ELOISE GAYER, Rosarian, Morris Arboretum & Gardens
MICHAEL DUNN, Associate Director of Urban Forestry, Morris Arboretum & Gardens
KYRA MATIN, Plant Propagator, Morris Arboretum & Gardens
RAJI MALIK, Musician

Join us for an after-hours wander into the treetops and through the garden at your leisure. Three sites will feature staff-favorite wines and cheese plates to enjoy as you wander and enjoy these remarkable locations. Staff horticulturists will be present to pour the wine and to answer any questions you might have about the gardens and their care. Sites will be open from 5:30 – 7:30 pm; guests can arrive when it is convenient for them. Last arrival should be no later than 6:30 pm to allow time to visit each site.

Instrumental guitar by local musician Raji Malik will add to the treetop experience. This is an event not to be missed!

Thursday, September 11
5:30 – 7:30 pm

Members: $40 | Non-members: $45

BOB GUTOWSKI, Former Director of Visitor Experience and Education, Morris Arboretum & Gardens

Join us for a special after-hours wander through the Garden! Together we will discover tree silhouettes against the moonlight, listen to the sounds of the night, and maybe hear the hoot of an owl. Using red lights to keep our night vision intact, we’ll see what plant details emerge once the sunlight has faded. This special after-hours experience will be led by Bob Gutowski, an experienced horticulturist, naturalist, educator, and Morris historian. We will stick to level paths and start from the Welcome Center. This program will be held twice; register for each program separately.

Tuesday, September 16
6:30 – 8:30 pm

Thursday, October 23
6:30 – 8:30 pm

Members: $30 | Non-members: $35

SAM BUCCIARELLI, President of the Philadelphia Mycology Club

Join the Philadelphia Mycology Club on a walk around the Morris, looking for fungi growing behind the scenes of the main garden display! We will explore the grounds for fungi growing in the garden beds and amongst the trees and discuss how to document and identify them. We'll also discuss the important roles these fungi might be playing in the overall health of the gardens.
Leading the tour is Sam Bucciarelli, president of the club. Sam is an educator with a passion for ecology, especially as it pertains to fungi and the role they play in helping our ecosystems thrive.

Saturday, November 1
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Members: $25 | Non-members: $30

SHARON MEEKER, Experienced Birder and Trip Leader

It still feels like summer to us, but it’s fall for the birds! Meet Sharon to see what migrants are using the shallow waters at Church Road Bird Sanctuary. Green Lane Park, located in northwestern Montgomery County, has 3,400 acres of diverse habitat and a long history as a great birdwatching spot. Located between the Delaware River and the Kittatinny Ridge, the park is a natural attraction for bird life. In addition to the 814-acre Green Lane Reservoir, the park also includes upland forest, old fields, meadows, extensive red cedar stands, and conifer plantations. This habitat diversity provides for a large variety of both migratory and breeding birds. Almost 300 bird species have been documented in the park and surrounding areas. On this early evening trip, we will focus on shore birds.
Bring binoculars. We will meet at the Green Lane Church Road Bird Sanctuary, Pennsburg, PA 18073.

Friday, September 5
5:00 pm – dusk

Members: $40 | Non-members: $45

SHARON MEEKER, Experienced Birder and Trip Leader

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Delaware Bay near Smyrna, Delaware, is nearly 16,000 acres in size and includes lots of great birding habitat. There are pristine tidal salt marshes, freshwater impoundments, croplands, and woodlands. Unquestionably Delaware’s single best-known birding site, Bombay Hook justifies its fame with exceptional birding throughout the year. We will watch for shorebird migration southward. We may also see bald eagles that are known to nest at the refuge.

Bring binoculars. We will meet at the Bombay Hook Visitor Center, 2591 Whitehall Neck Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977.

Tuesday, September 16
10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Members: $50 | Non-members: $55

TROY BYNUM, Whitemarsh Foundation
ZACH GILLESPIE, Morris Arboretum & Gardens

Join us for a morning exploring the birds and plants at the Dixon Meadow preserve. Instructors Troy and Zach will collaborate within their own expertise to provide a guided walk that touches on bird migration, meadow ecology, and more. Covering 14 acres of land, the Dixon Meadow Preserve includes a boardwalk measuring nearly two-thirds of a mile. The Preserve is a haven for birders, walkers and those who enjoy the area’s natural flora and fauna.

Troy Bynum is the owner of TB Wildlife Photography LLC. He is the Whitemarsh Foundation’s resident birder and wildlife photographer. Zach Gillespie is an assistant gardener with the Morris Arboretum & Gardens.

Bring binoculars. We will meet at the Dixon Meadow Preserve, 548 Flourtown Rd, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444.

Sunday, September 21
9:00 – 10:30 am

Members: $30 | Non-members: $35

SHARON MEEKER, Experienced Birder and Trip Leader

Explore some of the best spots for autumn birding at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens! We will visit the Morris’s natural areas including wetlands, meadows, and the woodlands along Wissahickon Creek. These areas provide great habitat for a wide variety of birds year-round.

We will see resident birds as well as migrating raptors, warblers, and sparrows. If time permits, we will also have a chance to look for birds in other Morris habitats. These sessions are for beginning or experienced bird watchers. Bring binoculars.

Each single-session class will meet at the Morris Wetland; park in the meadow next to the entrance kiosk and meet Sharon there. Sign up for one or multiple sessions!

SESSION 1
Wednesday, September 24
5:00 pm – dusk

SESSION 2
Wednesday, October 22
8:00 – 10:30 am

Members: $30 | Non-members: $35

SHARON MEEKER, Experienced Birder and Trip Leader

The Great Marsh is a 550-acre area within the Valley Forge National Historical Park. A popular birding hotspot, it's known for its diverse avian life, with almost 200 species identified, including rare and uncommon ones, due to its variety of habitats. The marsh itself is a key breeding ground, food source, and refuge for many bird species! We will be looking for fall migrating warblers, raptors, and arriving ducks.

Bring binoculars. We will meet at The Great Marsh Institute, 34 Moores Road in Elverson, PA. As you come onto the property, there is parking in the field by the house.

Friday, September 26
8:30 am – 12:30 pm

Members: $50 | Non-members: $55

SHARON MEEKER, Experienced Birder and Trip Leader

We will spend the day exploring the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum at the peak of fall migration. Despite its urban location, over 300 species have been recorded in and around the refuge. We will see a variety of migrating birds as well as ducks, raptors, and resident birds. We may even see a bald eagle that has been nesting at the refuge. Walking is required.

Bring binoculars, a snack, and water. We will meet at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, 8601 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19153.

Friday, October 17
9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Members: $40 | Non-members: $45

SHARON MEEKER, Experienced Birder and Trip Leader

Each fall, migrating raptors begin their journey southward by the thousands. The Militia Hill Hawk Watch has been running for 27 years to record their passage, and the Hawk Watch Observation Deck is a great place to see migrating broad-winged hawks and many others. After spending time at the observation deck, we will also enjoy the surrounding trails in Fort Washington State Park, hoping for the arrival of a variety of sparrows including the white-throated sparrow. Woodpeckers and late migrants are all on our target list!

Bring binoculars. Meet at the Militia Hill Hawk Watch Observation Deck at 420 Militia Hill Road, Fort Washington, PA 19034.

