Greenhouses Galore – Are you sick of having your home inundated with your tender plant material in the winter? If so, building a greenhouse might be the answer for you. Join Gail Donaldson, Water Conservation Manager for the City of Allen, as she tells you everything you need to know to start gardening in your own greenhouse this winter. She will cover the different types of greenhouses, how they work, getting your plants ready for the greenhouse, maintenance and purchasing sources. Come find out how to keep your thumb green year-round! January 26 from 9am – 11am; $22 or $20 for members 

Timeless Landscape Design: Creating memorable spaces through design and plants – On February 13, join Mary Palmer Dargan, ASLA, an award winning landscape architect from Atlanta and author of the book Timeless Landscape Design: the Four-Part Master Plan, and Dr. William Welch, award winning Texas horticulturist from Texas A & M and author of several books including, The Southern Heirloom Garden as they show you how to turn any garden into a treasured space. Mrs. Dargan will discuss the design elements and steps needed to take a landscape from ordinary to extraordinary and inspire you to create a harmonious space for all those who enjoy it. With an extensive background in plant material and design, Dr. Welch will discuss a wonderful array of southern plant material that will complement the design of a timeless landscape in Texas. This half–day seminar is aimed at professionals and other gardening enthusiasts who want a chance to expand their design experience and plant knowledge. TNLA credit available for this course.  February 13 from 9am – 12pm; $33 or $30 for members (additional discount available for multiple ticket purchase): Two Ticket:$60 or $54 for Members; Three Tickets: $85 or $77.

 All About Annuals - Annuals help to bring a punch of color to your garden. Join Alan Franz, Author of Annual Gardening in Texas and landscape architect, as he shares with you the best annuals for the Dallas area. Alan will show you how to add pizzazz to your garden by incorporating these seasonal plants into your landscape. Topics include annuals for the Dallas area, soil and water requirements, and uses for the most impact in your landscape. Find out about adding seasonal color to your garden! February 16 from 12pm – 2pm; $22 or $20 for Members

 On the Border: Mixed Border Gardens- The ideal mixed border garden is a unified combination of plants that creates year-round color and interest and is an ever-changing work of art in your garden. Bram Franklin, design and build expert with Bonnick Landscape Design, will show you how easy it is to bring year round color into your garden with beautiful mixed borders. Using annuals, perennials and evergreens, learn how to create a garden that is unique and ever-blooming. February 23 from 9am – 11am; $22 or $20 for Members

 Texas Turf Talk – If you want a beautiful lawn in the spring, now is the time to get started! James Hatcher, Dallas County Master Gardener, will share tips on developing and maintaining a healthy, attractive and pest resistant lawn. Make your lawn the talk of the neighborhood and make your neighbors green with envy!  February 23 from 9am – 11am; $22 or $20 for Members

 Texas Tough Perennials – If you want to cut back on your water bill without turning your yard into a desert, this class is for you!  Join Randy Weston, owner of Weston Gardens, as he shows you which plants are winners in our Texas climate and how to keep them thriving. Explore the best perennials and ornamental grasses for our area, how to add color to your landscape with natives and great plant combinations. Come find out which plants beat the Texas heat. March 1 from 9am – 11am; $22 or $20 for Members

Gardening with Hydrangeas - Mopheads and lacecaps and Oakleafs, oh my!  Hydrangeas are one of the most exquisite garden shrubs, and their beautiful blooms come in many different varieties, each with its own distinct look. Let Bob Wilson, Manager of the Nicholson Hardie Nursery, introduce you to the best hydrangeas for our area of Texas. Find out which varieties do best in our climate, how to get outstanding blooms with amazing color and more. Join us to find out how to bring this plant from gardens past into your gardening present. March 1 from12pm – 2pm; $22 or $20 for Members

Multiplicity: Propagating Plants – Propagation is a quick and easy way to produce new plants for your garden or home. Karen Forbes, experienced horticulturist, will show you propagation tricks and techniques used by the professionals to multiply the plants in your garden. The class will introduce you to seed propagation, stem cuttings, germination times and soil types. Participants will have the opportunity to practice techniques and go home with two newly propagated plants. March 1 from 12pm – 3pm; $26 or $23 for Members 

Wild About Orchids
These lovely exotics are a beautiful addition to any setting and best of all they are easier to grow than you might think!  Pay only $56, or $50 for Members, when you sign up for both classes by March 7.

