Short Courses & Workshops

These courses are designed for homeowners, hobby gardeners, and professionals who wish to expand their knowledge of specific plant groups or a particular gardening topic.

Useful and practical information on the care of certain plants or specific gardening techniques will add to your knowledge, whatever your level of gardening experience. Longwood offers the opportunity to learn directly from our gardeners and horticulturists in the unique Longwood learning environment. These courses require no prerequisites and beginners are welcome. Try one!

Courses:

You say ‘Tomato’, I say ‘Lycopersicon esculentum’

DATE: Tuesday, January 20; 6:30 to 8:30 pm
FEE: $34 passholder; $39 non-passholder
WHERE: Acer Room
CODE: 091PSYSE

with Tomasz Anisko

Step up to the plate and equip yourself with the knowledge to communicate with horticulturalists (and chefs) around the globe. Using scientific names eliminates confusion caused by multiple common names. Embark on a life-long adventure in the plant kingdom, discovering new names, deciphering their meaning, and mapping unmarked associations. This course is of special interest to Certificate of Merit students who will find the lecture especially helpful in learning the Latin names of the plants they study.

Thriving on Neglect

DATE: Thursday, January 22; 6:30 to 8:30 pm
FEE: $34 passholder; $39 non-passholder
WHERE: Acer Room
CODE: 091PSTNE

with Karl Gercens

Sharp gardeners will want to attend this exciting exposé to the world of cacti and succulents! A dry, humorous approach will accentuate how these earthly delights are so well suited to indoor culture. Remember, these plants thrive on neglect, so leave the watering can behind! Learn how to optimize plant selections for each window, including plants that do well under interior lighting and those that are hardy enough to try outside. Each student will take a plant home!

Inclement weather date: January 29

Vegetables Galore: Spring, Summer, Fall

DATE: Saturday, March 7; 9:00 am to 12:00 pm  SOLD OUT
FEE: $34 passholder; $39 non-passholder
WHERE: Betula Room
CODE: 091PSTVM

091PSTVA  Saturday, March 7, 1:30 - 4:30 pm SOLD OUT

with Harold Taylor

Nothing tastes better than vegetables fresh picked from the garden. Learn how to prepare a vegetable garden for spring planting and eventually summer dining. Plant choice, compatibility and planting nuances will be shared and discussed. Extend the growing season and diversify the menu by choosing plants for each season. After this course, leave time in your day to prepare the bed, shop for seed and plants and of course, plan new dishes for the table! The fee includes a starter plant to keep you motivated.

Soil Repair with the Organic Mechanic

DATE: Wednesday, March 11; 7:00 to 9:00 pm
FEE: $24 passholder; $29 non-passholder
WHERE: Acer Room
CODE: 091PSSRE

with Mark Highland

Organic, Natural, Sustainable… What do these terms mean to a gardener? It all begins with the soil. For roots to thrive, they must have a healthy soil foodweb. A soil foodweb refers to the underground version of the food-chain. The saying "feed the soil and not the plant" reflects this understanding of nurturing a healthy soil foodweb. Our knowledgeable instructor will share techniques to improve soil quality and organic composition which leads to well fed bumper crops and beautiful ornamental plants.

Orchids for Beginners

DATE: Saturday, March 14; 9:00 am to 12:00 pm  SOLD OUT
FEE: $70 passholder; $79 non-passholder
WHERE: Betula Room
CODE: 091PSOBM

or

DATE: Monday, September 21; 6:30 to 9:30 pm
FEE: $70 passholder; $79 non-passholder
WHERE: Acer Room
CODE: 092PSOBE

with Thomas Purviance & John Salventi

Orchid admirers become orchid growers after joining this popular class. This workshop introduces the popular genera of orchids and highlights those best suited for home and greenhouse growing. Explore orchids’ growth requirements and how their needs differ from those of other houseplants. Learn about their natural habitat and briefly review their plant structure. Beware! Once you start, you may find orchid growing to be a fabulous addiction. The fee includes a beautiful orchid, ready to bloom to take home.

