Who: Albuquerque Botanic Garden
What: Bonsai show
When: May 9 and 10
Where: Albuquerque Biological Park, 903 Tenth Street SW
Contact: (505) 848-7181, www.nmog.org

Looking for something the whole family will enjoy on Mother’s Day weekend?

The Albuquerque Biological Park and the Albuquerque Bonsai Club, (ABC) will present The Ancient Art of Bonsai show on Saturday and Sunday,  May 9 and 10, at the Rio Grande Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave. NW.  The Garden has hosted ABC’s annual Bonsai every Mother’s Day weekend since the facility opened in 1997. The show will run from 9 am to 5 pm each day. All activities are included with Botanic Garden admission (adult $7; senior/child $3).

On the patio adjacent to the showroom at 10 am and 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday, members of ABC will demonstrate how to style and train a tree as a bonsai. Each plant will be evaluated, a style selected, shaped and wired.  “The process of turning a plant into a bonsai will take many years, but this is the first step on that journey,” explains Susan Burns, president of the Albuquerque Bonsai Club. There will be shade and seating for those who want to watch the process.  “The most experienced members of our Club will be demonstrating, but everyone who is a member will display their work in the show.  It is something that those of us new to bonsai can participate in and be successful with and we encourage new members,” Ms. Burns said.

As many as 30 trees trained in the tradition of bonsai will be exhibited, along with viewing stones (suiseki), companion or accent plants and a group of bonsai from native trees such as One Seed Juniper, New Mexico Olive and Box Elder.  Everyone who attends will have a chance to vote for their favorite tree in the show and The People’s Choice will be posted

The Shark Reef Café is offering a Mother’s Day Brunch from 10:00am to 2:00pm on Sunday, May 10th.  Aquarium and Botanic Garden visitors are invited to participate. Reservations can be made by calling (505) 848-7182.

For more New Mexico information visit www.new-mexico-visitor.com