This course will introduce the student to the steps involved in the landscape design process. Guided by a registered Landscape Architect, participants will explore topics ranging from Deep Observation, Problem Identification and Developing Design Intent, to examining the concepts of Landscape Scale, Materiality and Movement to, from and within a site. The goal of this course is to fundamentally alter the way we look at the process of manipulating our outdoor spaces through the process of crafting a landscape story which flows through the space and informs all aspects of your design. This program is part of the Hattie Meadows Gardening School, a free community learning project to spread knowledge and love of gardening. Classes will take place at the Stanford L. Warren Library from January through June 2026.
While gardens sleep, winter is the busiest time for North Carolina’s salamanders. Join Dr. Ron Grunwald, Duke Department of Biology, to look for these “cool” amphibians in Duke Forest, where you might see woodland red-back salamanders in the woods and two-lined and dusky salamanders in the stream. Learn about ongoing salamander studies and the habitats different salamander species rely on for their life cycles. Be prepared for a walk on the forest floor and to dip your toes in a rocky creek.
While gardens sleep, winter is the busiest time for North Carolina’s salamanders. Join Dr. Ron Grunwald, Duke Department of Biology, to look for these “cool” amphibians in Duke Forest, where you might see woodland red-back salamanders in the woods and two-lined and dusky salamanders in the stream. Learn about ongoing salamander studies and the habitats different salamander species rely on for their life cycles. Be prepared for a walk on the forest floor and to dip your toes in a rocky creek.
Join tea master Chizuko Sueyoshi and members of the Japanese Tea Practitioners of Durham for a moment of respite in the Duke Gardens teahouse, where you will experience the centering calm of a Japanese tea gathering in the Urasenke tradition. Enjoy the aesthetics, poetry and serenity of this rich tradition over an enticing bowl of whisked green tea and a Japanese confection. Guests will be escorted on a 15-minute walk to the teahouse, where seating is on the floor unless a chair is requested upon registration by emailing GardensEducation@duke.edu. For ages 12 and up.
Bundle up and build your bird observation skills on a slow stroll through Duke Gardens with Bella Insignares, education staff at Duke Gardens, as you gather a list of different birds that use the Gardens. If you have ever found yourself wondering about the birds that are flying or singing around you, join us to learn more together as a group. Bring your own binoculars if you have them (not required) and a sense of curiosity.
Learn about why native plants are an important part of the urban environment. We will cover some basic concepts on how to make your home garden a habitat for birds and bees and other creatures. This program is part of the Hattie Meadows Gardening School, a free community learning project to spread knowledge and love of gardening. Classes will take place at the Stanford L. Warren Library from January through June 2026.
Join tea master Chizuko Sueyoshi and members of the Japanese Tea Practitioners of Durham for a moment of respite in the Duke Gardens teahouse, where you will experience the centering calm of a Japanese tea gathering in the Urasenke tradition. Enjoy the aesthetics, poetry and serenity of this rich tradition over an enticing bowl of whisked green tea and a Japanese confection. Guests will be escorted on a 15-minute walk to the teahouse, where seating is on the floor unless a chair is requested upon registration by emailing GardensEducation@duke.edu. For ages 12 and up.
Join tea master Chizuko Sueyoshi and members of the Japanese Tea Practitioners of Durham for a moment of respite in the Duke Gardens teahouse, where you will experience the centering calm of a Japanese tea gathering in the Urasenke tradition. Enjoy the aesthetics, poetry and serenity of this rich tradition over an enticing bowl of whisked green tea and a Japanese confection. Guests will be escorted on a 15-minute walk to the teahouse, where seating is on the floor unless a chair is requested upon registration by emailing GardensEducation@duke.edu. For ages 12 and up.
For this special half-day symposium, we’ll feature three speakers with a little something for everyone, from beginner to experienced veggie growers. This program is part of the Hattie Meadows Gardening School, a free community learning project to spread knowledge and love of gardening. Classes will take place at the Stanford L. Warren Library from January through June 2026. This program is presented in partnership with Stanford L. Warren Library, Sarah P. Duke Gardens and Durham County Cooperative Extension and made possible by the Durham Library Foundation.
Most gardeners are familiar with planting container-grown perennials, but using plugs requires a shift in mindset and technique. These young starter plants, grown in trays instead of pots, offer distinct advantages: they are cost-effective, easier to plant and establish quickly. They are ideal for large areas, slopes and under trees. However, not every gardener is familiar with plugs. Planting them successfully takes a bit of practical know-how that even experienced gardeners will appreciate refining. Join Shannon Currey, education and outreach at Izel Native Plant, to learn the pros and cons of plugs, when they’re most appropriate and best practices for handling, planting and managing them. With these essentials, you’ll be planting like a pro!
Spend an afternoon in Duke Forest with Blanka Aguero, bryophyte data manager at the Duke University Herbarium, learning about the common mosses of North Carolina woods. Learn about the biology of mosses and liverworts and gain basic moss identification skills as you explore a world beneath your feet. Look for a separate program led by Blanka about the mosses of Duke Gardens on May 12.
Join Kavanah Anderson, director of learning and community engagement at Duke Gardens, for a conversational stroll in the garden that deepens your relationship with plants. Swap plant stories, dig into horticultural history, question what you know and practice multisensory observation on a playful amble through the Gardens that delights and disrupts your understanding of what a garden can be. Expect to learn from each other, share what you know and leave with more questions than you started with.
Penny’s Bend, an 84-acre preserve, has a unique geology and therefore distinct soils that support rare plant species. Join Alec Motten, professor emeritus, and Paul Manos, professor of biology, Duke University, for a relatively easy hike, under two miles. The spring wildflower season is challenging to predict, but we will see plenty! Plan to wear weather-appropriate, comfortable clothes and good walking shoes.
Join horticulture staff and experienced volunteers on a walk around the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants to learn about connections between people, plants and place. Each month will feature a different seasonal topic related to gardening with native plants.