UW Botanic Gardens

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Painting Spring Florals and Pollinators in Mixed Media

Cost: $66, advance registration required Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis, REGISTER ONLINE Come and paint colorful Spring season florals and sweet garden pollinators in this fun and immersive painting workshop, taking inspiration from the lovely views of the UW Botanic Gardens. Learn how to simplify shapes, use color theory concepts, and create a mixed media painting that looks fresh and joyful. We will be exploring art mediums such as watercolors, acrylic inks along with techniques in mark making, mixed media layering and paper collage. Various art techniques in underpainting and composition basics will be shared. No prior painting experience is needed as this workshop is suitable for all levels. All supplies will be provided.Rohini Mathur is an award-winning floral painter who loves to create vivid florals and botanical paintings full of joy, energy and life. She is also a Public artist with art installations at City of Bellevue, SeaTac and Issaquah. Rohini works as an… Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Presenter: Rohini Mathur. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_7ca41297d279. Thursday, May 22, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Douglas Classroom, Center for Urban Horticulture. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Outdoor Magic Virtual Story Time

Summer comes with the promise of sunny weather and more time outdoors. Celebrate with these stories. OUTSIDE IN by Deborah Underwood and Cindy Derby THE FIRE OF STARS by Kirsten W. Larson and Katherine Roy GROWING AN ARTIST by John Parra, Check in each month for new stories and activities that celebrate gardens, plants, and nature. Event interval: Ongoing event. Accessibility Contact: Nick at nickjpw@uw.edu. Event Types: Not Specified. Age Range: Children. Families. Sunday, June 1, 2025 – Monday, June 30, 2025. Online. For more info visit depts.washington.edu.

Encounters with Eden: Paintings by Victoria Likes

The Miller Library welcomes Victoria Likes to our exhibit space this month with her evocative paintings of birds and landscapes. The exhibit runs June 5-27 during library open hours. Victoria Likes is an emerging artist living in northeast Seattle. She started her artistic journey in 2019 and is self-taught. While her current focus is on oil painting, she continues to expand her talents in watercolor, pastels, and colored pencil while also exploring other artistic pursuits such as writing, bonsai, sculpture and pottery. Her creativity is fueled by a love of nature and a desire to bring attention to the magnificence of our natural world. Meet the artist at a reception Monday, June 9 from 5 to 7 pm. Event interval: Campus location: Elisabeth C. Miller Library (EMLB). Accessibility Contact: Nick at nickjpw@uw.edu. Event Types: Exhibits. Thursday, June 5, 2025 – Friday, June 27, 2025. For more info visit depts.washington.edu.

Free 1st Thursday Public Tour

UW Botanic Gardens is committed to enriching the lives of all community members with free public tours.  Please note our tours are for individual participants not organized groups. If you wish to have a group tour, please explore your options at botanicgardens.uw.edu.   To ensure a positive tour experience and the safety of our visitors, our tours are now capped at 50 attendees on a first come first serve basis. Our June tour will focus on our Pacific Connections Garden which features cultivars and native plants from our region as well as Chile, China, New Zealand and Australia.  Because this garden is at the south end of the Arboretum - please note: we will be meeting at the Japanese Garden Parking lot for this tour. Our 1st Thursday public tours are casual walks through various areas of the 230 acre Washington Park Arboretum.  Walks feature seasonal themes, collections plants, explorations of botany, and the history of our organization.    To join the walk, meet us at south end of the Japanese Garden par… Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: cmn23@uw.edu. Event Types: Information Sessions. Age Range: Teens. Adults. Presenter: UW Botanic Garden Tour Docents. Contact Information: Catherine Nelson at cmn23@uw.edu. Event sponsors: UW Botanic Gardens Adult Education Catherine Nelson cmn23@uw.edu. Thursday, June 5, 2025, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM. Washington Park Arboretum Graham Visitors Center 2300 Arboretum Dr E, Seattle. For more info visit botanicgardens.uw.edu.

