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.

Watercolor

Beginning Watercolor: Online

6 Wednesdays:
May 1 – June 5 or
July 10 – August 14
9:30 a.m. – noon

Certificate Classes

Painting the Natural World: Online

6 Wednesdays:
May 1 – June 5 or
July 10 – August 14 
1 – 3:30 p.m.

Colored Pencil

Drawing with Colored Pencils: Online

6 Thursdays:
May 2 – June 6 or 
July 11 – August 15
9:30 a.m. – noon

Mosaic Workshop

Mosaic Workshop

8 Thursdays:
May 9 – June 27 or July 11 – August 29
1:30 – 3:30 p.m. or 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Advanced Rejuvenated Jewelry

Jewelry Making: Found Materials

8 Tuesdays:
May 14 – July 2 or
July 9 – August 27
9:30 – 11:30 a.m. 

Advanced rejuvenated jewelry

Advanced Rejuvenated Jewelry

8 Tuesdays:
May 14 – July 2 or
July 9 – August 27
noon – 2 p.m.

Botanical Composition

Composition: Online

6 Sundays
May 19 – June 30
9 a.m. – noon 
(no class May 26)

Cicada Pin Workshop

Saturday, June 1
10 a.m. – noon

Capturing the Colors of Summer

2 Mondays:
June 3 & 10, and
2 Wednesdays:
June 5 & 12
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Leaf Printing: Natural Patterns & Colors

Saturday, June 8
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Pen and Watercolor Mini: Online

2 Wednesdays:
June 12 & 19
1 – 3:30 p.m.

Introduction to Calligraphy Mini Online

2 Thursdays:
June 13 & 20
9:30 a.m. – noon

Sun Painting Textiles

Friday, June 14
12:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Introduction to Weaving Workshop

Saturday, June 15
1 – 3:30 p.m. 

Mosaic Dove Workshop

Saturday, June 29
10 a.m. – noon

Jewelry Making

Basic Jewelry Techniques

4 Tuesdays:
July 9 – 30
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Watercolor 1

6 Thursdays:
July 11 – August 15
6 – 9 p.m.

Wet Felted Clutch

Wet Felted Clutch

Tuesday, July 23
9 a.m. – noon

Needle Felted Fairy Village

Tuesday, July 23
2 – 4 p.m.

Mosaic Bird Pendant Workshop

Saturday, July 27
10 a.m. – noon

Foraging for Flowers at Northwind

Thursday, August 1
1 – 2:30 p.m.

Outdoor Sketching

6 Saturdays:
August 3 – September 14
9 a.m. – noon 
(no class August 31)

Arranging Flowers with Fruit & Vegetables

Thursday, August 22
10 a.m. – noon

Botanical Drawing 1: Online

8 Saturdays:
September 7 – November 2
9 a.m. – noon 
(no class October 12)

Botany for Botanical Artists

6 Thursdays: 
September 12 – October 24 
6 – 8:30 p.m.
No class October 3

Water Color Painting Classes at the Garden

English Watercolor Techniques

6 Wednesdays:  
September 18 – October 30 
6 – 9 p.m. 
(no class October 2)

Pen and Ink 1: Online

6 Tuesdays: 
September 24 – November 5 
6 – 9 p.m.
No class October 15

Botanical Drawing 2: Online

6 Saturdays:
November 9 – December 21 
9 a.m. – noon 
(no class November 30)

Advanced photoshop techniques with flowers

Photoshop 3

4 Mondays, May 6 – June 3, 2024, 1 – 3:30 p.m. 
(no class May 27)

Therapeutic Photography: Self-Inquiry

6 Wednesdays, May 8 – June 12, 2024, 9 – 11 a.m.

Creative Plant Photography Anne Houde

Creative Plant Photography

Photography Certificate

6 Wednesdays:
May 8 – June 12
9:30 a.m. – noon

Photography: Japanese Islands in Spring

Photography Certificate 

4 Fridays: May 10 – June 7 
9 a.m. – noon  (no class May 24)

Beginning Digital Photography

4 Saturdays, June 1 – 22, 2024
9 a.m. – noon

Travel photography

Garden and Travel Photography

4 Wednesdays, June 5 – 26, 2024, 9 a.m. – noon

Butterfly

Photographing Butterflies and Blooms

Monday, June 10
8 – 10 a.m

Butterfly

Photographing Butterflies & Blooms

Monday, June 10, 2024
8 – 10 a.m. 

