The arboretum announced an art workshop and two sessions of Poetry in the Garden. Also, the Davis Shakespeare Ensemble, in partnership with the Friends of the UC Davis Arboretum, plans a production of Henry V, in the arboretum's gazebo.

Art workshop: Drawing Closer to Nature, with studio artist Peter London — The only prerequisites: an open mind, an adventurous spirit and a willingness to step outside. $65 (members) or $75, including materials. A benefit for the arboretum, with London donating his time. Class limited to 20, preregistration required at arboretum@ucdavis.edu or (530) 752-4880. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sunday, April 15, Wyatt Deck (or 146 Environmental Horticulture, in the event of rain).

Poetry in the Garden: Andy Jones and Bob Stanley — Jones is a lecturer in the Department of English and the University Writing Program, and faculty adviser to the undergraduate journal of creative writing, Nameless Magazine. He hosts Dr. Andy’s Poetry and Technology Hour on radio station KDVS. Stanley, a teacher, is the poet laureate of Sacramento and president of the Sacramento Poetry Center. In 2009, he edited the collection Sometimes in the Open, an anthology of poems by 65 poets laureate from around the state. Noon-1 p.m. Thursday, April 26, Wyatt Deck.

Poetry in the Garden: Justin Desmangles, with musical accompaniment by Harley White Jr. — Desmangles is the host of KDVS Radio’s weekly New Day Jazz, featuring jazz, poetry, political commentary and interviews. Desmangles’ poetry and journalism have appeared in Amerarcana, Shuffle Boil, Konch, Drumvoices and Black Renaissance Noire. White, from Sacramnento, is a pop recording artist, a member of two Latin jazz ensembles and an award-winning bassist with the Harley White Jr. Jazz Orchestra. Noon-1 p.m. Thursday, May 17, Wyatt Deck.

Davis Shakespeare Ensemble: Henry V — A thorough portrait of heroism as King Henry rallies his outnumbered army to defeat France on its home turf. The ensemble looks at this classic in a whole new way, presenting the war epic with a small cast in an intimate setting. June 14-July 1, gazebo. Open auditions are scheduled from March 19 to 21; more information is available here.

MORE AT THE ARBORETUM

Folk Music Jam Session — Pull out your fiddles, guitars, mandolins, penny whistles, pipes, flutes, squeezeboxes — you name it! — and join your fellow musicians during the lunch hour for a little bluegrass, old-time, blues, Celtic, klezmer and other world music. All skill levels welcome. Listeners, too! Noon-1 p.m. Friday, March 16, April 13 and 27, and May 11 and 25, Wyatt Deck.

Guided tour: California Native Plants Spring To Life — Standouts in the spring native plant garden will be the focus of a tour of the Mary Wattis Brown Garden of California Native Plants. Two favorite California spring bloomers, ceanothus and redbud, should be in full bloom. 2 p.m. Saturday, March 17, Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center.

Plant Sale Preview — Check out the remarkable plant inventory that will be available at the April 14 and May 19 plant sales. 2 p.m. Saturday, April 7, Arboretum Teaching Nursery.

Walk With Warren — Warren Roberts, arboretum superintendent emeritus, guides this tour of the native plant garden. Noon Wednesday, April 11, Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center.

3Bs: Birds, Bees and Beneficials — Plant sale, focusing on attracting and supporting pollinators in the home landscape. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 14, Arboretum Teaching Nursery. Open to the public.

Some Like it Hot: Summer Bloomers and Sizzling Deals — Plant sale, end of season clearance sale with a focus on the stars of the summer garden. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 19, Arboretum Teaching Nursery. Open to the public.

All programs are open to the public, and all are free except the art workshop and Henry V. More information on arboretum events: (530) 752-4880 or arboretum.ucdavis.edu (for directions, click on “Plan Your Visit”). More information on Henry V is available from the Davis Shakespeare Ensemble.

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