with admission. Biltmore Estate, 1 Lodge St., Asheville. 800-624-1575. www.biltmore.com. April 27, ongoing.

Celebrate with Cornelius PARC Department and Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists as the groups plant 20 trees and shrubs in recognition of PARC’s 20th anniversary. The tree planting celebration will take place at Legion Park, 21214Legion St. The North Carolina Forest Service will provide free tree seedlings to attendees while supplies last. For information, please call 704-892-6031 ext 192 or visit www.cornelius.org/parc. 3:30-4:30 p.m. April 29.

Charlotte Regional Farmers Market will distribute free herb recipes. Stop by our Greenery Shed 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. to pick up your copy from four of our nursery vendors. Free. www.charlottefarmersmarket.com. Charlotte Regional Farmers Market, 1801 Yorkmont Road, Charlotte. 704-357-1269. www.ncagr.gov. 8 a.m. April 30.

The Charlotte Regional Farmers Market will be filled with flowers, gifts, decadent wines and more.Charlotte Regional Farmers Market, 1801 Yorkmont Road, Charlotte. 704-357-1269. www.ncagr.gov. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. May 7.

Six gardens on tour, $15. Lunch, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., $15. Tour and lunch combo, $25. Plant sale. Art sale. Proceeds to benefit the Wesley United Methodist Church Soup Kitchen. Tickets available in advance at the York Change of Commerce and on the day of the tour at Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. $15; $25 tour and lunch combo. Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 108 E. Liberty St., York. 803-684-4021. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 7. www.goodshepherdyork.com.

The Friends of Fourth Ward will host the Secret Gardens of Fourth Ward tour. Homeowners on the tour will open their rarely-seen private gardens to the public, revealing the secret green worlds tucked behind courtyard walls. This walkable, self-guided tour includes admission to a variety of private gardens, as well as docent-led tours of Fourth Ward Park. Additional tour attractions include beer and craft cocktail tastings courtesy of Muddy River Rum Distillery, Cardinal Gin, Doc Porter’s Vodka, Rock Bottom Brewery; $1 oysters from Sea Level NC; and free B-Cycle and horse-drawn carriage rides. The tour also will highlight public art, historic homes and special points of interest along the tour route. $20. Historic Fourth Ward, West Ninth & North Poplar streets, Charlotte. 704-287-0211. Noon-4 p.m. May 14 and 15.

The Wake Forest Garden Club will host the event that includes plated tea, an art market, live music, gardening seminars and classic cars. $15 for tea and seminars; free for others. www.wfgardenclub.org. Wake Forest Historical Museum, 414 N. Main St., Wake Forest. 919-556-2911. wakeforestmuseum.org. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 14.

Come out and smell the roses at Witherspoon Rose Culture’s annual First Bloom. All ages are welcome. 10 percent of sales will go to Levine Children’s Hospital. Details: Mary Alice Pike at 919-489-4446 or gardenshop@witherspoonrose.com. Witherspoon Rose Culture, 4401 Shopton Road, Charlotte. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 21.

This month explore the beautiful trails along the Broad River Greenway in Cleveland County. This will be a casual hike of 4 miles to 5 miles with stops along the way to discover life along and in a river. We will stop on the banks and eat lunch while dipping our feet in the cool waters. Must call 704-432-6460 to register. $8. Reedy Creek Nature Center & Preserve, 2900 Rocky River Road, Charlotte. 980-314-1119. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 28.

10-11:30 a.m. April 30. Free. Reedy Creek Nature Center & Preserve, 2900 Rocky River Road, Charlotte. 980-314-1119.

Moms and their kids can enjoy a brunchtime trail walk and light breakfast. After noon, visiting moms can enjoy free admission to walk the Raptor Trail and participate in the center’s regular Sunday activities. $5. Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville. 704-875-6521. www.carolinaraptorcenter.org. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. May 8.

From the prairie to the lake to the forest, you will learn about the different ecosystems and discover all the plants and animals in it. Discover how everything in an ecosystem has a job and depends on other plants or animals in order to be healthy and balanced. Be prepared to get dirty in these hands-on investigations. $3. Reedy Creek Nature Center & Preserve, 2900 Rocky River Road, Charlotte. 980-314-1119. 1:30-3 p.m. May 10.

Join this event in an Audubon-certified garden as Ken Kneidel, president of the Mecklenburg Audubon Society, talks about birds of the N.C. Piedmont and the hobby of birding. Register by calling 704-416-6800 or online at www.tinyurl.com/steelecreek-lib Free. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library – Steele Creek, 13620 Steele Creek Road, Charlotte. 704-416-6800. 6-7:30 p.m. May 11.

A micro-hike on the trail and in the museum to search for animals and plants that often go unnoticed, seemingly invisible, because they are masters of disguise. Included in admission. Museum of York County, 4621 Mt. Gallant Road, Rock Hill. 803-329-2121. www.chmuseums.org. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. May 14.

International Migratory Bird Day will focus on how birds have inspired many of the most significant environmental conservation actions in the Americas. Celebrate with bird lovers around the world this May on the Raptor Trail. Meet some of Center’s resident raptors and watch docents feed the vultures. This low-key informational event is great for adults and families with older children. Visit the website for information about how International Migratory Bird Day is celebrated all over the world. Included in Raptor Trail admission $10; $8 seniors, teachers and military; $6 students; free for children 4 and younger. www.migratorybirdday.org. Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville. 704-875-6521. www.carolinaraptorcenter.org. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 14.

Sparrow Springs Visitor Center, Crowders Mountain State Park, 522 Park Office Lane, Kings Mountain. ncparks.gov/crowders-mountain-state-park. 704-853-5375. 8 -11:30 a.m. May 14.

Davidson Lands Conservancy and Woodland Discovery will offer a free nature outing for kids and families, “Who Lives in This Pond?” Theresa Morr of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation will help participants explore the world of frogs, toads and other wetland creatures and learn where they live, what they eat and why they need to be protected. Location and directions will be sent to those who register with the names of all participants, ages of children, allergy information and a phone number. The address will be confirmed upon registration. Free. Davidson/North Mecklenburg Area. 9:30-11 a.m. May 14.

This story was originally published April 21, 2016 at 1:25 PM with the headline "Garden & Nature events."