Beekeeping Basics

DATE: Saturday, March 14; 1:00 to 4:00 pm  SOLD OUT
FEE: $34 passholder; $39 non-passholder
WHERE: Betula Room
CODE: 091PSBKM

with Jim Bobb

Beekeeping, or apiculture, is the practical management of the social species of honey bees, which live in large colonies of up to 60,000 individuals. For anyone considering taking up apiculture as a hobby or folks who are fascinated with bees’ unique society, this honey of a class will take the mystery out of beekeeping. It offers participants the opportunity to observe hive equipment and discuss its intricacies with an expert. The mechanics, cost, and the ideal time to get started will be discussed so potential beekeepers can make informed decisions about taking the next step.

Business Basics

DATE: Wednesdays, March 18 & 25 (2 sessions); 6:30 to 9:00 pm
FEE: $90 passholder; $99 non-passholder
WHERE: Acer Room
CODE: 091PSBBE

with Bud Batcher & Don Martin

Starting a business can be intimidating and generate a lot of questions. Get some real answers and learn the basics of running a business with instructors who have started and managed small businesses. Business plan models, assessment tools, cash flow management tips, and many other important factors in launching a new business venture will be presented. This course will improve your chances for business success in the horticulture and floriculture industries.

Designing a Moon Garden

DATE: Thursday, April 2; 7:00 to 9:00 pm
FEE: $34 passholder; $39 non-passholder
WHERE: Acer Room
CODE: 091PSMGE

with April Bevans

Many gardeners plant for daytime interest and never consider the evening impact of their gardens when they’re most often home to enjoy them. A moon garden focuses on the nighttime plan. Night blooming flowers are just one element of a moon garden. Architectural form, variegated leaves, fragrance, color range, space, visual impact, and sound elements are aspects to consider in the design. The daytime look of the design will not disappoint, but the evening look will showcase the space as never before.

Performance Pruning SOLD OUT

DATE: Saturday, April 4; 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
FEE: $34 passholder; $39 non-passholder
WHERE: Visitor Center Auditorium
CODE: 091PSPPM

with Robin Howell & Doug Whitcraft

Improve your performance and take the mystery out of pruning! Learn to prune small trees, shrubs, and vines. Correct timing will ensure maximum blooms, and accurate techniques will give your plants proper shaping and growth habits. Try your hand at pruning specific plants like Thuja, Taxus, Rhododendron, and Wisteria. Dress for the outdoor weather and bring your pruners.

Beginning Bonsai

DATE: Saturday, April 4; 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (Lunch provided)  SOLD OUT
FEE: $129 passholder; $139 non-passholder
WHERE: Catalpa Room
CODE: 091PSBBD

or

DATE: Saturday, September 26; 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (Lunch provided)
FEE: $129 passholder; $139 non-passholder
WHERE: Catalpa Room
CODE: 092PSBBD

with Dennis Donald

This ever popular day-long course is designed for beginners interested in bonsai, the centuries old Asiatic art of dwarfing trees and shrubs. During the morning lecture, learn the care and culture of bonsai and techniques for designing and maintaining these sculptured treasures. A video presentation will be shown during the working lunch. In the afternoon, students each receive a plant and work under the instructor’s guidance to design a bonsai to take home. Limited to 15. Course fee includes plant, wire, bonsai scissors, and a lunch.

Creating a Living Wreath

DATE: Saturday, April 4; 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
FEE: $80 passholder; $89 non-passholder
WHERE: Betula Room and Soil Shed
CODE: 091PSLWM

or

DATE: Saturday, May 9; 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
FEE: $80 passholder; $89 non-passholder
WHERE: Betula Room and Soil Shed
CODE: 091PSL2M

with Ginny Levy & Joyce Rondinella

In this hands-on workshop, Longwood Senior Gardeners will explain the construction and use of various styles of living wreaths. They will discuss optimal plant selections to ensure a beautiful performance all season as a living wreath on a patio or deck. The lecture will include tips on combining succulents and other interesting foliage plants, locating the perfect sheltered spot for your wreath, and caring for it at home. Students will create their own one-of-a- kind living wreath to take home. Limited to 18. Bring gardening gloves if you’d like to use them. Plan on an indoor/ outdoor learning experience so please dress in layers.

