Winter Hide-Away - Greenhouse Gardening for Winter
Are you sick of having your home inundated with tender plant material in the winter? If so, building a greenhouse might be the answer for you. Join John Hunt, Past President of the First Men’s Garden Club, as he tells you everything you need to know to start gardening in your own greenhouse this winter. He 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!
1/30 from 9am- 11am,
$22 or $20 for Members
Crape Murder, Mistletoe and other Plant Health Myths
Trees are the largest and often the most valuable plants in our landscapes. Tyson Woods, Director of Moore Tree Care, will share his passion for trees and show you how to keep your trees and other plants in top health from year to year. Find out how to address health issues that pop up in your landscape, proper pruning techniques to keep your trees looking beautiful and then take a tour of the garden to look at some symptoms that your plants may be showing in your garden. Join Tyson for an insightful look into the most majestic plants in your garden.
1/30 from 12pm – 2pm,
$22 or $20 for Members
Perennial Favorites
Perennials are a mainstay in the garden - they appear year after year adding color and interest. Alan Franz, author and Landscape Architect for Britton & Associates, will share his gardening expertise in a fun and informative atmosphere. Learn which perennials are ‘must haves’ for your North Texas garden and how to care for these garden treasures. You will be introduced to a wide variety of perennial plant material for all seasons, plant maintenance and plant sources. Come find out the power that perennials can have in your landscape.
2/6 from 12pm – 2pm,
$22 or $20 for Members
Do you want to take your business to the next level? Join Tres Fromme, associate with MESA Design Group, as he refreshes and expands your graphic skills. Using pens & pencils Tres will share simple techniques and hand-drawn graphic methods to help you effectively communicate your ideas and vision to your clients. Through demonstration and hands-on work you will expand your ability to communicate graphically and then begin to see your business grow! Tres taught this workshop for Landscape Architecture students at Oklahoma State University. A supply list will be emailed upon registration. TNLA credit available. A Box lunch may be ordered through 2/7.
Wednesday, February 10 from 9 – 3 pm Wednesday, February 10 from 9 – 3 pm;
$60 or $54 for members (Box Lunch $10)
Water is becoming an ever precious commodity, and now is the time to learn how to make the most of rain in your landscape. Dr. Dotty Woodson, Extension Program Specialist – Water Resources with Texas A&M, will show you how to keep your garden beautiful with the water that Mother Nature provides. Register for both classes by 2/12 and pay only $74 or $67 for Members.
Rain Gardens
These days, every drop of rain counts. Dotty will show you how to use the rain and make it good to the last drop! Learn unique ways to capture and use water in the landscape as well as the best plants to use in a rain garden. This unique style of gardening will show you some innovative ways to really put the rain to work for you!
2/13 from 9am – 11am,
$22 or $20 for Members
Rainwater Harvesting
Don’t let your rain go down the drain! Saving water in your yard is something that you can do with ease. Dotty will share basic water harvesting strategies, how to calculate the amount of water that you can capture and then help you construct your own rain barrel. Just in time for our spring showers, this class is a must for anyone who is trying to conserve water on their property. This class sold out last year, so register early!
2/13 from 12pm – 2pm,
$60 or $54 for Members
Have you ever looked at the houses on your street and noticed that some just have something special? What is it and how can you do the same to your home? Join Brad Sandy, Dallas County Master Gardener, as he shares tips that every homeowner should know that will make their home the star of their street. You will learn simple design tips, find out how to make your yard work care-free and also see what your yard will look like each season as well as five or ten years in the future. Learn how to design your landscape for maximum curb appeal! 2/13 from 12pm – 2pm,
$22 or $20 for Members
Veg Out: Vegetable Gardening
Successful vegetable gardening requires knowing what and when to plant. Join Cathi Gartin, owner of The Cultivated Gardener, as she shares tips on getting started in this fun, rewarding and delectable hobby. Learn which vegetables grow best each season, when and how to fertilize, good watering practices and more. New techniques and ideas have created a bounty of possibilities in gardening. Come feast on the information presented in this class.
2/20 from 9am – 11am,
$30 or $27 for Members
Design Inspirations
Have you ever looked at your garden and thought, “What was I thinking?” Sometimes our choice of plants can leave our garden looking disjointed and hap-hazard. Not to worry, Johnette Taylor, owner of Roundtree Landscaping, and Berit Hutson, Landscape Architect for Roundtree Landscaping, are here to help. Learn the basic design principles and how to incorporate them into your landscape. Find out how to use color, texture and form to create the garden look and feel that you want. With some easy to use ideas, you’ll be on your way to wowing your neighbors and loving your new landscape.
2/20 from 12pm – 2pm,
$22 or $20 for Members
Secrets of a Waterwise Gardener
If you want to cut back on your water bill without turning your yard into a desert, this class is for you! Join Gail Donaldson, Water Conservation Manager for the City of Allen, as she shares with you how to bring water conscious gardening techniques to your landscape. In addition to learning the seven basic principles of Waterwise Gardening, you will learn which plants to select and how to add color to your landscape and still be water conscious. Come find out how simple changes can make your landscape more beautiful using fewer resources and less money!