Monday, November 3
9:00 – 11:00 am

Members: $30 | Non-members: $35

Dr. Cindy Skema, Botanical Scientist, Morris Arboretum & Gardens

Do you hope to install “living systems” or self-sustaining habitats in your garden/landscape designs? To do so, you need to understand the fundamentals of why and how plants evolve and reproduce, as well as how we capitalize on these natural processes to propagate plant materials for our own use. Expand your concept of designing landscapes to include a need to design plants themselves as genetically and evolutionarily unique entities. We will learn what ecotypes are, how they could impact the success of a landscape project, and why plant provenance really matters. You will be introduced to the plant phenotype and learn what underlies it biologically, what plant plasticity is, and how it may show up in your garden. The course format is two in-person lectures. 

This course is open to the public, with priority registration offered to individuals enrolled in Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ Certificate in Ecological Horticulture. Completion of this course counts toward the requirements of the certificate program. This course has been submitted to carry 3 CEUs with LA CES, ISA, PLNA, and the NJ Board of Tree Experts. 

TWO WEDNESDAYS
December 3, 10
6:00 – 7:30 pm

Members: $80 | Non-members: $85

Please go to our Certificate Program in Ecological Horticulture section to register for this course.

COURTNEY JEWELL, Cut Flower Farmer, Owner, Jewells in Bloom

Get your front door ready for a festive fall! Come to Morris Arboretum & Gardens to make a colorful dried wreath to adorn your home and give all who enter a cheerful reminder of the enduring beauty of the growing season.

Courtney Jewell, owner of Jewells in Bloom, will walk you through making your own fall harvest wreath with flowers grown, harvested, and dried from her farm in East Mt. Airy. From larkspur to sunflowers and zinnias to celosia—she has all the colors you need to make your wreath a beautiful reminder of the bounty of the season. A 16-inch dried grapevine wreath, dried flowers, glue/wire, and instructions are included. Bring yourself, a friend, and a creative mind!

This is a single session course. Choose the date that works best for you!

Friday, October 3
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Saturday, October 4
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Members: $70 | Non-members: $75

MITCH ROBERGE, Horticulturist & Artist

Grab a friend, your watercolor supplies, and a glass of something delicious, and join us for an evening of sipping and painting at the Morris! We will set up a few botanical still-life subjects to paint, and we will play some music. Instructor Mitch Roberge will give the group a few botanical watercolor pointers to get you started and will be available to make suggestions and give feedback as we sip and paint with friends.

We will sip and paint from 7:00 – 8:30 pm; join any time after 6:30 pm if you’d like to stroll the garden while the sun sets and let the natural world inspire you before you set up your supplies!

Friday, October 3
7:00 – 8:30 pm

Members: $30 | Non-members: $35

LORI LITCHMAN, Author; Teacher; Poet

Did you know that reading and writing poetry is good for your brain? And that being mindful in nature has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety? In this afternoon retreat, we’ll combine being mindful outdoors with writing poetry. Your brain will thank you, as will your inner muse. We will start the afternoon by reading a few poems for inspiration before setting out to mindfully observe the beauty of the Morris in autumn. You’ll have ample time to write and play with words as you create poems drawn from your mindful observations of the natural world. Participants will also have the opportunity to share their poems with the group. No background or previous experience writing poetry is necessary! This afternoon will be a gift to your nervous system and your creative spirit!

Lori Litchman is an outdoor writer and poet. She has an MFA in creative writing and is the author of 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Philadelphia. She’s a former high school English teacher who is passionate about helping others tap into their creative selves. She has trained at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health to be a Mindful Outdoor Leader.

Sunday, October 5
1:00 – 3:00 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

JESSICA LIDDELL, Owner, Bella Mosaic

Make a colorful and unique piece of jewelry with the fused-glass process which layers and melts cut glass together for luminous results. You will leave this 2 session class with pendants, pins, earrings, and/or rings. This is a fun way to build up your jewelry collection or make gifts for friends. Have fun, get creative, and make something special!

Instructor Jessica Liddell has been teaching art since 1995. She has exhibited her work nationally and has directed collaborative public arts projects in community centers, camps, and schools. This is a two-session class. In the first session of the class, we will work on our fused glass pieces. In the second session, we’ll use some simple jewelry-making techniques and add hooks and beads to our projects. (Did you join us last time we held this class? It was so much fun, and is back by popular demand! Join us again and add some more jewelry to your collection.)

2 TUESDAYS: October 7, 14
12:30 – 2:30 pm

Members: $90 | Non-members: $100

BECCA KOHN, Manager of The Sewing Room; Education Assistant, Morris Arboretum & Gardens

Mending at the Morris! Give your favorite clothes a new life while learning fun, creative, visible mending techniques. Bring a worn garment and stitch with us in a cozy, supportive space. We’ll walk through a few different stitches and provide materials and guidance. The instructor will offer one-on-one support and a flexible approach you can use on future projects. An easy, satisfying way to care for what you already love.

Each participant will receive a kit of mending materials for use in the workshop that will also enable you to take your new skills home with you!

Wednesday, October 8
4:00 – 5:30 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

HENRY MARTIN, Artist and Art Teacher

What better way to appreciate the autumn season than to draw outdoors, and where is a more magical place to do it than beneath the majestic trees of the Morris? This class explores basic concepts designed to facilitate drawing for beginners and accomplished artists alike. Simply put, we use the trees to learn how to draw. We begin the first day with certain perceptual exercises that apply to all subject matter. From there we will discuss detailed aspects of the trees’ anatomy, such as proportion, structure, branch patterns, foliage masses, and sky holes, with the goal of arranging these visual components into a cohesive whole.

Each class begins with exercises designed to warm up and hone our observational skills. Students then work at their own pace to take home a finished piece they can frame and treasure forever. A materials list will be emailed to each participant before the first class.

4 THURSDAYS: October 9, 16, 23, 30
10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Members: $155 | Non-members: $170

MARGARET SAYLOR, Artist; Member, American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA) and the Philadelphia Society of Botanical Illustrators

Join us online for a five-week Botanical Art Exploration, where you’ll create detailed study sheets centered around a plant, plant family, or theme of your choice. Using graphite and watercolor, we’ll dive into the finest details of your subject, including its structure, growing habit, and natural habitat. Throughout the course, you’ll learn essential drawing skills and painting techniques to help you accurately render botanical subjects, while also gaining insight into the exciting world of contemporary botanical art. This class welcomes all levels and offers a supportive environment for both beginners and those looking to refine their botanical illustration skills.

A Zoom link and recommended materials list will be emailed to all participants prior to the program.

Margaret Saylor is the editor/designer of ASBA’s The Botanical Artist journal. She earned a certificate in botanical art and illustration, graduating with distinction from the NYBG.

5 TUESDAYS: October 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18
6:30 – 8:30 pm

Members: $160 | Non-members: $185

NICOLE DUPRÉE, Educator, Natural Materials Artist, and Creative Producer of Indigo in Green

Explore the living collection of oaks on the Bloomfield Farm side of the Morris with natural materials artist Nicole Duprée. In this immersive session you will learn how to identify different parts of oak trees and ways that they can be transformed into tools and materials for artmaking. Using a centuries-old recipe, we will brew richly pigmented, indelible ink from oak galls (growths on oak trees that are rich in tannins), including how to identify and responsibly harvest the galls. Finally, we will experiment with the ink and ways to incorporate oak leaves, acorns, bark, and twigs into drawing, printmaking, and fine writing practices. 

All tools and ingredients included, no experience necessary! Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather; aprons are encouraged to protect against stains.

