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Enjoy a morning walk exploring the trees at the Garden. Each month, we will visit a different section of the Garden and learn about the trees unique to that area. Dress for the weather.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 9 – 10:30 a.m. Mark Zampardo, Ph.D., horticulture educator Meet at Visitor Center |
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Not Available
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Summer is the best time to work on your tropical bonsai trees. This comprehensive workshop covers all aspects of tropical tree care including species used, styles, and soil types. Bring your tree ready for critique, styling, and repotting, and set a course for the future of your bonsai tree. You will need to provide your own tree, tools, and soil if repotting.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 5 – 8 p.m. Chris Baker, curator of bonsai, Chicago Botanic Garden Bonsai Studio, Grainger Center |
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Not Available
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Do you have hydrangeas at home and want to learn how to care for them? Learn about the most commonly planted hydrangeas in northern Illinois and techniques for pruning and caring for them in this introductory class. A Garden walk to examine the various types of these dependable and ornamental garden gems will follow the talk. Dress for the weather.
Saturday, August 1, 2026, 9 a.m. – noon Heather Prince, horticulturist, garden writer and editor Design Studio, Regenstein Center |
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8/1/2026 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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Ornamental Grasses In Depth
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Discover exceptional ornamental grasses for all types of garden situations, sun and shade, wet and dry, formal and informal, and everything in between. You will learn about new cultivars along with those tried-and-true varieties that provide texture, movement, and visual interest. Identification, cultural information, aesthetic qualities, and landscape uses will be emphasized. Dress for the weather. Prerequisite: Botany 1 suggested. The School’s CEUs=6 hours OPC elective
3 Wednesdays, August 5 – August 19, 2026, 6 – 8 p.m. Jill Selinger and William Moss, horticulture educators Classroom 1, Learning Center |
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Not Available
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If a Thursday Happy Hour sounds appealing, come enjoy the beautiful bonsai courtyards of the Chicago Botanic Garden with a tour of the bonsai collection. Stop at the Rose Terrace Bar on the way to the Bonsai Courtyard to purchase a beverage if you wish. Then proceed to the courtyard to hear stories of the trees' origins, and learn about styles, bonsai containers, and display principles. This is a tour, not a workshop, and no tools or trees are required. Dress for the weather.
Thursday, August 6, 2026, 5 – 7 p.m. Chris Baker, curator of bonsai, Chicago Botanic Garden Bonsai East Courtyard, Regenstein Center |
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8/6/2026 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
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Native Plants for Difficult Sites | Online
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New! Explore a variety of native perennials, shrubs, and trees that tolerate various environmental challenges, including limited sunlight, drought, and difficult soil conditions. Selecting resilient native plants can help reduce maintenance needs, support local wildlife, and enhance your garden’s ecological footprint. This class will be taught online via Zoom. All registrations must be submitted online two days before your class starts. Registered students will receive login instructions one day in advance. The School’s CEUs=2 hours OPC elective
Thursday, August 6, 2026, 6 – 8 p.m. Duncan Himmelman, Ph.D., college horticulture instructor Online Course |
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8/6/2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
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Enjoy a morning walk exploring the trees at the Garden. Each month, we will visit a different section of the Garden and learn about the trees unique to that area. Dress for the weather.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026, 9 – 10:30 a.m. Mark Zampardo, Ph.D., horticulture educator Meet at Visitor Center |
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8/19/2026 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
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Proper garden care in the fall helps ensure healthy plants the next spring. Learn techniques for taking care of your lawn, trees, shrubs, and perennials, including fall fertilizing, mulching, cutting back plants, and protecting plants from wind and animals. Get pointers for fall planting of woody plants and spring-flowering bulbs.
Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 6 – 8 p.m. Tim Johnson, senior director of horticulture, Chicago Botanic Garden Classroom 6, Learning Center |
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8/26/2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
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Fall is the best time to prepare for a healthy, lush lawn in the upcoming season. Learn the basics of lawn renovation and how to prepare your lawn for winter. Discuss and observe proper techniques for installing sod, seeding and overseeding, and aerating and fertilizing—all aimed at revitalizing your lawn. Please dress for the weather.
