Class Schedule April – August 2026

Container Gardening with Native Plants | April 25 | IN-PERSON

Learn how to use native plants in your container gardens! Join instructor Kaity Bevenour, native plant specialist & owner of Parallel Nursery, to examine what makes a native plant species a good container plant, how to create visually appealing plant combinations in the sun or shade. We will review some commonly available native perennials that would be best suited for pots in the central VA area. Once the lecture is concluded, participants will put their knowledge into action and create their very own custom container garden to take home.

---

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.

---

NEW! Building Bonsai Skills | May 15 | IN-PERSON

Have you been gifted a bonsai and—against all odds—managed to keep it alive, but now you’re wondering what to do next? Do you find yourself eyeing those bonsai at the garden center but feeling too intimidated to take one home? Or maybe you already have a bonsai and want to learn how to help it truly thrive. If any of this sounds like you, this class is the perfect place to start. We’ll cover the fundamentals you need to confidently care for the bonsai you have—or finally buy the bonsai you’ve been dreaming about. By the end, you’ll understand what makes bonsai unique, how to meet their needs, and how to take your skills to the next level. Take home a starter Bonsai to add to your collection!

---

Fairy Gardens: The Art of Miniature Gardening | June 6 | IN-PERSON

This isn’t your everyday “fairy” garden. For almost 20 years Serome has been transforming containers into miniature landscapes that he calls “Mini Worlds”. Combining dwarf trees, miniature plants and some imagination, you also can create a unique miniature landscape, perfect for a balcony or patio. Your fairy garden can even be a focal point in your full-sized garden. In this hands-on course you will learn everything you need to know on how to put together a “Mini World” of your own through a discussion of materials, plant selection, and aftercare. Serome will demonstrate on how to put together a garden, then it’s your chance to get your hands dirty and put together a garden of your very own.

---

NEW! Building Mini Planted Aquariums | June 27 | IN-PERSON

Learn how to build your own mini aquarium using natural, low-maintenance techniques. No heaters, filters, or other special equipment required! In this hands-on class, students will learn how plants can act as natural filters for keeping aquariums and container aquatic gardens clean. We will discuss how low-tech aquariums and patio ponds work and cover the basics of the Diana Walstad method. Students will then design and build their own mini aquariums. Come make and take home your own easy to care for 1-gallon aquatic ecosystem!

---

Colorful Kokedama | June 27 | IN-PERSON

Kokedama is a type of Japanese bonsai (also known as “the poor man’s bonsai”) that involves growing plants in a ball of soil wrapped in moss. Kokedama actually translates to “moss ball” in Japanese. In this fun workshop, Conservatory Horticulturist Jayton Howard will talk about the history of this form of garden art and demonstrate how to make this fun mossy creation. You’ll have fun with moss and get your hands messy as you make our own Kokedama to take home with you. For this workshop, we’ll be using plants that flower and fun, colorful decorations and moss to make these Kokedama really stand out from the rest! Jayton will provide all the information you need to properly care for and maintain your colorful mossy creation.

---

Succulent Wine Bottle Arrangement | July 18 | IN-PERSON

Discover the art of living design in this Succulent Wine Bottle Centerpiece Workshop at the beautiful Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. In this hands-on course, participants will create a one-of-a-kind arrangement using a vintage wine bottle, hand-cut and prepared by Rusted Rabbitt Living Designs, transformed into a unique vessel for homegrown succulents. This experience blends artistry with horticulture, offering in-depth guidance on succulent care, long-term growth, and the natural rhythms of these resilient plants. Students will also explore design principles—balance, texture, and composition—while arranging their living centerpiece. By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with both a finished piece and the knowledge to confidently care for and design with succulents, making this an enriching experience for plant lovers and creatives alike.

---

NEW! No Soil Needed: Epiphyte Mounting, Care, and Display Design | August 22 | IN-PERSON

Join Conservatory Horticulturist Clare Reines for a hands-on introduction to epiphytic plants (think ferns, cacti, orchids and bromeliads to name a few). The class will include an overview of epiphyte ecology and care as well as commonly epiphytic plant groups. Participants will learn about practical display techniques, appropriate materials, and long-term care strategies. Each student will create and take home their own epiphyte display.

---

NEW! Living Succulent Candlestick Topiary | August 29 | IN-PERSON

Discover the beauty of living design in this Living Succulent Candlestick Topiary Workshop at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. In this hands-on experience, participants will work with a hand-turned wooden candlestick, thoughtfully crafted as the base for a sculptural topiary created from their choice of homegrown succulents. This course blends artistry with horticulture, guiding students through the fundamentals of succulent care—including light, watering, soil, and long-term maintenance—while introducing design principles that bring balance, height, and natural flow to a vertical arrangement. Participants will select and compose their own living topper, creating a one-of-a-kind piece that reflects both personal style and the beauty of organic form. Perfect for beginners and plant lovers alike, this workshop offers a meaningful way to learn, create, and take home a lasting piece of living art.