Saturday, October 25 
1:00 – 3:30 pm

Members: $55 | Non-members: $60

OLIVER BUZZARD (they/xem), Artist, Educator, Song Carrier

Songs can call us into witnessing our individual and collective change, and the grief and joys that come with transition and release. In this singing workshop, we will come together for nourishment, play, and connection. If there is collapse, how do we tend to each other and ourselves? How do we love one another, and hold one another in celebration, in emptiness, despair, and hope? Holding these questions, we will sing songs of resilience and healing. 

All voices are welcome! Non-singers, shower singers, professional singers—anyone who can make a noise, you are welcome here in this community tending space. We will learn songs from the community singing movement, where melodies and stories are passed from song carrier to song carrier. These short potent songs are taught in the oral tradition using call and echo, or call-and-response form. The class will meet in front of the Welcome Center. If the weather allows, we’ll sing together outdoors. Dress accordingly.

Thursday, November 6
2:00 – 3:30 pm

Members: $20 | Non-members: $25

JESSICA LIDDELL, Owner, Bella Mosaic

Mosaic art is an amazing medium for creating unique pieces for both indoor and outdoor spaces. In this hands-on, two-session course, students will learn about mosaic design, cutting tile, assembling, and grouting projects. You will work on creating your own unique wall hanging for indoor use.

Instructor Jessica Liddell has been teaching ceramics to adults and children since 1995. She has exhibited her work nationally and has directed collaborative public arts projects in community centers, camps, and schools. This is a two-session class. Materials will be provided.

2 Fridays: November 7, 14
12:30 – 2:30 pm

Members: $90 | Non-members: $100

SARA ROBBINS, Award Winning Fiber Artist; Educator

Do you have a garden? Do you not have a garden? Either way is fine, because this basket has as many uses as you can think of. For the gardener, it will carry your small plants to be put in the ground, your gardening tools or your harvested flowers and herbs. If you’re not a gardener, this basket can be used as a catch-all, mail basket, and so much more! 

The basket is appropriate for beginners and experienced weavers alike—no experience necessary. Your finished basket will measure about 14"L x 11"W x 4"H (not including the handle).  Hope to see you in class!

Friday, November 14
10:30 am – 2:00 pm

Members: $135 | Non-members: $140

HEATHER BISHOP, Horticulturist & Artist, HSB Garden Designs; Calluna Plants & Gifts

Create a festive winter wreath for your home this season! In this 90-minute guided workshop, you will combine fresh cut seasonal foliage along with ribbons and natural embellishments to adorn your greenery wreath. All materials will be 
provided! Please bring a pair of pruners and gardening gloves.

This is a single-session class that will be held twice on the same day, register for the time that works best for you!

Friday, December 5
10:00 – 11:30 am
OR
1:00 – 2:30 pm

Members: $65 | Non-members: $70

Al Paris, Professional Chef/Restaurateur

These demonstration classes will cover the creation of a meal focused on products from Erdenheim Farm. Each class will include a discussion about how the food is raised or grown on the farm, followed by a cooking demonstration by Chef Al Paris, and finish with a chance to eat and savor the creation. Chef Al Paris has owned and created the culture and cuisine of 13 award-winning restaurants—most recently Paris Bistro in Chestnut Hill. He believes that all cooks can create their own distinct cuisine through the clarity of their vision and the use of the freshest seasonal ingredients.

The class meets at the Sheep Barn parking lot at Erdenheim Farm (5051 Flourtown Road, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444).

A different seasonal menu is offered, and typically changes monthly. Please sign up for each session separately.  

Registration and menus located below.

MENU: The August menu will include a black garlic and green onion ciabatta; top of the season heirloom tomato salad with farm greens; Bombay vegetarian crepes stuffed with chard, potato, chickpeas, and paneer; topped with chives and a poached egg. For dessert, Chef will serve a corn cake with roasted peaches and a maple cream and ginger honey syrup!  The meal features Erdenheim Farm tomatoes, eggs, potatoes, corn, peaches, honey, onions, and greens.

Saturday, August 23
12:00-3:00 pm

Members: $100/ Non-members: $110

MENU: Warm buttermilk biscuits. Tomato-corn vichyssoise with blue crab garnish. Erdenheim Farm lamb shoulder with green sauce, farm potato, and onion hash. Quick strawberry tarragon cream tart. The meal features Erdenheim Farm lamb, eggs, greens, honey, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, and corn. 

Saturday, September 27
12:00 – 3:00 pm 

Members: $120 | Non-members: $130

MENU: Orange zucchini bread. Cream of Musque de Provence. Pumpkin soup with toasted hazelnuts. Scottish lamb ravioli with lamb ragu. For dessert, Chef will serve a date pudding cake with cider toffee apple marmalade. The meal features Erdenheim Farm lamb, eggs, honey, apples, squash, and apple cider. 

Saturday, October 18
12:00 – 3:00 pm

Members: $110 | Non-members: $120

MENU: Sumac-onion herb buns. Jerusalem artichoke bisque with a garlic leek confit. Black Angus beef and feta stuffed eggplant with Georgia Candy Roaster chard gratin. For dessert, Chef will serve an almond galette with rosewater petal mascarpone. The meal features Erdenheim Farm beef, eggs, squash, sunchokes, honey, and greens. 

Saturday, November 15
12:00 – 3:00 pm

Members: $110 | Non-members: $120

MENU: Pennsylvania yule bread. Farm greens with a honey-poppyseed vinaigrette. Thai basil-basted beef tenderloin with chard, vermicelli cakes, and baby beech mushrooms. For dessert, Chef will serve individual lemon curd and clementine tartlets, with a quick cranberry coulis. The meal features Erdenheim Farm honey, beef, eggs, and greens. 

Saturday, December 13
12:00 – 3:00 pm

Members: $125 | Non-members: $135

Sunset Horticultural Happy Hour
LIZ AUBRY, Bartender, Bar Lizette

Grab a friend and fall forward into a treasure trove of cocktail ingredients. With the end-of-summer bounty, the home gardener has plenty of fresh ingredients to turn into seasonal cocktails. From fresh herbs and flowers to autumn harvest produce, learn how to bring the garden to the glass. 

This class will focus on flavor combinations and cover techniques and ingredients accessible to the home bartender, all surrounded by the beautiful backdrop of Morris Arboretum & Gardens at sunset. Ample tastings included, BYO cheese and crackers if you desire a snack with your sips! This class is for ages 21+

Sunday, September 28
5:00 – 7:00 pm

Members: $60 | Non-members: $65

A Deep Dive into Experiencing Honey
JOSH BRUCE, Arborist Apprentice, Morris Arboretum & Gardens

The French term terroir sums up all the environmental factors and cultural practices that influence the characteristics of wine. Wine connoisseurs spend years learning how to pick apart the subtle differences in taste, scent, texture, and color of wines from different regions and years. This same concept can be applied to most natural products, but perhaps none more appropriately than honey.

In this class you will feast your senses on a selection of startlingly and subtly different honeys. We will practice describing the differences and learn some of the factors that produce these unique traits. You may not be a honey connoisseur when you leave, but you’ll be well on your way. Make sure to bring your sweet tooth and your discerning palate!

Saturday, October 25
10:00 – 11:30 am

Members: $30 | Non-members: $35

Preserve the Harvest
JOANNA EUN AND DENNIS TEO, Artisanal Crafters

Celebrate the abundance of fall with a hands-on pickling workshop using fresh ingredients from our garden and yours! Bring your extra green tomatoes, peppers, or other harvest favorites to class. We’ll explore two distinct styles of pickling (soy sauce and vinegar base) and learn techniques to safely preserve seasonal produce for long-term enjoyment. Perfect for beginners and seasoned home fermenters alike, this class will leave you with jars of goodness and the skills to savor your harvest year-round. 

