As the days grow shorter and the leaves begin to don their vibrant fall hues, it's time for garden enthusiasts to turn their attention to an essential seasonal task: fall pruning. While autumn is often associated with garden cleanup, fall pruning, when done correctly, can significantly impact the health and vitality of your plants come […]

In the fall, our pollinator friends are busy at work! Join entomologist and former Butterflies LIVE! Coordinator, Clara Aus, as she navigates how to best support the local Virginia wildlife with your fall plantings. You’ll learn pollinator flower preferences, fall-blooming keystone species, host plants, fall planting techniques, and how to create a fall garden that […]

In this immersive and intellectually engaging session, you’ll experience what sommeliers and wine judges face every day: the mystery and thrill of blind tasting. Led by WSET 3 certified & sommelier Justin Ferguson (@theblacksommrva), you’ll learn to identify six wines (three red, three white) without ever seeing the label — using nothing but your senses, […]

Embrace the beauty of nature’s untamed elegance in the autumn-inspired 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 fall blooms and foliage. Students will learn how to work with seasonal […]

Although the classical school of botanical art does not recommend illustrating plants with sunlight illumination, many contemporary academic botanical artists are achieving spectacular results with that, without any impairment of the morphological or chromatic aspects of the plants portrayed, proving that the pictorial tendencies in all types of visual art are in constant motion. Thus, […]

Intricate leaf veining? Pillowy patterned leaves? Dark, shiny, smooth leaves? Folding? Curling? Insect damage? Serrated edges? In this "focus" session, you will build confidence and skill in practicing techniques to achieve realistic effects. Mixing greens in watercolor will be the main color focus. Layering colored pencil and watercolor will be demonstrated and can be practiced […]

People often have encountered origami cranes, but how about origami butterflies? In this class, students can learn how to fold an endless variety of butterflies. We will cover the basics for success in a way that beginners and experienced folders can all enjoy. With several "species" to choose from, students have the opportunity to explore […]

Learn the basics of including native perennial plants in your home garden. Join instructor Kaity Bevenour, native plant specialist & owner of Parallel Nursery, for an introduction to the ornamental & environmental benefits of commonly available Virginia native plants. Participants will get an overview of a variety of native perennial species suitable for garden use, […]

You’ve built a strong foundation in Botanical Drawing I—learning to see, structure, and create form using only line. That’s no small feat. Now, it’s time to expand your understanding of depth and dimension by exploring light, shadow, and value. This course takes the next step in your artistic journey, sharpening your ability to see subtle […]