Classes

Join Caite and Karla as they head into the Garden with their sketchbooks. The two will be leading a drawing session intended to deepen awareness and appreciation for plants and to gain the many benefits of the drawing process. Beginners can start a new lifelong skill, while advanced artists can build on prior experiences. All will benefit from the community of shared interests as we take to the Garden for some dedicated time with the plants. Sketchbooks and drawing tools will be provided, or you may bring your own. Sessions can be completely self-guided, or Caite and Karla will provide guidance, especially for those new to drawing. No prior skills are needed!

Gone are the days of the overly manicured shrubs, and awkwardly spaced plants sitting in a sea of mulch. Natural gardens- those that are full, relaxed, varied, and large are IN! Learn how to transform your outdated garden beds and lawns into meadow scenes from a Monet painting. Claudia Vilato, owner and operator of WILD, will give you the step by step on how to accomplish this joyful style of gardening without relying on costly landscapers, yearly wood mulch applications, soil amendments, fertilizers, or landscape fabric. Instead, you’ll gain confidence in your green thumb, and you’ll watch the world change right before your eyes, as your humble yard becomes a haven for birds, butterflies, and bees.

Join local artist, Beth Woessner, for this watercolor painting workshop. Create your own bouquet, paint it, and take it home to enjoy! Learn to lightly sketch flowers, explore composition ideas, use light effectively, apply loose paint to your sketches, and enhance your artwork with a final loose sketch over the painted flowers. All supplies will be provided.

Spend a morning with Lauren Eno from Wild Birds Unlimited for a bird talk and walk as the days cool down. Learn what draws songbirds to a habitat, and how you can create a paradise for them in your own backyard. We will also take a walk to explore how the Botanical Gardens and nearby Lake Fayetteville trails fill these roles while discovering who is currently calling these areas home. As the seasons change our migrating species are beginning to leave the Natural State. 

Enjoy the Gardens and the changing evening skyline while “Forest Bathing” under the energy of the first Super Full Moon of 2025. “Forest Bathing” or Forest Therapy is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, an evidenced based holistic practice which uses immersion in natural environments to enhance health and wellness. Join Forest Therapy Guide Emmie Brenzel, for a slow wander in the gardens during sunset, twilight, and the rising full moon. Participants will be invited to connect with nature, awaken their senses, and activate their imaginations. There will be opportunities for silence, observation, listening, and optional group sharing. The nature walk concludes with a tea ceremony. Please dress for the weather with layers recommended keeping in mind that temperatures will feel cooler when seated, moving slowly, or closer to sundown.

Get in the holiday spirit and make a statement when you host your holiday parties! Join the Botanical Garden’s Horticulture team, as they guide you through a pumpkin succulent make-and-take. Building on a medium-sized pumpkin you will plant succulents and decorate with natural materials to create a one-of-a-kind pumpcculent centerpiece. This masterpiece will last for months, but once the pumpkin decomposes you can replant your succulents as they multiply and grow.

Whether you’re homesteading or just looking for a unique garden pastime, there are plenty of benefits to growing your own mushrooms in your yard. Many edible mushrooms are easily grown at home. In this class, you’ll learn how to grow shiitake, oyster, and wine cap mushrooms with low-tech methods. Purchase your very own grow kit with mushroom spawn to take home after class. Come out to the garden to learn with and to be inspired by Penprapa Berry, a master gardener who is passionate about organic gardening and self-sufficient living. For participants interested in purchasing a grow kit, it will include a ready-to-inoculate log, mushroom spawn, plug wax, a drill bit, and detailed instructions.