Classes

Start spring early by making your own colorful blooms! This dainty Icelandic poppy will look cheery in a multicolored bunch or as a focal point in a bouquet. They are made from hand-colored fine crepe paper in shades of ombr pink, coral, and orange wrapped around a wire. You’ll receive supplies to make two poppies as well as a supply list so that you can make more on your own. You’ll also learn a couple of ways of coloring the...

Join Shawna van Nimwegen from Plant Amnesty to learn about the different types of approved cuts to make on trees and shrubs, basic plant habits, and what Cass Turnbull called “the pruning budget," or how much of each plant to prune each season. Come to this class and earn credit toward your Master Pruner Certificate and/or WSNLA CEUs.  $25 BBGS & Plant Amnesty Members/$35 non-members.    

Learn how to use and access Project Learning Tree's Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood & Project WILD's Growing Up WILD. These activity guides use best practices in early childhood education to get young children exploring their natural world. The guides contain 38 nature-based themes and over 100 activities complete with background information, outdoor activities, ideas for healthy snacks, math, art, songs, literature, and more. In addition, you’ll learn fascinating things about Pacific NW plants and animals. Join us for a...

Join Molly Hashimoto and learn how to celebrate the coming of spring through art! We'll create watercolor sketches of individual botanical specimens, as well as paint a landscape. All abilities are welcome. All supplies are provided, including artist quality watercolor paper. Participants are encouraged to bring extra paper. Molly Hashimoto is the author of Colors of the West: An Artist's Guide to Nature's Palette, as well as an illustrator whose work has been published by Pomegranate Communications for over 25...

Join Molly Hashimoto and learn how to celebrate the coming of spring through art! We'll create watercolor sketches of individual botanical specimens, as well as paint a landscape. All abilities are welcome. All supplies are provided, including artist quality watercolor paper. Participants are encouraged to bring extra paper. Molly Hashimoto is the author of Colors of the West: An Artist's Guide to Nature's Palette, as well as an illustrator whose work has been published by Pomegranate Communications for over 25...

Instructor Lucy Davenport will cover the hands-on practice of the art of bonsai, from choosing a nursery plant to styling a bonsai and maintaining it for the first year of growth. Details include branch pruning, root pruning, wiring and leaf reduction to achieve a miniature specimen. The horticulture of specific species will be covered with attention to small garden trees and flowering shrubs, deciduous and coniferous varieties, for our Pacific Northwest climate zone. Soil components for each species will be...

Join Kit Haesloop and learn how to get peak performance from the hydrangeas you grow or want to grow in your garden from the ever-expanding varieties available. In this class you will learn the distinguishing traits between species, and how best to keep your Hydrangeas beautiful with the proper care. Kit will provide guidance on growing conditions, bloom color and pruning options for the different species. Finally, Kit will demonstrate proper pruning techniques on several species that grow in the...

Using garden design principles, Nita-Jo Rountree will share how to successfully use various types of roses in mixed beds as well as in formal designs. She will present photographic examples of roses that are a delight for the senses and share ideas for beautiful companion plants. She will also cover how to select and care for roses so they will be disease-free and thrive in the Pacific Northwest. $25 members/$35 nonmembers.

Take a Winter Walk on the Wild Side with Deborah and Jessica, teachers of our popular Mindfulness in the Garden series. Stroll across the suspension bridge and into the peace and sanctuary of the most pristine forested area of the Garden, while practicing Mindfulness Meditation and Shinrin-Yoku (Japanese Forest Bathing). Restore mind, body and spirit as you experience the healing power of Nature. Please note: this class involves approximately one mile of walking, including up and down gentle inclines. Instructor...

Join Kit Haesloop and learn how to get peak performance from the hydrangeas you grow or want to grow in your garden from the ever-expanding varieties available. In this class you will learn the distinguishing traits between species, and how best to keep your Hydrangeas beautiful with the proper care. Kit will provide guidance on growing conditions, bloom color and pruning options for the different species. Finally, Kit will demonstrate proper pruning techniques on several species that grow in the...