Certificate Classes

Certificate Programs

Upcoming Classes

Certificate Programs Classes

View the upcoming schedule of available classes in each area of interest, and sign up today.  
If a class is sold out, please contact us at (847) 835-6801 to be placed on the waitlist. The Garden will contact you if a space becomes available.

Adult Ed Botanical Arts Botanical Drawing

Botanical Drawing 1 | Online

Botanical Arts Certificate

8 Saturdays
January 10 – February 28
9 a.m. – noon

Learning Botanical Arts Watercolor

Expressive Watercolor | Online

Botanical Arts Certificate

6 Tuesdays:
January 20 – February 24
6 – 9 p.m.

Adult Ed Botanical Arts Pen & Ink by Claudia Lane

Pen and Ink 2 | Online

Botanical Arts Certificate

6 Thursdays:
January 22 – February 26
6 – 9 p.m.

Learning Botanical Arts Watercolor

Bold Blooms | Orchids in Watercolor

Botanical Arts Certificate

5 Saturdays:
February 7 – March 7
9 a.m. – noon

Learning Botanical Arts Winter

Winter Trees Using Pen and Ink | Online

Botanical Arts Certificate

4 Sundays:
February 22 – March 15,
Noon – 3 p.m.

Orchids in Cut Paper

Botanical Arts Certificate

Saturday, March 7
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Color Mixing

Color Mixing | Online

Botanical Arts Certificate

6 Saturdays:
March 14 – April 25
(no class April 4)
9 a.m. – noon 

Learning Botanical Succulent Pot

Botanical Art | Succulents | Online

Botanical Arts Certificate

4 Thursdays:
March 19 – April 19
6 – 9 p.m.

Watercolor | The Power of Negative Painting

Botanical Arts Certificate

4 Saturdays:
April 11 – May 2
1 – 4 p.m.

Daffodils in Colored Pencil

Botanical Arts Certificate 

6 Tuesdays:
April 14 – May 19
6 – 9 p.m.

Learning Botanical Arts Ink Drawing

Botanical Drawing 2 | Online

Botanical Arts Certificate

6 Saturdays:
May 2 – June 6
9 a.m. – noon

Botanical Composition

Composition | Online

Botanical Arts Certificate

6 Saturdays:
June 13 – July 25
9 a.m. – noon

Adult Ed | Photography | Abstracts in Poetic Nature

Abstracts in Poetic Nature | Online

Photography Certificate 

6 Wednesdays:
January 7 – February 11
9:30 a.m. – noon

Adult Ed | Photography | Pictorialism in Photography

Pictorialism in Photography | Online

Certificate Photography

6 Wednesdays:
January 7 – February 11
1 – 3:30 p.m.

Photography Classes at the Garden

Beginning Digital Photography | Online

Photography Certificate

4 Thursdays:
January 8 – February 5
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Adult Ed | Photography | BW Photography

Black and White Photography | Masters and Composition | Online

Certificate Photography

6 Tuesdays:
January 13 – February 24
9:30 a.m. – noon
(no class April 10)

Adult Ed | Photography | Life in winter

Capturing Color and Life in Winter

Certificate Photography

3 Sundays:
January 25 – February 8
9 a.m. – noon

Japanese Garden

Photoshop 1

Photography Certificate 

6 Mondays:
January 26 – March 9
1 – 3:30 p.m. 
(no class February 16)

Photography lightroom

Lightroom 1 Workflow and Image Editing | Online

Certificate Photography

5 Tuesdays:
February 3 – March 3
6:30 – 9 p.m.

Adult Ed Photography general3

Intermediate Digital Photography | Online

Photography Certificate

4 Thursdays
February 5 – 26
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Adult Ed | Photography | Photographing winter contrasts

Photographing Winter Contrasts

Certificate Photography

3 Saturdays:
February 7 – February 21
9 a.m. – noon

Photography close-up orchid

Macro Photography | Orchids Up Close

Certificate Photography

3 Sundays:
February 15 – March 1
8 – 11 a.m.

Adult Ed | Photography | Postmodernism

History of Photography | Postmodernism | Online

Certificate Photography

6 Wednesdays:
February 18 – March 25
1 – 3:30 p.m.

Adult Ed | Photography | Composition in landscape photography

Composition in Landscape Photography

Photography Certificate 

5 Wednesdays:
February 25 – March 25
9 a.m. – noon

Adult Ed Photography Intermediate Digital

Photography Techniques | Filters and Focus

Photography Certificate

Saturday, March 14
9 a.m. – noon

Adult Ed Photography – Black & White

Black and White Photography

Certificate Photography

5 Sundays:
March 15 – April 19
8 – 11 a.m. 
(no class April 5)

Adult Ed | Photography | Golden hour nature photography

Golden Hour Nature and Wildlife Photography

Certificate Photography

Saturday, March 21
8 – 11 a.m.
(Rain Date on Sunday, March 22)

