Identification of grasses, sedges and rushes is often perceived as one of the most difficult activities in the realm of botany. This is due to many factors, the most prominent of which are that grasses, sedges, and rushes (i.e., “the graminoids”) are usually small, narrow-leaved plants with unassuming, diminutive flowers – and they all look […]

Turn up the heat with Some Like It Hot, a vibrant floral design class celebrating the bold, eye-catching colors of summer. This course will explore dynamic color pairings, with a focus on complementary hues that create striking, high-impact arrangements. Using the season’s most radiant blooms, students will learn how to balance intensity, contrast, and texture […]

As the moon and stars come out, so do the moths! Join Lepidopterist Clara Aus for a night filled with fun moth activities in the Garden during National Moth Week. Before class begins, she will set up a moth observation sheet and special UV lamps to attract them. After a brief introduction to native Virginia […]

Nature is always speaking—you just have to slow down and listen. Whether you live in a city, suburb, or countryside, there’s a world of beauty waiting to be noticed. Nature journaling is your key to seeing more, wondering more, and connecting more deeply to the world around you. In this guided class, local artist and […]

Ready to supercharge your garden with nature’s most powerful fertilizer? Worm composting is an easy, eco-friendly way to transform kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich “black gold” that will make your plants thrive! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to set up and maintain a thriving worm bin, keep your worms happy and productive, and harvest […]

Mushrooms may be the most fascinating organisms on the planet. With over 2,189 types of edible mushrooms that grow around the world, there are so many unique varieties to explore. Join Will Nelson, gardener extraordinaire, in this class to learn how to cultivate your own gourmet and medicinal mushrooms at home. Whether you're a seasoned gardener […]

With grocery prices continuing to increase, interest in kitchen gardens and self-sufficiency is also on the rise. Kitchen gardens are made for intensive cultivation, so they are usually smaller than traditional vegetable plots, can easily be fenced to deter deer and other critters and they can look lovely! In this class, Mark Ragland helps you […]

Join instructor Nitika Achalam for an engaging session where she delves into the world of medicinal plants to craft beneficial oils and salves. Learn about various carriers and processes while we co-create our own herbal salve to take home. Dive into the art of herbal infusions with a shared tea-making experience and leave equipped with […]

Join horticulturist and Sri Lankan native Menaka Dewasinghe for an exploration of all things coconut! This tropical fruit (which is actually a drupe, not a nut) is an important food source, substitute ingredient in a variety of recipes, and cash crop in the tropics as well as having anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial properties in different forms. […]

Miniature arrangements bring their own set of challenges to floral design. Instructor David Pippin helps you understand how scale and proportion are affected by the surrounding space and container for the arrangement, and how to choose flowers appropriate for these tiny delights. Bring your own very small containers and spend some time in a whole […]