Joanna Eun and Dennis Teo are the founders of the Cultured Pear, preserving cultural traditions through food, craft, and community.

Saturday, November 1
1:00 – 3:00 pm

Members: $40 | Non-members: $45

TAMA MATSUOKA WONG, Forager, Meadow Doctor, Lawyer, Author, and Owner of Meadows + More

Join master forager and author, Tama Wong, at the Morris as we discover the fascinating world of one of the oldest living tree species on Earth: Ginkgo biloba! Known as a "living fossil," the ginkgo tree offers a unique lens into plant evolution, cultural heritage, and urban ecology. We’ll delve into the ginkgo’s symbolic and medicinal roles in East Asian cultures, as well as its uses in traditional and modern cuisine in this engaging and sensory-rich course! 

A highlight of the program will be a hands-on workshop focused on the preparation and roasting of ginkgo nuts. Students will learn safe handling techniques, explore its culinary uses, and participate in a tasting session—connecting botanical science with cultural tradition. This afternoon of experiential learning will be centered around one truly remarkable tree!

Saturday, November 15
1:00 – 3:00 pm

Members: $45 | Non-members: $50

Growing Minds at Morris Arboretum & Gardens is a program series for kids and families that inspires a sense of wonder about the natural world within the beautiful setting of the Morris. The classes represented in this section offer children and their caregivers the opportunity to connect meaningfully with nature through a wide variety of creative and educational programs. Parents and caregivers are asked to stay with children for classes.

BECCA KOHN, Manager of The Sewing Room; Education Assistant, Morris Arboretum & Gardens

Let your imagination run wild as we create whimsical fairy houses together! We will use a combination of found natural materials, clay, and other special bits & bobs in this magical, hands-on experience for all ages. Starting indoors, we'll use tools to construct our bases and create some one-of-a-kind accessories for our fairies. From there, you are free to join us in bringing your creations down to the enchanting Whimsical Woods and continuing to decorate with found natural materials!

Each child (Ages 5+) should be registered as a participant. 

Saturday, September 20
10:00 – 11:30 am

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

Bring a blanket to sit on and wear sturdy shoes. Siblings should register as participants. 

Four MONDAYS: October 6, 13, 20, 27
10:30 – 11:15 am 

Members: $95 | Non-members: $105

COURTNEY DOUDS, Founder of Raptor Jawns, Master Falconer, Environmental Educator

It’s a gorgeous Friday morning—what will you do? How about an intimate encounter with a raptor? Meeting a bird of prey can be a transformative experience—inspiring awe, curiosity, and respect for the power and beauty of the natural world. 

Join us for this rich educational experience, an incredible encounter with live birds of prey! You’ll leave with lots of new knowledge about our feathered friends and be inspired by the exceptional natural beauty of raptors. 

This program is engaging and appropriate for people of all ages! Each registration covers one adult and one child. Additional attendees will require their own registrations. Class will meet in front of the Welcome Center. 

Friday, October 10
11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

GINGER MIMMO ROHLFING, Artist and Art Educator 

Children (Ages 6-11) will discover the magic of patterns and textures found in nature by pressing leaves, pinecones, acorns, and other gathered treasures into air-dry clay. We will have fun exploring how each material leaves its mark, then bring 
our creations to life with colorful paints. These clay ornaments will be a joyful way to celebrate the season and highlight nature’s quiet beauty. 

Materials will be provided. Siblings should register as participants. Our instructor, Ginger, teaches art to students of all ages at Woodmere, Abington Art Center, and Moore College of Art. 

Saturday, November 8
1:00 – 3:00 pm

Members: $40 | Non-members: $45

GINGER MIMMO ROHLFING, Artist and Art Educator 

In this workshop, children (Ages 6-11) will delight in creating festive ornaments from natural materials themselves, no clay this time! Using the beautiful shapes, patterns, and colors found in nature’s treasures, each child will design a one-of-a-kind keepsake. These creations will bring a little piece of the autumn landscape indoors and reflect the wonder of our deciduous world. 

Materials will be provided. Siblings should register as participants. Our instructor, Ginger, teaches art to students of all ages at Woodmere, Abington Art Center, and Moore College of Art.

Saturday, November 22
1:00 – 3:00 pm

Members: $40 | Non-members: $45

Maura Manzo, Yoga and Meditation Teacher
 
Join experienced yoga instructor Maura Manzo for this one-of-a-kind yoga experience on the Out-on-A-Limb exhibit at Morris, suspended 50 feet above ground and surrounded by a canopy of trees, colors, sights and sounds.  

This unique practice will be tailored to all skill levels and focuses on poses that promote rootedness, connection, and mindfulness. Human beings are deeply connected to trees and have much to learn from them, as well. Class will end with an extended guided relaxation inspired by one their greatest teachings: there is beauty that comes from letting go.

This treetop yoga experience is a wonderful way to combine the physical and mental benefits of yoga with the beauty and serenity of the natural world. You are invited to come early to class and explore the Morris’s walking trails and gardens as part of your experience. One Thursday evening each month.

  Pricing is per session; Register below. 

Thursday, August 21
5:15 – 6:30 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

Thursday, September 18
5:15 – 6:30 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

Thursday, October 16
5:15 – 6:30 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

MARY CAMPBELL, Yoga Teacher

Join us for an evening of connection under the setting sun! This series of all-levels, outdoor yoga classes invites you to move with the rhythm of nature, breathe in fresh air, and soak in golden light. Surrounded by the quiet beauty of the gardens, we’ll celebrate the natural camaraderie between body, breath, and earth—and the shared joy of practicing in community. Come early to enjoy the grounds. Please bring your own mat and anything else you might need to be comfortable outdoors. 

Taught by Mary Campbell, a yoga instructor from Camaraderie, a mindbody studio in Ambler, PA. 

THREE MONDAYS: September 8, 15, 22
5:00 – 6:15 pm

Members: $65 | Non-members: $70

**Single-session walk-ins always welcome on fair-weather days $25. Exact change cash payment is required; please arrive 10-15 minutes early. (no member discount)

AIMÉE ALEGRÍA BARRY, Owner, Centaur Tai Chi 

Are you curious about tai chi? Join us for a single-session outdoor tai chi ‘taster.’ The beauty of the Morris will be a peaceful backdrop as you learn more about this martial art practice. Tai chi, a series of postures done slowly, promotes balance, flexibility, and strength. It is known as a soft martial art, because it emphasizes a calm mind and relaxed body. No prior tai chi experience is needed. We will meet at the Welcome Center. Dress for the weather.

Thursday, September 18
10:30 – 11:30 am

Members: $30 | Non-members: $35

LISA ZAHREN, Mindful Dance Instructor

Using gentle, easy-to-follow guidance and open, free-flowing movements, we will experience the Morris with all of our senses through embodiment practices, dance, and mindfulness. This practice invites you to dance and move in your body’s way. All bodies celebrated and welcomed. 

Each of the sessions will meet at the Welcome Center and begin with a short, mindful walk to the location for that week. Once there, we will follow a guided movement and some stillness meditation to open all the senses and connect with that area of the Morris. 

Lisa has been teaching embodied movement classes using the tools of the Nia Technique for more than a decade, including classes for cancer support groups. Nia combines elements of martial arts, yoga, mindfulness, and dance to create a movement practice that balances and energizes the body. She is also a certified teacher through Open Floor International, a global conscious dance practice.

We are offering two series this Fall, sign up for one or both!