Botanical Relief Block Printing (in-person)

Class Cost: $80, advanced registration required Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis REGISTER ONLINE In this class, students will be introduced to the process of relief printing using a technique known as linocut. Using botanical motifs, students will learn the basics of relief design, block cutting and inking, and hand printing techniques. Each student will leave with a series of their own hand printed cards and a block printing supply starter kit to continue printing at home! Location: Douglas Headhouse, Center for Urban Horticulture, Anneke Wilder is an artist and illustrator based in Seattle, WA. Anneke received degrees in Biology and Studio Art, as well as a certificate in Natural Science Illustration from UW. She’s participated in numerous artist residencies at the nexus of art and science and is a contributor to Hyldyr, a publication company that combines art, ecology, and folklore. She draws on her background in the sciences to create detailed watercolors that deal with… Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Center for Urban Horticulture. Campus room: Douglas Headhouse. Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Presenter: Anneke Wilder. Contact Information: annekewilder@gmail.com. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_431cfa3ea96d. Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Gardening with the Seasons: Summer (online)

Cost: $25 Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis REGISTER ONLINE, Summer brings an abundance of growth and blooms...and sometimes garden problems. Managing weeds and irrigation are prime targets for attention at this time of year. Time-saving tips for proactive garden care will help gardeners have more time to enjoy their gardens. Key topics will include care of seasonal containers, watering practices, potential weed and pest problems to be aware of, and specialized pruning practices for the season. About this series: Plants and gardens don't live by the written calendar, but by the seasonal cycles and cues of changes in daylight, temperature, and moisture. When gardeners become acquainted with the seasonal rhythms and life cycles in the garden, and learn to work in sync with nature, caring for the garden becomes more of a process and less of a battle with potential garden enemies. This series will help beginning and seasoned gardeners learn how to capitalize on optimal timing and… Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Age Range: Adults. Seniors. Presenter: Christina Pfeiffer. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_b3b6268f3321. Thursday, June 12, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM. Online via Zoom. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Urban Foraging: Weeds & Wild Foods (in-person)

Cost: $45 Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-serve basis, REGISTER ONLINE Participate in this 'weed walk' and learn how to identify and gather some of the most common edible weeds and wild foods available in your garden and in other disturbed areas. Many gardeners are already recognizing many of the benefits of these 'interlopers.' However, when it comes to serving them up in the kitchen, few of us have learned to take full advantage of these labor-free gifts. This hands-on workshop at Discovery Park includes discussion on gathering ethics, local rules and regulations, safety, and general information about how to cook with weeds. Attendees receive a handy take-home flier with field identification information and cooking tips. Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Presenter: Melany Vorass Herrera. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_604dea2b90b4. Saturday, June 21, 2025, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Discovery Park, North Parking Lot. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Forest Bathing (in-person)

Cost: $25 Advance registration required. Join UW Botanic Gardens and Cascadia Forest Therapy for a unique forest bathing opportunity in the Washington Park Arboretum. Forest bathing (or shinrin-yoku) has been popular in Japan for decades and is gaining momentum in the US. The practice encourages you to move in nature at a slower pace and take in the atmosphere around you. Multiple scientific studies have shown that the practice lowers stress and blood pressure levels, while increasing immune system functioning, making you more resilient to diseases and illness. During this class the guide, in partnership with the forest, will offer an evolving series of invitations crafted to help participants slow down and open their senses. The opening of one’s senses encourages mindfulness, which readies the heart and mind to be fully present in the natural world. Come discover the medicine of being in the forest. Accessibility: These sessions are slow-paced and generally cover less than a mile of trail. Trails are not… Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Washington Park Arboretum (LNDMK-8). Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_4f6de53cfef1. Saturday, June 28, 2025, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Wetland Wonders Virtual Story Time

This month’s stories celebrate the plants and animals that make wetlands special. Stop by the library during July or August to pick up a Union Bay Natural Area scavenger hunt. , BUILDING by Henry Cole POND BABIES by Cathryn Falwell THE FIRST BLADE OF SWEETGRASS by Suzanne Greenlaw, Gabriel Frey, and Nancy Baker, Check in each month for new stories and activities that celebrate gardens, plants, and nature. Event interval: Ongoing event. Accessibility Contact: Nick at nickjpw@uw.edu. Event Types: Not Specified. Age Range: Children. Families. Tuesday, July 1, 2025 – Thursday, July 31, 2025. Online. For more info visit depts.washington.edu.

