Gardens Aglow tickets are on sale NOW! Weekends and holidays do sell out, so get your tickets early to ensure your ideal day and time.
Diane welcomes all wreath-making elves, both those returning and those new to the craft, to learn about creating custom winter wreaths. Follow along as she demonstrates the techniques behind festive wreaths, table, and mantel arrangements. Upon registration, we’ll email you a list of materials needed to participate.
Too often, gardeners rush to buy seeds and seedlings before considering placement, growth habit, and time of harvest. In this class, Ellen Ecker Ogden, author of The New Heirloom Garden, will take you through the process of selecting and growing plants from seed, the reasons to procure seedlings, and where in a garden plants perform best to yield successful, tasty produce, easy growth, and beauty. Discussion will include best varieties for flavor, fragrant and edible flowers, growing in succession, saving your own seed for the following year, and much more. Ellen Ecker Ogden's book will be available for purchase on-site at the Gardenshop at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.
Witness the seasonal evolution of the Burpee Kitchen Garden. Filled with edibles and floral accents, the garden’s wares range from arugula to zinnia, itty-bitty seedlings to 12-foot stalks. Diane Walden, the Burpee Kitchen Garden’s designer and tender, will share her favorite garden occupants. In this unconventional kitchen/cutting garden, you'll discover new and unusual selections as well as the classics, whether planted in-ground or in containers, vertically trained with tuteurs.
This session is about the bones of the garden and covers early-season preparation; the planting of the first crops, seeds, and plugs; establishing larger plants; and laying out tuteurs and pots. Learn about soil preparation and how to implement a design that will evolve long into the summer and autumn.
To provide safe, in-person classes at the Gardens, classes are held entirely outdoors and have been reduced to 12 students. We are practicing Maine CDC social-distancing protocols.
Rain date: Saturday, May 29, 2021
Let’s grow up! In this fun, innovative container-garden class, we’ll plant mini vertical gardens that can be mounted on a fence, a stone wall, an exterior wall, or against a post. Let us supply the plants and planting materials while you select which plants you’d like in your vertical garden. Registrants will be asked to choose between sun-loving succulents or shade-loving ferns and foliage plants. After registering, contact Irene Barber by e-mail, with your choice of sun or shade plants.
To provide safe, in-person classes at the Gardens, classes are held entirely outdoors and have been reduced to 12 students. We are practicing Maine CDC social-distancing protocols.
Rain Date: Saturday, June 12, 2021
From arbors to pergolas, toolsheds to tea-houses, outdoor landscape structures can add function and aesthetic interest to any property. Karl Alamo, horticulturist and landscape architect, will take students through the Gardens, pointing out the design and structural elements that serve as storage, entry points, and sanctuary. Discussion will include green roofs, sustainable materials, and architectural choices. This class will outline what choices you can make to help you create artful and functional garden features.
To provide safe, in-person classes at the Gardens, classes are held entirely outdoors and have been reduced to 12 people. We are practicing social distance protocols.
Rain Date: Saturday, July 31, 2021
Artistic, eye-catching mobiles can add whimsy and natural music to any garden as they catch the wind. Secured to posts, branches, or arbors, these features can reflect light, capture the spirit of a space, and offer depth and vertical interest to any landscape. In this creative craft class, we will make garden mobiles from found and natural objects supplied by instructors Caroline Davis, the Gardens' Coordinator of Botanical Arts and Exhibits, and Irene Barber, Horticultural Therapist and educator. Students are welcome to bring their own found, repurposed, or natural objects to incorporate in their garden mobiles. Please bring a pair of form-fitting work gloves.
To provide safe, in-person classes at the Gardens, classes are held entirely outdoors and have been reduced to 12 people. We are practicing social distance protocols.
Rain Date: Saturday, August 14, 2021
Join horticulturists Diane Walden and Brent McHale on a tour of their container garden designs in the Burpee Kitchen Garden, the Arbor Garden, and the Great Lawn. Learn about the different styles on display, from the organized to the whimsical, the bold to the muted, and the minimalistic to the complex. Diane and Brent will describe the plant varieties providing those stylistic differences and how plant placement can affect the design and overall management throughout the summer.
To provide safe, in-person classes at the Gardens, class are held entirely outdoors and have been reduced to 12 students. We are practicing Maine CDC social-distancing protocols.
