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Chicago Botanic Garden

The Chicago Botanic Garden is a world-renowned living museum and conservation science center that offers multiple unique nature courses spread throughout 26 gardens and four natural areas on 385 acres.

Chicago Botanic Garden

Upcoming Classes at Chicago Botanic Garden

  • Color Mixing

    Discover the secrets to creating stunning and vibrant colors in your artwork with the Color Mixing course at Chicago Botanic Garden. Master the art of blending hues found in flowers, leaves, and shadows, and apply your newfound knowledge to create beautiful paintings. This course is designed to enhance your color mixing skills and elevate your artistic creations.

    Next start date: Saturday, Mar 23rd, 9am–12pm Central Time
    Price: $449
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  • Yoga with the Garden

    Unwind and find inner peace with live, interactive yoga sessions that combine breathing, stretching, and meditation. Join a welcoming community in this online class, from the comfort of your own home. Register now and connect with your yogi side.

    Next start date: Monday, Apr 8th, 9:30–10:30am Central Time
    Price: $174
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  • Yoga Unlimited Semester Pass: Online

    Discover the freedom of practicing yoga from anywhere with the Chicago Botanic Garden's virtual yoga classes. Gain unlimited access to a variety of online sessions and experience the benefits of yoga at your own pace.

    Next start date: Monday, Apr 8th, 9:30–10:30am Central Time
    Price: $412
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  • Textures and Patterns in Nature

    Immerse yourself in the captivating world of nature's textures and patterns. Discover how to artistically capture organic forms and design elements through the use of light, composition, and background. Enhance your photography skills with this intermediate-level class at the esteemed Chicago Botanic Garden.

    Next start date: Thursday, Apr 11th, 9:30am–12pm Central Time
    Price: $437
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  • Beginning Watercolor: Online

    Unlock your creativity and learn to paint sparkling, luminous watercolors with the Chicago Botanic Garden's virtual botanical art class. Explore brush techniques, color-mixing, and control of washes from the comfort of your own home. No prior experience is needed.

    Next start date: Wednesday, May 1st, 9:30am–12pm Central Time
    Price: $349
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  • Painting the Natural World

    Discover the world of watercolor as you learn to depict the beauty of nature in this online course offered by the Chicago Botanic Garden. Explore the art of painting the natural world from the comfort of your own home, and unlock the secrets to achieving sparkling and sensitive effects with watercolor. Previous experience in watercolor or a similar medium is recommended.

    Next start date: Wednesday, May 1st, 1–3:30pm Central Time
    Price: $349
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  • The Art of iPhoneography

    Enhance your everyday photographs into artistic masterpieces with the world leader in everyday photography. Uncover the secrets of composition, color, and black-and-white tonality using selected applications in this advanced iPhoneography class. Join us to discover the art behind your iPhone's lens.

    Next start date: Wednesday, Apr 3rd, 6:30–8:30pm Central Time
    Price: $124
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  • Drawing with Colored Pencils

    Experience the beauty of botanical art from the comfort of your own home with Chicago Botanic Garden's online class. Learn the techniques of creating glowing colored pencil drawings on toned paper, adding highlights to achieve luminous, vivid color. Beginners and experienced students alike are welcome to join this virtual artistic journey.

    Next start date: Thursday, May 2nd, 9:30am–12pm Central Time
    Price: $349
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  • Composition: Online

    Composition is the all-important arrangement of visual elements that contributes to a successful work of art. Discover the components of fine botanical composition in this online class with students of all levels. You will also explore design and execution to enhance your artwork.  This class will be taught online via Zoom. All registrations must be submitted online two days before your class starts. Registered students will receive login...

    Next start date: Sunday, May 19th, 9am–12pm Central Time
    Price: $449
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  • Ornamental Edible Plants

    Discover the secret to maximizing your garden's potential with visually stunning plants that offer both beauty and flavor. Join us for a course that explores the world of ornamental edibles and learn how to incorporate them into your designs and containers. Don't miss out on this opportunity to create a truly remarkable and delicious garden.