Free 1st Thursday Public Tour

UW Botanic Gardens is committed to enriching the lives of all community members with free public tours.  Please note our tours are for individual participants not organized groups. If you wish to have a group tour, please explore your options at botanicgardens.uw.edu.   To ensure a positive tour experience and the safety of our visitors, our tours are now capped at 50 attendees on a first come first serve basis. Our 1st Thursday public tours are casual walks through various areas of the 230 acre Washington Park Arboretum.  Walks feature seasonal themes, collections plants, explorations of botany, and the history of our organization.    To join the walk, meet us at the Graham Visitors Center, docents will be there to greet and gather visitors. We make every effort to tailor our tours to our audience and most months we are able to offer visitors a choice of a longer or shorter walk depending on their capabilities.  If you have any specific requirements or mobility limitations we will do our best to accommoda… Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: cmn23@uw.edu. Event Types: Information Sessions. Age Range: Teens. Adults. Presenter: UW Botanic Garden Tour Docents. Contact Information: Catherine Nelson at cmn23@uw.edu. Event sponsors: UW Botanic Gardens Adult Education Catherine Nelson cmn23@uw.edu. Thursday, July 3, 2025, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM. Washington Park Arboretum Graham Visitors Center 2300 Arboretum Dr E, Seattle. For more info visit botanicgardens.uw.edu.

Sketching in Ink and Watercolor: Flowers and Gardens (in-person)

Series cost: $160 REGISTER ONLINE, Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis, This is a 3-class series taking place on each Tuesday from July 8th to July 22nd, each session running from 3:00pm-5:00pm.  Capture the beautiful summer flowers and gardens at the Center for Horticulture in ink and watercolor washes with quick techniques and portable materials! You will begin each session in the classroom with warm-up exercises and to discuss tips for working outdoors. Materials list will be provided upon registration. Most of the class will be held outside, so please dress for the weather. All levels welcome. Instructor Lisa Snow Lady has a BFA in painting from the University of Washington, and a degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Edmonds Community College and has been sketching and painting for over 20 years. She has a passion for travel sketching and is a member of Urban Sketchers. Lisa loves to encourage students of all artistic levels. Event interval: Ongoing event. Campus location: Center for Urban Horticulture. Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Presenter: Lisa Snow Lady. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_211f280769c2. Tuesday, July 8, 2025, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Master Pruner - Full Series (online)

Cost: $350 for current PlantAmnesty Members, $410 for non-members Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis, Register online Sign up for the whole Master Pruner Series at once and receive a series discount! This lecture series, offered twice annually in partnership with PlantAmnesty, is designed for those who work in landscape maintenance. Each lecture provides information on tools and techniques for quality pruning with better long-term results and customer satisfaction. The series runs every Thursday for 6 weeks, July 10th - August 14th 2025, with 2 lectures on each Thursday at 9:30am-11:30am and 12:30pm-2:30pm. Registration for the full series closes the first date of the series, July 10th, 2025; registration for individual classes will still be available.  The Master Pruner Full Series includes all 12 Master Pruner lectures as a bundle. Individually, each class is $35 for PlantAmnesty Members and $75 for non-members. Registering for the full series earns PlantAmnesty members 15%… Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Presenter: Christina Pfeiffer, Bess Bronstein, Keith Dekker, & Ingela Wanerstrand. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_df0fdbb4b7f5. Thursday, July 10, 2025. Online via Zoom. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Master Pruner: Tree Pruning I (online)

