Infinite Sums: Discovering the Sublime Beauty of Math in Bloom

By Katie Erickson, VP of Learning and Interpretation

Andrew Labay, Chief Mission Officer

Math is inherent to nature’s design—from the spiral of a pinecone to the curve of a fern and the pattern in which branches grow. Throughout 2026, the Garden invites you to see the world through a new lens with Math in Bloom, a creative exploration of how mathematics shapes the natural world.

Math in Bloom is supported by the Simons Foundation and is part of “Infinite Sums,” a national initiative that will, among other things, connect people to the mathematics inherent in nature. Each participating botanical garden will create interactive experiences to celebrate mathematical beauty.

Led by the San Antonio Botanical Garden, Math in Bloom includes six botanical gardens across the United States: Cheekwood Estate & Gardens (Nashville, TN), Denver Botanic Gardens (Denver, CO), Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix, AZ), Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (Columbus, OH), Queens Botanical Garden (Flushing, NY), to bring this idea to life through plants, design, and discovery.

Math in Bloom will activate across participating Gardens nationwide around three key dates in 2026: Pi Day on March 14, Infinity Day on August 8, and Fibonacci Day on November 23. Each date activation offers a fresh perspective on how math and plants intertwine.

To shape these experiences, SABG has teamed up with mathematicians from Southwestern University, St. Mary’s University, and Trinity University. Their ideas have sparked creative connections between math and nature—from scavenger hunts for spirals and fractals to modeling population balance with native and invasive plants.

Be part of Math in Bloom and join the Simons Foundation’s “Infinite Sums” national initiative that will inspire us to move from the practical to the sublime and broaden our idea of what math is. Together, we will discover that math is more than we realize—inherent to nature—revealing, patterns, balance, and beauty right before our eyes.

(3.14.2026)

For Pi Day, SABG will celebrate circles— the relationship between a circle’s diameter and circumference. Guests will explore circular garden designs, count the rings inside a tree trunk to discover its age, and enjoy a slice of Pi(e) fresh from the Outdoor Teaching Kitchen. It’s a moment to taste, see, and measure how π connects everything round.

(8.8.2026)

Infinity Day turns our focus to cycles—the endless processes that sustain life. From the nutrient and water cycles to pollination and propagation, guests can explore how plants depend on infinite renewal. The Garden will showcase the patterns of infinity in nature with displays of ancient cycads and ferns, along with fractal-inspired patterns. Visitors can get their hands dirty by creating terrariums, making compost, and propagating new plant cuttings—a living lesson in continuity.

(11.23.2026)

For Fibonacci Day, the Garden will showcase the world’s favorite sequence: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8… From the spiral of a sunflower to the arrangement of leaves on a stem, Fibonacci numbers describe how plants grow efficiently and beautifully. Guests will create Fibonacci-inspired cocktails, discover Fibonacci sequence-inspired landscapes, hunt for spirals hidden throughout the Garden, and write a “Fib”—a short poem form that mirrors the famous sequence.

“Math’s presence in the plant world is unmistakable.

Fibonacci sequences appear across plant biology as a growth pattern that optimizes light, space, and reproduction. Succulents and vegetables, such as broccoli, are brilliant displays of fractals. The propagation of plants speaks to their seemingly infinite ability to regenerate and survive. All of this and more is on display in botanic gardens across the country.”

This work is supported by the Simons Foundation and is part of its “Infinite Sums” initiative. For more information, visit infinitesums.simonsfoundation.org.

The Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture division seeks to provide opportunities for people to forge a connection to science — whether for the first time or a lifetime. Through their initiatives, they work to inspire a feeling of awe and wonder, foster connections between people and science, and support environments that provide a sense of belonging. The Simons Foundation’s mission is to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences. Since its founding in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons, the foundation has been a champion of basic science through grant funding, support for research, and public engagement. They believe in asking big questions and providing sustained support to researchers working to unravel the mysteries of the universe.