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.
Botanical Arts
Certificate
Botany for Botanical Artists
Botanical Arts Certificate
6 Thursdays:
September 10 – October 15
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Botanical Drawing 1 | Online
Botanical Arts Certificate
8 Saturdays:
September 19 – November 7
9 a.m. – noon
Autumn Watercolor En Plein Air
Botanical Arts Certificate
3 Saturdays:
September 19 – October 3
1 – 4:30 p.m.
Pen and Ink 1 | Online
Botanical Arts Certificate
6 Tuesdays:
September 29 – November 3
6 – 9 p.m.
Drawing Pods in Graphite and Colored Pencil
Botanical Arts Certificate
5 Sundays:
October 4 – November 1
9 a.m. – noon
Fall Leaves in Colored Pencil on Film
Botanical Arts Certificate
5 Thursdays:
October 8 – November 5
6 – 9 p.m.
Watercolor Fusion | Painting from Photos
Botanical Arts Certificate
3 Saturdays:
October 17 – 31
1 – 4 p.m.
Watercolor 2
Botanical Arts Certificate
6 Mondays:
October 19 – November 30
(no class November 23)
6 – 9 p.m.
The Landscape in Pastel | Online
Botanical Arts Certificate
5 Sundays, November 8 – December 13
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Vivid Watercolors from Black and White Photos | Online
Botanical Arts Certificate
4 Thursdays:
November 12 – December 10
(no class November 26)
6 – 9 p.m.
Photography
Certificate
Photographing Water and Reflections
Photography Certificate
3 Thursdays:
September 10 – 24
9 a.m. – noon
Photoshop 1
Photography Certificate
6 Mondays:
September 14 – November 2
(no class September 21 or October 12)
1 – 3:30 p.m.
Fine Art Photography Portfolio B | Online
Photography Certificate
6 Wednesdays:
September 16 – October 21
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Photograph Hidden Gems of the Garden
Photography Certificate
4 Saturdays:
September 19 – October 10
9 a.m. – noon
Nature and Landscape Portfolio A
Photography Certificate
6 Saturdays:
September 19 – October 24
1 – 4 p.m.
Macro Photography
Photography Certificate
4 Sundays:
September 27 – October 18
9 a.m. – noon
Photographing Trees in Autumn Color
Photography Certificate
4 Thursdays:
October 8 – 29
9 a.m. – noon
Black and White Photography
Certificate Photography
5 Sundays:
October 11 – November 8
1 – 4 p.m.
Unleash Your Creativity in Photography
Photography Certificate
5 Fridays:
October 16 – November 13
9 a.m. – noon
Beginning Digital Photography
Photography Certificate
4 Saturdays:
October 17 – November 7
9 a.m. – noon
The Inner Landscape | Online
Photography Certificate
6 Wednesdays:
November 4 – December 16
(no class November 11 or 25)
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Autumn Photography at Volo Bog
Photography Certificate
Thursday, November 5
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Photoshop 2
Photography Certificate
6 Mondays:
November 9 – December 14
1 – 3:30 p.m.
Intermediate Digital Photography
Photography Certificate
5 Saturdays:
November 14 – December 19
(no class on November 28)
9 a.m. – noon
Lightroom Classic | New Features and Essential Review
Photography Certificate
2 Sundays:
December 6 – 13
9 – 11:30 a.m.
Ornamental Plant
Materials Certificate
Landscaping with Native Plants
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate
3 Thursdays:
September 10 – 24
6 – 8 p.m.
Botany 1
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
and Garden Design Certificate
4 Mondays & 6 Wednesdays:
September 14 – October 21
(no class September 21 or October 12)
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Deciduous Trees
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
& Garden Design Certificate
7 Tuesdays:
September 15 – November 10
(no class October 13 & 20)
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Also includes Garden Walks
6 Saturdays:
September 19 – November 7
8 – 10 a.m.
(no class October 17 & 24)
Meet at Visitor Center
Trees and Shrubs with Beautiful Fall Color
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate
Saturday, October 10
1 – 4 p.m.
Tree Anatomy and Physiology
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate
2 Sundays:
October 11 – 18
1 – 4 p.m.
Focal Point Plants | Online
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate
Tuesday, October 13
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Woodlore
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate
Saturday, October 17
1 – 4 p.m.
Native Plants for Year-Round Interest | Online
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate
Tuesday, October 20
6 – 8 p.m.