Cost: $35 for PlantAmnesty Members, $75 for non-members Register Online, Limited financial aid slots offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Pruning trees makes sense when you understand the science behind it. You will be introduced to the basics of tree biology and structure, tree responses to the basic types of pruning cuts, and pruning standards and best management practices. Part of the Master Pruner Series held in partnership with PlantAmnesty. Professional credits available: ISA -2, APLD - 2, CPH - 2, ecoPRO -2, NALP/WALP - 2 Bess Bronstein is a horticultural consultant, a previous instructor for the Edmonds Community College horticulture program, and an ISA Certified Arborist. Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Presenter: Bess Bronstein. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_361e8c47b80f. Thursday, July 10, 2025, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM. Online via Zoom. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Master Pruner: Shrub Pruning I: The Friendly, Fearless, and Forgiving (online)

Cost: $35 for PlantAmnesty Members, $75 for non-members Register Online, Limited financial aid slots offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Learn the basic pruning cuts, basic shrub habits, and how to identify good pruning objectives (why prune?). Learn about best pruning methods based on the natural growth habit of plants like nandina, tall Oregon grape, lilac, deciduous and evergreen azaleas, red flowering currant, camellia, Burkwood x osmanthus, kinnikinick, and yews. Part of the Master Pruner Series held in partnership with PlantAmnesty.  Professional credits available: ISA -2, APLD - 2, CPH - 2, ecoPRO -2, NALP/WALP - 2 Christina Pfeiffer is a horticulture consultant and educator with over 40 years’ experience in landscape horticulture. She brings an emphasis on sustainable garden practices that work in sync with nature to her classes.  She holds degrees in horticulture from Michigan State and the University of Washington, and is an ISA Certified Arborist ®.  For Christina, the next best thing to… Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Presenter: Christina Pfeiffer. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_5547ab8ca02e. Thursday, July 10, 2025, 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Gardening with Edible & Medicinal Native Plants (in-person)

Cost: $30, pre-registration required REGISTER ONLINE, Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis, Join us for an exploration of the edible and medicinal plants native to the PNW. In this interactive class, you'll learn how to identify, grow, harvest, and utilize 10+ local plants with nourishing and healing properties. Throughout the session, you'll gain practical knowledge on how to incorporate these plants into your daily life and learn how to cultivate them in your own garden. Plus, you'll have the chance to sample a variety of edible plants and create a custom tea blend to take home.  This class will be taught by Lea Dyga, Oxbow Farm’s Native Plant Nursery Manager, formerly the SER-UW Native Plant Nursery Manager. Lea Dyga (they/them) is an ecologist, environmental educator, and community organizer originally from West Michigan. They hold a Bachelors of Environmental Plant Biology from Michigan State University. Since moving to Seattle in 2022, they’ve enjoyed making friends with… Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Center for Urban Horticulture. Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Event Types: Special Events. Presenter: Lea Dyga, Oxbow Farm’s Native Plant Nursery Manager. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_60c055a157bf. Monday, July 14, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Master Pruner: Tree Pruning II (online)

Cost: $35 for PlantAmnesty Members, $75 for non-members Register Online, Limited financial aid slots offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. This class will show you how, what and when to apply a specific pruning system. This class will cover the natural pruning system, including structural pruning of young trees, as well as mature tree pruning techniques (crown cleaning, crown thinning, crown raising, crown reduction). More formal systems including pollarding, espalier, and pleaching are also covered. Pruning cycles and seasonal timing are discussed. Mal-pruning is defined (tree topping, lion’s tailing, over thinning), and rehabilitative pruning techniques are explained. Part of the Master Pruner Series held in partnership with PlantAmnesty. Professional credits available: ISA -2, APLD - 2, CPH - 2, ecoPRO -2, NALP/WALP - 2 Bess Bronstein is a horticultural consultant, a previous instructor for the Edmonds Community College horticulture program, and an ISA Certified Arborist. Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Presenter: Bess Bronstein. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_97c6a002b434. Thursday, July 17, 2025, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM. Online via Zoom. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Master Pruner: Shrub Pruning II: Shearables, Hackables, and Untouchables (online)