LISA ZAHREN, Mindful Dance Instructor

3 Wednesdays: September 24, October 1, 8
10:00 – 11:30 am

Members: $70 | Non-members: $80

LISA ZAHREN, Mindful Dance Instructor

3 Wednesdays: October 15, 22, 29
10:00 – 11:30 am

Members: $70 | Non-members: $80

Aimée Alegría Barry, Owner, Centaur Tai Chi  

Join us for an outdoor tai chi series, with the beauty of the unfolding autumn season at Morris as a peaceful and grounding backdrop for your practice. Tai chi, a series of postures done slowly, promotes balance, flexibility, and strength. While teaching the tai chi form, Aimée Alegría Barry introduces the yin and yang principles that underlie this martial art. Tai chi is known as a soft martial art because it emphasizes a calm mind and relaxed body. 

All levels welcome, class will be adapted to meet participants where they are. Classes will be held outdoors with an indoor option available for weather. We will meet at the Welcome Center. Dress for the weather.

6 THURSDAYS: September 25, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
10:30 – 11:30 am

Members: $110 | Non-members: $120

**Single-session walk-ins always welcome on fair-weather days $25. Exact change cash payment is required; please arrive 10-15 minutes early. (no member discount)

Anisa George, Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Nationally Certified Health and Wellness Nurse Coach

Shinrin Yoku, also known as Forest Bathing or Forest Therapy, is an ancient practice that is now supported by scientific research. Improved immune function, reduced cortisol levels, increased cognition and memory, and improved mood are just some of the clinical findings from this practice. Facilitated by a trained guide to help support your own relationship to the healing benefits of nature, this experience allows for mindful connection to the “more than human world.” Participants move at a slow pace and are invited to connect in a sensorial way to the beautiful surroundings of the Morris Arboretum & Gardens. Leave the hectic world behind and come explore this ancient wisdom. 

This single session course will be held on multiple dates - choose one or register for all 3! Meet at the Welcome Center.

 The class is all outdoors. Dress for the weather.

Anisa George, Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Nationally Certified Health and Wellness Nurse Coach

Friday, August 29

10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

Anisa George, Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Nationally Certified Health and Wellness Nurse Coach

Friday, September 26
10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

Anisa George, Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Nationally Certified Health and Wellness Nurse Coach

Friday, October 24
10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

Anisa George, Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Nationally Certified Health and Wellness Nurse Coach

Friday, November 21
10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

Anisa George, Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Nationally Certified Health and Wellness Nurse Coach

Shinrin Yoku, also known as Forest Bathing or Forest Therapy, is an ancient practice that is now supported by scientific research. Improved immune function, reduced cortisol levels, increased cognition and memory, and improved mood are just some of the clinical findings from this practice. Facilitated by a trained guide to help support your own relationship to the healing benefits of nature, this experience allows for mindful connection to the “more than human world.” Participants move at a slow pace and are invited to connect in a sensorial way to the beautiful surroundings of the Morris Arboretum & Gardens. Leave the hectic world behind and come explore this ancient wisdom.  The class is all outdoors so please dress for the weather.   

Pricing is per session.  Register Below.

KELLY McLEOD, Holden Qigong Certified Teacher; Founder, Chee Gong with Kelly Kel

Curious about qigong but not sure if it’s right for you? Join experienced practitioner Kelly McLeod for this introductory session and discover its potential to help you feel grounded, revitalized, and at ease. Kelly will walk you through qigong postures and movements while also explaining some of the history and science behind how it helps regulate the nervous system and promote relaxation. After learning and practicing the opening movements of the  Five Elements form, you’ll finish with a guided meditation. Come to deepen your understanding and experience the power of qigong to help you feel energized and balanced.

Tuesday, September 30
10:30 – 11:30 am 

Members: $30 | Non-members: $35

KELLY McLEOD, Holden Qigong Certified Teacher; Founder, Chee Gong with Kelly Kel

Join experienced practitioner Kelly McLeod for six weeks of Five Elements Qigong amidst the tranquil beauty of the Morris Arboretum & Gardens. Embrace the arrival of the autumn season with this ancient Chinese art for fitness and healing. We will practice routines that include breathing techniques, warm-ups, stretching, invigorating exercises, gentle flowing movements, and a brief closing meditation.

Each session will let you explore the Five Elements theory of qigong as you connect your energy with the energy of the natural surroundings to feel grounded, revitalized, and at ease. Regardless of your prior experience, all are welcome to join and rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit.

6 TUESDAYS: October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11
10:30 – 11:30 am

Members: $110 | Non-members: $120

MEGHAN DWYER, Yoga Teacher

Join us for an evening of connection under the setting sun! This all-levels outdoor yoga class invites you to move with the rhythm of nature, breathe in fresh air, and soak in golden light. Surrounded by the quiet beauty of the gardens, 
we’ll celebrate the natural camaraderie between body, breath, and earth—and the shared joy of practicing in community. Come early to enjoy the grounds. Please bring your own mat and anything else you might need to be comfortable outdoors. Taught by Meghan Dwyer, a yoga instructor from Camaraderie, a mindbody studio in Ambler, PA. 

Sunday, October 26
5:00 – 6:15 pm

Members: $25 | Non-members: $30

JUDE THACHET, School Outreach Coordinator, Morris Arboretum & Gardens

Looking toward the winter holidays, many of us want to build strong bonds and create lasting memories in our families, but how? Looking to the natural world can help us create small rituals that connect to something larger and foster a sense of belonging. For this workshop, we’ll use the approaching winter equinox to explore how we might create family traditions that remind us of our connection to nature and our intentions for each other. 

Jude Thachet, from the education Department at Morris, will lead participants through a fun and joyful process of identifying what’s important in your family, connecting those values to nature, and developing simple but intentional ways to enact and embody them. After some guided and playful exploration and discussion, the group will engage in an activity using beeswax and other natural materials that can aid in your family’s celebrations. It will grow and change with the seasons and reflect your unique family identity. This program is for adults only.

Saturday, December 6
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Members: $30 | Non-members: $35

DAMIEN RUFFNER Program Manager for Urban Conservation, Audubon Pennsylvania  

Join Audubon Mid-Atlantic at the Discovery Center for a native plant tour. We will be guided through the property to see the native plants, smell the native flowers, and look for our native pollinators that call the Discovery Center home. This tour will also look into future plans of site care at the Discovery Center and look at invasive species of plants they are trying to eradicate. The tour will take us on a 1.5 mile walk around the reservoir—wear good walking shoes!

As a bonus, PHS "Parks on Tap" will be there this weekend, starting at noon! It's the perfect chance to hang out and enjoy the Discovery Center for a bit longer after we conclude our tour.

Saturday, September 6
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Members: $30 / Non-members: $35

TONY DUFOUR, Registered Landscape Architect, Anthony Dufour Gardens

Whether you're considering doing your own stonework or hiring a professional, we'll cover the basics of using this timeless and elegant material. Through lecture and field demonstrations we'll cover different types of stone, construction methods, sources of materials, tools of the trade, and common mistakes. We'll focus mainly on walls and columns, and participants will walk away with an understanding of basic stone types (quarried versus fieldstone). We'll explore cutting, shaping, safety, hand and power tools, and the basics of both dry-laid and masonry construction. After 90 minutes in the classroom, we will move outside for 90 minutes in the field with practical demonstrations. This course has been submitted to carry 3 LA CES CEUs. 

