Class Schedule April – August 2026

NEW! Sogetsu Ikebana: Basic Floral Arranging | April 15 | IN-PERSON

The art of Ikebana Floral Arrangement has been practiced for more than 600 years. There are hundreds of schools, many of which were established and reached the western world in the early part of the twentieth century. The Sogetsu School was established in 1926. Although the school has a very structured training course, the course’s introductory statement that Sogetsu can be created anytime, anywhere, by anyone in any part of the world and with any kind of material, is an inspiring philosophy that encourages creativity. Instructor: Annette Ernst

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Locally Grown Hand-Tied Bouquets | April 16 | IN-PERSON

Learn the step-by-step process of creating a free-flowing, organic-style bouquet, paying special attention to shape and movement. Design your bouquet using the best locally grown blooms and foliage available. Instructor Svetlana Green will share helpful tips and tricks on flower handling and care, choosing a color palette, and creating a well-rounded design. You’ll leave this class with the basics of floral design mastered and a gorgeous hand-tied bouquet to carry home and enjoy! Instructor: Svetlana Green

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Embracing Asymmetry | April 24 | IN-PERSON

In this hands-on course, led by Kate Hugo Vernon, owner of The Arranger’s Market, students will break out of their traditional boxes and triangles and create dynamic, asymmetrical designs. Using seasonal materials such as budding branches and blooming bulbs, the course will focus on how to construct arrangements that are balanced without being symmetrical and lush without being fussy. Topics will include how to create focal points, line, and movement, but the emphasis will be on learning to follow the natural flow of plant materials. Instructor: Kate Hugo Vernon

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NEW! Flower Crown Workshop | April 25 | IN-PERSON

Join Conservatory Horticulturist Clare Reines for a day of flower crowns! Learn to make your own flower crown using real flowers. Clare will teach you how to choose flowers that will hold their color while also holding their shape as they dry into a forever-lasting flower crown. Instructor: Clare Reines

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Basic Floral Design, Part 1 | May 5, 12, 19, 26, June 2 OR June 9, 16, 23, 30, July 7 | IN-PERSON

Learn how to create the basic shapes and styles of floral designs—the building blocks for true creativity—with floral designer Mimi Cassick. This course will introduce you to techniques and styles commonly used by professionals. Learn preparation techniques, how to create basic shapes and how to prepare flowers for long-lasting arrangements. Through step-by-step instructions, students will have the opportunity to create timeless designs including symmetrical triangular design; spherical all-around design; classic vase arrangement; oblong long and low centerpiece; and body flowers, boutonnières and corsages. Learn the basics of cut flower care and handling, and receive a manual with pictures and descriptions of the most commonly used flowers in floral design. All materials are supplied except for floral snips and all arrangements are yours to take home. Instructor: Mimi Cassick

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NEW! Spring in Bloom: A Mother’s Day Floral Design Workshop | May 6 | IN-PERSON

Join instructor Kate Hugo Vernon for a cheerful, flower-packed class designed to celebrate motherhood in all its beautiful forms. You’ll learn simple floral design tips while creating a lush spring arrangement — perfect for a gift honoring a mom you love or treating yourself to a mom’s morning out. Instructor: Kate Hugo Vernon

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Botanical Whimsy | June 12 | IN-PERSON

Embrace the beauty of nature’s untamed elegance in Botanical Whimsy, a floral design course dedicated to creating loose, organic, and garden-inspired arrangements. This class will explore techniques for designing with movement, texture, and open air, while celebrating the charm of locally sourced blooms and foliage. Students will learn how to work with seasonal materials, create naturalistic compositions, and develop their own artistic style. Perfect for flower lovers of all skill levels. Instructor: Kate Hugo Vernon

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NEW! Fantastical Florals: Alebrijes-Inspired Floral Design | June 23 | IN-PERSON

Alebrijes are brightly colored, fantastical creatures from Mexican folk art that often combine features from both real and mythical animals. Join floral designer David Pippin for an exploration of these vibrant works of art. After viewing examples of alebrijes, you’ll return to the classroom to create your own floral interpretation using bold, eye-catching blooms and foliage. Bring your camera and floral clippers! All flowers, materials, and containers will be provided. Instructor: David Pippin

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NEW! Ikebana for Early Summer | June 24 | IN-PERSON

