(Adults) Colored pencils and acrylic layering is a fantastic technique for building up soft textures, sharp edges, and rich colors. Drawing from colorful photographs or still-life objects of flora and fauna, artist Dawn Flores helps you explore the techniques used to take colored pencils a step beyond their traditional use. Supply list will be emailed before class. Bring a lunch.

(Adults) Use your basic drawing skills to accurately render realistic drawings of trees and their leaves. Artist and instructor Caroline Hottenstein shows you how to use the media of your choice - a micron pen, watercolor, graphite, or colored pencils to capture and highlight details. Previous drawing experience encouraged. A supply list will be emailed before class. Bring a lunch.

(Adults) Use your basic drawing or painting skills to illustrate wildflowers. Artist and instructor Caroline Hottenstein shows you how to use the media of your choice - a micron pen, watercolor, graphite or colored pencils to capture and highlight details. Previous drawing experience encouraged.

(Adults) Learn about the history and process of flower and leaf pressing, from scientific uses to artful displays. Then create your own beautiful botanical artwork with dried plants collected at Green Spring Gardens. Tour the gardens and collect fresh materials to press for future classes to use. Register for both the class and the $10 supply fee.

(Adults) Experience Green Spring Gardens with all of your senses. Join Ana Ka’ahanui, co-founder of local nonprofit Capital Nature for a slow, meditative walk around the gardens. Contemplative, but more active than meditation, this forest bathing walk will help reduce blood pressure, boost immunity, and enhance mood and creativity. Decompress and feel a deeper connection with the natural world. Bring something to sit on the ground, which may be damp, and a water bottle. Dress for the weather.

(Adults) Put out the welcome mat for pollinators such as bees, birds and beneficial insects by providing a garden in plant diversity for food and habitat. Extension Master Gardeners help you with plant lists and share techniques for attracting these pollinators. 

(Adults) Discover how to prevent uninvited deer from helping themselves to your garden by planting deer resistant trees, shrubs and perennials and by using a combination of fencing and repellents. Extension Master Gardeners will help you develop an effective strategy to protect your garden. 

(Adults) Perhaps one of the most beloved birds in gardening, hummingbirds, astonish us with their aerial acrobatics, their beauty and the important role they play in the garden. Extension Master Gardeners share what plants encourage them to visit your garden and what feeders are best. 

(Adults) Tour the 18th century historic house and lovely seven-acre gardens of Glen Burnie in Winchester, VA. The gardens feature formal boxwood and parterre designs along with an Asian garden, herb garden and statue stroll. Next we will head to the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley to enjoy the museum collection of regional history including 18th century art and an impressive mini-house collection. We will end our trip having tea at the charming Blooming Hill Lavender Farm. Includes motor coach, admission, tour and tea. Trip departs Green Spring Gardens at 8:30 a.m. returns at 5:30 p.m. Trip cancelation date: May 22

(Adults) Experience a guided tour of Hillwood Estate's luscious formal gardens. View the spring gardens such as the French Parterre, Japanese Garden and the cutting gardens. Following a docent-led tour of the mansion, we will sit and savor afternoon tea at Hillwood's Merriweather Café. Includes motor coach, entrance fee, tour and tea. Trip departs Green Spring Gardens at 9:30 a.m. and returns at 4:30 p.m. Trip cancelation deadline: April 23, 2025.

(Adults) Spend a spring morning at Ladew Topiary Gardens enjoying a tour of the house and beautiful gardens. The beautiful spring bulb displays will be in bloom, along with spring flowering trees. Lunch will be served at the cafe on the grounds. Trip departs Green Spring Gardens at 8:30 a.m. and returns at 6:30 p.m. Dress appropriately for the weather. Includes motor coach, admission, tour and lunch. Trip cancelation deadline: April 14, 2025.

(Adults) Enjoy a guided tour of the fantastic Morris Arboretum and Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania. Experienced docents will show us the garden highlights of the season. Following lunch there will be free time to explore the gardens and the gift shop. Includes motor coach, entrance fee, tour and lunch. Trip departs Green Spring Gardens at 7 a.m. and returns at 7 p.m. Trip cancelation date: May 6

(Adults) Join Green Spring Gardens’ curatorial horticulturist Brenda Skarphol on a walk to look at the variety of colors and forms of beloved spring plants. See a mix of herbaceous perennials, trees, shrubs and vines that grow well in small spaces, from containers to patios to gardens. Get plant recommendations tailored to your garden. Dress for the weather.

(Adults) For the beginner or advanced student, artist and instructor Dawn Flores will share watercolor techniques through exercises that help you understand color, composition and improve brush control. Learn about the history and types of paper used in botanical art. Basic drawing skills are helpful for drawing the plant specimen from which to paint an elegant botanical portrait. A supply list will be emailed before class. Bring a lunch.

(Adults) In this class you will use a grid to turn your drawings and/or photographs into a creative composition with the direction of artist and instructor Marni Maree. Then you will use watercolor to paint it. A supply list will be emailed before class. Bring a lunch.