Classes

The classes at the Atlanta Botanical Garden offer as much variety as the plants in the collections.

Adult classes range from the artistic, like floral design and watercolor painting, to hands-on practical gardening workshops.

Many noted environmental and horticultural experts hold lectures at the Garden throughout the year.

Tai Chi in the Garden

Saturdays, Jan. 21 - March 24 OR Saturdays, April 14 - June 16
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

The Garden is a beautiful and relaxing place to begin your weekend. Learn this ancient Chinese exercise form, designed to increase flexibility and balance. Cultivate your mental focus and physical strength in an enchanting garden setting. More Information

Pruning

Trees and Shrubs

Saturday, January 21 OR Saturday, February 4
10 a.m. - noon

Now is the time to learn how to prune your trees and shrubs properly. A detailed discussion of pruning guidelines and principles will be followed by a demonstration in the Garden. Early registration is recommended for this popular class. More Information

Orchid Care Clinics

Saturdays, February 5, March 3, and April 7
10 a.m. - noon

Join members of the Fuqua Orchid Center staff for some expert orchid advice. Drop in any time between 10 a.m. and noon with your questions and a maximum of two orchid plants for advice on care for your temperamental treasures.
More Information

Intro to Drawing

Drawing the Natural World in Black and White

Tuesdays, January 10 - February 7
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. OR 6 - 9 p.m.

Drawing is the foundation of the visual arts, and anyone can learn its basic principles. In this class, students will learn basic composition, proportion, shading and perspective. Through a progression of exercises and assignments you will be introduced to the visual elements: line, value, texture, shape and space. More Information

Beekeeping

Getting Started in Atlanta

Saturday, February 11
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

If you want to start keeping bees this year, now is the time to think about it. This is an information-gathering class to find out about the feasibility of urban/suburban beekeeping in the area. We will talk about the basics of beekeeping and the beekeeper’s year, where to find materials, and when and how to get started. More Information

Intermediate Drawing

Drawing in Black and White

Tuesdays, February 14 - March 13
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. OR 6 - 9 p.m.

Using basic black and white drawing materials the continuing drawing student will explore large plant studies, still lifes and landscapes. Bring a collection of landscape photos (black and white or color) to the first class for drawing exercises. A supply list will be mailed with the confirmation. More Information

Orchids for Beginners I

Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum

Saturday, February 18
1 - 3 p.m.

Orchids generally can be divided into two broad groups that dictate cultural requirements. Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum, both beautiful genera, belong to the group whose care requirements are closest to other typical houseplants. This class will examine how to grow these plants and their relatives in the typical home environment. Each class participant will go home with an orchid plant. More Information

The Inspired Gardener

Symposium and Silent Auction

Saturday, February 25
8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Winter finds most gardeners starved for spring, the season of new beginnings and fresh opportunities. As springtime approaches, immerse yourself in this full day of exciting garden inspiration. Come away with fresh ideas for making the garden of your dreams. More Information

Growing Bulbs

Beyond Daffodils

Saturday, March 10
10 a.m. - noon

The palate of bulbs, both annual and perennial, available to Southern gardeners is ever increasing. Discover the best performers for Atlanta gardens, from fantastic favorites to head-turning new and unusual selections. Planting depth, timing and designs that extend the blooming season will be covered. This class includes a walk in the Garden - dress accordingly. More Information

Summer Veggie Garden

Thursday, March 15
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Learn how to grow and harvest fresh, delicious produce in your home garden. Find out about vegetables and herbs that will perform well through Georgia's summer months and learn tips for improving your yields. More Information

Summer Veggie Seeds

Saturday, March 17
9:30 a.m. - noon

Growing your vegetables from seed can be a fun and empowering experience. Learn seed sowing and transplanting techniques, as well as after-care tips, for summer annuals, herbs and vegetables. Students will leave with a complete summer garden. More Information

Photography Workshop

Portraits in the Garden

Saturday, March 17
10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Whether it's a portrait of your climbing rose or your favorite gardener, the skills necessary to capture these subjects beautifully are similiar. This beginner level class will help you grasp the art of portrait photography. The class will focus on natural lighting, composition and taking your camera settings off AUTO. Bring a digital camera that you know how to use well with its cords for transferring images. More Information

Intro to Colored Pencil

Tuesdays, March 20 - April 17
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. OR 6 - 9 p.m.

This lively class introduces you to colored pencil drawing using the Garden as your subject. Learn color theory and composition. Explore methods for drawing botanical renderings and still-lifes working from photographs and reproductions. Some previous drawing experience is recommended. A supply list is emailed with the confirmation. More Information

Orchids for Beginners II

Dendrobium, Oncidium and Cattleya

Tuesday, March 20
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

This group of orchid genera is adapted to climates where rainfall is intermittent. As a result, these plants have evolved specialized organs that store water and provide moisture during dry periods. To grow and flower successfully these plants require higher light levels than are found in typical homes. These plants can be grown, however, with supplemental lighting and summering outdoors. This class will examine the cultural requirements of this group of plants and their adaptation to the home environment. More Information

What's in a Name?

Thursday, March 29
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

This class offers a brief introduction to botanical concepts for gardeners who want latin names demystified, some insight into basic plant anatomy and a sense of how plants are grouped together in different families. More Information

Basics of Edible Gardening

Saturday, April 14
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Grow your own healthy and delicious food! Learn the basics and best practices for setting up a lower-maintenance, high-yield garden without using lots of chemicals. Explore bed lay-out, soil preparation, companion planting, crop rotations, and organic spraying. More Information

Dishes for Entertaining

Tuesday, April 17
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

As the weather warms and new seasonal produce appears, it’s time to gather friends and family at your home. Join Virginia Willis as she demonstrates ideal dishes for entertaining from her new cookbook, Basic to Brilliant, Y’all: 150 Refined Southern Recipes and Ways to Dress Them Up for Company. Enjoy a glass of wine as you learn and dine in the Edible Garden Outdoor Kitchen. Menu includes: Cream of Spring Greens Soup, Peas and Lettuce Risotto, Pecan Crusted Georgia Trout with Fennel Slaw, and Red Velveteen Beet Cupcakes. More Information

Gardening in Containers

Wednesday, April 18
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

This class will explore container gardening basics including plant selection, soil types and choosing appropriate containers. Learn about annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs that do well in pots, even in a dry year. Container garden design principles and plant combinations for year-round appeal will be emphasized. More Information

Practical Beekeeping

A Hands-On Approach

Saturday, April 21
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Early spring is the best time to get started with this very satisfying hobby. Students learn the basics of honeybee biology, beehive maintenance and beekeeping equipment. Learn by working hands-on with the Garden beehives.
More Information

Intermediate Colored Pencil

Tuesdays, April 24 - May 22
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. OR 6 - 9 p.m.

A continuation of Introduction to Colored Pencil, this class offers the rich and varied colors, shapes and forms of the tropical world. Drawings are large in scale, emphasizing contours and select focal points of concentrated color and detail. Students use Prismacolor watercolor pencils as well as wax pencils. Plant materials are selected from the Garden greenhouses, though students may bring in plants. Supply list emailed with confirmation.
More Information

Macro Photography

Creative Weekend Master Class

May 25 - 27
Friday - Saturday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, 8 a.m. - noon

Spend a 3-day weekend with Charles Needle, a Seattle, Washington based award-winning professional fine art nature photographer. Learn how to photograph water droplets, reflections of flowers on iridescent glass, mylar reflections, cross-polarization technique and much, much more. More Information