Plant ID & Ecology: Asters

This class will focus on the identification of 20 - 25 of Maine’s asters. Not only looking alike, but blooming roughly at the same time (late-summer to October) can make them a challenge to identify. Via slideshow, take a close look at our herbarium specimens, and then through field investigations, we’ll look at the features that distinguish one aster from another, becoming familiar with their respective habitats. (This class also pairs well with Plant ID & Ecology: Goldenrods, on Saturday, October 1, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.)

We’ll begin at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, then students drive off-site to a nearby nature preserve to continue the class.

Please note this class requires participants to show proof of having received all eligible Covid-19 vaccinations, as recommended for their age by the CDC, in order to participate. Because of the dynamic nature of this situation, we ask that you agree to abide by potential future changes in CMBG’s Covid-19 policy designed to address evolving public health recommendations.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Ted Elliman
Price: $44 / $52

Plant ID & Ecology: Goldenrods

This class will focus on the identification of 10 – 15 of Maine’s goldenrods. Not only looking alike, but blooming roughly at the same time (late-summer to October) can make them a challenge to identify. Via slideshow, take a close look at our herbarium specimens, and then through field investigations, we’ll look at the features that distinguish one goldenrod from another, becoming familiar with their respective habitats. Please come with a hand lens if you have one, otherwise we’ll provide them. (This class also pairs well with Plant ID & Ecology: Asters, on Friday, September 30, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.)

We’ll begin at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, then students drive off-site to a nearby nature preserve to continue the class.

Please note this class requires participants to show proof of having received all eligible Covid-19 vaccinations, as recommended for their age by the CDC, in order to participate. Because of the dynamic nature of this situation, we ask that you agree to abide by potential future changes in CMBG’s Covid-19 policy designed to address evolving public health recommendations.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Melissa Cullina
Price: $44 / $52

Fall Botanicals: Still Life in Acrylics

Tuesday-Thursday, October 11-13 | Create beautiful still life paintings in a relaxed atmosphere using fall botanicals. We will aim to complete at least one painting per day with an emphasis on “alla prima” or “all at once” painting. There will be short demos and plenty of individual attention throughout the three-day workshop. Using materials from the Gardens, students will arrange their own still life “bouquets,” keeping the composition simple. Participants will be encouraged to interpret rather than replicate a still life set-up, using brush strokes, colors, imagination, and creativity.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Susan Bartlett Rice
Price: $265 / $290

BRCDWI: Native Plants for Watershed Protection

Join us for this free, special event for Boothbay Region Residents and learn how to take action on climate change, preserve our bodies of water, support healthy ecosystems, and protect locally-sourced drinking water. Keynote speaker Irene Barber, landscape designer, horticulturist, and Adult Education Program Manager at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, will discuss incorporating native plants that increase beauty, biodiversity, and contribute to clean water. Come discover some of the dynamic, striking natives perfect for shorelines, rain gardens, and wetland edges.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Irene Barber
Price: Free

Vertical Moss Tapestries

Using an upcycled frame, design your own vertical moss tapestry. Moss is captivating, from color to texture, and we’ll use several varieties of moss, lichen, and other organic materials. The moss is preserved—no maintenance required! Whether your inspiration is to recreate the feel of a walk in the woods, a birds-eye view of Maine geography, or an abstract color field, participants can create a verdant piece of art that brings the outside-in, all year long.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Cheryl Tyler
Price: $62 / $70

Fungi Ecology: Life Below & Aboveground

Fungi are everywhere! Join us to explore the Gardens’ diverse landscape to learn how fungi get their nutrients, about their role in the environment, and how they help (or hinder) plant growth. Participants will discover the many fungi that are free-living in soil or water; others that are parasitic or symbiotic with plants or animals and those that develop incredible architectural forms. We'll learn lifecyles of some fascinating fungi!

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Dr. Seanna Annis
Price: $30 / $36

Ecological Landscape Design

Fridays, October 21 and 28 and Saturday, October 29 | To design landscapes inspired by—and inclusive of—nature, study essential design principles through the lens of natural systems. In this three-day course led by landscape architect Lisa Cowan and landscape designer and horticulturist Irene Barber, students will learn to identify and incorporate the components of ecological landscape design.

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Location: Online & Bosarge Family Education Center
Instructor: Irene Barber
Price: $155 / $180

Forest Therapy and Tea

Deepening your connection to nature through moving meditation offers enormous benefits for personal well-being. In this gentle class, experience how the simple practice of walking mindfully through a forest can provide deep serenity. By engaging with all five senses, we can enhance awareness and presence. Follow Susan Bickford, certified guide in the ancient Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, or forest therapy/forest bathing, and gain the tools needed to begin your own meditation practice. The walk ends with a tea ceremony.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Susan Bickford
Price: $25 / $30

Wildlife in the Backyard: Mammals (Ages 14+)

Ages 14-adult are invited to join us for an informative look into the mammals you may not always see, but who are almost certainly living in or around your backyard, relying on your landscape for survival. Explore CMBG’s most common inhabitants, their important habitats, dietary preferences, and learn a variety of management practice approaches. Offered at an active time of year as wildlife prepare for winter, the class will explore the Gardens, learn key points for identification, and look for presence indicators such as tracks, holes, browsing, and more.

