Chicago Botanic Garden Classes, Chicago

Learn all the basics needed to start keeping bees. This includes what to expect, how to put together equipment, how to get bees in your hive, finding the queen, feeding, what to look for after the bees are installed, and seasonal chores.

Walk the Garden and learn about plants that work well in cut arrangements. Then, inspired by our walk, create a beautiful flower display to take home and enjoy. Learn and practice basic floral design techniques. Bring garden shears or scissors, apron, and garden gloves if desired. Dress for the weather.

Autumn is a wonderful time to be at the Garden, and this class will help you use your camera to best advantage in this highly colorful season. Instruction will be provided on how best to photograph both deciduous and evergreen trees. The emphasis will be on texture and pattern for evergreens and the changing color of deciduous trees in both groups...

Kick up your heels with SALSArobics®. Get fit moving through the Garden and learning footwork to traditional sounds from Latin America. Practice indoors and outdoors with varying activities designed to strengthen and condition your whole body at your own pace. Suitable for all fitness levels. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Dress for the weather....

Exercising in “green space” stimulates your mind and body, providing benefits a gym could never surpass. Build endurance, work on postural alignment, gain core strength, increase cardiovascular capacity, and improve balance. Suitable for all fitness levels. Wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Dress for the weather. This class may be taken...

Explore the design techniques of today’s best nature and landscape photographers. Practice techniques with weekly exercises based on class lessons. Use these design techniques to create your own professional portfolio worthy of exhibition.  This course is designed for intermediate photographers. Digital SLR or mirrorless cameras are mandatory....

There are hundreds of photography apps available for iPhones, and many have similar features. Explore some of the better-known apps and get instructions on using them for nature photography. We will go over the basics of iPhone photography along with fieldwork.  Examine the photos taken during class and learn how to enhance, manipulate, or alter...

Join us on an evening bird walk through the display gardens as we search for songbirds, waterfowl, and raptors.  No prior bird-watching experience is required, and binoculars are recommended but not necessary! 

Recombining store-bought bouquets allows you to make excellent floral arrangements. You will learn how to include foliage, fruit, and dried materials as well as how to prepare flowers before arranging. Purchase a few mixed bouquets, several individual flowers, and/or foliage bouquets from the grocery store before class and follow along step-by-step. ...

Lee Anne White will lead this two-day photography workshop on looking at gardens with an eye toward capturing a sense of place and telling the story of the garden. We’ll begin the workshop by exploring gardens together—learning how to look at them from different perspectives and discover their intent and uniqueness. We’ll also discuss ways...

Capturing a digital photograph is just one step in a multi-step process called the digital workflow, which is essential to managing and retrieving your photos. Learn methods of importing, storing, organizing, editing, and final polishing of images. Image sizing, card formatting, understanding the differences between web and print file types, and...

Oaks once dominated midwestern forests and our imaginations. From historical times to today, discover the many ways humans, birds, animals, and insects have used and treasured these big beauties.  We will examine where these trees are typically found in nature, their myriad uses over the centuries, folklore and stories, plus faunal partnerships....

Breathe deeply while moving and stretching to release tension and balance the body. Then settle into a restorative posture and practice yoga sleep, also known as yoga nidra, a deeply restful meditation where you are verbally lead through deeper stages of consciousness that systematically integrate body, energy, and mind.

Flowering bulbs provide vivid color after the doldrums of winter. Learn to select and grow bulbs to enhance your garden. Discuss season-extending bulb design and how to interplant with perennials and shrubs for a spectacular display. Note: This class will be taught online via Zoom.  All registrations must be submitted online two days before...

A hearty vegetarian brunch is easy to make for your friends and family. You will learn techniques to prepare the dough for fried poori—a fresh bread made of whole wheat flour—and how to make potato curry.  Complete the breakfast dishes with mango pickle and yogurt.