Plant ID & Ecology: Conifers

What’s an evergreen, yet not always an evergreen? In this field-study class, Jeff O’Donal, nurseryman and conifer grower, will explore the extensive world of conifers, including native and non-native species, specimen plants, and those great for naturalizing into our native landscapes. We'll explore the diverse shapes and sizes, variations of gold and blue, soft or coarse textures, varieties of needle lengths, deciduous or evergreen, fragrant or neutral—there’s something for every style and landscape. Class level: Beginner-Intermediate.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Jeff O’Donal
Price: $32 / $40

Is It A Weed? (Canceled)

Weeds, by casual definition, are undesired plants found in a specific location. Delaney Pitman, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Horticulturist, leads a combination of field study and lecture discussing the perception of weeds, identification, cultural management, and ecology. You'll leave with a broader understanding of what and why plants are commonly known as "weeds" and whether they might be embraced or removed from a garden or landscape. Class level: all.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Delaney Pitman
Price: $32 / $40

Landscaping for Wildlife (Sold Out)

This class is sold out, but please click "Learn More" to join our waitlist. | Habitat loss is the primary cause of declining wildlife populations, and learning how vital native plants are to wildlife and how much our landscape choices matter is one of the most critical steps we can take to divert such loss. We'll begin with a short online lecture followed by an interactive workshop and field study at the Gardens. Students will learn how and what to manage in the landscape and how to incorporate certain native plants to create welcoming habitats that attract wildlife, conserve natural resources, and encourage biodiversity. Class Level: Intermediate to Advanced.

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Location: Online & Bosarge Family Education Center
Instructor: Deb Perkins
Price: $62 / $75

15th Annual Ina & Lewis Heafitz Endowed Lecture Series presents: Adventures in Ecological Horticulture (Sold Out)

This class is sold out, but please click "Learn More" to join our waitlist. | Gone are the days when a garden could be ornamental alone. We now understand the impact our land care practices have on the ecosystems around us and recognize the importance of encouraging biodiversity. The good news? We don’t have to sacrifice beauty when we invite butterflies and songbirds into our gardens. Discover how ecological approaches to gardening can transform both spaces and communities with Rebecca McMackin in this year's Ina & Lewis Heafitz Endowed Lecture Series.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Rebecca McMackin
Price: Free

Ecological Arboriculture

So many of us love our trees, yet they’re still too often seen and cared for as ornaments in our gardens or isolated organisms, rather than as dynamic parts of a living landscape. In reality, trees can serve as the heart of thriving ecosystems that support the birds and wildlife we love. This workshop introduces the principles of ecological arboriculture—a holistic approach to caring for trees, woody plants, and landscapes that recognizes trees as habitat, food sources, and essential ecosystem engineers.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Christopher Roddick
Price: $64 / $80

Dahlias: Digging, Dividing, Storing, & Propagating

Unlock the secrets to successful dahlia propagation in this hands-on class designed for adult gardeners of all levels. Learn when to dig up your dahlias, how to inspect tubers for disease or rot, and the best techniques for drying and storing them through the off-season. We’ll dive into the anatomy of a tuber, identify what parts are essential for new growth, and walk through identifying and removing the mother tuber, along with proper dividing techniques and timing. You’ll leave with the knowledge to keep your dahlias thriving year after year.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Courtney Locke
Price: $32 / $40

Ecological Landscape Design

If you want to design landscapes inspired by and inclusive of nature, studying design principles through the lens of natural systems is essential. In this three-day course led by landscape designer and horticulturist Irene Brady Barber, students will learn to identify and incorporate the components of ecological landscape design. Online and onsite, we will examine the systems influencing design decisions, practice environmental site analysis, and design conceptual plot plans for a selected site. Class Level: Intermediate-Advanced

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Location: Online & Bosarge Family Education Center
Instructor: Irene Barber
Price: $160 / $190