2/20 from 12pm – 2pm,
$22 or $20 for Members
Perennial Combinations
Randy Weston, owner of Weston Gardens, will join us to talk about selecting the best perennials from our area to create a garden that gives you wonderful blooms year after year. Mr. Weston’s expertise in this area has been recognized in such magazines as Southern Living and Texas Highways. Explore a wide variety of perennial plant material for our area, successful plant combinations for both sun and shade as well as how to add color and texture to your landscape with natives. The result? A happy, healthy and beautiful perennial garden right in your own yard.
2/27 from 9am – 11am,
$22 or $20 for Members
Turf Tactics
Maintaining a healthy, attractive and pest-resistant lawn is easy once you know the basic principles. Learn how to get your turf ready for summer as well as smart watering practices to keep your lawn green when water is scarce. Dr. James McAfee, Texas A&M Associate Professor and Extension Specialist for Turfgrass, will show you how to get your yard in top shape. Topics will include selecting the right turf for your landscape, mowing, watering, aerating and fertilizing practices and principles. Get your lawn ready for summer and make your neighbors green with envy!
2/27 from 9am – 11am,
$22 or $20 for Members
Tons of Tomatoes
One of the most popular of all home garden vegetables is the tomato. John Hunt, Past President of the First Men’s Garden Club, will show you how to get your tomato garden off to a great start. With a few simple tips you can begin growing these delectable vegetables in your garden. John will share tips on selecting the best varieties for Dallas, how and when to plant and how to get the most tomatoes from your plants. Come learn how to grow tomatoes that are farmer’s market fresh right in your backyard!
2/27 from 12pm- 2pm,
$22 or $20 for Members
Bee Plants
Anyone who has spent any time gardening knows that bees play a very important role in the success of any good garden. Join Christi Baughman, member of the Trinity Valley Beekeepers Association, as she shows you what you can do to keep these garden guests coming back season after season. Learn what plants are most delectable to bees as well as what to plant throughout the year. She will also share plant lists for the urban and rural gardeners. Come find out what the buzz is all about!
2/27 from 12pm -2pm,
$22 or $20 for Members
Creative Containers
Containers are a quick and easy way to add a splash of color throughout your landscape. Let Jennifer Wang, Arboretum horticulturist, show you the secrets to creating the beautiful containers you see throughout our garden. Learn which plant combinations will work best as we move from spring to summer and than create your own unique container to take home. You will be working with soil and plants, so consider bringing an apron and gloves.
3/6 from 9am – 11am,
$45 or $40 for Members
Wild About Orchids
These lovely exotics are easier to grow than you might think. 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!
3/6 from 12pm – 2pm;
$42 or $38 for Members
In the Beginning: Organic Bed Preparation
Good bed preparation is the key to building a strong foundation for your garden. Bram Franklin, Project Manager for Lamberts, will share with you how to get your garden growing organically from the ground up. Different plants have different needs to maintain optimum health, and Bram will show you how to address these needs around your garden through preparation and maintenance of your soil. 3/13 from 9am – 11am,
$22 or $20 for Members
A Palette in Bloom: Annual Color for the Garden
Using annuals in your landscape is a quick and easy way to add color to your yard. Join Johnette Taylor, owner of Roundtree Landscaping, and Berit Hutson, Landscape Architect for Roundtree Landscaping, as they show you how to effectively combine plants to create incredible impact throughout your landscape. Learn what color combinations work well together, how to draw attention to the areas that you want people to view most and how to create a cool calming retreat using color. Learn how to give your yard the punch of color it needs in every season.
3/13 from 9am – 11am,
$22 or $20 for Members
Shady Characters: Gardening in the 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. Bob Wilson, Manager at Nicholson Hardie, 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 Bob and learn how to select the best shady characters for your garden.
3/13 from 12pm – 2pm,
$22 or $20 for Members
Having It All!
You love perennials and flowers, herbs and edibles, interesting shrubs and trees, ALL of it. But how do you combine all of these fabulous plants in your landscape without ending up with a giant mess? Let Diana Harris, TCLP, owner of Lifestyle Gardens, show you simple design techniques to incorporate a wide variety of plants throughout your garden. Learn how to create a unique landscape using all types of plants that work well in North Texas. Don’t succumb to the same old boring landscape!
3/27 from 9am – 11am,
$22 or $20 for Members
Flowering Tree Walk
Small flowering trees are some of the most spectacular plants for the garden. This group of trees is usually less than 40 feet in height, but don’t let this small size fool you – they can knock your socks off with their beauty when they bloom. Learn how to identify and grow these favorites on this walking tour with Arboretum horticulturist Tucker Reed. This tour will cover many types of trees including cherries and dogwoods, as well as others that aren’t used enough in most North Texas gardens. Please be sure to dress for the weather.