Saturday, September 13
9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Members: $45 | Non-members: $50

MITCH ROBERGE, Horticulturist & Artist

Container gardening is an easy, versatile way to exercise your green thumb even if you don’t have a lot of space. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or just getting started, horticulturist and artist Mitch Roberge will let you in on secrets to ensure your containers flourish while providing visual beauty.

In this class, Mitch will provide information on container selection, soil options, and plant suggestions that will look great in autumn. Consider grouping pots and changing them as they continue to bloom or go out of bloom. Myriad options await the imaginative gardener! 

Saturday, September 20
1:00 – 2:30 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

JOHN JANICK, Owner, Good Host Plants Native, Plant Nursery

In the native plant nursery he runs out of his home in West Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, John Janick works to promote biodiversity by growing straight-species native plants that are indigenous to Philadelphia and the Mid-Atlantic region, using local ecotype plants whenever possible to promote genetic variability and healthy ecosystems. 

Join us on-site at John’s home and the nursery site. You’ll get a private tour and learn from John about how he turned a weedy property covered with invasives into the healthy woodland, aquatic habitat, and thriving native meadow we’ll see together. John will show us his favorite plants for attracting pollinators and providing blooms throughout the growing season over a variety of site conditions. 

Friday, September 26
1:00 – 2:30 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

TONY DUFOUR, Registered Landscape Architect, Anthony Dufour Gardens

Thinking about tackling a new walkway or patio, or rebuilding one? We'll cover exactly how to do this! Through lecture and field demonstrations we'll cover different types of materials such as brick and flagstone, as well as tools and tricks to get the job done right.

While we'll focus more on construction and less on design, we will cover why pavements fail and common pitfalls to avoid, how to lay out the space, sourcing materials, cutting materials, and working safely. The emphasis will be on dry-laid construction, but we will touch on advantages and disadvantages over wet-laid (using concrete and mortar). After 90 minutes in the classroom, we will move outside for 90 minutes in the field with practical demonstrations.

This course has been submitted to carry 3 LA CES CEUs. 

Saturday, September 27
9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Members: $45 | Non-members: $50

ALLISON HOUGHTON, Ecological Consultant, Educator

Understanding our soils gives us incredible agency in a garden or landscape. In this course we will cover the basics of how to recognize, grow, and support living and resilient soils. We will explore what soil is, the major components and properties of an “ideal” soil and how to actively manage for excellent soil health. You will learn the chemical properties of soil, major and minor nutrients, how to read a soil test, and ways to recognize common deficiencies in plants and in the landscape as a whole. We will address common soil challenges like compacted, degraded and polluted soil as well as strategies for what to do when problems arise. Just as important as the chemical and physical properties of soil, we will explore the incredible role of soil biology in plant health, how you can work with it, add to it, and recognize increased plant health over time.

Throughout the course participants will gain simple hands-on strategies for working with living soils and how to track progress along the way. We will discuss soil testing with a local soil testing laboratory as well as simple home measures to quickly evaluate soil health such as texture, water infiltration, topsoil depth, hardness, aggregate stability and how to read your weeds to track changes over time. Soil is like the living skin of our planet, and soil builders are needed as never before. This course will equip you with the tools and knowledge that absolutely anyone can learn to become a soil steward and work alongside this amazing underground world at our feet.

This course includes one 3-hour lecture (online) and one 5-hour field component at the Morris.  This course has been submitted for 8 ISA, LA CES, and PLNA CEUs. This course is open to the public, with priority registration offered to individuals enrolled in Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ Certificate Program in Ecological Horticulture.

Wednesday, October 1, 6:00 – 9:00 PM (online lecture)
Friday, October 24, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (field component)

Members: $200 | Non-members: $215

Please go to our Certificate Program in Ecological Horticulture section to register for this course.

SCOTT QUITEL, Founder and Executive Director, LandHealth Institute

Converting an existing lawn or regularly mowed field into a meadow landscape comes with a whole host of benefits: four seasons of aesthetic interest, localized stormwater management, localized erosion control, native wildlife habitat, reduction of fossil fuel burning, reduced maintenance efforts, etc. Making the decision to create a meadow on your land, and to then interact with it over time, can be quite a fulfilling experience. It is also a tangible way to do your part to address global warming. This field-based course will first offer a primer on meadow ecology and then offer several glimpses of converted meadow landscapes in action. Our session will include a short hike to a sizable naturalized meadow, followed by brief visits to observe various meadow applications on suburban landscapes. In addition to some light hiking, our session will entail two short car rides. 

Scott Quitel, JD, MBA has extensive experience in ecologically based land-use planning, ecological restoration analysis, and ecological landscape design and construction. Prior to founding LandHealth, Scott was a principal ecologist for Philadelphia's Applied Ecological Services (AES), where he led the visioning, public process, and design of a wide range of design-build projects, including the Washington Avenue Pier and the Meadow at Longwoods Garden. We will meet at the start of Forbidden Drive in Wissahickon Park, near the trailhead at Northwestern Avenue and Forbidden Drive. Please plan to drive your own car, as we’ll be heading to a few different sites throughout the program. And don’t forget to dress for the weather! 

This class has been submitted to carry 2.5 LA CES and ISA CEUs.

Saturday, October 4
9:00 – 11:30 am

Members: $45 | Non-members: $50

FABIENNE ADLER, Art Historian, Martha J. Wallace Plant Propagation Apprentice

From the walled physic gardens of medieval Europe to the winding paths of Japan’s stroll gardens, and from Versailles’ grand geometric parterres to the romance of contemporary naturalistic meadows, this class will explore ten key features that have defined garden design across history and continents. 

Art historian and propagation apprentice Fabienne Adler will offer a virtual journey through some of history’s most striking gardens, followed by a walk in which we’ll consider how some of their features have been interpreted at the Morris. We’ll learn how identifying historical elements can deepen the joy of exploration in any garden! Wear shoes that are comfortable for walking.

Monday, October 6 
10:00 – 11:30 am

Members: $25 | Non-members: $30

SAMANTHA NESTORY, Engagement Manager and Naturalist, Stoneleigh: a natural garden

With their stunning yellow, purple, and white flowers, goldenrods and asters are two of the hallmark plants of autumn. Not only are they beautiful, but these plants also support hundreds of insects, from bees and wasps to caterpillars and butterflies. This late-summer pairing offers crucial support to native insects, and blooms after many other species have already flowered, providing both beauty and wildlife resources all the way through the fall. Join us to learn how goldenrods and asters can add beauty and biodiversity to any landscape. After an indoor lecture, we will move out into Stoneleigh’s gardens to explore the plants and their pollinators in the landscape. These species deserve a place in your garden! 

This program will take place at Stoneleigh, a former private estate located in Villanova that is now one of the newest public gardens in the Philadelphia region. Its extraordinary trees, sweeping vistas, and intimate garden spaces reflect more than a century of loving care by three different families. In its new role, Stoneleigh is an intriguing blend of historical landscapes overlayed with beautiful new gardens designed to support and nurture our local ecology. 

Engagement Manager Samantha Nestory holds ecology and entomology degrees from the University of Delaware and is passionate about ecological gardening, native plants, and insect conservation. This class has been submitted to carry 2 LA CES and ISA CEUs and is an approved elective in the Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ Certificate in Ecological Horticulture. 

Thursday, October 9
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Members: $40 | Non-members: $45

MITCH ROBERGE, Horticulturist & Artist

Winter is the most difficult time of year for our houseplants—with cold temperatures, dry air, low light, and pests galore. This class will equip you with the knowledge necessary to make houseplants thrive, even in the trickiest indoor conditions. We will discuss light, humidity, pest control, watering, potting, and basic propagation to help your collection grow.