Pruning for Professionals
Certificate Ornamental Plant Materials
Thursday, November 5
9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Woody Plants for Four Seasons
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate
Saturday, November 14
9 a.m. – noon
Native Evergreens | Online
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate
2 Thursdays:
December 3 – 10
6 – 7:30 p.m.
Invasive Plants in the Chicago Region
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate
Saturday, December 12
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Professional Gardener
Level 1 Certificate
Botany 1
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
and Garden Design Certificate
4 Mondays & 6 Wednesdays:
September 14 – October 21
(no class September 21 or October 12)
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Deciduous Trees
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
& Garden Design Certificate
7 Tuesdays:
September 15 – November 10
(no class October 13 & 20)
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Also includes Garden Walks
6 Saturdays:
September 19 – November 7
8 – 10 a.m.
(no class October 17 & 24)
Meet at Visitor Center
Soil Basics, Intensive Session
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
3 Saturdays:
September 19 – October 10
(no class October 3)
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Gardening Techniques | Session A Online and On-site Hybrid
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
and Garden Design Certificate
6 Thursdays:
September 24 – October 29
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.(online)
6 Sundays:
September 27 – November 1
10 a.m. – noon (Classroom 5)
Professional Gardener
Level 2 Certificate
Hardscape Basics
Online and On-site Hybrid
Professional Gardener Level 2 and
Garden Design Certificate
Online 9 Thursdays:
September 10 – November 5
6:30 – 9 p.m. and
On-site 2 Saturdays:
October 3 & 24
2 – 5 p.m.
Botany 1
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
and Garden Design Certificate
4 Mondays & 6 Wednesdays:
September 14 – October 21
(no class September 21 or October 12)
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Deciduous Trees
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
& Garden Design Certificate
7 Tuesdays:
September 15 – November 10
(no class October 13 & 20)
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Also includes Garden Walks
6 Saturdays:
September 19 – November 7
8 – 10 a.m.
(no class October 17 & 24)
Meet at Visitor Center
Soil Basics, Intensive Session
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
3 Saturdays:
September 19 – October 10
(no class October 3)
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Gardening Techniques | Session A Online and On-site Hybrid
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
and Garden Design Certificate
6 Thursdays:
September 24 – October 29
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.(online)
6 Sundays:
September 27 – November 1
10 a.m. – noon (Classroom 5)
Botany 2
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
7 Mondays and 5 Wednesdays
November 2 – December 16
(no class November 11 and 25)
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Garden Design
Certificate
Breathing New Life Into Landscapes
Certificate Garden Design
2 Wednesdays:
September 9 – 16
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Hardscape Basics
Online and On-site Hybrid
Professional Gardener Level 2 and
Garden Design Certificate
Online 9 Thursdays:
September 10 – November 5
6:30 – 9 p.m. and
On-site 2 Saturdays:
October 3 & 24
2 – 5 p.m.
Botany 1
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
and Garden Design Certificate
4 Mondays & 6 Wednesdays:
September 14 – October 21
(no class September 21 or October 12)
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Deciduous Trees
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
& Garden Design Certificate
7 Tuesdays:
September 15 – November 10
(no class October 13 & 20)
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Also includes Garden Walks
6 Saturdays:
September 19 – November 7
8 – 10 a.m.
(no class October 17 & 24)
Meet at Visitor Center
Soil Basics, Intensive Session
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
3 Saturdays:
September 19 – October 10
(no class October 3)
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Gardening Techniques | Session A Online and On-site Hybrid
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
and Garden Design Certificate
6 Thursdays:
September 24 – October 29
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.(online)
6 Sundays:
September 27 – November 1
10 a.m. – noon (Classroom 5)
Wellness Garden Design | Online
Garden Design Certificate
Saturday, September 26
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Planting Design
Garden Design Certificate
9 Wednesdays:
October 7 – December 16
(no class November 11 and 25)
6:30 – 9 p.m. and
2 Saturdays:
October 24 and November 7
1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Botany 2
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
7 Mondays and 5 Wednesdays
November 2 – December 16
(no class November 11 and 25)
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Maximizing Texture in the Garden | Online
Garden Design Certificate
Tuesday, November 17
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Conifers | Form, Texture, and Impact | Online
Garden Design Certificate
Tuesday, December 1
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
The Business of Gardening and Landscaping
Garden Design Certificate
Tuesday, December 8
6 – 9 p.m.