Curious about bonsai? Experience this fascinating and living artas a part of the Gardens’ Fall Japanese Gardening Series. You will learn to start, care for and train your very own bonsai in this hands-on workshop with Victor Wilson of the Alabama Bonsai Society. Registrants will receive a dwarf Satsuki azalea to pot and begin training.…
Learn about the Japanese art of pruning and karikomi, the technique of shearing back shrubs that is a distinctive element of Japanese gardens. Horticulturist Julia Adams directs this hands-on workshop on proper pruning techniques for maples and shrubs in our Japanese Garden. Location: Japanese Garden
Fall is the perfect time to prepare your garden for spring. Improving your soil’s physical and chemical properties is a goal of every gardener as it creates a better environment for plant growth. In this class Friends’ Director of Gardens Support Jane Underwood explains how to determine the current condition of your soil and walks…
In this workshop centered on the wonder of exploring nature with an artist's eye, local teaching artist and naturalist Melissa Shultz-Jones will guide you through the painting process, beginning with the practice of observation. You will learn essential watercolor techniques, including sketching, composition, color mixing, and painting. No experience is necessary; all levels of expertise…
Boasting more than 200 different species of native plants, the Kaul Wildflower Garden celebrates the diverse flora of Alabama and demonstrates a variety of roles native plants can play in our gardens. Join Senior Horticulturist Keith Turney for an autumn walk among the wildflowers. Keith will focus on the plants that grow in this special…
Try your hand at naturalistic flower arranging with local landscape and floral designer Zachary Westall as your guide. In this two-hour workshop, you will learn how to select seasonal plant materials and properly clip from a plant without damaging it or the environment. Then experiment with composition using unexpected elements along with principles of design…
Planting bulbs is a great way to add seasonal color to garden beds and containers. Among the many factors that determine success with bulbs, getting them in the ground at the right time is key. In this class Jefferson County Regional Extension Agent Bethany O’Rear will talk about spring-blooming bulbs including variety selection, soil preparation,…
Join us for this special wreath-making workshop at the Gardens with Zachary Westall local landscape and garden designer, to help you ring in the holidays. Add your own creative touches as Zachary guides you and shares favorite tips. Greenery and other materials will be provided. Limited tickets available! Preregistration required. This signature holiday event is…
Perfect for beginners or those looking to refresh their skills, this workshop offers an overview of single-color linocut printing. Teaching artist Jessica Leitch of The Little Red Print Shop will guide you through the fundamental techniques of carving and printing your own relief prints using pre-drawn templates of Alabama wildflowers.All materials and tools provided. Location:…
Take a break from your holiday preparations to create your own mini ecosystem in an engaging make-and-take workshop with Astrid Jerez of Vivatia Plants. You will learn how to craft a desert oasis and make it thrive. This workshop is perfect for low-maintenance plant lovers and small-space gardeners. All materials and tools are provided. (Hint:…
Using logs is a wonderful long-term method for mushroom production. Many types of mushrooms can be grown on logs—Shiitake, Oyster, Lion’s Mane, Comb Tooth, Reishi, Olive Oysterling, Nameko, Chestnut, and Turkey Tail, to name a few. Join Urban Regional Extension Agent Bronson Lubresky as he guides you through the basic steps for growing mushrooms using…
Winter is a great time to restore your well-loved gardening tools. Correctly caring for and maintaining your tools will increase their longevity and the health of your plants. Learn how to properly store, clean, and sharpen your hand tools in this hands-on workshop. Bring along a pair of used pruners, a trowel, loppers, or a…
Join teaching artist Erica Scott of Dabble, a Birmingham Arts Studio, in the Gardens’ first Discover and Explore workshop. You will learn drawing techniques using colored pencils and pastels with plenty of time to play! Registrants are asked to bring botanical elements such as prunings, cut flowers, leaves, pine needles, etc., to be assembled in…
