In this section, Design and Structural Components, we will identify and assess the design process and factors inclusive of ecological principles, processes, and materials in order to create systems that are resilient and regenerative. Four separate online sessions focus on: Ecological Design for Resilience, Applied Soils: Restore and Engineer, Systematic Solutions to Water Management, and Sustainable Materials.
New England meadow plants include a wide array of genera and are wonderful succession plants for many landscapes—dry open fields or damp, shady woodland clearings, large garden borders or converted lawn spaces. In partnership with CT NOFA, this hands-on workshop welcomes all horticulture professionals, whether nursery growers, gardeners, or landscape designers, to come learn about the considerations and processes of propagating, sowing, and growing native herbaceous species. Instructors Leo Kenney from Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary and Emily Baisden from Wild Seed Project will discuss seed preservation, methods for strong and timely germination, and growing materials. Students will leave confident in the knowledge that they can incorporate these species into their businesses operations.
Attention professional gardeners, growers, farmers, and landscape designers! With demand for native plants increasing, there are plenty of reasons and opportunities to incorporate them into your professional practice, nursery business, or landscape projects. In partnership with the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, and taking place at the Gardens, this hands-on workshop with Leo Kenney from Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary and Emily Baisden from Wild Seed Project will discuss the considerations and guide students through the processes necessary for effectively propagating and sowing native edible plants. Instead of foraging from wild populations, learn how to grow natives from seed for professional advantage and add function, beauty, nutrition, and delicious flavors to any garden environment.
New and ongoing students in the Certificate in Native Plants and Ecological Horticulture will attend this online session. Learn about this comprehensive program, its curriculum, the core courses, the elective courses, and the instructors. The extensive program welcomes experienced gardeners, hobbyists, and professional gardeners interested in building their proficiency about New England native plants and the horticulture practices that support ecology in the landscape.
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 present and allow practice in how and what to measure for a new garden or multiple gardens before translating the information into a scaled drawing. During this stage, students will begin developing a design key and practice drafting skills. A scaled base-plan will be necessary to properly pursue further design stages and enable the designer to practice sketching with trace paper and explore ideas. Upon registration, students will receive a list of supplies needed to pursue their own design project and to have ready for this class.
Join us for this online panel presentation and learn about 20 favorite trees and shrubs native to the northeast from three of our staff horticulturists, Lon Ames, Kelsie Birney, and Alison Webb. Native trees and shrubs provide a variety of ecosystem services that are essential to preserving the environment, perfect for any garden or landscape setting. We'll talk about the plants' wildlife habitat, design applications, ornamental features, and end with questions and answers. While this class is a part of our adult education offerings, it is open to advanced younger students, ages 14 and older.
Join us for this online panel presentation where we'll feature 20 hardy and resilient perennials selected by staff horticulturists Jen Dunlap, Courtney Locke, and Delaney Pitman. This group of plants includes those that manage challenging conditions such as dry/wet, windy locations, compacted soils, and which also regenerate quickly after major weather events, on the rise due to climate change. Come learn about plants that will lead to sustaining, high-performing, and beautiful gardens. While this class is a part of our adult education offerings, it is open to advanced younger students, ages 14 and older.
Practice your skills and learn more about the plants to prune during certain times of the year with Gardens Horticulturists Irene Barber and Brent McHale. In this hands-on workshop, we'll discuss the variety of pruning methods and techniques needed depending on plant setting, plant health, and any desired goals. Students will have the opportunity to use different tools during the workshop, learning when and how to use them properly as well as how to maintain them for optimal long-term performance.
Join us for an online panel presentation featuring 20 plants that attract winged companions like the birds, native butterflies, moths, and flying insects that are essential to our ecosystems. Many of the plants we’ll discuss are found in forests, fields, and other natural ecosystems, wonderful species for gardens and rewilding. Staff horticulturists Lesley Paxson, Alicia Miller, and Brent McHale will share their favorites, perfect for your gardens or wild spaces. While this class is a part of our adult education offerings, it is open to advanced younger students, ages 14 and older.
April is a big month for amphibians in Maine as they migrate to vernal pools to breed and lay eggs. During this walk, we’ll spend time exploring the many vernal pools at the Gardens in search of wood frog and spotted salamander eggs as well as other seasonal residents. Participants will learn how to tell the difference between frog and salamander eggs, what makes vernal pools unique, and gain an understanding of their important role in the forest ecosystem. This program is intended for children with an adult caregiver. Please register ONLY for the number of children in your group. This program meets at the Timber Frame behind the Education Center.
