Adult Programs

2023 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 upcoming programs for September through December. More programs coming soon! 

Design Spotlight: Native Grasses and Sedges
Tuesday, Sept. 26, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
With Shannon Currey, education & outreach at Izel Native Plants, in collaboration with Izel Native Plants.
Fee: $22; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Meet the Keepers 
Thursday, Sept. 28
1-2 p.m.
Free drop-in event with horticulture staff of the Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden at Duke Gardens.
Fee: Free; no registration required. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Beginning Birding for Adults
Monday, Oct. 2, 8-9 a.m.
With Liani Yirka, education program coordinator for Duke Gardens and experienced birder 
Fee: $10 per person; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Climate Circle: Cultivating Community, Capacity and Culture Shift in a Changing Climate
Five-session class series from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Oct. 4, 11, 18 and 25, and Nov. 1
In person and outdoors with Patty Adams, licensed therapist trained in trauma-informed somatics and yoga, mindfulness and Ayurveda.
Fee: $135; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Walk on the Wild Side 
Thursday, Oct. 5, 11 a.m.-noon
In person and entirely outdoors, led by Blomquist horticultural staff and trained volunteers.
Fee: $10 per person; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Harvest Festival
Sunday, Oct. 8, 1-4 p.m.
Outdoors in the Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden.
Fee: Free. No registration required. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Fall Tree Ramble
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 3-5 p.m.
In person and entirely outdoors with Katie Rose Levin, International Society of Arboriculture board certified master arborist. 
Fee: $24; 20% discount for Duke Gardens with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Meet the Keepers 
Thursday, Oct. 12, 1-2 p.m.
Free drop-in event with horticulture staff of the Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden at Duke Gardens.
Fee: Free; no registration required. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Beginning Birding for Adults
Monday, Oct. 16, 8-9 a.m.
With Liani Yirka, education program coordinator for Duke Gardens and experienced birder 
Fee: $10 per person; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

October Japanese Tea Gathering: Kanna-zuki
Friday, Oct. 20, 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
with Chizuko Sueyoshi and members of the Japanese Tea Practitioners of Durham
Fee: $68; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

October Japanese Tea Gathering: Kanna-zuki
Saturday, Oct. 21
Morning session: 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Afternoon session: 1-2:30 p.m.
with Chizuko Sueyoshi and members of the Japanese Tea Practitioners of Durham
Fee: $68; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Inspired by the Garden: Plein Air Watercolor Painting Workshops
Monday, Oct. 23, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
With instructor James Keul, Durham-based artist and avid gardener
Theme is “Poetic Visions: Drawing Inspiration from Poetry”
Fee: $82; 20% discount for Duke Gardens with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.
 
Botany Spotlight: Oaks
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 7-8:30 p.m. 
Online program with Paul Manos, Duke University biology professor and Duke Herbarium curator, in collaboration with the Duke Herbarium
Fee: $22; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Midday Meander: A Strolling Conversation 
Thursday, Oct. 26, 12:15-1 p.m.
With Kavanah Anderson, director of learning and engagement 
Fee: Free; registration required. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Botany Spotlight: Oaks
Thursday, Oct.26, 2-5 p.m. 
In-person field session with Paul Manos, Duke University biology professor and Duke Herbarium curator, in collaboration with the Duke Herbarium. 
Fee: $38; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Climate 101: Planning for Change in a Garden
Friday, Oct. 27, 9-11 a.m. 
With Bobby Mottern, director of horticulture at Duke Gardens
Fee: $16; free for Duke Gardens members with free code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Meet the Keepers 
Thursday, October 26, 1-2 p.m.
Drop-in event with horticulture staff of the Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden at Duke Gardens.
Fee: Free; no registration required. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Mum’s the Word: Tour of Show Chrysanthemums  
Tuesday, Oct. 31, 10:30 a.m.-noon or 1:30-3 p.m.
In person and entirely outdoors with horticulturist Michelle Rawlins, Culberson Asiatic Arboretum.
Fee: $16; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Walk on the Wild Side 
Thursday, Nov. 2, 11 a.m.-noon 
In person and entirely outdoors, led by Blomquist horticultural staff and trained volunteers. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

A Festival of Fabulous Mums 
Saturday & Sunday, Nov. 4-5, 10 a.m. -4 p.m.
Free drop-in exhibit for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Walk on the Wild Side
Saturday, Nov. 4, 9-10 a.m. 
In person and entirely outdoors, led by Blomquist horticultural staff 
Fee: $16 per person; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Inspired by the Garden: Plein Air Watercolor Painting Workshops
Monday, Nov. 6, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
On site with instructor James Keul, Durham-based artist and avid gardener
Theme is “Plants and Perspective: A Botanical Sense of Place”
Fee: $82; 20% discount for Duke Gardens with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Try This, Not That: Overwintering Tropical Plants   
Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2:30-4 p.m.
In person and entirely outdoors with April Stradley, Duke Gardens horticulturist 
Fee: $22; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Low-resource Landscaping Series: Covering Ground with Plants
Friday, Nov. 10, 10 a.m.-noon
With Shannon Currey, education & outreach at Izel Native Plants, in collaboration with Izel Native Plants.
Fee: $22; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Botanizing at Occoneechee Mountain
Saturday, Nov. 11, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
In person and entirely outdoors at Occoneechee Mountain with Paul Manos, Duke biology professor and Duke Herbarium curator, and Alec Motten, professor emeritus, Duke University Department of Biology. In collaboration with the Duke Herbarium.  
Fee: $34; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Midday Meander: A Strolling Conversation 
Thursday, Nov. 9, 12:15-1 p.m.
With Kavanah Anderson, director of learning and engagement 
Fee: Free; registration required. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Basket Weaving with Daylily and Iris Leaves
Saturday, Nov. 18, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 
With instructor Angela Eastman of Flag Mountain Studio
Fee: $68; 20% discount for Duke Gardens with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Japanese Tea Gathering: Shiwasu
Friday, Dec. 1, 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
with Chizuko Sueyoshi and members of the Japanese Tea Practitioners of Durham
Fee: $68; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Japanese Tea Gathering: Shiwasu
Saturday, Dec. 2, 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
with Chizuko Sueyoshi and members of the Japanese Tea Practitioners of Durham
Fee: $68; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Japanese Tea Gathering: Shiwasu
Saturday, Dec. 2, 1-2:30 p.m.
with Chizuko Sueyoshi and members of the Japanese Tea Practitioners of Durham
Fee: $68; 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Holiday Greenery: Build Your Own Wreath
Saturday, Dec. 2, 9-11 a.m.
with Beth Hall, Paul J. Kramer Plant Collections Manager, and Duke Gardens horticulturist Michelle Rawlins
Fee: $68; 20% discount for Duke Gardens with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Winter Tree Ramble
Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2-4 p.m.
In person and entirely outdoors with Katie Rose Levin, International Society of Arboriculture board certified master arborist. 
Fee: $24; 20% discount for Duke Gardens with discount code. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

Midday Meander: A Strolling Conversation 
Thursday, Dec. 7, 12:15-1 p.m.
With Kavanah Anderson, director of learning and engagement 
Fee: Free; registration required. Parking fees apply. More details via this link.

 

 

More information

Explore the natural world at Duke Gardens in these additional classes, lectures, workshops and free programs. We cover a wide range of topics, including horticulture and home gardening, natural history, vegetable gardening, mindfulness and nature crafts.

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

Nature Adventures 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.