Please note this class requires participants to show proof of having received all eligible Covid-19 vaccinations, as recommended for their age by the CDC, in order to participate. Because of the dynamic nature of this situation, we ask that you agree to abide by potential future changes in CMBG’s Covid-19 policy designed to address evolving public health recommendations.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Alicia Miller
Price: $20 / $25

Ferns: Ecology, Cultivation, and Design

This presentation will explore ferns, from their ancient roots to their current evolution, adapting to grow and thrive in a diverse range of environments. This extensive genera of plants can live in open New England meadows, dry or wet woodlands, and in almost any cultivated garden setting to add texture, architectural interest, verdant hues, and essential habitat for native fauna.

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Location: Online
Instructor: Michael Sundue
Price: $12 / $18

Holiday Harvest Centerpieces

In this fun and creative hands-on workshop, learn how to compose a centerpiece that reflects your personality and style. Using fresh and dried floral and greenery harvested here at CMBG, floral designer and Horticulturist Lesley Paxson will guide students through a demonstration and offer one-on-one assistance. Take home new skills and a centerpiece to enjoy during harvest dinners. All materials supplied; students are encouraged to bring their own clippers or pruners.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Lesley Paxson
Price: $55 / $68

Resilient Landscapes in Built Environments | Section II

Mondays, November 28, December 5, 12, & 19th | Continuing the focus on resilient landscapes in built environments, Section II examines New England native plants for function, beauty, and biodiversity in the landscape and achieving high performance with minimal input. Additionally, the final two courses will provide step-by-step information on seasonal implementation and land-management practices relating to strategic planning, plant succession, erosion control, installation of green infrastructure, and contractor-to-client communication essential for establishing and supporting sustainable and resilient landscapes. These virtual courses are designed to be interactive, supporting those students with a working knowledge of native plants to plan for the next level of design and management.

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Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Price: $250 / $295

Making a Winter Wreath

Get into the winter holiday mood by crafting your own evergreen wreath—there’s nothing like the sharp, clean scent of balsam fir to signal the beginning of the festive season. In this workshop and demonstration, Horticulturist Jen Dunlap will lead you through the process of making your own unique winter wreath with cuttings from CMBG. All supplies will be provided, however we encourage students to bring their own hand pruners.

Location: Lerner Visitor Center
Instructor: Jen Dunlap
Price: $44 / $55

Maine’s Soil Carbon: Attention to Landscapers and Gardeners

Soil carbon sequestration, also known as “carbon farming” or “regenerative agriculture,” is a technique valuable to anyone working with soil, no matter the scale. Dr. Ivan Fernandez, Maine soil scientist and researcher focusing on Maine's carbon cycle, will discuss the “good, bad, and ugly” of carbon as well as what can be done to help slow down and reduce Maine's carbon footprint. Join us to hear current statistics and methods contributing to Maine's efforts to mitigate carbon pollution.

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Location: Online
Instructor: Dr. Ivan Fernandez
Price: $12 / $18

New England Stone Walls: Art and Function

Once-common land management tools for grazing animals, growing vegetables, or marking property, New England stone walls have evolved into masterful pieces of art. In this visually captivating presentation, Vermont stone craftsperson Brian Post of Standing Stone LLC will share the fundamentals of stone wall construction and explore the various aesthetic adaptations that contribute to artful elements in any landscape at any scale. Focusing primarily on dry stack walls, he’ll discuss loose farm walls, retainer walls, double-sided dimensional walls, walls for climbing or sitting, and how to become trained in the craft.

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Location: Online
Instructor: Brian Post
Price: $12 / $18

Patios, Paths, and Driveways: Permeable Applications

Traditional hardscape surfaces like pavers, asphalt, stone aggregates, and field stone are materials landscapers have long used, some for centuries. Today, these products are being modified and adapted into permeable applications. In this presentation, landscape engineer Robert Roseen will discuss necessary considerations for applying permeable surfaces and installation dos and don'ts. These products and their engineering have come a long way, and they work—even in New England! Join us and conserve and support healthy water hydrology instead of treating it like a waste product.

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Location: Online
Instructor: Robert Roseen
Price: $12 / $18

Resilient Landscapes in Built Environments Section I

In this section, Design and Structural Components, we will identify and assess the design process and factors inclusive of ecological principles, processes, and materials in order to create systems that are resilient and regenerative. Four separate online sessions focus on: Ecological Design for Resilience, Applied Soils: Restore and Engineer, Systematic Solutions to Water Management, and Sustainable Materials.