Edible Wreath Salad Bowl

DATE: Saturday, April 18; 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
FEE: $70 passholder; $79 non-passholder
WHERE: Betula Room
CODE: 091PSEWM

with April Bevans

Choosing items for a salad will never be the same! Create a wreath that will not only be beautiful but functional. Edible wreaths will grow over the season offering a fresh selection of vegetables and herbs for your salad. Design, location, and care will be emphasized during the class. You’ll receive extra plants to replenish your wreath as you harvest. This unusual approach to ‘shopping for dinner’ will have cooks lining up to get the freshest ingredients. Bring gardening gloves if you’d like to use them. Plan on an indoor/outdoor learning experience so please dress in layers.

Growing Vegetables and Herbs in a Container

DATE: Saturday, Apr 18; 1:00 to 4:00 pm
FEE: $53 passholder; $59 non-passholder
WHERE: Idea Garden Shed
CODE: 091PSGVM

with Nick Tomlin and Susan Cartwright

An herb garden placed close to the kitchen door can help make summer meals special. Learn how to combine herbs in containers together with cool season vegetables. Longwood gardeners will show how to match colors and textures for combinations that are not only tasty but beautiful. Don’t miss this opportunity to create and take home a beautiful container filled with interesting plants that will enhance the look of both the garden and the table. Class will be held outside; dress for rain or shine.

Roses for Beginners

DATE: Saturday, April 25; 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
FEE: $34 passholder; $39 non-passholder
WHERE: Acer Room
CODE: 091PSRBM

with Robin Howell

Roses are one of the most recognizable and popular flowers in the world. Including roses in your garden can be a rewarding experience. Many gardeners are unsure about which roses to select, where to place them, and how to care for them. Get advice on how to select roses as well as demonstrations on planting, fertilizing, pruning, managing insects and diseases, training, and maintaining all types of roses. Meet in the classroom for an overview and a brief discussion and then head to the garden to continue this practical approach to roses. Dress for a rain or shine morning outside.

BEE in the Garden

DATE: Saturday, April 25
FEE: $90 passholder; $99 non-passholder
WHERE: Soil Shed
CODE: 091PSFBM

with Koa Kanamee

Create a BUZZ in your garden and BEE in the right place to make a topiary with an accomplished Longwood gardener! A wire topiary bee frame will serve as a reminder of the pollinators’ role in the garden and act as the skeleton for your creation. The frame is hand woven of durable steel, and double coated with epoxy to discourage rust. The selection of the many different types of plants to put into the moss substrate and the effort to create varying colors and textures mirroring those found in the actual creatures are the most intriguing part of the class. This prestigious gardening tradition becomes much easier when you have the right plants and the right instruction. Limited to 18. Bring gardening gloves.

Orchid Repotting Workshop

DATE: Saturday, May 2; 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
FEE: $44 passholder; $49 non-passholder
WHERE: Betula Room
CODE: 091PSORM

with Thomas Purviance and John Salventi

This comprehensive course for beginner and intermediate level orchid enthusiasts will cover repotting, basketing, and mounting orchids. Class discussion will include assessment of when to repot, appropriate techniques for different kinds of orchids, and how to select the proper media for all varieties of orchids. This is a hands-on course, and participants are encouraged to bring an orchid or two for evaluation and repotting. Potting materials will be provided.

Container Water Gardening

DATE: Saturday, May 2; 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
FEE: $80 passholder; $89 non-passholder
WHERE: Soil Shed
CODE: 091PSCWM

or

DATE: Saturday, May 2; 1:30 to 4:30 pm
FEE: $80 passholder; $89 non-passholder
WHERE: Soil Shed
CODE: 091PSCWA

with Tim Jennings & Ed Somers

Longwood’s Water Garden display attracts thousands of summer visitors who admire the tranquility and beauty of the unusual plants grown there. These lovely specimens can be grown in home gardens. Join Longwood’s water lily experts to learn how to create a container water garden. The class begins with a walk around Longwood’s water lily display and a discussion of favorable conditions for growing these amazing specimens. Students return to the Soil Shed to receive water loving plants, special medium, and a container to create their own miniature water garden. Bring gardening gloves if you’d like to use them. Plan on an indoor/ outdoor learning experience so please dress in layers.