Rain Date: Saturday, August 14, 2021
In this interactive walking-tour, students will gain insight in including art in the landscape, at any scale, while viewing examples located throughout the Gardens.
Learn from expert wreath maker Jen Dunlap, whose amazing and imaginative harvest wreaths feature dried floral and foliar cuttings from the garden. Walk the Gardens with Jen and learn which plants are perfect for dried wreaths and other dried compositions. Jen will discuss the proper time to cut and drying methods. This class pairs perfectly with the online tutorial, Making a Harvest Wreath, happening in October.
Ever wanted to preserve your garden after the season has ended, extending the enjoyment of its bounty? Join Staff Horticulturist Jen Dunlap and learn the process of making dried wreaths from cuttings collected from your garden or surrounding property. Jen will take you through this art and craft, step-by-step. A materials list will be supplied upon registration, as will a list of suggested cuttings to have on-hand, if you’d like to make a wreath during class. If you won’t have the dried cuttings, you can still learn and keep the recorded class demonstration as reference.
Get into the mood for the winter holidays by making your own evergreen wreath—there’s nothing like the sharp, clean scent of balsam fir to signal the beginning of the festive season. In this virtual workshop and demonstration, Horticulturist Jen Dunlap will lead you through the process of making your own unique winter wreath. Students can register with an option to pick up greenery from CMBG; instructions will be provided in a follow-up email. All registered students will receive a helpful list of suggested resources for other necessary supplies in that same email confirmation.
Horticulturist and floral designer Diane Walden creates wild and whimsical arrangements all year round. Join this master of her craft in this virtual workshop and create your own arrangement, a perfect reflection of your personal taste and a festive nod to the season. Everything from evergreens to birch bark, berries, seedheads, and select floral options combine to create a stunning arrangement. Diane will guide you through the steps, freeing you from the traditional store-bought arrangements. Students can register with an option to pick up greenery from CMBG; instructions will be provided in a follow-up email. All registered students will receive a helpful list of suggested resources for other necessary supplies in that same email confirmation.
Planting a container garden is enormous fun. Loaded with creative possibility, it’s a perfect activity for gardeners of every age and ability, no matter if your containers are destined for your front stoop, patio, balcony, or planned as a focal feature in a perennial bed. In this hands-on workshop, Jen Dunlap, horticulturist and container garden designer, will guide you through the process of selecting, planting, and caring for whatever annuals you choose—sun- or shade-loving and with a myriad of flower and foliage options. All supplies provided.
Please note this class requires participants to show proof of having received all eligible Covid-19 vaccinations, as recommended for their age by the CDC, in order to participate. Because of the dynamic nature of this situation, we ask that you agree to abide by potential future changes in CMBG’s Covid-19 policy designed to address evolving public health recommendations.
Unique, exceptional and magical are just some of the adjectives used to describe kokedama, the Japanese art of growing plants in a moss-covered ball of soil, 6-8 inches in diameter. They can be displayed on a decorative surface of your choice, hung from a tree branch, pergola ceiling, arbor, or bracket. In this class for all ages, horticulturist Jen Dunlap will guide you in creating three kokedama projects for your home garden. These verdant, living globes add whimsy, mystery, and vertical interest to your outdoor living space. All supplies provided.
Please note this class requires participants to show proof of having received all eligible Covid-19 vaccinations, as recommended for their age by the CDC, in order to participate. Because of the dynamic nature of this situation, we ask that you agree to abide by potential future changes in CMBG’s Covid-19 policy designed to address evolving public health recommendations.
Long before products manufactured from metals, plastics, or synthetics were widely available, essential daily tools like pots, baskets, bowls, and utensils were handmade from elements found in nature. In this all-ages class, learn how the Wabanaki made such daily essentials and how these traditions live on, connecting people to earth and to heritage. Learn from Barry Dana (Penobscot) and Lori Dana as they share stories, describing how to know what natural elements are used for what function and where they can be found, as well as the making process, produced by hand without the need for electricity, oil, coal, or metal. To finish class, you'll learn how to braid traditional bass rope.
Using an upcycled frame, design your own vertical moss tapestry. Moss is captivating, from color to texture, and we’ll use several varieties of moss, lichen, and other organic materials. The moss is preserved—no maintenance required! Whether your inspiration is to recreate the feel of a walk in the woods, a birds-eye view of Maine geography, or an abstract color field, participants can create a verdant piece of art that brings the outside-in, all year long.