Orchid Safari – Gunter Schnetzinger, owner of Gunter’s Greenhouse and renowned orchid expert, will share his orchid growing expertise with you. Topics will include basic orchid care, selecting orchids for your growing conditions, tricks to get the longest lasting blooms, how to repot your tropical treasure and more. Class participants will receive a beautiful Phalaenopsis orchid in a 5” pot to take home. This class frequently sells out, so register early! March 8 from 9am – 11am; $40 or $36 for Members

Outstanding Orchids: Cattleya – These beautiful flowers are among the most popular orchids. Join Nancy Wilten, Dallas County Master Gardener and orchid enthusiast, as she introduces you to this beloved orchid and shows you how to grow and care for them in your home or greenhouse. March 8 from 12pm – 2pm; $22 or $20 for Members

 Exceptional Perennials – You’ve seen these plants in magazines and catalogs, but you are sure they would never survive in your garden.  Diana Harris, Dallas County Master Gardener, will share with you the best places to find these plants as well as how you can grow them in your garden. Diana will share secrets to growing these hard to find perennials as well as resources to acquire them. Come learn how you can add a signature touch to your garden by adding unique plants to your landscape. March 8 from 12pm – 2pm; $22 or $20 for Members

 Solutions for Shade - Learn how to incorporate texture, contrast and color in your shade garden. Perennials, annuals, under story trees and shrubs all play a role in the shady places in your garden. Bram Franklin, design and build expert with Bonnick Landscape Design, will discuss plant selection, design suggestions, how to combine plants for greater impact and maintenance tips for your shade garden. Participants will receive detailed information on the most successful shade plants for North Texas. Join Bram and learn how to select the best shady characters for your garden. March 15 from 9am – 11am; $22 or $20 for Members

Texas Nursery & Landscape Association Water Wise Gardening Series
This spring, join horticulture professionals from the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association (TNLA) as they show you how to get the most from your garden with the least amount of water. Using the new Water Wise Demonstration Garden, installed by TNLA, students will find out how to save on water in their landscape. Why just save on water? Pre-register for any two classes in the series and pay only $40 or $36 for members.

Designing with Natives – Get your garden off to a great start this summer. Join Johnette Taylor, President of Roundtree Landscaping, and Berit Hutson, landscape architect for Roundtree Landscaping, as they give you ideas that will help you get your garden in shape for a long, hot summer. Johnette will share different types of designs, why they work and the basics of how to create them. Berit will show you some of the must have native plants to include in your new landscape, why they make sense and how they add punch to your garden. February 16 from 9am – 11am; $22 or $20 for members

Seven Solutions for Water Wise Gardening – If you want to cut back on your water bill without turning your yard into a desert, this class is for you! Join Johnette Taylor, President of Roundtree Landscaping; Suzanne Ouren, designer for Roundtree Landscaping, Brad Garrison, with TXI inc. and Lora Hinchcliff with Living Earth Technology, as they show you how to bring water conscious gardening techniques to your landscape. In addition to learning the seven basic principles of water wise gardening, you will learn how to prepare your bed for plants, best irrigation practices and more. Come find out how you can have a landscape that conserves water year round! March 15 from 12pm – 2pm; $22 or $20 for Members

Top Trees for Texas – Trees are the largest and often the most valuable plants in your landscape. Jim Apken, TNLA member and retired horticulturist with more than 50 years of industry experience, will share his passion for trees and tell you what you need to know about the trees in your landscape. Learn which trees do best in our area, how to care for them and more. Come learn how to diversify your landscape portfolio. April 19 from 9am – 11:30am; $22 or $20 for Members

Great Garden Shrubs for Dallas – Are the shrubs in your landscape glossy, green and boring?  Do you wish you could grow something other than privet?  If so, join Jim Apken, TNLA member and retired horticulturist with more than 50 years of industry experience, as he introduces you to some great garden shrubs that you will definitely want to include in your garden. Shrubs are the backbone of any garden and provide grace, beauty and structure to the landscape. Join Jim to find out how to spice up your landscape with plants that are anything but ordinary! April 19 from 12:30pm  – 2:30pm; $22 or $20 for Members