Saturday, August 29, 2026, 9 – 11 a.m. Tom Fritz, plant health care specialist, Chicago Botanic Garden Classroom 6, Learning Center |
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8/29/2026 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
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Why, botanically speaking, is a tomato a fruit? What is the difference between a fern and a moss? Dive deep into the botanic world to explore the importance of plants in our lives, scientific taxonomy and classification, plant life cycles, and the amazing diversity of the plant world. A supply list will be sent. OPC, PGL 1, PGL 2, and GDC requirement
4 Mondays & 6 Wednesdays, September 14 – October 21, 2026, 6:30 – 9 p.m. (no class September 21 or October 12) Ellen Phillips, horticulture educator Plant Science Lab, Regenstein Center |
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9/14/2026 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
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Learn to identify more than 50 large deciduous trees, gain a greater understanding of the many functions they serve in gardens and the landscape, and discover the wonders they offer year-round. Develop your ability to identify trees using their buds, bark, and habit, in addition to leaf shape and other characteristics. Dress for the weather. Prerequisite: Botany 1 OPC, PGL 1, PGL 2, and GDC requirement
7 Tuesdays, September 15 – November 10, 2026, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (no class October 13 & 20). Also includes Garden Walks, Meet at Visitor Center 6 Saturdays, September 19 – November 7, 2026, 8 – 10 a.m. (no class October 17 & 24) Mark Zampardo, Ph.D., horticulture educator Classroom 1, Learning Center |
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9/15/2026 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
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Do you have areas in your garden with lots of beautiful perennials? Learn tips and tricks to spread the wealth to other garden areas by dividing perennials in the fall. Explore the basics, then head outside to put these skills into practice. Bring gloves. Dress for the weather.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 10 – 11:30 a.m. Heather Sherwood, senior horticulturist, Chicago Botanic Garden Design Studio, Regenstein Center |
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9/16/2026 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
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Soil Basics, Intensive Session
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Soil is an irreplaceable natural resource that affects plant selection and growth. Learn to maintain healthy soil; use compost, fertilizers, soilless and potting mixes, and other amendments. Discover how water cycles through a garden and affects soils and plants. A supply list will be sent. PGL 1, PGL 2, and GDC requirement
3 Saturdays, September 19 – October 10, 2026, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (no class October 3) Ellen Phillips, horticulture educator Classroom 4, Learning Center |
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9/19/2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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Gardening Techniques | Session A Online and On-site Hybrid
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Learn tips and techniques used by professional gardeners through a combination of lecture and hands-on activities. Acquire solid gardening skills and determine best management practices. Discover fall planting techniques, bulbs, turf care, plant wildlife protection, garden maintenance, and winterization. Thursday class sessions will be taught online via Zoom and Saturday sessions will be held at the Garden primarily outside. All registrations must be submitted online two days before your class starts. Registered students will receive login instructions one day in advance. Dress for the weather. A supply list will be sent. PGL 1, PGL 2, and GDC requirement
6 Thursdays, September 24 – October 29, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. (online) and 6 Sundays, September 27 – November 1, 10 a.m. – noon (Classroom 5) Maezy Beams, horticulturalist Online & Classroom 1, Learning Center |
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9/24/2026 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
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English Walled Garden Fall Walk
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New! Do you enjoy visiting the English Walled Garden in the summer? If so, don’t miss it in fall! Experience the garden in October, when seasonal changes are evident, and the light angles create unique visual effects. Glimpse the stunning morning glories and late-season chrysanthemums. Learn about various plant-management styles used to maintain interest and to protect beneficial populations. Dress for the weather.
Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 9 – 10 a.m. Heather Sherwood, senior horticulturist, Chicago Botanic Garden Meet at English Walled Garden |
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10/14/2026 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
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