Education — Community Gardening

Blooming Branches

Chicago Botanic Garden Offering Adult Garden Education to NSLS

Since Americans have named gardening as our nation's #1 pastime, demand for educational programs on this topic has skyrocketed. The Blooming Branches program helps NSLS libraries meet this demand for all things gardening by offering 1-1.5 hour slide shows on a variety of gardening topics to NSLS patrons assembled by Chicago Botanic Garden staff and presented by Illinois Master Gardeners. Programs are $200 each and include the slide show/lecture, handouts, a bibliography and Q&A session. If your library is interested in arranging for a program in your branch, please complete the sign-up sheet naming your program selections and preferred dates.

2007 NSLS Blooming Branches Programs

Flowering Shrubs and Trees for Small Landscapes
Trees and shrubs form the backbone of many urban landscapes. This program focuses on smaller trees and shrubs perfect for urban lots, and known for their combination of spring blossoms, bark interest and branching structure. Learn about choices beyond the usual crabapples and forsythia. The basics of selecting, planting and maintaining these gems of the landscape will also be covered.

Basic Design Principles for the Home Landscape
Have you ever wondered how professional landscape designers can look at a space and effortlessly create a beautiful space in which to garden, play or entertain? Most designs are based upon simple elements and combinations that, when utilized properly, can make a daunting design project much more manageable. Learn the basic principles of site analysis, needs assessment, and design layout that guide professional designers, and learn some great plant combinations and tricks of the trade to apply when planning your own garden space. Approaches for urban and small spaces will be highlighted.

Made in the Shade: Gardening for the Sun-Challenged
Large shade trees and close neighbors can be a blessing and a challenge to suburban gardeners; while they create a sense of community and establishment in our neighborhood, they also make growing some types of garden plants very difficult. This program will cover a range of shrubs, small trees, vines, groundcovers, annuals and perennials made for the shade and help you create a colorful, textural oasis in your backyard.

Flower Power
When people think of gardening, flowers are one of the first things that come to mind. This program will touch on a variety of perennials, annuals, vines and groundcovers the north suburban gardener can use to add color and form to garden borders and beds. Emphasis will be placed on proven performers for the Chicago region.