Join us for a peaceful and inspiring floral design experience exploring the ancient Japanese art of Ikebana. We are honored to feature the Kado Sensho Ikenobo School, a distinguished tradition known for its deep respect for Ikebana’s rich history and its emphasis on simple, elegant designs that allow each designer to express their individuality. Participants will learn about the philosophy and traditions of the Ikenobo style while practicing how to create harmonious, balanced arrangements using exclusively natural materials. Instructor: Elizabeth Biddle

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Locally-Grown Hand-Tied Bouquets | June 25 | IN-PERSON

Learn the step-by-step process of creating a free-flowing, organic-style bouquet, paying special attention to shape and movement. Design your bouquet using the best locally grown blooms and foliage available. Svetlana will share helpful tips and tricks on flower handling and care, choosing a color palette, and creating a well-rounded design. You’ll leave this class with the basics of floral design mastered and a gorgeous hand-tied bouquet to carry home and enjoy! Instructor: Svetlana Green

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NEW! Arranging to a Prompt: Designing with Intention & Imagination | July 8 | IN-PERSON

A big part of floral design is arranging to a space, a theme, or a color palette — but what if the inspiration began with a single unexpected prompt? In Arranging to a Prompt, participants will receive a creative cue — and translate it into a floral composition. The focus is not on replicating a look, but on interpreting meaning. In this class you’ll evolve from simply arranging flowers… to communicating with them. Instructor: Kate Hugo Vernon

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Basic Floral Design, Part 2 | July 21, 28, August 4, 11, 18 | IN-PERSON

In this course, participants will explore the elements and principles of design and floral techniques such as focal area, grouping, and basing with floral designer Mimi Cassick. In each step-by-step class, you will create designs including an asymmetrical design, a contemporary spray, a crescent-shaped design, a horizontal centerpiece, and a naturalistic landscape design. This course emphasizes specific placement of materials and how they pull the viewer’s eye through the design, using the elements and principles of design and floral techniques. All materials are supplied except for floral snips. All arrangements are yours to take home. Instructor: Mimi Cassick

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NEW! Botanical Escape: Designing with Tropicals | July 22 | IN-PERSON

Enjoy a tour of the tropical wing of the newly expanded Conservatory followed by a demonstration and hands-on lesson in the classroom. Participants will use a combination of exotic, unique and beautiful cut tropical flowers and foliage to create a lush, stunning, contemporary arrangement to take home. Instructor: David Pippin

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NEW! Reach for the Sun: Upright Floral Design Workshop | August 7 | IN-PERSON

In this hands-on workshop, participants will explore the drama and elegance of upright floral design, using sunflowers and complementary seasonal materials to create arrangements that draw the eye upward and command attention. Instructor Kate Hugo Vernon will focus on strong vertical structure, balance, and proportion, along with techniques for stabilizing tall stems and building supportive mechanics. You’ll learn how to layer line, texture, and color to achieve height without heaviness, resulting in a design that feels both bold and refined. Perfect for designers who want to stretch their skills and create pieces that truly stand tall. Instructor: Kate Hugo Vernon

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Locally-Grown Summer Centerpiece Workshop | August 13 | IN-PERSON

The participants will discover how to create breathtaking foam-free centerpieces using fresh, farm-sourced seasonal flowers and foliage. In this workshop, you will learn the step-by-step process of creating a free-flowing, organic-style centerpiece, paying special attention to color, shape and movement. We’ll be designing our centerpiece using the best locally grown blooms and foliage available. Instructor Svetlana Green will share helpful tips and tricks on sustainable floral practices, flower handling and care, choosing a color palette, and creating a unique breathtaking design. You’ll leave this class with the basics of floral design mastered and a gorgeous centerpiece to take home and enjoy! Instructor: Svetlana Green

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NEW! Don’t Be a Chicken of Chicken Wire: Creating Sustainable Designs | August 28 | IN-PERSON

Step beyond floral foam and into sustainable design mechanics with instructor Kate Hugo Vernon. In this immersive workshop, participants will learn how to use chicken wire to create strong, flexible stem support without compromising artistry. You’ll master techniques that allow delicate, water-loving blooms — including dahlias, zinnias, and cosmos — to hydrate naturally while maintaining intentional placement and structure. The result: environmentally conscious arrangements with refined control and elevated design. Instructor: Kate Hugo Vernon