Adult Programs

2024 Program Registration

Join us this season for a range of engaging programs that will deepen your connection to plants, expand your gardening skills and introduce you to new ways of learning.

The schedule below includes programs for July through December 2024. Additional programs will be added during the program season. 

If you have already registered for a program in 2024, you will need your confirmation code included in previous registration emails. For assistance, please email gardenseducation@duke.edu or call 919-668-1707.

 

Walk on the Wild Side: Asters  
Thursday, September 5, 11 a.m.-noon 
Led by horticulture staff of the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants. 
Fee: $10; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Just Us Birding with Naturally Wild (for BIPOC participants)
Saturday, September 7, 9-11 a.m.
This program is designed as an affinity space for BIPOC participants with any level of birding experience.  Free; registration required. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Observing the Garden Through Haiku 
Saturday, September 7, 1-2:30 p.m.
Led by award-winning haiku poet, Crystal Simone Smith. 
Fee: $18; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Meet the Keepers
Thursdays biweekly: September 12 and 26, October 10 and 24, November 7 and 21
1-2 p.m.
Drop-in event with horticulture staff of the Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden at Duke Gardens. 
Free; no registration required. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

EcoSomatics Series: Learning Through Failure 
Thursday, September 12, 5:30-7 p.m.
Led by Bex Patterson Markowitz, somatic experiencing practitioner and human geographer.
Choose Your Fee: $15, $25 or $35. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Vanilla So Black: A Talk & Ice Cream Social with The Chocolate Botanist 
Sunday, September 15, 3-4:30 p.m.
With The Chocolate Botanist and Auntie’s Ice Cream.
Free; registration recommended based on limited capacity. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Learning From the Earth: A Garden Walk & Conversation on People and Plant Relationships in Catawba Nation
Monday, Sept. 16
Garden Walk 5-5:45 p.m. (limited capacity; registration required)
Conversation 6-7 p.m. (registration optional)
Co-sponsored by Duke Gardens, Duke’s Native American Studies Initiative and the John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute's new Field Trips series in environmental humanities.
Free; please register separately for the walk and conversation. Registration and more details via this link.

Fall Tree Ramble
Thursday, September 19, 3-5 p.m.
With Katie Rose Levin, International Society of Arboriculture board certified master arborist.
Fee: $24; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Herbs Beyond the Kitchen 
Saturday, September 21, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
With Brittaney Robinson Whitenhill of Our-Backyard.org 
Fee: $32; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Midday Meander 
Thursday, September 26, 12:15-1 p.m.
Led by Kavanah Anderson, director of learning and community engagement at Duke Gardens.
Free; registration required. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Beginning Birding for Adults
Friday, September 27, 8-9 a.m.
With Liani Yirka, education program coordinator for Duke Gardens and experienced birder. 
Free; registration required. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

The Journey of Land Relationship Workshop Series: Landing in a New Place
Saturday, September 28, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
With Martin Jahn, horticulturist in the Culberson Asiatic Arboretum at Duke Gardens. 
Fee: $22 per person; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. 
Scholarships available by request; email GardensEducation@duke.edu. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Native Plant Solutions: Perennials for Shade (virtual)
Tuesday, October 1, noon-1 p.m.
Virtual program with Shannon Currey, outreach educator at Izel Native Plants, in collaboration with Izel Native Plants.
Fee: free; registration required. More details via this link.

Walk on the Wild Side: Grasses
Thursday, October 3, 11 a.m.-noon 
Led by horticulture staff of the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants. 
Fee: $10; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Just Us Birding with Naturally Wild (for BIPOC participants)
Saturday, October 5, 9-11 a.m.
This program is designed as an affinity space for BIPOC participants with any level of birding experience. 
Fee: Free; registration required. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Forest Bathing Walk
Wednesday, October 9, 10 a.m.-noon
Led by certified Forest Therapy Guide Stephanie Campbell.
Fee: $26; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Birding on International Migratory Bird Day 
Saturday, October 12, 8-9 a.m.
With Liani Yirka, education program coordinator for Duke Gardens and experienced birder.
Fee: Free; registration required. Parking fees apply. More details via this link..

