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The Botanical Gardens at Asheville offers educational programs for adults and children and naturalist walks throughout the year.

Programs for Adults:  2010 Schedule
4 Saturdays, beg. March 6
9:30 - 12:30
UNCA 
new Botany Lab, Room 28 
Zeis Hall
PLANTS THRU THE EYES OF A MICROSCOPE

This is a lab and lecture course that will provide you with hands on experience while you explore the structure and function of vascular plants, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds. We will use microscopes and dissection techniques to learn about these organ systems. Cost is $10.00 for BGA members, $20 for non-members (limited to 15 pre-paid participants). Make check payable to BGA. Must pay by Feb. 26.

The instructor is Dr. Edward Hauser, botanist, ecologist and member of the BGA Board. Text book (optional): Botany for Gardeners by Capon (revised edition), available in the BGA Visitor’s Center. The lab manual is included as part of the costs.  Contact Office Administrator at the BGA at 252-5190 to further information.

Sat, March 6
9 - noon
PRUNING THE NATURAL WAY
Glenn Palmer, President Emeritus  of BGA, Master Gardener, and Lead Gardening Writer for the Asheville Citizen-Times, in this timely workshop, will demonstrate pruning trees and shrubs the natural way, including a hands-on demonstration in  the Gardens.  A useful  information hand out that  provides  on-going reference will be provided.
Cost: $5 for BGA members; $7 non-members.

Students must pre-register.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190.

Sat., April 17
9:30 - late afternoon
(rain date: Mon., April 19)
BGA FUNDRAISER:
WILDFLOWER WALK AT PEARSON FALLS
Lou Dwarshuis and Marilyn Kolton have years of experience tracking wildflowers in the field.  Join them for a trip  to  beautiful Pearson Falls where they'll lead you on trails  bursting with seasonal wildflowers.  Stop for you picnic lunch along the way and enjoy the spring mountain vistas.
Cost:  BGA members $25; non-members $30.

Space is limited. Participants must pre-register
.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190.

Meet in BGA parking lot at 9:30 to carpool to the Falls.  Be prepared to spend the day; people who want to return early should plan to carpool together.  Bring a brown bag lunch and water or other beverage.  Wear comfortable shoes and clothes.  Bring wildflower field guides and loupes.  Dessert provided.

Sat., April 24
10 - noon
ANNUAL WILDFLOWER WALK
Glenn Palmer offers an orientation on wildflower identification for beginners while leading a tour  of the Botanical Gardens.  During the walk,  participants will learn the use  of guides and keys, such as the Peterson and Newcomb books.  Basic botanical terms will be introduced. 
Cost: $3 for BGA members; $5 non-members.

Students must pre-register.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190.

Sat., May 8
8 - late afternoon (Rain Date:  Mon., May 10) 
BGA FUNDRAISER
LAKE JUNALUSKA BIRD AND WILDFLOWER WALK
Lou Dwarshuis and Marilyn Kolton have been birding for 30 years and are members of the Elisha Mitchell Audubon  Society and instructors in the Blue Ridge Naturalist Program.  Join them for a walk at Lake Junaluska to identify local and migrating birds. After lunch, follow them on the Wildflower Trail
Cost:  BGA members $25; non-members $30.

Space is limited. Participants must pre-register
.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190.

Meet in BGA parking lot at 8:00 to carpool to Lake Junaluska.  Be prepared to spend the day; people who want to return early should plan to carpool together.  Bring a brown bag lunch and water or other beverage.  Wear comfortable shoes and clothes.  Bring bird field guides.  Dessert provided.

Sun., May 23
2 - 3:30 pm
DESIGNING A BACKYARD WILDLIFE HABITAT
(with info on ponds) with David Tuch
A successful wildlife habitat requires food, water, cover from danger, and a place to raise young.  David Tuch is a member of the BGA Board of  Directors and a Landscape Architect with Equiox Environmental,  an Asheville-based firm focused on conservation and sustainable  development providing ecological service, conservation planning and environmental design throughout the southeast.
Cost: BGA  members $5;  non-members $7 

Students must pre-register.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190.

Tues., June 22
2 - 4
Gazebo
BGA FUNDRAISER
TEA IN THE GARDENS with special guest, Ann Vaslik

Tea, finger sandwiches, fruit, cheese and cookies will be served. Ann
will talk about her painting techniques, composition, style and picking a subject to paint.  Cost is $30.

Preregistration is required.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190.

Sat., July 10
9:30 - 11:30
PLANT PROPAGATION with Gerry Hardesty
Asexual Propagation (rooting cuttings) of annuals, perennials, ornamental shrubs (deciduous & evergreen), trees, ground cover and house plants.  Emphasis is on home gardeners wishing to root some cuttings of their favorite plants.  Or some of their  neighbors/friends' plants.  It is easy.  An  inexpensive way to increase the number of plants and very gratifying.  Gerry Hardesty is a member of the Men's Garden Club and of the BGA Board of Directors.
Cost: $20 for BGA members; $25 non-members.

Students must pre-register.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190.

Sun., Aug. 22
9:30 - noon
INVASIVE AND EXOTIC SPECIES
Jay Kranyik, photographer, naturalist, BGA Garden Manager and Chair of the Horticulture  Committee, will address invasive and exotic  species that are prevalent in our region.  He will identify and talk about control measures.  This is an outdoor class.  Meet in the Butler Room for an introduction to the program.  Bring rain gear/umbrella if rain threatens.  Cost: $5 for BGA members; $7 non-members.

Students must pre-register.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190.

3 Tuesdays
Sept. 7, 14 and 21
9:00 am - noon

Analyzing Your Mountain Homesite  
Building in our mountains means addressing steep slopes, storm water runoff, invasive plants, wildfires, wildlife and more. During this nine-hour workshop participants will produce a site base map identifying physical features of their property that may be used in siting a home or developing a landscape design.  This course integrates science, common sense and practical information of interest to gardeners and non-gardeners alike. 

The workshop presenter is Glenn Palmer, President Emeritus of BGA, Master Gardener, and Lead Gardening Writer for the Asheville Citizen-Times.  Fee:  $10 Donation to the Botanical Gardens.

Reservations and pre-course work required.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190

Sun., Sept. 26
2 - 3:30 pm

PLANTING FOR FALL COLOR with Linda Blue
Linda will make suggestions fornative trees, shrubs and vines that will add color to your fall landscape.  A hand out will detail size and color range of each plant.  Linda Blue is the Buncombe County Extension Agriculture-Urban Horticulture Agent and a member of the BGA Board.
Cost: $5 for BGA members; $7 non-members.

Students must pre-register.  Contact Office Administratorat BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190.

Sun., Nov. 7
2 - 3:30 pm
HORTICULTURAL TRENDS
Jamie Oxley, owner of Meadowbrook Nursery, will preview what’s new in perennials, shrubs, and trees. Learn which natives are best for drought conditions, wildlife and low maintenance gardening.
Cost: $5 for BGA members; $7 non-members.

Students must pre-register.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190.