    Next start date: Thursday, Mar 21st, 6–8pm Central Time
    Price: $40
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  • Hardscape Basics

    Enhance your garden designs with the incorporation of hardscape elements. Learn how to integrate paving, landscape lighting, and garden walls into your landscape design plans to achieve both functional and aesthetic benefits. Join us for a hands-on course that will elevate your gardening skills.

    Next start date: Thursday, Jun 20th, 6:30–9pm Central Time
    Price: $749
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  • Plants That Attract Beneficial Insects

    Want a natural way to control pests in your garden? Discover how to attract beneficial insects with beautiful plants at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Reduce or eliminate destructive insects like aphids and slugs by learning about their preferred plants and the hungry larvae of beneficial insects.

    Next start date: Sunday, Apr 7th, 10:30am–12:30pm Central Time
    Price: $65
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  • Therapeutic Photography: Self-Inquiry

    Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery through the lens of therapeutic photography. Explore powerful photo-based practices designed to foster introspection, awareness, and connection with the world. Unleash your creativity and deepen your understanding of yourself and your surroundings with guided assignments tailored for intermediate to advanced photographers.

    Next start date: Wednesday, May 8th, 9–11am Central Time
    Price: $374
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  • Arranging Store-Bought Bouquets: Online

    Learn the art of creating stunning floral arrangements by recombining store-bought bouquets. Discover how to incorporate foliage, fruit, and dried materials to enhance your designs. Join us for this online course and follow along step-by-step to create beautiful arrangements.

    Next start date: Tuesday, Apr 9th, 6–8pm Central Time
    Price: $62
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  • Spring Vegetable Growing

    Discover the secrets to successful vegetable gardening as you delve into the world of site selection, soil testing, and indoor seed starting. From proper spacing to effective weed control, this course equips you with the solid gardening techniques needed to grow a bountiful spring harvest.

    Next start date: Thursday, Apr 4th, 6–8pm Central Time
    Price: $40
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  • Container Gardens: Pots with Panache

    Learn how to create stunning container gardens that will add a touch of panache to your outdoor spaces. From choosing the right pots to selecting the perfect plants, this online course will guide you through the process of creating beautiful and vibrant displays that will last all year round.

    Next start date: Wednesday, Apr 10th, 6:30–8:30pm Central Time
    Price: $40
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  • Grow a Butterfly Garden

    Experience the enchantment of a butterfly garden as you learn how to attract these winged wonders to your outdoor space. Discover the secrets of creating a nectar-rich haven for butterflies and their caterpillars in this captivating online class.

    Next start date: Wednesday, Apr 17th, 6:30–8:30pm Central Time
    Price: $40
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  • Perennial Plant Combinations

    Discover the art of combining perennials to create stunning garden arrangements. Unlock the secrets to successful pairings and groupings of amazing plants. Join us online and elevate your gardening skills with the Chicago Botanic Garden.

    Next start date: Saturday, May 4th, 10:30am–12:30pm Central Time
    Price: $65
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  • Native Ground Covers: Online

    Kick mulch to the curb! Switch to a tapestry of native plants and create a more visually appealing and ecologically valuable landscape. Learn a variety of versatile species that will satisfy many garden settings.  This class will be taught online via Zoom. All registrations must be submitted online two days before your class starts. Registered students will receive login instructions one day in advance.

    Next start date: Saturday, May 18th, 9–11am Central Time
    Price: $65
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  • Summer Vegetable Gardening

    Explore the secrets of bountiful summer harvests with our comprehensive online gardening class. From soil preparation to sustainable watering techniques, delve into every aspect of cultivating warm-season vegetables and herbs. Join us for expert guidance on crop selection, planting methods, and effective pest management to maximize your summer garden's success.

    Next start date: Thursday, May 16th, 9–11am Central Time
    Price: $40
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1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022
Chicago Botanic Garden
Glencoe, Suburbs
1000 Lake Cook Road
Btwn Edens Exprsswy/Rt 41 & Green Bay Rd
Glencoe, Illinois 60022

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Description

The Chicago Botanic Garden opened a little more than 40 years ago as a beautiful place to visit, and it has matured into one of the world's great living museums and conservation science centers. In 2013, one million people visited the Garden's 26 gardens and four natural areas, uniquely situated on 385 acres on and around nine islands, with six miles of lake shoreline. The Garden also has a renowned Bonsai Collection.