Cost: $35 for PlantAmnesty Members, $75 for non-members Register Online, Limited financial aid slots offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Some plants get cut to the ground annually, others are barely touched or all hell breaks loose. Find out which ones are which, what to appropriately shear every year, and how the “the pruning budget” differs between plant species and times of year. We will talk about heath, heather, lavender, rockrose, coppicing for stem and foliage effect, sub-shrubs like Russian sage, cape fuchsia, santolina, and sages, witch hazel, winter sweet, and double-file viburnum. Part of the Master Pruner Series held in partnership with PlantAmnesty. Professional credits available: ISA -2, APLD - 2, CPH - 2, ecoPRO -2, NALP/WALP - 2 Christina Pfeiffer is a horticulture consultant and educator with over 40 years’ experience in landscape horticulture. She brings an emphasis on sustainable garden practices that work in sync with nature to her classes.  She holds degrees in horticulture… Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Presenter: Christina Pfeiffer. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_a2fbd84f1ec3. Thursday, July 17, 2025, 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM. Online via Zoom. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Urban Foraging: Weeds & Wild Foods (in-person)

Cost: $45 Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-serve basis, REGISTER ONLINE Participate in this 'weed walk' and learn how to identify and gather some of the most common edible weeds and wild foods available in your garden and in other disturbed areas. Many gardeners are already recognizing many of the benefits of these 'interlopers.' However, when it comes to serving them up in the kitchen, few of us have learned to take full advantage of these labor-free gifts. This hands-on workshop at Discovery Park includes discussion on gathering ethics, local rules and regulations, safety, and general information about how to cook with weeds. Attendees receive a handy take-home flier with field identification information and cooking tips. Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Presenter: Melany Vorass Herrera. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_46e8fa0d9fb0. Saturday, July 19, 2025, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Discovery Park, North Parking Lot. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Master Pruner: Shrub Pruning III: The Puzzlers and Consequences (online)

Cost: $35 for PlantAmnesty Members, $75 for non-members Register Online, Limited financial aid slots offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. This class covers how to prune rhododendron, hydrangea, callicarpa, Viburnum bodnantense, and abelia. Included in this class are basic pruning techniques, common pruning mistakes, and corrective pruning strategies. Part of the Master Pruner Series held in partnership with PlantAmnesty. Professional credits available: ISA -2, APLD - 2, CPH - 2, ecoPRO -2, NALP/WALP - 2 Bess Bronstein is a horticultural consultant, a previous instructor for the Edmonds Community College horticulture program, and an ISA Certified Arborist. Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Presenter: Bess Bronstein. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_7cbf7ef4f945. Thursday, July 24, 2025, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM. Online via Zoom. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Master Pruner: Fruit Tree Pruning (online)

Cost: $35 for PlantAmnesty Members, $75 for non-members Register Online, Limited financial aid slots offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Learn the basics of fruit tree pruning and how seasonal growth differences and specific goals affect when you use different pruning approaches. Apple, cherry, plum, and pear pruning will be addressed. Part of the Master Pruner Series held in partnership with PlantAmnesty. Professional credits available: ISA -2, APLD - 2, CPH - 2, ecoPRO -2, NALP/WALP - 2 Ingela Wanerstrand is the owner of Green Darner Garden Design and a frequent horticultural speaker. Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Presenter: Ingela Wanerstrand. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_b751cc6c1e50. Thursday, July 24, 2025, 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM. Online via Zoom. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Plein Air Plants (in-person)

Cost: $60 Advance registration required Financial aid rates available on a first-come, first-served basis. REGISTER ONLINE Do you love botanical art? Do you like to spend time outside? Combine the two in this nature journaling class that focuses on plants. In this class you’ll learn techniques to document the experiences you’re seeing in nature, how to improve your observational skills, how to combine pen and watercolor to create your pieces, how to create a pleasing composition, and color relationships. You’ll also learn how to use creative prompts to connect further and deeper with nature. Come create a memory of a place! During inclement weather class will be held under shelter. A simple supply list will be provided with your confirmation email. Robin Bundi is a teacher, artist, and designer living in Seattle, Washington. She loves to explore the natural world and primarily creates work to celebrate the natural world and our connection to it. Robin’s studio practice includes watercolor painting, drawing,… Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Washington Park Arboretum (LNDMK-8). Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Presenter: Robin Bundi. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_f22a51169917. Saturday, July 26, 2025, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Friends of Seattle's Olmsted Parks Walking Tour: University of Washington Campus