Photography Classes at the Garden

Lightroom 1: Workflow and Image Editing

5 Thursdays, June 20 – July 25, 2024, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
(no class July 4)

Photography black and white of Japanese Island winter

Black and White Photography

$349/$437

Photography Certificate

Composition in Landscape Photography

5 Mondays, June 24 – July 22, 2024, 9 a.m. – noon

History of Photography Abstracts: Online

6 Tuesdays, June 25 – July 30, 2024, 1 – 3:30 p.m.

Close-up Photography: Telephoto Lens

3 Wednesdays, July 10 – 24, 2024 
9 a.m. – noon

Digital photography

Intermediate Digital Photography

4 Saturdays, July 13 – August 3, 2024, 9 a.m. – noon

Education: Photography, Fine Art Water

The Fine Art Water Portfolio: Online

6 Fridays, July 19 – August 23, 2024, 9:30 a.m. – noon

Lightroom 2 Realize Your Vision: Online

6 Sundays, July 21 – August 25, 2024, 1 – 3:30 p.m. 

Photography Classes at the Garden

Wide-Angle Photography

3 Wednesdays, July 31 – August 14, 2024, 9 a.m. – noon

Botanical Art: Waterlilies Workshop

Photographing Waterlilies

Sunday, August 11, 2024, 8 – 11 a.m. 

Japanese Garden

Photoshop 1

6 Mondays, September 9 – October 14, 2024, 1 – 3:30 p.m.

Education: Photography, Hidden Gem

Exploring Hidden Gems with Cameras

4 Saturdays, September 21 – October 19, 2024, 9 a.m. – noon

Landscape

Nature & Landscape Portfolio B

6 Sundays, September 22 – October 27, 2024
9 a.m. – noon

Ornamental Plant   
Materials Certificate

Tree Measurements and Terminology

Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate

Saturday, May 11
10 a.m. – noon

Native Ground Covers

Native Ground Covers: Online

Saturday, May 18
9 – 11 a.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 21 – July 2  
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  
Also includes Garden Walks 
6 Saturdays:  
May 25 – June 29  
8 – 10 a.m.

Certificate Classes

Botany 1

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

6 Tuesdays & 4 Thursdays:   
June 4 – July 9   
6:30 – 9 p.m.    
(no class July 4)

or 

5 Mondays & 5 Wednesdays: 
September 9 – October 16 
6:30 – 9 p.m.  
(no class October 2 & October 14)

More Conifers

4 Thursdays:
June 6 – 27
6 – 8 p.m.

Also includes Garden Walks 
3 Sundays:
June 9 - 23
9 – 11 a.m.

Meadow Style Gardening: Online

Saturday, June 8
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

Sun-Loving Native Perennials: Online

Wednesday, June 12
6 – 8 p.m.

Pairing Native Plants with Nonnatives

Saturday, June 15
10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Vines

Ground Covers and Vines

7 Tuesdays:
July 16 – August 27
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Also includes Garden Walks
6 Saturdays:
July 20 – August 24
8 – 10 a.m.
 

Water portfolio

Wetland Plants

Thursday, July 18 
10 a.m. – noon

 

Essential Plants for Pollinators

Saturday, July 20
10:30 – 1:30 p.m.

Ornamental Grasses In Depth

3 Saturdays:
August 3 – 17
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Tree Walk

Deciduous Trees

7 Tuesdays: 
September 17 – November 5, 2024 
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 
(no class October 8)

Also includes Garden Walks  
Meet at Visitor Center 
6 Saturdays: 
September 21 – November 2 
9 – 11 a.m. 
(no class October 12)

Fern

Ferns for the Chicago Region

Saturday, September 21
1 – 3 p.m.

Professional Gardener    
Level 1 Certificate

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 21 – July 2  
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  
Also includes Garden Walks 
6 Saturdays:  
May 25 – June 29  
8 – 10 a.m.

Certificate Classes

Botany 1

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

6 Tuesdays & 4 Thursdays:   
June 4 – July 9   
6:30 – 9 p.m.    
(no class July 4)

or 

5 Mondays & 5 Wednesdays: 
September 9 – October 16 
6:30 – 9 p.m.  
(no class October 2 & October 14)

Gardening Techniques

Gardening Techniques: Session D

6 Sundays:
July 14 – August 18
9 a.m. – noon

Vines

Ground Covers and Vines

7 Tuesdays:
July 16 – August 27
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Also includes Garden Walks
6 Saturdays:
July 20 – August 24
8 – 10 a.m.
 

Soil Basics

Soil Basics, Intensive Session

3 Saturdays: 
September 7, 14 & 28 
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
(no class September 21)

Tree Walk

Deciduous Trees

7 Tuesdays: 
September 17 – November 5, 2024 
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 
(no class October 8)

Also includes Garden Walks  
Meet at Visitor Center 
6 Saturdays: 
September 21 – November 2 
9 – 11 a.m. 
(no class October 12)

Gardening Techniques

Gardening Techniques: Session A

5 Thursdays: 
September 26 – October 31 
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. (online) 
(no class October 3) 
and 
6 Sundays: 
September 29 – November 3 
10 a.m. – noon (Classroom 5) 
Please note that the Sunday, October 6, 2024, class session is from 9 a.m. to noon

Professional Gardener    
Level 2 Certificate

Botany 2

Botany 2

Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate
& Garden Design Certificate

6 Mondays & 6 Wednesdays:  
May 13 – June 26   
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.   
(no class May 27 & June 19)

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 21 – July 2  
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  
Also includes Garden Walks 
6 Saturdays:  
May 25 – June 29  
8 – 10 a.m.

