Long-Blooming Perennials | Leslie Kaplan

Thurs., April 15 | 7 - 9 p.m.

$22 members | $27 nonmembers
Presented as a live webinar through Zoom

Objective: To be familiar with long-blooming perennials that are appropriate for western Pennsylvania
Level: Beginner to intermediate
Prerequisite: None

Don’t you wish the perennials in your garden would bloom longer? Often in gardens we balance short bursts of glorious intensity with the doldrums when nothing much is going on. Discover flower-power perennials to help fill your garden with long-lasting color. Plus, discuss gardening techniques to make the most of what you have, staggering bloom, deadheading and more. Sustainable Horticulture and Landscape and Garden Design elective

Forgotten Uses of American Flora | Guest Speaker Justin Fornal

Tuesday, April 27, 7 – 8:30 p.m. EST (1 hour talk, 30 min Q&A)

$10 Phipps members | $12 nonmembers

Virtual program through Zoom (link will be sent before program)

Gear up for a botanical journey through North America as we explore the illustrious history of overlooked plants.  Justin Fornal will identify weeds we often see growing along modern highways that were once used in Native American ceremonial rituals.  He will discuss the process used to create birch sap wine, mojo bags, resin based adhesives, medicinal salves, colonial era tinctures and various plant based textile dyes. Native Plant Landcapes elective

This virtual event is offered in partnership with Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Missouri Botanical Garden and Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

About the Speaker:

Justin Fornal is an international explorer and award winning writer.  He has led expeditions around the globe and contributed his findings to publications such as National Geographic, the Explorers Journal, and Parts Unknown.  Justin currently hosts UNEXPLAINED & UNEXPLORED, a television series about ancient maps that airs on the Discovery and Science Channels. Justin is the Co-Founder of HASAN (History, Arts, and Science Action Network) an interdisciplinary organization dedicated to restorative justice and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Annuals, Biennials, and Bulbs | Duncan Himmelman

Tuesdays: May 4, 11 and 18 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

$66 members | $75 nonmembers
Presented as a live webinar through Zoom

Objective: To become proficient in the identification, cultural requirements and landscape use of a wide variety of annuals, biennials and bulbs that are hardy in this area
Level: Beginner to intermediate
Prerequisite: None

Although short-lived, annuals are great for color and long bloom, as well as for filling in the perennial bed. Biennials include many interesting flowers and they often re-seed, acting in effect as perennials. Bulbs include the familiar daffodils and tulips, as well as many less common and even tender varieties. Build your repertoire of plants, discover important cultivars, discuss pest and disease issues and explore overall care of these important landscape plants. Landscape and Garden Design Certificate core course; Sustainable Horticulture Certificate elective

Invasive Plant Management | Philip Bauerle

Thurs., June 3 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

$22 members | $27 nonmembers

Presented as a live webinar through Zoom

Objective: To be able to create management strategies for common invasive plants

Level: Beginner to intermediate

Prerequisite: None

Invasive plants are difficult to control and can be damaging to the local environment — and they will only become more challenging as our climate changes. In this presentation we will talk about integrated pest management of invasive plants and different techniques for control. Sustainable Horticulture and Native Plant Landscapes elective. This course has been approved for 2.0 CEUs for landscape architects by LA CES.

Summer Shrub Pruning Primer | Leslie Kaplan

Tues., June 8 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

$22 members | $27 nonmembers

Presented as a live webinar through Zoom

Objective: To be able to recognize and properly prune shrubs that benefit from summer pruning

Level: Beginner to intermediate

Prerequisite: None

While much pruning takes place in late winter, shrubs that flower on old wood are best pruned in summer, immediately after blooming. But what about your lilacs and spireas? Or those pesky hydrangeas? Gain a foundation in proper shrub pruning practice and become familiar with the shrubs that benefit from summer pruning. Sustainable Horticulture and Native Plant Landscapes elective.  This course has been approved for 2.0 CEUs for landscape architects by LA CES.

Perennials for a Sustainable Landscape | Leslie Kaplan

Thursdays: June 10, 17 and 24 | 7 – 9 p.m.