Price: $30 REGISTER ONLINE, Financial aid spots available; first come, first serve. Join the Friends of Seattle’s Olmsted Parks on the first of two walking tours of Seattle’s Olmsted Brothers historic design legacy this summer! Relocated from downtown northward to larger, less-developed acreage in 1895, the University of Washington consisted of just six buildings when the Olmsted Brothers firm prepared a general campus plan in 1903. John Charles Olmsted returned in 1906 to design the grounds for the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYPE), which attracted over three million people to Seattle (population 240,000) that year. Olmsted incorporated the campus into the overall city park system and encouraged the university’s regents to reserve part of the campus for public park uses. Today it is an important element of the city’s open space infrastructure. Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Presenter: Jennifer Ott and Tanya DeMarsh-Dodson. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_122e7ef2c4ce. Saturday, July 26, 2025, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. University of Washington Campus: Gerberding Hall. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Forest Bathing (in-person)

Cost: $25 Advance registration required. Join UW Botanic Gardens and Cascadia Forest Therapy for a unique forest bathing opportunity in the Washington Park Arboretum. Forest bathing (or shinrin-yoku) has been popular in Japan for decades and is gaining momentum in the US. The practice encourages you to move in nature at a slower pace and take in the atmosphere around you. Multiple scientific studies have shown that the practice lowers stress and blood pressure levels, while increasing immune system functioning, making you more resilient to diseases and illness. During this class the guide, in partnership with the forest, will offer an evolving series of invitations crafted to help participants slow down and open their senses. The opening of one’s senses encourages mindfulness, which readies the heart and mind to be fully present in the natural world. Come discover the medicine of being in the forest. Accessibility: These sessions are slow-paced and generally cover less than a mile of trail. Trails are not… Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Washington Park Arboretum (LNDMK-8). Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_5644a52d3767. Saturday, July 26, 2025, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Master Pruner: Conifer Pruning (online)

Cost: $35 for PlantAmnesty Members, $75 for non-members Register Online, Limited financial aid slots offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Conifers play by different rules than their flowering friends. This class will cover timing and where to make cuts that will help conifers stay vibrant. Part of the Master Pruner Series held in partnership with PlantAmnesty. Professional credits available: ISA -2, APLD - 2, CPH - 2, ecoPRO -2, NALP/WALP - 2 Bess Bronstein is a horticultural consultant, a previous instructor for the Edmonds Community College horticulture program, and an ISA Certified Arborist. Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Presenter: Bess Bronstein. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_25eee3dfdbb6. Thursday, July 31, 2025, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Master Pruner: Prune and Renovate the Overgrown Landscape (online)

Cost: $35 for PlantAmnesty Members, $75 for non-members Register Online, Limited financial aid slots offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. This is a primary class of the Master Pruner course series. It covers basic pruning of ornamental trees and shrubs as well as creative solutions to the overgrown or over-planted garden. The types of pruning cuts are shown and discussed, and the concept of the 'pruning budget' is discussed for different plant and different growth types. Before and after photos and diagrams of real-life pruning examples will be used to illustrate pruning for size reduction and pruning for definition (thinning). Students will gain insight into the process of yard renovation, where pruning is but one tool in renovating a garden. Part of the Master Pruner Series held in partnership with PlantAmnesty. Professional credits available: ISA -2, APLD - 2, CPH - 2, ecoPRO -2, NALP/WALP - 2 Christina Pfeiffer is a horticulture consultant and educator with over 40 years’ experience in landscape… Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Presenter: Christina Pfeiffer. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_58337a836c49. Thursday, July 31, 2025, 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Summer Daydreams Virtual Story Time

