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Glenn Palmer, President Emeritus of BGA, Master Gardener and Lead Gardening Write for the Asheville Citizen-Times, leads this timely workshop.  He will demonstrate pruning trees and shrubs the natural way.  A hands-on demonstration will be included. 

Cost: BGA members: $10 Nonmembers: $15
Reservations are required.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190.

Nancy Hodges is a registered Landscape architect and is the watershed Resource Manager at RiverLink, Inc.  The typical management concept for rain water on developed properties has been to get water to the underground piping system as quickly as possible.  This increases the amount of rain water that cannot soak into the soil.  This program will teach participants how to design, layout and construct a rain garden in the NC Mountains.  We will focus on rain gardens and native plant selection for rain gardens  We will review additional types of rain water management features and local resources available to assist in building a sustainable landscape and water  management system at the residential scale.

Cost: BGA members: $10, Nonmembers: $15
Class is limited to 25 participants.  Reservations are required.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190.

Alicia Hulse, a certified Habitat Steward and Habitat Host with the National Wildlife Federation and co-founder and leader of the Weaverville Community Wildlife Habitat Project (WCWHP), and Art Hulse, a member of the WCWHP, will work with individuals who would like to learn about creating wildlife habitats in their backyards during a 2-day workshop.  Participants will learn how to provide basic needs for various wildlife species with an emphasis on native plants in landscaping.  Part of each day will be spent outside in the Gardens learning to identify native plants that can be used in home landscaping.

Individuals who wish to become certified as a National Wildlife Federation Habitat Steward will participate in a 3rd class day  As a NWF volunteer, this certification will enable participants to assist others in their community in creating wildlife habitats. The 3rd class  includes 2-3 hours of morning classroom time, followed by an afternoon field trip to existing certified wildlife habit sites.

Cost: (2-day program) BGA members: $45, Nonmembers: $55
(3-day program) BGA members: $70, Nonmembers: $80, plus a $15 handbook fee.   Reservations are required.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190

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: BGA members: $10, Nonmembers: $15
Class is limited to 25 participants.  Reservations are required.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190.

Ina Warren, a.k.a. The Butterfly Lady, will talk about the fascinating life cycle of monarch butterflies, their miraculous migrations, and how gardeners can provide "way stations" to assist the species' survival.

Cost: BGA members: $10, Nonmembers: $15
Reservations are required.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190.

Did you ever take a close look at some of the lowly and inconspicuous nonvascular plants, such as mosses or lichens?  Have you wondered what their ecological value might be?  Do you know what part of the plant kingdom they represent?  If you would like to explore their form and function, reproduction and ecology, join Dr. Ed Hauser for this four-hour session, consisting of a combination lecture and lab, whereby you will gain hands-on experience regarding these plant groups.

Cost: BGA members: $15, Nonmembers: $20
 Reservations are required.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190.

Jay Kranyik, photographer, naturalist, BGA Garden Manger and Chair of the Horticulture Committee, will discuss how to plant and maintain your property in harmony with nature.  Numerous subjects will be covered, such as natural community modeling, how to "read" your landscape, identifying and utilizing micro habitats, dry site/wet site plantings, etc.  The majority of this class will be held outdoors.  Wear appropriate shoes, bring rainwear, etc. as needed.

Cost: BGA members: $10, Nonmembers: $15
 Reservations are required.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190.

Jenny Lellinger, botanist and president of the Western Carolina Botanical  Club, will use a variety of resources, including slides and field guides, to introduce participants to  strategies for identifying ferns.  Her presentation will be followed by a walk  though the Garden to identify BGA's native ferns.

Cost: BGA members: $10, Nonmembers: $15
 Reservations are required.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190.

Jay Kranyik, photographer, naturalist, BGA Garden Manger and Chair of the Horticulture Committee, will address invasive and exotic species prevalent to 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: BGA members: $10, Nonmembers: $15
Reservations are required.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190.

Dr. David Clarke is a botanist in the UNCA biology department and is regarded as one of the  premier botanists of South American floras.  He has discovered more than a hundred new plant species in his ground-breaking explorations in Suriname and Guyana for the Smithsonian Institution.  David possesses an unpretentious wit and an infectious style of sharing his vast knowledge of plants.  Join him for a walk through the Gardens in which you will ponder Honey Locust thorns and Mastodons, Club Moss and coal, the mysteries of Oconee Bells, and many other subjects.

Cost: BGA members: $10, Nonmembers: $15
Reservations are required.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190.

Diane Almond, a Master Gardener and Master Beekeeper, has been keeping bees  on her 8-acre Honey Bees and Heather Farm since 2000.  In this program, she will take a look at the current status of  pollinators including managed honeybees, native bees, bats and butterflies. Most of the challenges these pollinators face are those of habitat loss or degradation. We'll explore the basic requirements of pollinator-friendly habitat--plants as well as principles--and discuss how to safeguard pollinators, especially bees, which are responsible for 1/3 of the human diet, but a far greater proportion of our nutritional  needs.

Cost: BGA members: $10, Nonmembers: $15
Reservations are required.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190

Sun., October 21

Cost: BGA members: $10, Nonmembers: $15
Class is limited to 20 participants.  Reservations are required.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190

As the holiday season approaches, we see many examples of coniferous decorations, such as pine cones, wreaths of pine bows, and Frazier Fir or White Pine Christmas trees.  In addition,  conifers make up much of the infrastructure of our homes from plywood and 2 X 4s to resins and glues.  If you are interested in learning more abut their structure, join Dr.  Ed Hauser for this  four hour session,  consisting of a combination of lecture and lab, whereby you  will gain some hands-on experience regarding this vascular plant group.

Cost: BGA members: $15,  Nonmembers: $20
Reservations are required.  Contact Office Administrator at BGA for additional information and/or to register (828) 252-5190