The Chicago Botanic Garden has 50,000 members—one of the largest memberships of any U.S. botanic garden. People of all ages, interests, and abilities participate in programs, take classes, and stroll the grounds year-round. Within the nine laboratories of the Garden's Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center, scientists and graduate students conduct a wide array of plant research. The Garden is one of only 17 public gardens accredited by the American Association of Museums. Its Lenhardt Library contains 110,000 volumes — including one of the nation's best collections of rare botanical books.

HISTORY

The Chicago Botanic Garden traces its origins back to the Chicago Horticultural Society, founded in 1890. With the motto Urbs in Horto, meaning "city in a garden," the Society hosted nationally recognized flower and horticultural shows, its third the World's Columbian Exposition Chrysanthemum Show, held in conjunction with the world's fair in October 1893.

After a period of inactivity, the Chicago Horticultural Society was restarted in 1943. In 1962, its modern history began when the Society agreed to help create and manage a new public garden. With the groundbreaking for the Chicago Botanic Garden in 1965 and its opening in 1972, the Society created a permanent site on which to carry out its mission. The Garden today is an example of a successful public-private partnership. It is owned by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and operated by the Chicago Horticultural Society.


Reviews of Chicago Botanic Garden

(4.3-star rating across 121 reviews)
  • Pruning Principles

    Anonymous review on 2/9/2024
    The instructor was very good! But 1. The remote option wasn't great -- screen projections weren't always visible. 2. Classroom setting was not what I'd expected - I'd hoped to see some actual pruning take place in a garden or nursery, to be able to see up close where cuts were made, what tools used, etc 3. I'm in California, so much of the material wasn't pertinent. Info on dogwoods, lilacs and other hedges and trees we don't have here. That's perfectly fine and makes sense since it came from Chicago but it would be helpful if the course blurb mentioned what geographic planting zones it would helpful. It really wasn't designed for folks out west
  • Mosaic Bird Pendant Workshop

    Reviewed by Janice V. on 1/21/2024
    Wonderful, as are all Bonnie's classes!
  • Holiday Calligraphy Workshop

    Reviewed by Kimberly B. on 12/22/2023
    I learned some of the basic’s. Would really like more time and maybe more one on one. But, this might be a case of practice makes perfect, and I just need a lot of practice. I appreciate that I have finally had a class on calligraphy. Thank you. I know teaching to adults is much harder than teaching kids in class. We want to learn overnight.
  • Goat Milk Soap Making

    Reviewed by yolanda M. on 11/12/2023
    The person who was supposed to teach;just talk about his family and his worked hiw tiredness might be,and people in the class were interested in the goats life;I went to learned how to do the soaps plus the person I asked how much oil,coconut oil,fat was the measurements and he told me that he wasn’t going to tell me,If he is afraid that someone still his recipe;he is wrong;when somebody gives a class…….teach not just live you in a limbo,very insatisfied For the money was a poor class
  • Arranging Store-Bought Bouquets: Online

    Reviewed by Shelly L. on 10/8/2023
    The class was canceled and no communication to inform students and no one was on the phone to answer what was going on with the class.
  • Forest Bathing Experience

    Reviewed by Michelle M. on 9/11/2023
    This was my first experience but I have done a lot of research on forest bathing. Sally did a great job! She is so kind and generous and even stayed a little after to talk to me about how I am trying to set up a business of my own around forest bathing. My only suggestion is that the gardens provide a detailed explanation on where to find the group. I was 15 minuets late because I am not the greatest map reader and had to figure out where to go once I parked. Maybe drawing on the map or suggesting a specific parking lot would help. It was a beautiful day and I am SO glad I attended!
  • Outdoor Survival and Shelter Building

