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Tuesday, February 27 Discover 20 plants considered rare and unusual in this online panel presentation. Staff horticulturists Dan Robarts, Delaney...
Whether designing one garden or several, the first step is to learn the foundation and classical inspirations of garden design. In this online class, Irene Barber, landscape designer and Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ Adult Education Program Manager, will introduce students to garden themes from different cultures and civilizations, all of which are essential to the principles and elements of today's design. Class Level: Intermediate
Support healthy gardens while tackling invasive plant issues with skills learned in this valuable presentation. Chris Polatin, restoration ecologist with Land Stewardship, Inc., will discuss how he incorporates Integrated Pest Management into successful mitigation practices. Developed over 20 years as an ecological restoration practitioner, Chirs has honed his skills and will share what to do, what not to do, and what are the most feasible outcomes. Additionally, we'll cover commonly encountered and emerging invasive plant species, seasonal consideration and prioritization, and native plant revegetation strategies. Landscape and garden professionals will leave with tangible mitigation tools and resources for additional support.
Growing native plants from seed secures stronger genetic diversity and adaptability to our changing climate. This class covers the basic set-up and the correct steps and considerations to grow native woody plants from seed. Through a hands-on workshop, we will explain and demonstrate the ins and outs, including the processes of collection, seasonal timing, germination rates, materials, and the steps of caring for the plant collection to the point they're sold or planted in your clients' gardens or landscapes. Instructors Shawn Jalbert, owner of Native Haunts Nursery, and Nikki Lively Savage, from New England Wetland Plants, will teach the content according to the plants' natural communities, from coastal maritime to freshwater wetlands and other communities throughout Maine and New England. Please note that the March 6 session will cover different plants from the February 15 session (Growing Native Woody Plants from Seed, Session 1). It is recommended that you take both classes. Class Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Delve deeply into the art of graphite drawing. Using simple botanical subjects, this online class will give students confidence in accurately depicting various fruits and vegetables. Using a light source and three-dimensional armature and an emphasis on highlights, mid-tones, and shadow areas, artists will develop an understanding of concave and convex shapes. Students will complete a three-part series of drawings, line, armature, and full tonal graphite drawing. This is a two-day online Zoom class on Thursdays, March 7 and 14. The classes are recorded and available for future viewing.
Geography and cultural history are pertinent when making garden design decisions, particularly in New England’s unique and diverse landscapes, from river valleys to rolling fields to narrow, rocky corridors. In this online class, students will learn how to establish a sense of place and belonging wherever their prospective garden will be located in New England. No matter what cultural elements and influences you want to incorporate, this class will help you get creative while staying true to a sense of place. Class Level: Intermediate
Practice your skills and learn more about the plants to prune during certain times of the year with the Gardens' Arborist and IPM Specialist, Garth Welch, and Horticulture Educator, Irene Barber. In this hands-on workshop, we'll demonstrate and discuss the variety of pruning practices selected according to timing, setting, plant health, and desired aesthetic goals. Class Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Tuesday, March 12 Evergreens offer our New England landscape contrast, depth, and year-round appeal. Staff horticulturists Kelsie Birney, Courtney Locke,...
For prospective and current students of the Certificate in Native Plants and Ecological Horticulture course. This session initiates a student's...
Creating a base plan for a plan-view design of your garden may not be the most exciting part of the process, but it is an all-important one! This in-person class will combine presentation and practice on how and what to measure for a new garden or multiple gardens and how to translate it into a scaled drawing. Students will begin developing a design key and practice drafting skills. This scaled base plan will be necessary to pursue further design stages and enable the designer to practice sketching with trace paper and explore ideas. Class Level: Intermediate
Knowing the basics of soils, mulches, and amendments is essential for growing plants successfully indoors and out. In this webinar, we'll demystify and instill confidence by reviewing various in-ground and above-ground applications, from perennial borders to container gardens. This class is perfect for all gardeners, either starting out or in need of a refresher. Class Level: Beginner-Intermediate
From ornamental to functional benefits, there are many opportunities to use native shrubs in any landscape. It's time to scratch privet off the shopping list and add New England native plants, northern bayberry or fragrant summersweet. In this online presentation, we'll see examples of various native shrubs and discuss their applications and plant combinations. Whether you're doing a formal garden perimeter or a wildlife habitat naturalizing project, we'll share management practices and plant selection to help you meet your design goals.
In a continuation of Form & Texture with Graphite Part I, students will further develop their understanding and application of graphite to more complex natural subjects. By using pineapples, pine cones, the interior of a pepper, and so on, students will develop their skills, including working on rendering different pigments in greyscale. Explore the tonal quality and textural differences between the papery skin of garlic and the deep, dark shine of an eggplant. Learn to translate multi-colored subjects into tonal values, all while maintaining form and perspective. This class will meet via Zoom from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on March 21 & 28 and April 4 & 11. Pre-requisite: Suggested as a continuation of Form and Texture with Graphite Part I. These classes are recorded and available for future viewing.
Whether designing a secret garden or an extensive wildflower garden, it's critical to evaluate, document, and sketch out a setting's existing details—built features, water movement, sun exposure throughout growing months, soil types, etc. This online session will help students develop longhand documentation and, more importantly, mark the assessed information, resulting in a visual diagram that provides a clearer understanding of any variables to consider. The more informed you are as a designer, the better a designer you'll be! We strongly recommend students have a scaled base plan before moving forward with this stage. Class Level: Intermediate
Growing plants can be truly fulfilling and enjoyable, and sometimes it can be overwhelming. Gardeners learn by trial and error; however, it can be costly and frustrating. In this two-part online class, Dr. Sonja Birthesel will help you save money and increase gardening success with guidance and insight into horticulture. We'll provide practical information about sustainable garden practices, including an overview of plant biology, adaptation, habit, and cultivation. Class Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Perhaps you love to cut and arrange flowers from your garden, but have you considered growing them from seed? In...
When we design a garden, we do much more than create a space to show off favorite flowers; we reflect personality and a sense of place, incorporating circulation, function, and design principles. Join us at the Gardens as we explore the conceptual process that awakens creativity and trains the brain to draw freehand while learning how to use graphic tools. We’ll practice with onsite spaces and have time for students to apply newfound skills to their projects. Class Level: Intermediate
Staff horticulturists Jen Dunlap, Catherine Kaczor, and Lon Ames share their top 20 plants for erosion control in this online...
Once conceptual ideas are narrowed down to one or two general schematics of our garden spaces, we can start shaping them with program and structure. Structure and movement consist of more than a row of shrubs, a fence, a path, or a wall at your property line – this is how you shape a space, create a sense of enclosure, and lead the eye to landscape destinations. This online lecture and demonstration will identify features and design principles captured initially on trace layers, ensuring pragmatic and inspirational functions in our gardens. Upon registration, students will receive a list of supplies recommended for the class and ongoing design projects. Class Level: Intermediate
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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