In this fun and creative hands-on workshop, learn how to compose a centerpiece that reflects your personality and style. Using fresh and dried floral and greenery harvested here at CMBG, floral designer and Horticulturist Lesley Paxson will guide students through a demonstration and offer one-on-one assistance. Take home new skills and a centerpiece to enjoy during harvest dinners. All materials supplied; students are encouraged to bring their own clippers or pruners.
Get into the winter holiday mood by crafting your own evergreen wreath—there’s nothing like the sharp, clean scent of balsam fir to signal the beginning of the festive season. In this workshop and demonstration, Horticulturist Jen Dunlap will lead you through the process of making your own unique winter wreath with cuttings from CMBG. All supplies will be provided, however we encourage students to bring their own hand pruners.
In this hands-on garden crafting class, students will learn everything there is to know about living willow structures: where they are used, how to make them, and the variety of willow species to use. Alicia Miller, CMBG Horticulturist and willow structure designer, will guide you through the process of planting a potted harlequin braided willow tree that you'll be able to take home and grow for many years. We ask that students bring their own clippers and garden gloves. While this class is a part of our adult education offerings, it is open to advanced younger students, ages 14 and older.
Garden tuteurs, garden obelisk, or trellis—no matter what term you're familiar with, this creative pyramidal structure supports edible or ornamental vines. These practical features add vertical interest and provide visible textural contrast, line, and structure to a garden. Join us just in time to support seasonal vines and make your own rustic wooden tuteur to add to your garden space. Instructor and CMBG Horticulturist, Kelsie Birney, will provide all needed supplies and lead students through the constructing process. Please bring your own gloves, clippers, and battery-operated or cord drill, if you have one handy. While this class is a part of our adult education offerings, it is open to advanced younger students, ages 14 and older.
Color, color, and more color! Join us and learn how visually stunning color combinations can be achieved effectively and harmoniously in container garden design. Sometimes too much color can be overpowering, but color can be expressed in many ways—through hue, tone, shape, and texture, creating wide-ranging visual appeal. Join Brent McHale, container-garden designer and Gardens Horticulturist, to learn how to create your own colorful container garden, one that achieves its effect through flowers, foliage, and seasonal succession. All planting materials will be supplied by the Gardens. The instructor will contact you to ask if you want a shade- or sun-loving plant selection. Please bring your own garden gloves and clippers.
Water-wise gardening is another way of referring to designing with water in mind, especially relevant to drought conditions. Water-wise container gardens lend themselves to an exotic and creative assortment of annuals or perennials like succulents, alpines, and plants with fuzzy leaves, leathery-glossy leaves, or those with varied color- and textural characteristics. Join Gardens Horticulturist Jen Dunlap for this creative workshop and make your own drought-tolerant container garden. Students are encouraged to bring their own clippers, apron, and garden gloves. While this class is a part of our adult education offerings, it is open to advanced younger students, ages 14 and older.
Join trained herbalist and horticulturist Lesley Paxson for a workshop and field-study examining some of the interesting layers of herbalism, from traditional beliefs to contemporary applications. Come enjoy a tea tasting with plants freshly harvested from the Gardens, harvest medicinal plant cuttings to take home for tea, and, since July offers an abundance of blooms, she'll also demonstrate how a flower essence is made. We’ll stroll the gardens and identify five important medicinal plants historically valuable to human well-being and understand them more intimately with a tincture tasting.
Water gardens are growing in popularity for a number of reasons: to attract wildlife like birds and butterflies, to add a melodic sound feature, to contribute light reflection, to offer a place for personal respite, and to cool down a garden space. Water gardens that incorporate unique and lush plants add bold shapes, forms, colors, defined lines, and textures to a garden space. In class, students will make and take home a small water garden container filled with personally selected plants supplied by the Gardens. We'll talk about the wide variety of plant options, materials, and different kinds of water garden designs. While this class is a part of our adult education offerings, it is open to advanced younger students, ages 14 and older.