Adult Ed | Photography | Shades of blue

Fine Art Portfolio-Shades of Blue | Online

Certificate Photography

6 Tuesdays:
March 24 – May 5
9:30 a.m. – noon 
(no class April 21)

Documenting Nature in Photography

Photography Certificate 

5 Saturdays:
March 28 – April 25
9 a.m. – noon

Photoshop 2

Certificate Photography

6 Mondays:
April 13 – May 18
1 – 3:30 p.m.

Photography Classes at the Garden

The Ins and Outs of Flash Photography

Certificate Photography

3 Wednesdays:
April 15 – 29
9 a.m. – noon

Adult Ed Photography Raptor1

Photographing Raptors

Photography Certificate 

2 Saturdays:
April 25, 1 – 2 p.m. and 
May 2, 9 a.m. – noon
(Rain Date on Sunday, May 3)

Adult Ed | Photography | Advanced landscape techniques

Advanced Landscape Photography Techniques

Photography Certificate 

3 Saturdays:
May 2 – May 16
8 – 11 a.m.

Adult Ed | Photography | Photographing signs of spring

Photographing Signs of Spring

Certificate Photography

4 Thursdays:
May 21 – June 11
9 a.m. – noon

Photography in the Piet Oudolf Style

Photography in the Piet Oudolf Style

Certificate Photography

2 Saturdays:
June 6 & June 11
9 a.m. – noon

Ornamental Plant   
Materials Certificate

Gardening for Hummingbirds | Online

Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate

Saturday, February 21
1 – 3 p.m.

Growing Annuals & Perennials

How to Achieve Your Garden Goals

Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate

Tuesday, March 10
6 – 8 p.m.

Trees for Winter Interest

Trees and Shrubs with Winter Interest

Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate

Saturday, March 14
9 – 11 a.m.

Adult Ed | Horticulture | Best new plants of 2026

Best New Plants of 2026 | Online

Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate

Tuesday, March 17
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Adult Ed | Horticulture | General outdoors

Hardy Bulbs

Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate, 
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate, and Garden Design Certificate

7 Tuesdays:
March 24 – May 5
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Meet at Visitor Center. 

6 Saturdays:
March 28 – May 2
8 – 10 a.m.
Also includes Garden Walks. 

Botany 1

Ornamental Plant Materials, Professional Gardener Level 1 and 2, and Garden Design Certificates

5 Mondays & 5 Wednesdays:  
April 6 – May 6
6:30 – 9 p.m.

Sun-Loving Native Perennials | Online

Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate

Sunday, April 19
10 a.m. – Noon

Versatile Crabapples

Versatile Crabapples

Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate

Saturday, April 25
1 – 4 p.m.

Plants for Pollinators

Best Plants for Birds and Pollinators

Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate 

Saturday, May 9
9 a.m. – noon

Small Flowering Trees

Small Flowering Trees

Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,   
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,   
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,   
& Garden Design Certificate

7 Tuesdays: 
May 12 – June 30  
no class May 26
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
  
Also includes Garden Walks. Meet at Visitor Center. 
6 Saturdays:  
May 16 – June 27
no class May 30
8 – 10 a.m.

Adult Ed | Horticulture | Rethinking lawns

Rethinking Lawns

Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate

2 Wednesdays:
May 13 & 20
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Professional Gardener    
Level 1 Certificate

Adult Ed Horticulture Gardening Techniques: Session B

Gardening Techniques | Session B

Online and On-site Hybrid 

Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate
and Garden Design Certificate 

6 Tuesdays: 
January 20 – February 24
5 – 6 p.m. (online) and 

6 Saturdays:
January 24 – February 28
10 a.m. – noon (classroom 1)
(rain date Saturday, March 7, 10 a.m. – noon)

Plant Health

Plant Health 1 | Online

Certificate Professional Gardener Level 1,
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 2
and Certificate Garden Design

6 Tuesdays & 6 Thursdays:
January 27 – March 5 
6 – 8 p.m.

Adult Ed | Horticulture | General outdoors

Hardy Bulbs

Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate, 
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate, and Garden Design Certificate

