This course is very elucidative either for beginners or more experienced practitioners of pencil art. It aims to provide all the theoretical and practical tools necessary for beginners to initiate their practice and for intermediate students to improve their skills. We start from a basic understanding of the very mechanics of how graphite works, as […]

In this class taught by Danny Cox, the Garden’s Vice President of Horticulture, participants will be introduced to different aquatic plants that can be grown in water gardens. We will discuss different types of aquatic plants and how they can be used in water garden design. Danny will share tips on propagation and care. While […]

We all know that plants help make a home, but keeping up with watering can be a lot. Did you know that the same concepts for making an open top terrarium can apply to making self-watering pots for your indoor plants? In this course we'll have fun making an open top terrarium using plant material […]

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 […]

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 […]