A lecture will be followed by a demonstration of potting and propagation techniques, plus a session of Q&A to talk about any specific houseplant woes you may have at home. 

Saturday, October 11
10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

PAM MORRIS OLSHEFSKI, Plant Records & Living Collections, Manager, Morris Arboretum & Gardens

From Amelanchier to Viburnum, there are many great native plants you can use to enhance your garden. In this illustrated lecture and walk through the Morris, you will learn about many good plant choices, the conditions they require to grow, and how to successfully work them into your landscape. Pam will focus on woody plants that provide seasonal interest with attractive flowers, fruit, fall color, and bark texture. She will discuss good native plant cultivars that have been bred for appealing garden traits, such as compact size, abundant flowers, and fruit. 

This class will include a walk through the Morris, looking at native plants and considering how to use them in the landscape.

Monday, October 13
1:00 – 2:30 pm

Members: $25 | Non-members: $30

PRZEMYSLAW WALCZAK, Horticulturist, Chanticleer Garden
MATTHEW SARVER, Principal, Sarver Ecological

Chanticleer is alive with more than just beautiful plantings—recent biodiversity surveys have identified over 1,000 species of birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and fish find habitat in the garden. For the past five years, the garden has conducted biodiversity surveys, with a special focus on native bees and moths, both important pollinators and critical elements in food webs for other wildlife. 

In this special program, you’ll explore how a garden can nurture such rich biodiversity. Through both an indoor lecture and guided learning in the garden, discover how Chanticleer models ecologically sound practices by blending native and non-native plants across naturalistic and formal spaces. Learn about the garden’s biodiversity findings and how you can translate these principles into your own garden, no matter its size. A particular emphasis will be placed on the ecological value of leaving downed woody debris—like branches and logs—and creative ways to incorporate these elements into garden design without sacrificing beauty. 

This program will be held at Chanticleer (786 Church Road, Wayne, PA 19087) and is a collaboration between Chanticleer and the Morris Arboretum & Gardens. This class has been submitted to carry 2 LA CES and ISA CEUs and is an approved elective in the Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ Certificate in Ecological Horticulture.

Thursday, October 23
1:00 – 3:00 pm

Members: $55 | Non-members: $60

Jenny Rose Carey, Renowned gardener, educator, historian, and author

Join Jenny Rose for a talk based on her newest book, The Essential Guide to Bulbs. For any gardener who wants to grow bulbs in the garden or containers, Jenny shares her insights through her gorgeously photographed, comprehensive and inviting resource.
 
You will learn that, while many gardeners may be familiar with the early show of spring bulbs like daffodils and tulips or the late show of gladiolus, there are so many more bulbs to choose from that provide three-season color, drama, and spontaneity in the garden.
 
Jenny Rose has been lecturing nationally and internationally for many years. She previously worked at Temple University for over a decade, first as an adjunct professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and then as director of the Ambler Arboretum. Most recently, she served as Senior Director of Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Meadowbrook Farm. She is an avid hands-on gardener who has gardened in both England and the United States. Her Victorian property, Northview, in Ambler, PA contains diverse garden spaces, including a cutting garden, an herb garden, a dry garden, and various mixed flower beds. Jenny Rose and her gardens have been featured on the PBS series The Victory Garden, in the Wall Street Journal, the Philadelphia Inquirer, GROW magazine, and The Pennsylvania Gardener. She is co-author with Mary Anne Fry of A Century of Cultivation, the author and photographer for Glorious Shade (Timber Press 2017), and The Ultimate Flower Gardener’s Guide (Timber Press 2022).
 
A limited number of books will be available for purchase. Participants who want to ensure they can purchase a book for signing at this event are encouraged to pre-order a copy here.  Please select the appropriate participant price, and also select "Book add-on”  during registration.

Wednesday, October 29
4:00 – 5:30 pm

Members: $30 | Non-members: $35
Book add-on: $29.99

Digging, Dividing, and Storing Dahlia Tubers
BILL CULLINA, F. Otto Haas Executive Director, Morris Arboretum & Gardens

Digging, dividing, and storing your dahlia tubers is the most crucial task to get right for increasing your stock, keeping your plants healthy, and saving money on expensive tubers. In this program, led by the Morris’s own Bill Cullina in his personal garden, you’ll learn tips for how and when to dig your tuber clumps for maximum storage life and minimum damage, how to identify and divide viable tubers, how to wash tubers, and get advice on different storage techniques here in our climate. 

This class will meet at the Bloomfield Farm Horticulture Center before heading outdoors.

Saturday, November 1
2:00 – 4:00 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

BETH DAVIS, Fourth-Generation Orchid Grower, Waldor Orchids

Have you ever wanted to grow orchids, or have you already taken the plunge and are enjoying their beauty? Orchids are unusual and exotic but relatively easy to grow. Come and hear all the tricks for successful orchid culture from orchid grower Beth Davis. Beth will present basic cultural information and provide a hands-on potting demonstration.  There will be an emphasis on transplanting, grooming, and some of the different ways to re-pot your orchid.

Students will pot up their own beautiful orchid to take home and enjoy (included in the cost of the class). She will have additional plants for sale. Bring a box to take your orchid home. 

Monday, November 10
10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Members: $50 | Non-members: $55

JASON LUBAR, Board-Certified Master Arborist

There are many misconceptions about trees and tree care that this class will dispel. Jason’s comprehensive presentation will inform your understanding of tree biology, how valuable trees are, and how they pay us back. We will also learn how to properly select, plant, and maintain and care for trees, in addition to how to select a tree-care professional and discuss relevant risk. Bring your tree-related questions! 

Jason Lubar is an ISA board-certified master arborist and has been a popular consultant featured on regional radio talk shows and in regional press. He is the former director of Urban Forestry at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens. This class has been submitted to carry 3 ISA and NJ Board of Tree Experts CEUs.

Thursday, November 13
9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Members: $70 | Non-members: $75

BRIAN TUEL, PA Bonsai Society

The art of Bonsai has a long and rich history in Japan and other eastern Asian countries—one that can translate easily to our region using native trees and proper techniques. Join members of the PA Bonsai Association to explore the history and fundamental elements and styles of this ancient art. Students will learn how to choose, plant, train, and provide long-term care to a young specimen tree. Instructor Brian Tuel has over 20 years of experience working with bonsai. He has numerous trees in his personal collection and has displayed at the Philadelphia Flower Show. Each participant will go home with a new Bonsai tree of their own, and will receive a year-long membership to the PA Bonsai Society (pabonsai.org) –a $45 value!

Please bring sharp pruners/scissors if you have them, garden gloves, and a flat box to transport your tree home. This class will meet at the Bloomfield Farm Horticulture Center.

Sunday, November 16
1:30–4:30 pm

Members: $120 | Non-members: $130

LEE ARMILLEI, Principal, Landscape Designer, APLD

Welcome to the world of ecological design, where environment and art intersect. Get your creative juices flowing as you combine design process & design principles with the ecology you’ve learned in prior certificate courses. Students will design a predetermined site to create a beautiful and immersive space, supportive of people and the planet.

This intensive two-day workshop starts with the basics of understanding the client, analyzing the site and drafting plans, and builds as students shape the landscape using design principles and ecological themes. Students will then develop a site-specific plant palette and apply it to foundation plantings, natural areas, and the spaces in between. Through a combination of lecture, studio-time, and homework, students will gain real time practice and feedback, learning to make informed decisions in ecological design. Although the class will be working on a predetermined site, each design is sure to be unique!