There’s Healing in the Garden (for BIPOC participants)
Sunday, October 13, 2-4 p.m.
With Brittaney Robinson Whitenhill of Our-Backyard.org
Fee: $38; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Try This Not That: Turfgrass and Groundcovers
Wednesday, October 16, 10-11:30 a.m.
With A. Stradley, visitor experience coordinator at Duke Gardens and trained horticulturist
Fee: $18; Free for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Tree Trek
Saturday, October 19, 9:30-11 a.m. 
With Matt Archibald,  ISA board certified master arborist at Leaf & Limb
Fee: $18; Free for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

A Conversation with Sue Stuart Smith  
Saturday, October 19
2-3:30 p.m.
With Sue Stuart Smith, a psychiatrist, psychotherapist and author of The Well Gardened Mind
Fee: free; registration recommended due to room capacity. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Harvest Festival
Sunday, October 20, 1-4 p.m.
Fee: Free; no registration required. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Beginning Birding for Adults
Friday, October 25, 8-9 a.m.
With Liani Yirka, education program coordinator for Duke Gardens and experienced birder. 
Fee: Free; registration required. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

The Journey of Land Relationship: Growing Your Bond
Saturday, October 26, 9:30-11:30 a.m. 
With Martin Jahn, horticulturist in the Culberson Asiatic Arboretum at Duke Gardens. 
Fee: $22 per person; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. 
Scholarships available by request; email GardensEducation@duke.edu. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Just Us Birding with Naturally Wild (for BIPOC participants)
Saturday, November 2, 9-11 a.m.
Fee: Free; registration required. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

A Festival of Fabulous Mums
Saturday & Sunday, November 2-3, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 
Free drop-in outdoor exhibit in the Ruth Mary Meyer Japanese Garden. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Mum’s the Word: Tour of Show Chrysanthemums 
Saturday, November 2, 2-3 p.m. 
With Michelle Rawlins, Ruth Mary Meyer horticulturist in the Culberson Asiatic Arboretum.
Fee: $16; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Japanese Maple Walk
Wednesday, November 6, 10-11:30 a.m.
With Bobby Mottern, director of horticulture at Duke Gardens.
Fee: $16; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Walk on the Wild Side: Fall Color Change
Thursday, November 7, 11 a.m.-noon 
Led by horticulture staff of the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants. 
Fee: $10; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Basket Weaving with Daylily and Iris Leaves
Saturday, November 9, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 
With instructor Angela Eastman of Flag Mountain Studio.
Fee: $68; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking included. More details via this link.

Native Plant Solutions: Deer-resistant Perennials (virtual)
Tuesday, November 12, 2024, noon-1 p.m.
Virtual program with Shannon Currey, outreach educator at Izel Native Plants, in collaboration with Izel Native Plants.
Free; registration required. More details via this link.

Midday Meander 
Thursday, November 14, 12:15-1 p.m.
Led by Kavanah Anderson, director of learning and community engagement at Duke Gardens.
Fee: free; registration required. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Botanizing at Occoneechee Mountain
Saturday, November 16, 9:30am-noon
In person and entirely outdoors with Paul Manos, Duke biology professor and Duke Herbarium curator, and Alec Motten, professor emeritus, Duke University Department of Biology. 
Fee: $34; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. More details via this link.

The Journey of Land Relationship: Committing to the Long Haul
Saturday, November 16, 9:30-11:30 a.m. 
With Martin Jahn, horticulturist in the Culberson Asiatic Arboretum at Duke Gardens. 
Fee: $22 per person; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Scholarships available by request; email GardensEducation@duke.edu. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Holiday Greenery: Build Your Own Wreath
Saturday, December 7, 10 a.m.-noon
With Duke Gardens horticulturists Michelle Rawlins and Megan Brown.  
Fee: $68; 20% discount for Duke Gardens with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Midday Meander 
Thursday, December 5, 12:15-1 p.m.
Led by Kavanah Anderson, director of learning and community engagement at Duke Gardens.
Fee: free; registration required. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Winter Tree Ramble
Monday, December 16, 2-4 p.m.
With Katie Rose Levin, International Society of Arboriculture board certified master arborist. 
Fee: $24; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

 

More information

Please see our latest at-home learning activities, classes and links here.

Duke Gardens spring & summer camps information.

Children and Family Programs information.

Duke Gardens Tour information.

If you'd like to be added to our email list for program announcements, please email gardenseducation@duke.edu.

Learn more about membership and join here to receive education program discounts, free admission to select programs and event, & more.

Want to bring your student group to Duke Gardens in the future? Please see our School and Group Programs and Academic Programs pages.