Fundamentals of Botany

Friday, May 12, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., online
Saturday, May 20, 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Bosarge Family Education Center

With a core understanding of plant biology, working with plants takes on a whole new meaning and helps the gardener answer so many questions. Through discussion, lecture, and hands-on lab work, this class begins with basic plant anatomy, exploring how every aspect of the organism works together to sustain photosynthesis, respiration, and water and mineral uptake.

Session one, online, will trace the life cycle of a flowering plant, from germination to seed dispersal. Session two takes place in the living classroom of the Gardens, examining plants and their botanical characteristics through hand lenses and microscopes.

Suggested Reference: Botany for Gardeners, Fourth Edition, Bryan Capron

Bryan Peterson, PhD, is an assistant professor of environmental horticulture at the University of Maine where his research strives to identify, characterize, and further develop promising ornamental plants for New England landscapes, with a focus on the protection and responsible use of indigenous flora. He teaches botany, greenhouse & nursery management, and native plant ecology, among other topics. Mr. Peterson characterizes genetic diversity within high-priority taxa to evaluate ecological and genetic security of natural genetic resources in relation to consequences of biological invasions and/or climate change and to work toward the responsible selection, development, and release of new ornamental horticulture crops for New England’s nursery and landscape industry.