Certificate Classes

Botany 1

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

6 Tuesdays & 4 Thursdays:   
June 4 – July 9   
6:30 – 9 p.m.    
(no class July 4)

or 

5 Mondays & 5 Wednesdays: 
September 9 – October 16 
6:30 – 9 p.m.  
(no class October 2 & October 14)

Hardscape basics

Hardscape Basics

Online and On-site Hybrid

Professional Gardener Level 2 
& Garden Design Certificate

Online 9 Thursdays: 
June 20 – August 22 
6:30 – 9 p.m. & 
On-site 2 Saturdays: 
June 29 & August 3 
2 – 5 p.m. 
(no class July 4)

Gardening Techniques

Gardening Techniques: Session D

6 Sundays:
July 14 – August 18
9 a.m. – noon

Plant Health

Plant Health 2

6 Mondays & 6 Wednesdays:
July 15 – August 21
6 – 8 p.m.
Rain date: August 26, 6 – 8 p.m.

 

Vines

Ground Covers and Vines

7 Tuesdays:
July 16 – August 27
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Also includes Garden Walks
6 Saturdays:
July 20 – August 24
8 – 10 a.m.
 

Soil Basics

Soil Basics, Intensive Session

3 Saturdays: 
September 7, 14 & 28 
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
(no class September 21)

Tree Walk

Deciduous Trees

7 Tuesdays: 
September 17 – November 5, 2024 
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 
(no class October 8)

Also includes Garden Walks  
Meet at Visitor Center 
6 Saturdays: 
September 21 – November 2 
9 – 11 a.m. 
(no class October 12)

Gardening Techniques

Gardening Techniques: Session A

5 Thursdays: 
September 26 – October 31 
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. (online) 
(no class October 3) 
and 
6 Sundays: 
September 29 – November 3 
10 a.m. – noon (Classroom 5) 
Please note that the Sunday, October 6, 2024, class session is from 9 a.m. to noon

Perennial Plant Combinations: Online

Garden Design Certificate

Saturday, May 4
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Botany 2

Botany 2

Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate
& Garden Design Certificate

6 Mondays & 6 Wednesdays:  
May 13 – June 26   
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.   
(no class May 27 & June 19)

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 21 – July 2  
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  
Also includes Garden Walks 
6 Saturdays:  
May 25 – June 29  
8 – 10 a.m.

Maximizing Texture in the Garden: Online

Garden Design Certificate

Thursday, May 23  
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Certificate Classes

Botany 1

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

6 Tuesdays & 4 Thursdays:   
June 4 – July 9   
6:30 – 9 p.m.    
(no class July 4)

or 

5 Mondays & 5 Wednesdays: 
September 9 – October 16 
6:30 – 9 p.m.  
(no class October 2 & October 14)

Hardscape basics

Hardscape Basics

Online and On-site Hybrid

Professional Gardener Level 2 
& Garden Design Certificate

Online 9 Thursdays: 
June 20 – August 22 
6:30 – 9 p.m. & 
On-site 2 Saturdays: 
June 29 & August 3 
2 – 5 p.m. 
(no class July 4)

Design with Color for Lasting Impact

Saturday, June 22
10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 

Gardening with a Tropical Twist: Online

Wednesday, July 10
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 

Adding Native Plants to Garden Designs

Saturday, July 13
9 a.m. – noon  

Gardening Techniques

Gardening Techniques: Session D

6 Sundays:
July 14 – August 18
9 a.m. – noon

Plant Health

Plant Health 2

6 Mondays & 6 Wednesdays:
July 15 – August 21
6 – 8 p.m.
Rain date: August 26, 6 – 8 p.m.

 

Vines

Ground Covers and Vines

7 Tuesdays:
July 16 – August 27
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Also includes Garden Walks
6 Saturdays:
July 20 – August 24
8 – 10 a.m.
 

Garden Design

Wellness Garden Design: Online

Saturday, July 27
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

Soil Basics

Soil Basics, Intensive Session

3 Saturdays: 
September 7, 14 & 28 
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
(no class September 21)

Tree Walk

Deciduous Trees

7 Tuesdays: 
September 17 – November 5, 2024 
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 
(no class October 8)

Also includes Garden Walks  
Meet at Visitor Center 
6 Saturdays: 
September 21 – November 2 
9 – 11 a.m. 
(no class October 12)

Gardening Techniques

Gardening Techniques: Session A

5 Thursdays: 
September 26 – October 31 
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. (online) 
(no class October 3) 
and 
6 Sundays: 
September 29 – November 3 
10 a.m. – noon (Classroom 5) 
Please note that the Sunday, October 6, 2024, class session is from 9 a.m. to noon