$66 members | $76 nonmembers

Presented as a live Webinar through Zoom

Objective: To become proficient in identifying a wide variety of perennials and know of their cultural requirements and landscape uses

Level: Beginner to intermediate

Prerequisite: None

Perennials have unlimited value in the garden, whether they are planted in beds, used as accents around a mailbox or added to mixed borders. A garden with perennials is always changing as different ones come into bloom. Beautiful, exciting and challenging — perennial gardening is all of these and more. Landscape and Garden Design Certificate core course and Sustainable Horticulture Certificate elective.  This course has been approved for 6.0 CEUs for landscape architects by LA CES.

Small Trees for Small Sites | Duncan Himmelman

Tues., June 15 | 7 – 8:30 p.m.

$22 members | $27 nonmembers

Presented as a live webinar through Zoom

Objective: To be familiar with the traits, habits and growing conditions of a range of small trees suitable for our region

Level: Beginner to intermediate

Prerequisite: None

Every yard needs trees, but not all trees have to overpower the yard! Learn about a variety of locally adapted, commercially available species that reach 30 feet or so in height, attract wildlife and enhance the beauty of your landscape. Sustainable Horticulture, Landscape and Garden Design and Native Plant Landscapes elective. This course has been approved for 1.5 CEUs for landscape architects by LA CES.

History of Roman and Italian Gardens | Joshua Beblo

Thursdays: July 8, 15 and 22 | 7 – 9 p.m.

$66 members | $76 nonmembers

Presented as a live webinar through Zoom

Objective: To be conversant in the history and design elements of Roman and Italian gardens

Level: Beginner to intermediate

Prerequisite: None

With their foundations in ancient Rome, Italian gardens flourished in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Beginning in Roman antiquity, examine the design of private outdoor spaces through the Baroque period as influenced by the geographic and social characteristics unique to the Apennine Peninsula. Using numerous drawings and photographs, visually tour several villas that represent significant changes in style and design philosophies, from the initial gardens of Roman emperors to those of wealthy merchants and religious leaders. Sustainable Horticulture and Landscape and Garden Design elective

Native Plant Design for Small Yards | Gwen Wisniewski

Tues., Aug. 10 | 7 – 9 p.m.  

$22 members | $27 nonmembers

Presented as a live webinar through Zoom

Objective: To be able to select and design with native plants for small residential spaces

Level: Beginner to intermediate 

Prerequisite: None

Learn to design with and use native plants in small areas. Discover the importance of using native plants in the landscape and how to choose the proper plants for your yard based on various limiting factors, including soil, light, moisture, wind and possible pests. Sustainable Horticulture, Landscape and Garden Design and Native Plant Landscapes elective

Native Woody Plants and Their Uses in the Landscape | Joshua Beblo

Thursdays: Aug. 12, 19 and 26 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

$66 members | $76 nonmembers

Presented as a live webinar through Zoom

Objective: To be able to identify the characteristics, needs and landscape uses of a variety of native woody plants

Level: Beginner to intermediate

Prerequisite: Ecology and Conservation Concepts for Landscape Design suggested but not required

Identify woody plants that reflect local native plant communities and survey the taxonomic features of these plants, including growth habit, size, flowering sequence and cultural requirements. Using these attributes, learn the importance of site placement and create ecologically-informed landscape designs. Native Plant Landscapes core course; Sustainable Horticulture and Landscape and Garden Design elective

Rain Garden Design for Homeowners | Andrea Haynes, L.A.

Mondays: Aug 16, 23 and 30 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

$66 members | $76 nonmembers

Presented as a live webinar through Zoom with optional walking tour

Objective: To be able to design a small residential rain garden for your home

Level: Intermediate

Prerequisite: None

Materials: graph paper (quadrille or ¼” engineering graph paper), circle template or compass, ruler. Materials will not be needed until class session 2, so instructor can provide clarification in the first session. 

Learn how rain gardens positively impact the environment and how to implement your own rain garden project. You will be guided through the process, from site selection, stormwater runoff calculations, plant selection and aesthetic considerations. Step-by-step creation of a rain garden plan drawing for your site and the installation process will also be covered. Please note: some properties may not have suitable space available for a rain garden. Sustainable Horticulture, Landscape and Garden Design certificate elective