Kiku: The Art of the Japanese Chrysanthemum, the most elaborate flower show and cultural exhibition ever mounted at The New York Botanical Garden, returns for a second year October 18 through November 16, 2008. A wide range of programs for adults, children, home gardeners, and aficionados of Japan will celebrate the chrysanthemum and Japanese art, life, and culture.

In its inaugural year, tens of thousands of visitors discovered the exquisite beauty of kiku -- meticulously cultivated chrysanthemums in a traditional Japanese art form never seen before on this scale outside Japan. The kiku plants are vigilantly trained during a multi-month period to grow in a variety of highly specialized shapes, including ozukuri ("thousand bloom" plants) which feature hundreds of simultaneous blossoms in massive, domed-shaped arrays, all from a single plant.

New features this year include:

a new kiku growing style symbolizing "driving rain," one of four kiku styles;

a new exhibition of sumptuous screens, inros, kimonos, and other Japanese art from The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Burke Foundation celebrating the chrysanthemum as a visual motif;

a new monumental bamboo sculpture by artist Tetsunori Kawana;

and Kiku & Cocktails, dramatic evening viewing and Japanese musical performances on Fridays, October 24 and 31, and November 7 and 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. Kiku & Cocktails costs $10 for Members and $20 for Non-Members. For more information visit http://www.nybg.org/kiku08/cocktails.php

Kiku for Kids, in the Everett Children's Adventure Garden, features hands-on activities for children and families, exploring different aspects of traditional Japanese culture, including a tea ceremony just for children inside a beautiful replica of an authentic Japanese teahouse.

The Botanical Garden's Continuing Education program also offers a number of Kiku-related workshops, lectures, and courses.

Shop in the Garden offers an exciting assortment of Kiku-inspired goods both on-site and online at nybgshop.org.

The New York Botanical Garden is a museum of plants located at Bronx River Parkway (Exit 7W) and Fordham Road. It is easy to reach by Metro-North Railroad or subway. The Botanical Garden is open Tuesday through Sunday and Monday federal holidays. The best way to enjoy the Garden is with the All-Garden Pass: $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and students with ID, $7 for children ages 2-12, children under 2 are free.

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Related:  Botanical Garden - Garden - Flower - Exhibition