Trough Planting

DATE: Saturday, May 16; 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
FEE: $80 passholder; $89 non-passholder
WHERE: Acer Room
CODE: 091PSTPM

with Betty Mackey

Weatherproof garden troughs are great showcases for small, gemlike, hardy plants. There is a different sense of proportion for troughs, for which dwarf perennials and shrubs often look best. In this hands-on workshop, students learn how to show off a trough with the best plantings. Trough specific issues will be discussed, including proportions, planting medium, exposure, scale, and top dressings. Participants will receive soil, rocks, mulch, moss, a dwarf evergreen shrub and perennials to plant a trough to take home. Limited to 14. Wear old clothes and garden gloves. Bring your own trough (maximum interior measurement is 18 inches on the long side).

Tropical Treasures

DATE: Saturday, June 6; 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
FEE: $70 passholder; $79 non-passholder
WHERE: Idea Garden Shed
CODE: 091PSTTM

with Karl Gercens

Big, bold tropical flowers will be the hot spot in your yard this summer. Have fun planting exciting tropicals in a container that will elicit memories of an island vacation. Techniques for planting, design combinations, and overwintering will be covered by the instructor, who has extensive knowledge of tropical plants. Select, combine, and plant a variety of plants into a beautiful focal point. Take home your own tropical paradise.

Hanging Baskets for Hummingbirds

SOLD OUT!

DATE: Saturday, June 13; 9:00 to 11:00 am
FEE: $53 passholder; $59 non-passholder
WHERE: Idea Garden Shed
CODE: 091PSHBM

with Roger Davis and John Ritterson

Create a hanging basket that will welcome all the hummingbirds in the neighborhood. Basket, soil selection, and planting design elements will set the stage for this hands-on course. Longwood's expert staff will offer guidance in flower and  card you need to have the humming birds "winging it" to your home. Bring gardening gloves if you’d like to use them. Plan on an indoor/ outdoor learning experience so please dress in layers.

An Evening in the Water Garden

DATE: Friday, September 11; 6:30 to 9:00 pm SOLD OUT
FEE: $80 passholder; $89 non-passholder
WHERE: Acer Room & Waterlily Display
CODE: 092PSWGE

New Section Added:
DATE:  Friday, September 18, 6:30-9:00 pm
CODE:  092PSW2E

with Tim Jennings, Patrick Nutt, & Ed Somers

One of Longwood's most magnificent autumn highlights is the Waterlily Display, located in the courtyard of the Main Conservatory. For this unique evening session, join Longwood's waterlily experts for an introduction to the waterlily display. The culture, care, and maintenance of aquatic plants, water gardens, and marginal plantings will be discussed. Enjoy the early evening around the waterlily pools, adjourn to the Orchid Display Room for dinner, and reconvene outside as the night-blooming lilies are beginning to open. Join us to be informed, enchanted, and well fed--an unbeatable combination! Inclement weather date: September 18.

Installing and Maintaining a Native Plant Meadow

DATE: Saturday, October 17; 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
FEE: $34 passholder; $39 non-passholder
WHERE: Betula Room & Meadow
CODE: 092PSNMM

with Tom Brightman and Mark Gormel

Meadows are a diverse component of our natural landscape, but their planting and management require some basic knowledge, thought, and planning. Come to Longwood Gardens and look more closely at our managed meadow and learn the real diversity of the space. Learn what it takes to turn an area of turf grass into an aesthetically rich, environmentally functional, thriving native plant community. A guided walk through Longwood’s beautiful meadow completes the course. Dress for an indoor/outdoor learning experience. Inclement weather date: October 24.

Successful and Ethical Seed Collection

DATE: Saturday, October 17; 2:00 to 5:00 pm
FEE: $34 passholder; $39 non-passholder
WHERE: Betula Room & Meadow
CODE: 092PSSSA

with Tom Brightman and Mark Gormel

For students who intend to create their own managed meadow, return for the afternoon session and learn about seed collection and treatment. This class is intended for those interested in obtaining, cleaning, and storing quantities of seed that are larger than a handful. Seed quantities are geared toward restoration or re-vegetation projects, nursery production, or seed sales/exchanges. Topics will include knowing the species, keeping records, interpreting visual changes in the seeds, collection, and post-collection handling. Collect seeds in our meadow to be ready for next year! Dress for an indoor/outdoor learning experience. Inclement weather date: October 24.