Come and enjoy the early blooms of spring with your family as we celebrate Earth Day together, and get a sneak peek at the Gardens before we open for the season. We’ll head out on a “signs of spring” scavenger hunt and plant some flower seeds to grow at home. Families are welcome to picnic afterward and explore the Gardens. *Please note that the Children’s Garden buildings, Café, and Visitor Center will not yet be open for the season. Registration for this class includes Gardens admission for one child and up to two accompanying adults. Children two years old & under are welcome to attend for free. Please register ONLY for the children that are attending, not the adults.
Whether you’re working on a new garden design or revising an existing one, this class at the Gardens will address both the large-scale process and the detailed specifics of your design. After a brief recap of the design process to ensure comprehension and strengthen the core intent of our designs, we’ll address how to merge the layers of design details, ensuring legibility is maintained. In this collaborative workshop, students will be able to present their design projects, exchange constructive feedback and discuss the means for making the design come to fruition. In this final installment of our series, students should come prepared with a design project they’ve been working on, no matter the stage. Upon registration, students will receive a list of supplies needed to pursue their design projects and to use during class.
Join us for a morning tour before the Gardens opens to the public. Explore our fascinating bird population at the the peak of the spring migration season. Binoculars are recommended; all skill levels welcome.
Spring is one of the best times to go bird watching, since many birds are returning to their mating grounds, sporting showy and colorful plumage. Take advantage of all the natural spaces at the Gardens and get a front-row seat to the show! Put your birding skills to the test – or gain a whole new set – as we tour the Gardens together, looking for our feathered friends and learning how to identify them by their calls and select features. This program is intended for children with an adult caregiver. Please register ONLY for the number of children in your group. This program meets at the Timber Frame behind the Education Center.
Monday-Wednesday, May 8-10, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Do you LOVE lush floral design and the dramatic still life paintings of the Dutch masters? Celebrate spring blooms in the Gardens in this three-day workshop. On day one, Mimi and Mum Floral design will present several large, extraordinary arrangements to serve as models for students to paint from, discuss their process, and offer a few tricks to make flowers appear open and showy. Then, we’ll focus our studies on individual flowers so that students can learn to paint these beautiful, complex forms with confidence. Come learn from and be inspired by the 17th-century Dutch flower painting technique, and learn the history behind this historical method. Materials list will be made available upon registration.
Ever wondered what wildlife is living in your backyard? In our seasonal series of field-study classes (register separately for each), participants ages 14-adult will learn more about the creatures that live in or around their garden, looking for shelter, food, and water. Join us in mid-spring for the first class and see spring animal-activity first-hand, an experience that will provide deeper insight into and appreciation for their roles in the ecosystem, better informing us how humans and wildlife can live together more harmoniously. With the return of spring, our wildlife awakens and begins actively foraging, preparing to find mates, establishing new homes, and more. In this session, we’ll focus on resident and migratory birds, amphibians and reptiles, and which mammals are active and evident this time of year.
The Earth’s natural systems are in crisis, both globally and closer to home in our region. Despite decades of efforts, conventional conservation efforts have not succeeded in turning the tide of many indicators of ecological decline. At the same time, recent years have seen a renewed and growing movement to shift conservation narratives to include the leadership of Wabanaki (Passamaquoddy, Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, and Penobscot) people, while also working to address the ongoing dispossession of Wabanaki people from their home. Join us for an exceptional evening in dialogue with six Wabanaki leaders as, together, they discuss the interconnections of land, culture, and Indigenous sovereignty in bringing the work of healing and repair into the place we now call Maine, and which was first, and still is, Wabanaki homeland.
Speakers include: Nolan Altvater, Passamaquoddy; Suzanne Greenlaw, Maliseet; Jennifer Neptune, Penobscot; Richard Silliboy, Mi’kmaq Nation; Donald Soctomah, Passamaquoddy and moderated by Darren Ranco, Ph.D., Penobscot
100% of proceeds from registrations from this program will go to the Wabanaki Self-Determination Fund.
Friday, May 19, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., noon-1:30 p.m., & 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
We’ll introduce students to our different pollinators and their flower preferences, knowledge that will be reinforced through observations together in the Gardens. Students will also have the opportunity to dissect a flower to understand its parts, gaining a better understanding of the process of pollination and the critical role pollinators play in a plant’s life cycle. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. A discount will be given to families who register multiple children or for multiple programs.
Monday, May 22, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. & noon-1:30 p.m.
Students will investigate life underground, discovering the important role decomposers play in helping our gardens grow. Students will learn to identify these living organisms, learn about the anatomy of a worm, and understand how decomposition works. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. A discount will be given to families who register multiple children or for multiple programs.
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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