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.
Bring your beach-combed treasures or borrow from our collection as we investigate shells, seaweed, crab claws, horseshoe crabs, and more! For day two, we will draw and paint in color using colored pencils, watercolor, and gauche! Students choose their medium. All experience levels are welcome. Suitable for teens 14+.
From woodland creatures to forest floor treasures of Maine, students will study specimens and photographs and render them in graphite. We'll explore the fur textures of the red squirrel, mushrooms in leaf litter, twigs, acorns, and more! All experience levels are welcome. Suitable for teens 14+.
From woodland creatures to forest floor treasures of Maine, students will study specimens and photographs and render them in the color medium of their choice. Starting with graphite drawings and learning to transfer to full-color illustrations, we'll explore the fur textures of the red squirrel, mushrooms in leaf litter, twigs, acorns, and more! All experience levels are welcome. Suitable for teens 14+.
Day five is the culmination of five days of exploration through Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Combining shells, leaves, and forest friends, we'll create an original composition. Students can use the medium of their choice, either in graphite or color. All experience levels are welcome. Suitable for teens 14+.
Whether working adjacent to or amongst a wetland area, understanding specialized wetland species is vital to conservation and future growth. In this lecture and hands-on workshop, learn how to successfully propagate and grow wetland herbaceous plants, which will help sustain local provenance genetics by using locally sourced species beneficial to the environment. Students will learn how to propagate ferns, sedges, arrowheads, and more from experienced plant propagator Shawn Jalbert, owner of Native Haunts. Class Level: Advanced
Immerse yourself in a fall woodland walk and field study celebrating our northeastern forests and learning more about their fragile ecosystems. Wabanahkik (Dawnland), the broader territory that includes the area now known as Maine, consists of a variety of climate conditions that host an assortment of deciduous and coniferous species valuable to thousands of living organisms. We will discuss individual tree species, their ecological roles, cultural values, and management practices that support the health of the living matrix.
This is a unique opportunity to work with wood and the ancient medium of encaustic in creating a "critter" in the form of a relief wall piece! Whether a chipmunk, baby barred owl, or hedgehog is your critter of choice, we'll explore forms on board and then learn to cut with a jigsaw to establish wings, feet, and other creative design elements. Students will be introduced to the molten beeswax paint to create a rich surface for their critter.
Wetlands are extensive in Maine and are ecologically rich. Woody species living within them are unique to the ecosystems and environmentally critical to Maine and the Global community. Learn from Shawn Jalbert, owner and professional propagator of Native Haunts, how to grow native woody species of these local systems, which can lead to sustainable business opportunities and ecological benefits. Growing, selling, and planting locally grown perishable plants can be used for wetland restoration or wetland-like landscape garden projects, such as rain gardens, swales, water-accumulated topography, and more. Class Level: Advanced
Be inspired by the brilliant colors of autumn and beautiful gardens in this two-day pastel workshop. Geared for all levels of experience, this course will introduce beginning artists to pastels with pure pigments that offer the perfect complement to the colorful bounty of nature. For experienced painters, the course offers techniques to create painterly works with bold color and mark-making. Diana combines demonstrations with one-on-one attention and encouragement at the easel. Using fun exercises, participants will learn how to use color and value selection, simplified compositions, and mark-making to create expressive garden and landscape paintings. Participants will have plenty of time to paint and complete fully developed paintings. Suitable for teens 14+.
This class is sold out, but please click "Learn More" to join our waitlist. | To design landscapes inspired by—and inclusive of—nature, it is essential to study design principles through the lens of natural systems. In this three-day course led by landscape architect Lisa Cowan and landscape designer and horticulturist Irene Barber, students will learn to identify and incorporate the components of ecological landscape design. Online and onsite, we will examine the systems influencing design decisions, practice environmental site analysis, and design conceptual plot plans for a selected site. Class Level: Intermediate-Advanced
What if you could grow a lawn that required barely any mowing, no pesticides or irrigation, and fostered pollinators and other wildlife? Tom Christopher will share his years of research and experience creating and maintaining such alternative greenswards. Transform turf into a healthy and attractive asset for the local ecosystem while saving money and reducing maintenance. Yes, the grass—and other adapted plants—can be greener on your side of the fence. Level: Intermediate to Advanced.
This class is sold out, but please click "Learn More" to join our waitlist. | Tailored to emerging or current professionals in the green industry, Plants and Practices guides students through the valuable process of landscaping with native plants and working in harmony with nature to achieve high-performing, resilient landscape systems. The four-part course features detailed instruction about native woody plants and native herbaceous plants for specific environmental applications; instruction and discussion about effective implementation and long-term management practices for various projects; and how to establish comprehensive, functional, and successful communication between clients and contractors. We will discuss biodiversity in plant communities, plant adaptation, successional design and growth, erosion control, installation of green infrastructure, building trust and establishing landscape programs that include long-term management and design, and much more. These interactive virtual sessions will help native-plant-savvy students plan for the next level of design and management. Class Level: Advanced
This class is sold out, but please click "Learn More" to join our waitlist. | Just in time for the holidays, make a wreath from sustainably harvested, fresh, and aromatic evergreen materials, berries, decorative twigs, and fuzzy flower buds that will be the perfect addition to your winter decor.
This class is sold out, but please click "Learn More" to join our waitlist. | Just in time for the holidays, make a wreath from sustainably harvested, fresh, and aromatic evergreen materials, berries, decorative twigs, and fuzzy flower buds that will be the perfect addition to your winter decor.
There is a pressing need for more inspiring and ecologically rich planting in our urban and rural landscapes. Constraints such as tight budgets, environmental extremes, and limited familiarity with diverse planting systems among clients and crews present significant challenges. Representing Phyto Studio, Claudia will delve into the scientific models and techniques to surmount these obstacles. Join us as she shares insights on enriching, even the most challenging, spaces with evocative planting, offering ecologically rich, appealing, resilient, and maintainable solutions. Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Set your festive tablescape off with a handmade floral arrangement. Floral designer and Gardens' horticulturist, Lesley Paxson will guide you through the steps of composition and arrangement with some tips and tricks to ensure your personal arrangement will last as long as possible. Skills developed can be translated into seasonal arrangements all year long. All Levels. Available for students 14 and over.
It can sometimes take a small tree to solve a big landscape problem. Explore the toughest understory, ornamental, and native trees that can adapt to challenging growing conditions and still provide beauty and ecological function to any garden or landscape. Arborist Chris Roddick will share his over 30 years of experience planting, growing, and caring for trees from compacted contaminated urban soils to rural development sites with stripped-away topsoil. We’ll look at different tree species that can help build back soil health or remediate drainage problems, as well as trees that best provide food and habitat for wildlife while adding beauty to an assortment of garden environments. Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Climate change impacts both heritage and newly planted tree species. Kristina Bezanson, Master Arborist and professor at UMass Stockbridge, will discuss specialized arboriculture practices, tree selection, and analyses that will help to prevent, protect, or extend the life of our valuable trees. Foresters, arborists, landscapers, or land stewards, will benefit from this vital discussion of how we consider the evolving effects of climate change. Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Prospective, new and experienced greenhouse growers alike will enjoy this discussion about specific crop considerations, including growing methods, materials and technologies for the best results. Flower farmers, native plant growers, and retail nursery growers will hear which greenhouse systems have shown to be more effective and appropriate for certain growing operations and materials, such as soil media, in-ground, bench systems, flooding benches, overhead irrigation, and more. Get ready for an active discussion, and bring your questions! Class Level: Intermediate to Advanced
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.
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