In early March, spring creeps in. Fruit trees and witch hazels bloom on bare limbs and early bulbs emerge among the leaves. By April, daffodils, tulips and bluebells color the ground while viburnum and redbuds paint the canopy above. The blazing colors of rhododendrons and azaleas fill the space between. With the warming May weather, […]

Learn about why and how to use native Virginia plants in your landscape If you’ve heard that using native plants in your yard helps improve the environment for everyone, but are not sure why or how to do that, this series of webinars brings you up to speed on ways to turn your home garden […]

Build a miniature landscape to delight your family or young friends. David Pippin and Mimi Cassick show you the tricks to successfully building a believable imaginary landscape. Bring a shallow container of your choosing and sharp floral snips. All floral materials provided. NOTE: This is an in-person, outdoor, socially-distanced class.  Masks are required for all […]

Learn about the vast watershed of the James River, its importance to the ecology of Virginia and the threats facing its vitally important role in that ecology. In the first class of this two-part series, we explore the rich history and diverse ecology of the James River, examine the effects of pollutants on plant and […]

Create a cheery naturalistic design to brighten your summer home inside or out. Learn techniques for creating a structure to add height to your design. All floral materials provided. NOTE: This is an in-person, outdoor, socially distanced class.  Fully vaccinated guests can enjoy the class without wearing a mask. For those who are not fully […]

Monarch butterfly populations have been declining over the last 20 years. It is important to move beyond documenting this decline, and toward responding to the challenge posed by monarch conservation, and insect conservation in general. Karen will describe the amazing biology of migratory monarchs, how citizens and scientists are documenting monarch numbers across their migratory […]

This class is cancelled. Combine two of the best things about summer—veggies and flowers—to create dynamic and interesting designs for the season. David Pippin will create four designs using the bounty of produce and blooms to spark your culinary and creative juices. A list of suggested materials and container suggestions will be sent ahead of […]

Learn to grow tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and all of the familiar, delicious members of the Solanaceae family which are so essential to chefs and home cooks. Join herb and garden expert Mark Ragland in this virtual evening class as he discusses their surprising and fascinating history and gives you tips and tricks to grow them […]

Learn to distinguish between the beneficial bugs you want in your garden and destructive garden pests. An avid gardener since age 12, instructor Mark Ragland has a great deal of experience and expertise to share regarding these creepy crawlies. Spend a summer evening with Mark in this virtual class as he discusses how to keep […]

Learn how to create the basic shapes and styles of floral designs—the building blocks for true creativity. 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. A section on cut flower care and handling is […]