Kitchen Herb Container Garden 
Adult workshop
Monday, May 21 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Are you interested in growing basil for pesto, cilantro for salsa or mint for iced tea? Do you lack the space for an herb garden? Then this workshop is for you! Learn how to grow fresh kitchen herbs in containers. Whether you have a patio, balcony or windowsill, this class will help you start your own kitchen herb container garden. Please bring a 12 to 18 inch container with you. We will supply the plants, soil, instruction and inspiration.
$29/member, $35/non-member 

Color in the Shade
Guided walking tour  
Monday, May 21 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. 
There are many wonderful ways to bring color to shady areas in your garden or landscape. This walking tour will focus on the Garden in the Glen and shaded portions of the English perennial border to observe plants that prosper in shady situations; such as: hostas, hardy ferns, bleeding hearts, astilbe, foam flower and a host of others.
$7.50/member, $10/non-member

Colorful Characters: Cow-slobbers and other Wicked Plants
Guided walking tour 
Saturday, June 2 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. OR 1 to 2:30 p.m. 
Drawing on the wonderful stories found in Amy Stewart's book, Wicked Plants, this walking tour of Lauritzen Gardens will provide safe encounters with plants that have dark sides to their personalities, from poison ivy to white snakeroot ("The plant that killed Lincoln's mother") to a wildflower known as "cow-slobbers." A fun, educational way to celebrate Nebraska Wildflower Week! 
$7.50/member, $10/non-member

Fabulous Florals: Succulent Bouquet
Adult workshop
Saturday, June 2 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. 
Create a stunning arrangement combining succulent plants with fresh but flowers. Succulents add an exciting array of colors and textures to these unique arrangements and can then be kept growing in a container after the flowers fade. All materials included.
$39/member, $46/non-member

Capturing Color: Basic Digital Photography
Adult workshop series
Monday evenings: June 4, 11, 18 and 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. 
This class is offered jointly by Lauritzen Gardens and the Joslyn Art Museum Learn the ins and outs of your digital camera in this class that will teach you how to use the functions of your camera to their fullest potential. Learn to control your shutter speed, aperture and how to use pre-sets like "pets and children" to your advantage. Students must bring a digital camera.  Instructor: Jim Ferguson.
$48/member (Lauritzen Gardens or Joslyn), $56/non-member

Lavender: The Swiss Army Knife of Herbs
Adult class
Monday, June 11 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. 

Join Mary Hamer, owner of Loess Hills Lavender Farm, in a class on the amazing attributes of lavender. Mary is well-acquainted with this mystical herb, growing two acres of lavender plants on her family's farm near Missouri Valley, Iowa, from which she crafts lotions, balms, soaps, sachets and other products. Learn about the history and multiple uses of lavender, and how to grow and harvest it.

$8/member, $15/non-member

Color for Summer Heat
Garden walking tour
Monday, June 11 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. 

Learn how to conquer the summer doldrums in your garden with plants that flourish when things get hot! On this walking tour of the garden, we will observe annuals and perennials that can take the heat and keep on flowering and see how containers full of tropicals and other bold plants can enliven a patio or terrace during the summer months.
$7.50/member, $10/non-member

Lil' Sprouts: Rosy Red!
Preschool program
Wednesday, June 13 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
OR Thursday, June 14 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
From roses to cardinals to lady bugs, the color red seems to be everywhere in the garden during June. We are celebrating color during the 2012 growing season and each month we will focus on a particular color as a fun way to get to the know the plants and animals of the garden. Our Lil' Sprouts classes are designed for children ages three to five with one accompanying adult, and include a walk of the garden plus a story, activity and snack.
$8/member, $14/non-member

Capturing Color: Watercolor in the Garden
Adult workshop series
Monday evenings: July 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. 
This program is offered jointly by Lauritzen Gardens and Joslyn Art Museum  Explore the beautiful gardens of Lauritzen Gardens while learning basic watercolor techniques. Learn to paint wet-on-wet, dry brush, and more, while learning to use tools like masking agents and specific brush strokes. Instructor: Ron Sykes
$56/member (Lauritzen Gardens or Joslyn), $64/non-member

