Do you find it challenging to implement nature-based activities for infants and toddlers that are developmentally appropriate? Experience first-hand how nature-based and play-based learning can inspire infants and toddlers to explore with all their senses. This professional development workshop will identify in practical ways that infants and toddlers can benefit from exploratory learning in natural […]

Perennials can provide almost year-round color in an easy-care garden.  The Beginner's Perennial Garden introduces you to hardy perennials, simple starter plans, and the basics of soil preparation.  Instructor Beth Burrell (The Giving Tree) shares her years of experience as a landscape designer—including how to create a garden on a site with bad soil! This class […]

Celebrate the art of Japanese flower arrangement at the Ellen Gordon Allen Annual Lecture/Demonstration featuring Ingrid Luders, Ohara School Grand Master. Ingrid Luders attained the degree of Ohara School First Master in 1997. She was awarded the Ohara School Grand Master degree in 2001 by Headmistress Ms.Wakako Ohara in recognition of her teaching and artistic […]

Come learn some basic and fun information about butterflies and moths, including the significance of Monarch butterflies and how we can each make a difference. Afterwards, enjoy a guided walk around the Garden. We’ll end at the Conservatory with a visit to M&T Bank Butterflies LIVE!. Fees: Member Adult and Member Child $0 / Non-Member […]

Explore Virginia’s unique regions through dishes celebrating the Northern Neck, Tidewater, Shenandoah Valley and River City with Executive Chef Anne Maury Haapala. More than just ham biscuits and pimento cheese, Virginia cuisine incorporates rich cultural and regional influences. Learn how to impress your friends with dishes inspired by the food-rich Commonwealth.

New best-selling books have brought revelations about how trees live their lives. You'll visit some of the Garden’s most prominent trees and hear discoveries about their subtle communication skills through the “wood wide web”. Tour includes many parts of the garden; expect some uneven terrain. Fees: Member Adult and Member Child $0 / Non-Member Adult […]

Native plants are a wonderful addition to the landscape for their adaptability, ornamental value and pollinator support. Tour the Garden with experienced Guides and learn how to incorporate natives into your garden with greater confidence and success.

Explore and view the Asian Valley from a different perspective. Learn how Eastern culture, tradition, and lore are fundamentals in the development of an Asian garden.

Container gardens help you maximize small spaces and they’re easy to maintain! Garden horticulturist Dean Dietrich, responsible for the many spectacular container plantings in the Central Garden, helps you create your own container garden emphasizing color and texture combinations. Soil and plant material provided, along with a lightweight liner that students can slip into their […]