This course is open to the public; with priority registration offered to individuals enrolled in Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ Certificate in Ecological Horticulture.  Completion of this course counts toward the requirements of the certificate program. This course has been submitted to carry 10 CEUs with LA CES, ISA, PLNA, and the New Jersey Board of Tree Experts. 

2 FRIDAYS, January 23, 30
10:00 am – 3:30 pm

Members: $250 | Non-members: $260

Please go to our Certificate Program in Ecological Horticulture section to register for this course.

David Hughes, Landscape Architect Specializing in Native Plants and Ecological Design

Join us for a private guided tour of this 4-acre Bucks County property purchased by David Hughes in 2014 –now a revitalized oasis of native plants, animals, insects, and soil life. David will describe how he was able to turn woodlands that were once over browsed by deer and overrun by invasive plants into what it is today—a healing forest floor community of indigenous plants and recycling organisms.  

The monoculture and ecologically unfriendly lawns have been replaced with native wildflower and warm season grass meadows. Vernal pools and rain gardens have been created to be a nurturing wetland habitat. Hedgerows that had been degraded due to pests, diseases and overzealous clearing are being re-established as food and nesting sites for birds and insects. Light refreshments will be provided during the tour, as well as suggestions for having lunch locally in the Point Pleasant / New Hope area.  

David Hughes is a Registered Landscape Architect and owner of Weatherwood Design LLC, specializing in native plant-based garden design, ecology and indigenous habitat conservation.  He has worked in the green industry for 34 years designing landscapes that focus on bringing back ecological functions to the site and its surrounding community.  

Friday, August 22
10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Members: $40 / Non-members: $45

LORI LITCHMAN, Mindful Outdoor Guide, Author

Wissahickon Valley Park has so much history in addition to the amazing woodlands right in our collective backyard. Spend the afternoon exploring some historic gems on this guided hike! We’ll start at the Bells Mill entrance to Wissahickon Valley Park and follow Forbidden Drive to cross two historic bridges—the Rex Avenue bridge and the Thomas Mill Covered Bridge. We’ll also climb up a historic stone staircase and scramble down below the covered bridge to see it from a unique perspective.

The first half of the 3-mile hike is flat on a crushed stone path. The second half will be on the Orange Trail, with gentle, rolling hills. Total hiking time will be between 2.5 and 3 hours, depending on our collective pace. If you are new to hiking, or to exploring the Wissahickon, this hike will be a great introduction. If you are a hiking pro, you’ll enjoy slowing down to take in the beauty of the Wissahickon Valley.

Dress for the weather and bring water and a snack. Bathrooms are available at the beginning/end of the hike.

Lori Litchman is the author of 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Philadelphia. She is a certified mindful outdoor guide through the Kripalu School of Mindful Outdoor Leadership and has training in wilderness first aid.

Saturday, September 27
1:00 – 4:00 pm

Members: $25 | Non-members: $30

SANDI POLYAKOV, Head Gardener, Shofuso Japanese House and Garden

Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, located in Philadelphia's West Fairmount Park, is a 17th century-style Japanese house with traditional Japanese-style gardens. Originally designed for the Museum of Modern Art in the early 1950s, Shofuso was brought to Philadelphia in 1957 and resides on the site of the first-ever Japanese-style garden in North America, built for the 1876 World's Fair. Join Sandi to learn about that history, gain a unique perspective and appreciation from a special staff member, and understand the intricacies of traditional Japanese-style gardening, an art form dating back more than a thousand years.

As a special addition to the garden tour, the program will end with a ceremonial tea-tasting, where participants will experience the wonders of the authentic Japanese Tea House on-site.

Wednesday, October 8
11:00 am – 1:30 pm

Members: $45 | Non-members: $50

DAVID CULP, Gardener, Author, Lecturer, and Designer

Meet at historic Brandywine Cottage in Downingtown, PA, for a personal tour of David Culp’s famous layered garden. Brandywine Cottage is known for its vibrant displays of color throughout the year, including in fall. Fall at Brandywine Cottage features a transition to a jewellike blend of wildflowers, as well as other fall-blooming plants like asters, colchicums, and sumac. The gardens are also known for their pumpkins, gourds, acorns, seeds, and berries, adding seasonal accents to the fall display.

David Culp is the creator of the gardens at Brandywine Cottage in Downingtown. He has been lecturing about gardens nationwide for more than 25 years. David is a former contributing editor to Horticulture magazine and served as chairman of the Mid-Atlantic Hardy Plant Society. David is vice president for Sunny Border Nurseries in Connecticut. He is the author of the book The Layered Garden, published by Timber Press and available in the Morris Gift Shop.

The exact address and driving directions will be emailed to all participants upon registration.

Thursday, October 16
10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Members: $40 | Non-members: $45

ANDREW CONBOY, Certified Arborist & Founder of the Community Canopy Project

From introduced exotics to nursery remnants and rare native species, there is a good diversity of plants within Wissahickon Valley Park. Andrew Conboy, urban forester and ISA-certified arborist, will lead a walk along Forbidden Drive to point out and discuss interesting trees, shrubs, and wildflowers along the way. He will teach how to identify these plants, discuss their ecological value, and point out various galls and other wildlife signs.

We will meet at the start of Forbidden Drive at the end of Northwestern Avenue. Parking is available along Northwestern Ave.

Saturday, October 25
1:00 – 3:00 pm

Members: $30 | Non-members: $35

AARON GREENBERG, Arboretum Manager, Laurel Hill Cemetery

Founded in 1869, West Laurel Hill Cemetery spans nearly 200 acres of gently rolling hills, mature trees, carved stone monuments, historic architectural features, and hundreds of mausoleums. Landmarks include the Bell Tower, built in 1887, and the Chapel of Peace, built in 1938. It is the final resting place for generations of
Philadelphians from all walks of life and is renowned for its historic landscape and exceptional collection of mature trees and specimen shrubs.

Join Arboretum Manager Aaron Greenberg for a highlights tour of West Laurel Hill Cemetery, featuring notable trees and shrubs throughout the collection. Special emphasis will be given to the impressive maple collection and the cemetery’s commitment to green burial practices. From its earliest years, the arboretum has
been a vital part of the cemetery’s beauty and design, overseen by founder John Jay Smith, whose passion for horticulture and landscape gardening helped shape
its development.

We will meet at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, 225 Belmont Ave., Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.

Wednesday, October 29
10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Members: $30 | Non-members: $35

LORI LITCHMAN, Mindful Outdoor Guide, Author

Walking through a meadow in the wintertime is nourishing for the body and mind. Meadows tend to be rare in urban environments, but Houston Meadow is an exception and is stunning at any time of year. While the colorful blooms have faded, we’ll enjoy the quiet beauty of paper birch trees beginning to show off their bark, and wisps of seed fluff dancing in the wind. The hike will follow a 2.5-mile loop around Houston Meadow, which will take us about 2 hours at a slow pace. The path features gentle rolling hills, and relatively even terrain on a rock and dirt trail.

Park at Houston Playground, where we will meet to start the hike. If you are new to hiking, or exploring the Wissahickon, this hike will be a great introduction. If you are a hiking pro, you’ll enjoy slowing down to take in the beauty of the meadow in the winter. Bathrooms are available at the playground. Dress for the weather. Bring water and a snack. We’ll reschedule if weather presents a danger.

Lori Litchman is the author of 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Philadelphia. She is a certified mindful outdoor guide through the Kripalu School of Mindful Outdoor Leadership and has training in wilderness first aid.

Saturday, November 8
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Members: $25 | Non-members: $30