Adult Programs

Whether you've been nervously eyeing an overgrown branch or just want to keep your trees healthy and beautiful for years to come, this practical pruning workshop with Bobby Mottern, director of horticulture at Duke Gardens, gives you the knowledge and confidence to pick up your pruners. You’ll start indoors with a slide presentation on pruning principles, you'll learn why trees need pruning — and what happens when they don't get it; when is the best time to prune for tree health; what to remove — and just as importantly, what to leave alone; how to make clean, proper cuts that help trees heal; and which tools to use, how to maintain them and how to stay safe on the job. Then head outside into the garden, where you'll see techniques demonstrated and get the chance to try them yourself. You'll leave with practical skills and the confidence to approach pruning in your garden.

At first glance, a pile of rocks seems like the last place a plant would want to call home—yet the scree and crevice gardens at Duke Gardens are bursting with an array of tenacious, beautiful and cleverly adapted plants. Join Branden Kowalyszyn, horticulturist of the Gateway Gardens at Duke Gardens, for a guided tour through these rugged landscapes, where sharp drainage, shifting gravel and thin soils support an extraordinary community of plants from around the world. Explore the artistry and science that goes into creating these gardens, including how the angle of a tilted stone, the chemistry of the gravel and the geometry of a crevice allow these plants to live here. Learn how a plant's form, texture and growth habit reveal its survival strategies. Whether you're a seasoned gardener looking for new ideas or someone who has walked past a rock garden and wondered what's going on, you’ll get an insider's look at the horticultural craft required to create these habitats and leave with an appreciation for plants’ ability to thrive even in the hardest of places.

Learn how to transform any yard, large or small, into a beautiful, productive edible landscape. This presentation with Brittaney Whitenhill of Our-Backyard.org introduces the core principles of foodscaping—integrating vegetables, herbs, fruits and pollinator plants into ornamental beds to create landscapes that nourish the body and soul. Participants will discover low-maintenance design strategies, plant combinations that thrive together and practical tips for maximizing harvests while maintaining curb appeal. Perfect for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike.

In this guided mixed-media workshop with Patricia Efunsade, founder and creative director of SaKredJoi Art, participants will create a series of botanically inspired greeting cards using a simple and approachable collage process. Begin by creating an 8.5 x 11-inch collage master sheet—a mixed-media process rooted in experimentation, layering, composition and storytelling through paper. Participants will then transform the paper into four unique handmade cards with designs that feature hand-cut flowers, stems and leaves. Everyone will complete four finished greeting cards, with the option to add personal words or sentiments. This workshop is designed to be both relaxing and creatively engaging, with a clear process that allows participants of all experience levels to leave with finished work that is ready to send or frame. All materials provided.

This North Carolina State Natural Area is a gem, with a diversity of natural plant and animal communities not found anywhere else in the Triangle region. Join Paul Manos, Duke biology professor and Duke Herbarium curator, and Alec Motten, professor emeritus, Duke University Department of Biology, on a two- to three-mile mountain hike of moderate difficulty. Both Alec and Paul bring a deep expertise in plants and ecology; they will “read” the landscape and give you a unique view of Occoneechee Mountain. Please wear comfortable clothes and good walking shoes. Bring a lunch and beverage to enjoy and continue the conversation after the hike.