7 Tuesdays:
March 24 – May 5
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Meet at Visitor Center. 

6 Saturdays:
March 28 – May 2
8 – 10 a.m.
Also includes Garden Walks. 

Adult Ed Horticulture Gardening Techniques: Session B

Gardening Techniques | Session C

Online and On-site Hybrid

Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,   
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,   
& Garden Design Certificate

6 Thursdays:
March 26 – April 30
5 – 6 p.m. (online) and 
6 Saturdays:
March 28 – May 2
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (classroom 5)

Botany 1

Ornamental Plant Materials, Professional Gardener Level 1 and 2, and Garden Design Certificates

5 Mondays & 5 Wednesdays:  
April 6 – May 6
6:30 – 9 p.m.

Soil Basics

Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate

6 Thursdays: 
April 16 – May 21 
6:30 – 9 p.m. and 

Saturday:
May 9 
1 – 4 p.m.

Small Flowering Trees

Small Flowering Trees

Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,   
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,   
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,   
& Garden Design Certificate

7 Tuesdays: 
May 12 – June 30  
no class May 26
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
  
Also includes Garden Walks. Meet at Visitor Center. 
6 Saturdays:  
May 16 – June 27
no class May 30
8 – 10 a.m.

Professional Gardener    
Level 2 Certificate

Adult Education | Graphics

Graphics

Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate
and Garden Design Certificate

10 Thursdays:
January 15 – March 19
6 – 8:30 p.m. and 
2 Saturdays:
January 24 & 31
1 – 3 p.m.

Adult Ed Horticulture Gardening Techniques: Session B

Gardening Techniques | Session B

Online and On-site Hybrid 

Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate
and Garden Design Certificate 

6 Tuesdays: 
January 20 – February 24
5 – 6 p.m. (online) and 

6 Saturdays:
January 24 – February 28
10 a.m. – noon (classroom 1)
(rain date Saturday, March 7, 10 a.m. – noon)

Introduction to Grading and Drainage

Introduction to Grading and Drainage

Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and 
Garden Design Certificate 

8 Mondays:
January 26 – March 23
6:30 – 9 p.m.
(no class February 16) and 
2 Saturdays:
March 7 & 14
2 – 5 p.m.

Plant Health

Plant Health 1 | Online

Certificate Professional Gardener Level 1,
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 2
and Certificate Garden Design

6 Tuesdays & 6 Thursdays:
January 27 – March 5 
6 – 8 p.m.

Adult Education | Garden design

Introduction to Professional Practice

Online and On-site Hybrid 

Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate
and Garden Design Certificate

11 Wednesdays:
February 11 – April 15
6:30 – 9 p.m. Online and

2 Saturdays:
February 28  and March 28
1 – 4 p.m. On-site 

Adult Ed | Horticulture | General outdoors

Hardy Bulbs

Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate, 
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate, and Garden Design Certificate

7 Tuesdays:
March 24 – May 5
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Meet at Visitor Center. 

6 Saturdays:
March 28 – May 2
8 – 10 a.m.
Also includes Garden Walks. 

Adult Ed Horticulture Gardening Techniques: Session B

Gardening Techniques | Session C

Online and On-site Hybrid

Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,   
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,   
& Garden Design Certificate

6 Thursdays:
March 26 – April 30
5 – 6 p.m. (online) and 
6 Saturdays:
March 28 – May 2
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (classroom 5)

Botany 1

Ornamental Plant Materials, Professional Gardener Level 1 and 2, and Garden Design Certificates

5 Mondays & 5 Wednesdays:  
April 6 – May 6
6:30 – 9 p.m.

Soil Basics

Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate

6 Thursdays: 
April 16 – May 21 
6:30 – 9 p.m. and 

Saturday:
May 9 
1 – 4 p.m.

Principles of Garden Design

Professional Gardener Level 2 and 
Garden Design Certificate

8 Wednesdays:     
May 6 – June 24     
6:30 – 9 p.m.      
and     
2 Saturdays:     
April 16 and June 6
1:30 – 4:30 p.m.     

Small Flowering Trees

Small Flowering Trees

Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,   
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,   
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,   
& Garden Design Certificate

7 Tuesdays: 
May 12 – June 30  
no class May 26
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
  
Also includes Garden Walks. Meet at Visitor Center. 
6 Saturdays:  
May 16 – June 27
no class May 30
8 – 10 a.m.