Maintenance Matters – Installing your landscape is the hardest part of any landscaping job, but what do you do once everything is in the ground?  Join Derek Little, Texas Certified Nursery Professional and author of Read This Before You Go Out Into The Yard, as he shows you how to get your landscape off to a great start and keep it beautiful once it’s established. Come find out how to keep your plants thriving from year to year. May 10 from 9am – 11am; $22 or $20 for Members

Plants for the Water Wise Garden – Now that you know the basics of creating a water wise garden, it’s time to start thinking plants. Join Rebecca Stanczak, owner of Moonflower Gardens and Chairman of the TNLA Dallas region, as she shows you the best plants to choose for your new garden.  Find out how to add color and texture to create a beautiful garden that saves time and money! May 17 from 9am – 11am; $22 or $20 for Members

Crape Myrtles, Beauty in Bloom – Crape myrtles are some of the most beautiful flowering trees around and each summer they bring beautiful color to our landscape. Join Susan Owens, Executive Director of The Crape Myrtle Trails of Mckinney, as she shares with you all you need to know about this wonderful tree. Learn about the best varieties for our area, how to maintain them, how to select the right tree for your landscape, new varieties currently in production and much more. Join us to find out how to bring some beautiful summer color to your landscape. March 29 from 9am – 11am; $22 or $20 for Members

Sustained! Creating a Sustainable Landscape – You’ve heard the word, but what does is really mean and how do you apply it to your landscape?  Join David and Christy Ilfrey, owners of Native Dave.com, as they introduce you to the process and practices needed to create a landscape that is not only beautiful, but it conserves resources and is the responsible way to garden!  Learn how to reduce the time you spend on maintenance, why these practices will attract wildlife to your landscape and how to provide seasonal interest throughout the garden. April 5 from 9am – 11am; $22 or $20 for Members

Caladiums: Summer Color Winners – Summer is full of beautiful blooms throughout the garden, but none have quite the impact that Caladiums do. Join Sondra Plunk, with Lambert Landscape Company, as she introduces you to these reliable summer plants that provide color throughout the landscape and take our brutal heat. Find out which varieties grow best in Dallas, where to plant them, how to incorporate them into beds with other plants, simple design strategies and more. April 5 from 9am – 10am; $15 or $13 for Members

Butterfly Gardening - Butterflies have been referred to as flying flowers that bring your garden to life. Now you can learn how to create the perfect haven for these garden guests in your landscape. Dan Coletti, owner of Just Natural Design, will show you all the ins and outs of designing to attract butterflies. Participants will learn water wise principles, along with which specific host plants attract specific butterflies. You will also learn how to evaluate the butterfly friendliness of your garden and how to add the must-haves to build a garden that is a butterfly magnet. April 12 from 9am – 11am; $22 or $20 for Members

Irrigation Insights – Summer is right around the corner and that means water restrictions. Gail Donaldson, Water Conservation Manager for the City of Allen, will show you all you need to know about irrigation systems, equipment, maintenance, do-it-yourself repair and more. Bring your manual and figure out how to set it so that your landscape gets just the right amount of water all year round. April 12 from 9am – 11am; $22 or $20 for Members

Lone Star Greats! Tried and True Plants for Texas – This class is a must for anyone who gardens in Texas!  Jimmy Turner, Director of Horticulture Research, will share results from all of his hard work in the Trial Gardens and tell you which plants will do best in your North Texas garden!  Participants will be able to attend the plant sale preview on Friday evening before the sale is open to the general public. Right after class, purchase plants for your garden that we have trialed at the Arboretum. The sale will have unique plants and hard to find varieties not available at most local nurseries. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about and purchase plants that will make your garden the talk of the neighborhood. April 18 from 4pm - 5:30pm; $22 or $20 for Members