Summer is time for relaxing and thinking big. The characters in these stories set their sights high and work toward their dreams. IN MY DREAMS I CAN FLY by Eveline Haser and Käthi Bhend SOMETHING, SOMEDAY by Amanda Gorman and Christian Robinson A BOY NAMED ISAMU: A STORY OF ISAMU NOGUCHI by James Yang, Check in each month for new stories and activities that celebrate gardens, plants, and nature. Event interval: Ongoing event. Accessibility Contact: Nick at nickjpw@uw.edu. Event Types: Not Specified. Age Range: Children. Families. Friday, August 1, 2025 – Sunday, August 31, 2025. Online. For more info visit depts.washington.edu.

Master Pruner: Japanese Garden Pruning (online)

Cost: $35 for PlantAmnesty Members, $75 for non-members Register Online, Limited financial aid slots offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. This class will cover pruning Japanese upright maples (fan pruning), Japanese laceleaf maples (shell pruning), pruning pines (cloud pruning) and shearing masses of lower story plants. Part of the Master Pruner Series held in partnership with PlantAmnesty. Professional credits available: ISA -2, APLD - 2, CPH - 2, ecoPRO -2, NALP/WALP - 2 Bess Bronstein is a horticultural consultant, a previous instructor for the Edmonds Community College horticulture program, and an ISA Certified Arborist. Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Presenter: Bess Bronstein. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_f1f630b0e714. Thursday, August 7, 2025, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Free 1st Thursday Public Tour

UW Botanic Gardens is committed to enriching the lives of all community members with free public tours.  Please note our tours are for individual participants not organized groups. If you wish to have a group tour, please explore your options at botanicgardens.uw.edu.   To ensure a positive tour experience and the safety of our visitors, our tours are now capped at 50 attendees on a first come first serve basis. Our 1st Thursday public tours are casual walks through various areas of the 230 acre Washington Park Arboretum.  Walks feature seasonal themes, collections plants, explorations of botany, and the history of our organization.    To join the walk, meet us at the Graham Visitors Center, docents will be there to greet and gather visitors. We make every effort to tailor our tours to our audience and most months we are able to offer visitors a choice of a longer or shorter walk depending on their capabilities.  If you have any specific requirements or mobility limitations we will do our best to accommoda… Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: cmn23@uw.edu. Event Types: Information Sessions. Age Range: Teens. Adults. Presenter: UW Botanic Garden Tour Docents. Contact Information: Catherine Nelson at cmn23@uw.edu. Event sponsors: UW Botanic Gardens Adult Education Catherine Nelson cmn23@uw.edu. Thursday, August 7, 2025, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM. Washington Park Arboretum Graham Visitors Center 2300 Arboretum Dr E, Seattle. For more info visit botanicgardens.uw.edu.

Master Pruner: Pruning Art or Atrocity? (online)

Cost: $35 for PlantAmnesty Members, $75 for non-members Register Online, Limited financial aid slots offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. This class covers the three main forms of mal-pruning: tree topping, inappropriate shearing of trees and shrubs, and over-thinning. Then we compare and contrast mal-pruning with bona-fide examples of pruning art: pollarding, cloud pruning, topiary, pleaching, and coppicing. The class ends on a humorous note as slides are shown of "The Good, the Bad, and the Bizarre". Part of the Master Pruner Series held in partnership with PlantAmnesty. Professional credits available: ISA -2, APLD - 2, CPH - 2, ecoPRO -2, NALP/WALP - 2 Christina Pfeiffer is a horticulture consultant and educator with over 40 years’ experience in landscape horticulture. She brings an emphasis on sustainable garden practices that work in sync with nature to her classes.  She holds degrees in horticulture from Michigan State and the University of Washington, and is an ISA Certified Arborist ®.  For… Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Presenter: Christina Pfeiffer. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_db397fbe4aed. Thursday, August 7, 2025, 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Plein Air Plants (in-person)