Drying and pressing plants is not only a mindful, restful activity, it’s also one that produces beautiful compositions. From artfully matted notecards to printmaking, botanical research to herbarium use, pressing plants has so many applications. Join us for two sessions at the Gardens where we’ll begin by learning how to collect and press plants. Then, in session two, we’ll create a customized mounted project using the pressed plants, such as a set of notecards or a matted print.
Thursday, November 9, 2-5 p.m.
Nights can be long in Maine—so why not introduce a little festive night light into your world? That’s exactly what we do every year during Gardens Aglow, an annual event that attracts visitors from all over the Northeast. Because we get many questions about our design and process, we're offering this lecture and walking tour. Join Brent McHale, Horticulturist & Gardens Aglow Program Manager, and Alison Webb, Horticulturist, and light-display specialist, to learn about creative and inspiring lighting design, color selection, and practical advice for your light display. We’ll discuss sustainable choices and practices, resourcing and repurposing materials for design concepts, set-up considerations, and more. After an introductory indoor presentation, we’ll go outside to see the light display and observe intricate details like the electrical components that make the display work successfully.
Friday, December 1, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Creating a wreath from sustainably harvested, fresh, and aromatic evergreen materials, berries, decorative twigs, fuzzy flower buds, and more is the perfect addition to your winter decor. Wreaths come in all shapes and sizes and represent various holidays, celebrations, and themes, and this class will inspire you to think outside the box. During this in-person workshop at the Gardens, cocoa, tea, and sweet & savory snacks will fuel you as you develop your wreath-making skills. Please bring garden clippers or pruners (scissors are not recommended). All other materials are supplied.
Saturday, December 2, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Creating a wreath from sustainably harvested, fresh, and aromatic evergreen materials, berries, decorative twigs, fuzzy flower buds, and more is the perfect addition to your winter decor. Wreaths come in all shapes and sizes and represent various holidays, celebrations, and themes, and this class will inspire you to think outside the box. During this in-person workshop at the Gardens, cocoa, tea, and sweet & savory snacks will fuel you as you develop your wreath-making skills. Please bring garden clippers or pruners (scissors are not recommended). All other materials are supplied.
This class is sold out, but please click "Learn More" to join our waitlist. | Leave with a beautiful vertical garden in this hands-on workshop. Designers Cheryl Tyler and Jen Dunlap will guide students through a step-by-step process of building and planting an 18"x 14" framed planter. The plant pallet of ferns, mosses, and lichens will be provided for outdoor and indoor applications. Class Level: All Levels. Suitable for teens 14+.
This class is sold out, but please click "Learn More" to join our waitlist. | Succulents provide the perfect plant for both seasoned and aspiring gardeners. These powerhouse low-maintenance plants add elegance and unique displays for small or large gardens. Join staff Horticulturist and container garden aficionado Brent McHale to show you what plants to use and how to plant your own shallow container garden that you'll take home to display and admire on your patio, deck, or balcony. All materials will be provided. Class Level: All Levels. Suitable for teens 14+.
Join artist and forest therapy guide Susan Bickford for a guided, mindful walk and craft workshop. Returning to a time pre-technology, participants will employ their eyes, ears, and touch to document their experience, transferring their observations into a 3-dimensional creative collage map. This fun, interactive, and tactile activity further deepens awareness of nature's elements, resulting in a texture-rich, aromatic artistic representation that participants will take home. Locally foraged herbal tea will be offered during the workshop to sustain participants' newly awakened senses and imagination. All materials will be supplied.
Class Level: All Levels. Suited for teens 14+.
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Instructor Biography:
Susan Bickford, Certified Forest Therapy Guide, leads walks throughout coastal Maine and co-manages a retreat event annually called the Stillness Kitchen. Susan has many talents connecting her to nature, including a visual arts instructor at the University of Maine Augusta. A native of Maine, Susan has a strong connection to the flora and fauna in our verdant landscape.
Improved air quality, aromatherapy, aesthetic interest, and emotional and edible nourishment are a few of the benefits of having houseplants. Join Brent McHale to learn about the garden plants that do best indoors, what kind of indoor conditions and considerations to be aware of, and the numerous ways to display the plants that you love outdoors, now indoors. Each student will pot and take home a young new houseplant. Class Level: All Levels. Suitable for teens 14+.
The mission of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is to inspire meaningful connections between people and nature and promote plant conservation through horticulture, education, and plant science.
Copyright 2024 Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