 Heirloom Roses – Growing roses in Texas is easier than you think, and who wouldn’t want more roses for their garden? Norma Babbitt, Dallas County Master Gardener, will show you techniques used to multiply the roses in your garden. Find out which roses grow easily from cuttings, the best soil for the job, how to care for your cuttings and more. Participants will have the opportunity to practice techniques and go home with a potted rose cutting, all snug and ready to start growing its own roots. April 19 from 9am – 11am; $26 or $23 for Members  

 Mini-Makeovers- Rejuvenating Your Landscape - Are you sick of looking at overgrown hedges? Are your foundation plantings the most exciting part of your yard? Well it’s time to give your landscape a total makeover. You don’t have to have a boring yard! Judy Fender, owner of Designs from the Garden, is here to help!  Learn simple techniques to rejuvenate your landscape, which plants will give your yard the zip it needs and basic design tips to turn boring into beautiful. May 3 from 9am – 11am; $22 or $20 for Members 

Contain Your Enthusiasm
Containers are a quick and easy way to add color and interest to any part of your garden or landscape. Join Judy Fender, owner of Designs from the Garden, as she shows you how to create beautiful containers for your home. Register for both classes by May 9 and pay only $40, or $36 for members

Creative Color Containers – Find out how to create beautiful containers for anywhere in your garden. Learn how to choose the right color combinations for the most impact, which plants have the longest bloom period, how to create a successful container planting, great plant combinations and more. May 10 from 9am – 11am; $22 or $20 for Members

Shady Containers– Shady places need love too! Using containers in your shady spots can add a touch or excitement. Find out which shade plants will work well in containers, what kind of maintenance they will require and how to use texture and foliage to create drama. May 10 from 12pm – 2pm; $22 or $20 for Members

 

Garden Design
Planning a new garden can be a fun process if you know the basics.  Alan Franz, Landscape Architect with Britton and Associates, will walk you through the process and introduce you to two different styles of design. Find out what makes a garden formal or informal and how to create these styles in your garden. Be sure to bring your site plans and photographs. Sign up for both classes by May 9 and pay only $47, or $42 for Members.

The Formal Garden – Often defined by strong lines and geometric shapes, formal gardens have a strong history and a look that is all their own.  Learn the principles of formal design and how they relate to your garden today, how to use plants and hardscape to define spaces and create garden rooms throughout your landscape and then try your hand laying out a formal design for your landscape. May 10 from 12pm – 2pm; $26 or $23 for Members

The Informal Garden – Picture a landscape with beautiful curving beds and lush plantings and you are beginning to imagine an informal garden. This popular style has come in and out of fashion over the years, and has found resurgence with the development of the suburban home. These gardens are often cozy and inviting and ever popular in today’s landscape.  Bring plans and photographs and lay out an informal design for your landscape.  May 17 from 12pm – 2pm; $26 or $23 for Members

 Color in the Garden - Color defines garden spaces, it structures garden choreography, it excites imaginations, and it stirs souls. A strong overall color structure with its implied meanings and emotions is essential to creating a powerful experience and identity for any garden. Join Tres Fromme, Associate with MESA Design Group, as he introduces you to the important role that color plays throughout the garden.  Tres will use images from European and American gardens to provide inspirational examples of how color works with other design elements to create magical, engaging, and memorable spaces. May 17 from 12pm – 2pm; $22 or $20 for Members

 Tropical Magic: Design & Plants – Give your landscape a touch of the tropics! Join Diana Harris, owner of Lifestyle Gardens and Texas Certified Landscape Professional, as she show you some simple ways to turn your landscape into a tropical oasis using unusual plants from warmer climates that do well in Dallas.  Learn how to create an exotic look in your garden, how to select the right hardy plants for your garden, which plants are well adapted to our climate and more. Part of the class will be spent exploring the Hardy Palm & Tropical garden to see the plants that do well in Dallas.  May 31 from 9am – 11am; $22 or $20 for Members

 A Solid Foundation: Building Your Soil Organically – Soil is the foundation of any good garden and without a strong foundation your garden may never reach its full potential.  Michael Bosco, Founder of Soils Alive, will share with you why the key to a happy, healthy landscape is in the soil.  Find out how to build up your soil to better feed your plants, what the key components of healthy soil are and why using an all natural approach can get great results. May 31 from 12pm – 2pm; $22 or $20 for Members