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Location: Online
Instructor: Multiple Instructors
Price: $250 / $275

Propagating & Sowing New England Meadow Plants

New England meadow plants include a wide array of genera and are wonderful succession plants for many landscapes—dry open fields or damp, shady woodland clearings, large garden borders or converted lawn spaces. In partnership with CT NOFA, this hands-on workshop welcomes all horticulture professionals, whether nursery growers, gardeners, or landscape designers, to come learn about the considerations and processes of propagating, sowing, and growing native herbaceous species. Instructors Leo Kenney from Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary and Emily Baisden from Wild Seed Project will discuss seed preservation, methods for strong and timely germination, and growing materials. Students will leave confident in the knowledge that they can incorporate these species into their businesses operations.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Multiple Instructors
Price: $60 / $75

All About Birds

Thursdays, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 & April 6, 9:30-11:30 a.m. | Learn to paint and draw birds! In this thorough, engaging, and inspiring five-week class, students will work from photographs and online resources to learn the anatomy of eggs, nests, feathers, wings, and the whole bird anatomy. Class meets online via Zoom. Each week a new topic will be introduced through slide lectures and demonstrations of various techniques. Students may work in watercolor and/or colored pencil. After the class is over, there will be a final review bonus class where students can receive feedback from the instructor. While this class is a part of our adult education offerings, it is open to advanced younger students, ages 14 and older.

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Location: Online
Instructor: Mindy Lighthipe
Price: $230 / $250

Garden Design: Foundations and Inspirations

Whether designing one garden or several, the first step is to learn the foundation and classical inspirations of garden design. Understanding design principles and becoming aware of how garden design has evolved through the centuries and is represented through different cultures helps new designers establish a basis and broadens perspectives. In this online class, Irene Barber, landscape designer and the Gardens’ Adult Education Program Manager, will introduce students to garden themes from different cultures and civilizations, all of which relate to the principles and elements of design relevant to today.

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Location: Online
Instructor: Irene Barber
Price: $36 / $45

Propagating and Sowing Native Edible Plants

Attention professional gardeners, growers, farmers, and landscape designers! With demand for native plants increasing, there are plenty of reasons and opportunities to incorporate them into your professional practice, nursery business, or landscape projects. In partnership with the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, and taking place at the Gardens, this hands-on workshop with Leo Kenney from Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary and Emily Baisden from Wild Seed Project will discuss the considerations and guide students through the processes necessary for effectively propagating and sowing native edible plants. Instead of foraging from wild populations, learn how to grow natives from seed for professional advantage and add function, beauty, nutrition, and delicious flavors to any garden environment.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Multiple Instructors
Price: $60 / $75

Garden Design: A New England Lens

Geography and cultural history are pertinent factors when making garden design decisions, particularly in New England’s unique and diverse landscapes, from river valleys to rolling fields to narrow, rocky corridors. In this online class, students will learn how to establish a sense of place and belonging, wherever their prospective garden is to be located. No matter what cultural elements and influences you want to incorporate, this class will help you get creative while staying true to a sense of place.

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Location: Online
Instructor: Irene Barber
Price: $36 / $45

Landscape Buffers for the Water’s Edge

Maine’s water resources are among our state’s greatest natural assets, but disturbing soil, working with, and affecting vegetation around shorelines can involve extra care, materials, and understanding of local, state, and federal regulations. John Maclaine of Maine DEP’s Nonpoint Source Training Center will focus on vegetative buffers that include a variety of plant species effective for controlling erosion, protecting water quality, and maintaining high-quality resources for future generations. He’ll share ecological principles that guide regulatory decision-making and up-to-date information on state rules and permits. Whether wetlands, ponds, lakes, rivers, or the seashore, landscapers and gardeners working with the water’s edge will find this this presentation helpful as a refresher or for building awareness.

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Location: Online
Instructor: John MacLaine
Price: $12 / $18

Orientation: Certificate in Native Plants & Ecological Horticulture

New and ongoing students in the Certificate in Native Plants and Ecological Horticulture will attend this online session. Learn about this comprehensive program, its curriculum, the core courses, the elective courses, and the instructors. The extensive program welcomes experienced gardeners, hobbyists, and professional gardeners interested in building their proficiency about New England native plants and the horticulture practices that support ecology in the landscape.

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Location: Online
Instructor: Multiple Instructors
Price: $25

Pruning for Beginners

This online lecture and slideshow presentation will introduce students to the fundamentals of pruning and discuss the what, when, and how. Dormancy is a critical time, and pruning trees and shrubs in this window will prevent damage and promote healthy plant growth for the following growing season. Join us to lose your fear of pruning and discover just how much fun and approachable it is with the appropriate tools. Following this class, students can register for "Pruning Workshop: Practices and Plants," happening at the Gardens in April. While this class is a part of our adult education offerings, it is open to advanced younger students, ages 14 and older.

Location: Online
Instructor: Irene Barber
Price: $25 / $30

Garden Design: Creating a Base Plan

Creating a base plan for a plan-view design of your garden may not be the most exciting part of the process, but it is an all-important one! This in-person class will present and allow practice in how and what to measure for a new garden or multiple gardens before translating the information into a scaled drawing. During this stage, students will begin developing a design key and practice drafting skills. A scaled base-plan will be necessary to properly pursue further design stages and enable the designer to practice sketching with trace paper and explore ideas. Upon registration, students will receive a list of supplies needed to pursue their own design project and to have ready for this class.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Multiple Instructors
Price: $60 / $75