Lil' Sprouts: Summer Yellow!
Preschool program
Wednesday, July 11 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
OR Thursday, July 12 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Yellow is the color of July, from blooming sunflowers to chirping gold-finches to fluttering butterflies. We are celebrating color during the 2012 growing season and each month we will focus on a particular color as a fun way to get to the know the plants and animals of the garden. Our Lil' Sprouts classes are designed for children ages three to five with one accompanying adult, and include a walk of the garden plus a story, activity and snack.
$8/member, $14/non-member

Fabulous Florals: Fresh From the Kitchen 
Adult workshop
Saturday, July 7 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. 
Take a break from the summer heat with this refreshing floral design workshop. We will take our inspiration from both the kitchen and garden by combining fresh vegetables and herbs with summer flowers to cook up a unique arrangement; perfect to adorn your dinner table or summer picnic! All materials included.
$39/member, $46/non-member 

Cookies from the Garden
Family workshop
Saturday, July 7 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Learn how to make cookies and frosting using flowers and plants from the garden! Each family will make their own frosting and cookie dough to take home to bake and decorate. There will also be yummy samples to try! All materials are provided. 
$20/member, $27/non-member  

Vermicomposting: From Trash to Garden Gold
Adult workshop
Monday, July 30 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. 
Whether you are a composting amateur or pro, come learn about the fascinating world of worms and how they can turn your food scraps from trash into garden gold! In an indoor vermicomposting system, worms process your food scraps to produce a natural fertilizer and soil that help plants to flourish. Please bring a medium to large size jar to start your own vermicomposting bin.
$20/member, $27/non-member  

Colorful Companions: Butterflies in the Garden
Guided walking tour
Thursday, August 2 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
OR Saturday, August 4 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Join director of conservation Jim Locklear on an exploration of the gardens in search of skippers, fritillaries, swallowtails and other butterflies. Learn to identify these beautiful insects by size, shape, markings and behavior, and discover the best plants for attracting butterflies to your own property.
$7.50/member, $10/non-member 

Fabulous Florals: Diggin' the Summer Color!
Adult workshop
Saturday, August 4 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Get ready to show off your favorite summer flowers! In the heat of the summer, spice up your dining room table with this sizzling and colorful floral arrangement. All materials included. 
$39/member, $46/non-member 

Preserving the Summer Harvest
Adult class
Monday, August 6 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. 
Enjoy your garden harvest all winter long by learning the basics of canning, dehydration and freezing your favorite edibles. This class will demonstrate each of the preservation methods and provide great recipes and ideas for using your harvest. There will also be samples for tasting! 
$8/member, $15/non-member  

Lil' Sprouts: Perfect Purple! 
Preschool program
Wednesday, August 15 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
OR Thursday, August 16 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. 
What happens when you mix red and blue together? You get the purples found in flowers like asters, in fruits like peppers, and in bugs like dragonflies. We are celebrating color during the 2012 growing season and each month we will focus on a particular color as a fun way to get to the know the plants and animals of the garden. Our Lil' Sprouts classes are designed for children ages three to five with one accompanying adult, and include a walk of the garden plus a story, activity and snack.
$8/member, $14/non-member

Train Fun!
Preschool program
Wednesday, August 22 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
OR Thursday, August 23 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Become a train engineer for a day as we explore our Model Railroad Garden. We will read a train story and go "choo-choo-ing" down in the garden. Jump aboard for this fun class! This program is designed for children ages three to five and one accompanying adult.
$8/member, $14/non-member 

Fabulous Florals: Sunflower Surprise!
Adult workshop
Saturday, September 1 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Nothing signals the end of summer like sunflowers, which are as beautiful in arrangements as they are in the garden. Taking inspiration from the Sunflower Forest in our children's garden, we will create a spectacular floral arrangement featuring these bold and showy flowers. All materials included.  $39/member, $46/non-member