    Reviewed by LAURA G. on 6/19/2023
    In the advertising for this course they show a photo of people actually in the forest . We were on a manicured lawn area with clean branches and brush tied up in a pile . Not exactly foraging ! You can’t learn much that way . In a real life situation there wouldn’t be a pile ready and waiting for you . I wanted to learn which branches are suitable vs those that aren’t . Also wanted to learn how to start a fire . What types of material would be good for that . Learning in a class room is fine but hands on is so much better . You will remember hands on as opposed to taking notes in a class room . Handouts of the presentation should have been included for the price paid .
  • Introduction to Beekeeping

    Anonymous review on 2/19/2023
    A lot of information. Willie was very knowledgeable, would love if this was a series for bee keeping
  • Shibori-Dyed Scarf

    Reviewed by Elizabeth H. on 1/25/2023
    I really enjoyed this class and will sign up for others
  • Introduction to Beekeeping

    Reviewed by Rachel D. on 10/10/2022
    Great class, great location. Very informative in a well rounded intro class. Hope there's another in the future.
  • Beginning Watercolor: Online

    Anonymous review on 8/19/2022
    I am a true beginner with no prior experience. I learned about brushes, brush strokes, and paint mixing. Judith gave me great critiques with very good tips. The only negative is that the students seemed to be sorted by age instead of experience. I was the only “newby” so it was a bit intimidating.
  • Orchids for Beginners: Online

    Reviewed by Barbara L. on 2/27/2022
    This class was NOT good! I did not want a course on Botany, details of the orchids. The class was let out early and I did not get many ideas for caring for orchids. The teacher spent too much time on her own graduate thesis and did not really help me learn how to pick out orchids or how to keep them growing. I would NOT recommend this class.
  • Demo Cooking: French Cocktail Snacks

    Reviewed by Joanne G. on 2/21/2022
    Our instructor was fantastic. Knowledgeable, entertaining and personable. All the recipes were great too and i cant wait to try them at home.
  • Introduction to Beekeeping

    Reviewed by Ismail T. on 2/13/2022
    Great teacher. Incredible class
  • Demo Cooking: Cheese & Charcuterie Board

    Reviewed by David D. on 2/6/2022
    Thought it was great. Took the fear factor out of trying something new!!
  • Demo Cooking: Air Fryer

    Reviewed by Linda M. on 1/23/2022
    Great class! Emily is knowledgeable and engaging. I would highly recommend her classes!
  • Winter Houseplant Care

    Reviewed by Lourdes A. on 1/19/2022
    Ms. Julia had an exceptionally well organized class! The class itself was exactly what was offered, a quick knowledge on house plants. I learned to love my plants, treat them with respect and love on them!
  • Photoshop 1

    Anonymous review on 8/13/2021
    Iris, the instructor was great. I highly recommend this course.
  • Shade Gardening Basics

    Reviewed by Victoria L. on 6/13/2021
    This was a very good class that provided a lot of materials and specific plant names. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is it was entirely specific to environments east of the Mississippi. I should have known that since it was offered from Chicago, but maybe the region should be included in the title. Most all of the plants discussed could not survive in the arid environments, even in the shade, of the west.
  • Macarons: Online Cook Along

    Reviewed by Catherine S. on 3/22/2021
    I wish it was a bit longer so the instructor could have evaluated the finished product.
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Review Summary by CourseHorse

According to student reviews, the classes at Chicago Botanic Garden cover a wide range of topics such as forest bathing, beekeeping, painting, gardening, plant care, and more. Many students reported learning a lot of information and gaining new skills from their classes. Some specific skills mentioned include learning about brushes and paint mixing in painting classes, gaining knowledge about specific plants and how to care for them in gardening classes, and learning about the process of making soap. The instructors are frequently praised for their knowledge and teaching abilities, with many students expressing a desire to take more classes with them. Quotes: - "My first class at the Botanical gardens. It was great! Looking forward to other related classes. Mr. Lucas had a lot of knowledge. I love his teaching techniques. Thank you" - "This class was a delight! I learned so much. It is an intensive class, so expect to spend time out of class studying, but also expect to come away with newly gained understanding of the plant world and how much we rely on it." - "The best Bonsai teacher ever... Chris Baker! Learnt a lot in those two three short hours. Me Baker was very generous with sharing his knowledge and expertise on the subject. I only wish we could have had a week-long workshop. Thank you."

Teachers at Chicago Botanic Garden

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