Botany 2

Professional Gardener Level 2 and Certificate Garden Design Certificate

6 Mondays & 6 Wednesdays:
June 1 – July 8
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
 

Hardscape basics

Hardscape Basics

Online and On-site Hybrid

Professional Gardener Level 2 and 
Garden Design Certificate

Online 9 Thursdays: 
September 10 – November 5
6:30 – 9 p.m. and

On-site 2 Saturdays: 
October 3 & 24 
2 – 5 p.m. 

Adult Education | Graphics

Graphics

Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate
and Garden Design Certificate

10 Thursdays:
January 15 – March 19
6 – 8:30 p.m. and 
2 Saturdays:
January 24 & 31
1 – 3 p.m.

Adult Ed Horticulture Gardening Techniques: Session B

Gardening Techniques | Session B

Online and On-site Hybrid 

Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate
and Garden Design Certificate 

6 Tuesdays: 
January 20 – February 24
5 – 6 p.m. (online) and 

6 Saturdays:
January 24 – February 28
10 a.m. – noon (classroom 1)
(rain date Saturday, March 7, 10 a.m. – noon)

Introduction to Grading and Drainage

Introduction to Grading and Drainage

Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and 
Garden Design Certificate 

8 Mondays:
January 26 – March 23
6:30 – 9 p.m.
(no class February 16) and 
2 Saturdays:
March 7 & 14
2 – 5 p.m.

Plant Health

Plant Health 1 | Online

Certificate Professional Gardener Level 1,
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 2
and Certificate Garden Design

6 Tuesdays & 6 Thursdays:
January 27 – March 5 
6 – 8 p.m.

Designing with plant layers

Designing with Plant Layers | Online

Garden Design Certificate

Wednesday, January 28
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Perennial Plant Combinations | Online

Garden Design Certificate

Saturday, February 7
1 – 3 p.m.

Adult Education | Garden design

Introduction to Professional Practice

Online and On-site Hybrid 

Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate
and Garden Design Certificate

11 Wednesdays:
February 11 – April 15
6:30 – 9 p.m. Online and

2 Saturdays:
February 28  and March 28
1 – 4 p.m. On-site 

Adult Ed | Garden design | power of color

The Power of Color in Landscape Design

Garden Design Certificate

Saturday, March 21
9 – 11 a.m.

Adult Ed | Horticulture | General outdoors

Hardy Bulbs

Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate, 
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate, and Garden Design Certificate

7 Tuesdays:
March 24 – May 5
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Meet at Visitor Center. 

6 Saturdays:
March 28 – May 2
8 – 10 a.m.
Also includes Garden Walks. 

Adult Ed Horticulture Gardening Techniques: Session B

Gardening Techniques | Session C

Online and On-site Hybrid

Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,   
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,   
& Garden Design Certificate

6 Thursdays:
March 26 – April 30
5 – 6 p.m. (online) and 
6 Saturdays:
March 28 – May 2
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (classroom 5)

Botany 1

Ornamental Plant Materials, Professional Gardener Level 1 and 2, and Garden Design Certificates

5 Mondays & 5 Wednesdays:  
April 6 – May 6
6:30 – 9 p.m.

Adult Ed | Garden design | Design for Energy Efficiency

Landscape Design for Energy Efficiency | Online

Garden Design Certificate

Saturday, April 11
1 – 3 p.m.

Soil Basics

Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate

6 Thursdays: 
April 16 – May 21 
6:30 – 9 p.m. and 

Saturday:
May 9 
1 – 4 p.m.

Principles of Garden Design

Professional Gardener Level 2 and 
Garden Design Certificate

8 Wednesdays:     
May 6 – June 24     
6:30 – 9 p.m.      
and     
2 Saturdays:     
April 16 and June 6
1:30 – 4:30 p.m.     

Adult Ed | Garden design | General

Landscape Graphics Studio Workshop

Garden Design Certificate

3 Thursdays:
May 7 – May 21
6 – 8 p.m.

Small Flowering Trees

Small Flowering Trees

Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,   
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,   
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,   
& Garden Design Certificate

7 Tuesdays: 
May 12 – June 30  
no class May 26
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
  
Also includes Garden Walks. Meet at Visitor Center. 
6 Saturdays:  
May 16 – June 27
no class May 30
8 – 10 a.m.

Botany 2

Professional Gardener Level 2 and Certificate Garden Design Certificate

6 Mondays & 6 Wednesdays:
June 1 – July 8
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
 

Hardscape basics

Hardscape Basics

Online and On-site Hybrid

Professional Gardener Level 2 and 
Garden Design Certificate

Online 9 Thursdays: 
September 10 – November 5
6:30 – 9 p.m. and

On-site 2 Saturdays: 
October 3 & 24 
2 – 5 p.m.