4/10 from 9am – 11am;
$20 or $18 for Members
Year Round Color in the Garden
Is your garden gorgeous in the spring and dull the rest of the year? Do you find yourself buying plants that all bloom at the same time? Why settle for a garden that is beautiful only part of the year? Bram Franklin, Project Manager for Lamberts, will show you how to create a garden that will pop with color year round. Creating year round color in the garden takes careful planning and Bram will show you how to dig deep into your plant palette to create an eye-catching garden that is beautiful season to season.
4/10 from 9am – 11am,
$22 or $20 for Members
A Tour of Aromatic & Healing Plants in the Garden
The Arboretum is full of beautiful blooms all year long, but did you know that many of the plants here are beneficial as well as beautiful? Katharine Koeppen, RA, owner of Aromaceuticals and clinical aroma therapist, will take you on a guided nature walk through the gardens to introduce you to some of these plants. Learn about the mythology and lore behind the healing properties of plants, as well as their uses in aromatherapy, herbalism and more. Join us this spring and look at the garden from a whole new perspective.
4/17 from 9am – 11am,
$20 or $18 for Members
Ornamental Grasses for the Landscape
Grasses are a wonderful addition to any garden. They add color, texture and movement, and best of all, they thrive in our Texas weather. Dan Coletti, owner of Just Natural Design - a landscape design company, will introduce you to the best native plants and ornamental grasses to use in north Texas and show you how to incorporate them into any landscape. Join us to learn about these wonderful plants that can add interest to your garden in every season.
4/17 from 9am – 11am,
$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.
4/17 from 12pm – 2pm,
$22 or $20 for Members
Tried & True: Spring Trial Gardens at the Arboretum
We are lucky to have two beautiful trial gardens at the Arboretum that you can use to find the best plants for your garden. Join Jenny Wegley, Greenhouse and Research Manager at the Arboretum, as she gives you a behind the scenes look at what goes into our plant trials. Jenny will share some of the winners in our trial program and then take you on a walking tour of the gardens in all of their spring glory. Next, she will take you on a behind the scenes tour of our greenhouses so that you can see where many of the plants are grown out before they go in the trial beds. Come find out what our trial programs are all about and how you can start applying our research in your garden!
4/24 from 9am – 11am,
$22 or $20 for Members
Money Wise Gardening
A beautifully planned and landscaped yard can vastly improve the value of your property. Professional landscape designer Sheryl Burek, of Colorful Impressions, LTD., will guide you through the design and installation process while offering many money saving ideas you can implement. She will share great tips on how to develop a plan for your site, why soil is the best place to invest, and great places to find bargains for your garden. By investing a little time in your garden now, you can reap the benefits of a beautiful and lush landscape in the future.
4/24 from 12pm – 1:30pm,
$18 or $16 for Members
Herbs From the Ground Up
Join Cathi Gartin, owner of The Cultivated Gardener, as she shares her years of experience growing herbs to help you create the herb garden you’ve always wanted. Learn the cultural needs of many common herbs recommended for North Texas. She will also discuss gardening in small spaces and containers, as well as ways to incorporate herbs into the landscape. Find out how to prep your soil for planting, troubleshoot insect and disease problems, propagate herbs, fertilize and more. Come find out how you can have the tastiest landscape in town!
5/1 from 9am – 11am,
$30 or $27 for Members
Hardy Tropicals for North Texas
Give your landscape a touch of the tropics! Join Diana Harris, owner of Lifestyle Gardens and Texas Certified Landscape Professional, as she introduces you to some wonderful and 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 yard, which plants are well adapted to our climate and more. Come find out how to give your garden a tropical feel.
5/1 from 9am – 11am,
$22 or $20 for Members
Gardening with Hydrangeas
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. Learn 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.
5/1 from 12pm – 2pm,
$22 or $20 for Members
Lone Star Greats! Tough Texas Plants
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 Garden and tell you which plants will do best in your North Texas garden! All 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.
May 7 from 4pm – 5:30pm,
$22 or $20 for Members
Elements of Asian Design
This distinctive style of gardening is simple and gives visitors a peaceful and serene feeling. Join C.A. Hiscock, Dallas County Master Gardener, as she shows you how to bring some of the elements of Asian design to your garden. Learn how to use texture to create dramatic spaces, how color and line work in the Asian garden and how natural materials can be incorporated in your garden space.
5/15 from 9am - 11am,
$22 or $20 for Members
The Beauty of Begonias
With more than 1,500 species worldwide, this versatile plant is popular in flower beds, hanging baskets, containers and even in your home. Don Miller, Begonia expert from North Haven Gardens, will introduce you to the most popular begonias to use in our area, as well as some exotic varieties that you will want to try. Learn how to grow and care for these beautiful plants and how to give your garden a tropical feel when you add these gems to your landscape.
5/15 from 12pm – 2pm,
$22 or $20 for Members
Irrigation Insights
Summer is right around the corner and that means it’s time to make sure your irrigation practices and systems are in set for peak performance. 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 much more. Come find out how to make sure that your landscape gets just the right amount of water all year round.
5/22 from 9am – 11am,
22 or $20 for Members