Cost: $60 Advance registration required Financial aid rates available on a first-come, first-served basis. REGISTER ONLINE Do you love botanical art? Do you like to spend time outside? Combine the two in this nature journaling class that focuses on plants. In this class you’ll learn techniques to document the experiences you’re seeing in nature, how to improve your observational skills, how to combine pen and watercolor to create your pieces, how to create a pleasing composition, and color relationships. You’ll also learn how to use creative prompts to connect further and deeper with nature. Come create a memory of a place! During inclement weather class will be held under shelter. A simple supply list will be provided with your confirmation email. Robin Bundi is a teacher, artist, and designer living in Seattle, Washington. She loves to explore the natural world and primarily creates work to celebrate the natural world and our connection to it. Robin’s studio practice includes watercolor painting, drawing,… Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Washington Park Arboretum (LNDMK-8). Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Presenter: Robin Bundi. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_d22ac43d3aa2. Saturday, August 9, 2025, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Native Plants 101: Field Identification (in-person)

Cost: $30, pre-registration required REGISTER ONLINE, Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis, Come identify native plants at the Washington Park Arboretum! Learn some of Western Washington’s common native plants as well as pick up a few tips on plant identification! We’ll cover several different species of native plants as well as their growth preferences and how best to incorporate them into your garden or yard at home. This class will be taught by Lea Dyga, Oxbow Farm’s Native Plant Nursery Manager, formerly the SER-UW Native Plant Nursery Manager. Lea Dyga (they/them) is an ecologist, environmental educator, and community organizer originally from West Michigan. They hold a Bachelors of Environmental Plant Biology from Michigan State University. Since moving to Seattle in 2022, they’ve enjoyed making friends with the local flora and fungi. Lea’s passion for plants, restoration, and community education has led them to pursue a career PNW native plant propagation where their work… Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Event Types: Special Events. Presenter: Lea Dyga, Oxbow Farm’s Native Plant Nursery Manager. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_ec7101308303. Sunday, August 10, 2025, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Washington Park Arboretum. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Master Pruner: Rose Pruning (online)

Cost: $35 for PlantAmnesty Members, $75 for non-members Register Online, Limited financial aid slots offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Learn the right way to prune roses: hybrid teas, climbers, & landscape roses. This class will cover the best time of year to prune, the right tools, and techniques for ensuring healthy, long-lasting roses. Part of the Master Pruner Series held in partnership with PlantAmnesty. Professional credits available: ISA -2, APLD - 2, CPH - 2, ecoPRO -2, NALP/WALP - 2 Keith Dekker has been involved in horticulture for over 45 years. For the last 30 years his career has focused on the comprehensive care of residential landscapes in the Pacific Northwest. As a Clallam County Master Gardener and active volunteer with PlantAmnesty, Keith contributes to his community by teaching classes and giving talks to promote best practices for successful, sustainable gardening. Keith lives on the Olympic Peninsula with his wife and has a business specializing in fine pruning. Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Presenter: Keith Dekker. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_69556ead543a. Thursday, August 14, 2025, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.

Master Pruner: Rehabilitative Pruning (online)

Cost: $35 for PlantAmnesty Members, $75 for non-members Register Online, Limited financial aid slots offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. This class covers how to restore the natural shapes of trees and shrubs that have been mal-pruned. Students attending this class should already be familiar with principles of selective pruning. Included are discussions of water-sprouts, suckers, radical renovation techniques, and crown restoration. Part of the Master Pruner Series held in partnership with PlantAmnesty. Professional credits available: ISA -2, APLD - 2, CPH - 2, ecoPRO -2, NALP/WALP - 2 Christina Pfeiffer is a horticulture consultant and educator with over 40 years’ experience in landscape horticulture. She brings an emphasis on sustainable garden practices that work in sync with nature to her classes.  She holds degrees in horticulture from Michigan State and the University of Washington, and is an ISA Certified Arborist ®.  For Christina, the next best thing to being in the garden is teaching and… Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu. Presenter: Christina Pfeiffer. Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu. Ticket Link: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/uwbg?key=2WSB-TGY2T_K9KH-5PTF_30d33b9d61da. Thursday, August 14, 2025, 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM. For more info visit apps.ideal-logic.com.