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
Botanical Drawing 2 | Online
Botanical Arts Certificate
6 Saturdays:
May 2 – June 6
9 a.m. – noon
Brighten up Your Watercolors | From Mud to Brilliance | Online
Botanical Arts Certificate
5 Mondays:
June 1 – 29
6 – 9 p.m.
Watercolor En Plein Air | Shifting Perspectives
Botanical Arts Certificate
4 Wednesdays:
June 3 – 24
9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Luscious Roses in Colored Pencil
Botanical Arts Certificate
6 Thursdays:
June 11 – July 23
(no class July 2)
9 a.m. – noon
Composition | Online
Botanical Arts Certificate
6 Saturdays:
June 13 – July 25
9 a.m. – noon
En Plein Air Painting in the Garden
Botanical Arts Certificate
4 Saturdays:
July 11 – August 1
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Botanical Art | Waterlilies
Botanical Arts Certificate
5 Tuesdays:
July 14 – August 11
9 a.m. – noon
Botanical Art | Butterflies & Blooms
Botanical Arts Certificate
4 Wednesdays:
August 5 – 26
8 – 11 a.m.
Watercolor | Transforming the Ordinary to Extraordinary
Botanical Arts Certificate
4 Saturdays:
August 8 – 29
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
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
Pen and Ink 1 | Online
Botanical Arts Certificate
6 Tuesdays:
September 29 – November 3
6 – 9 p.m.
Photography
Certificate
Photographing Raptors
Photography Certificate
2 Saturdays:
April 25, 1 – 2 p.m. and
May 2, 9 a.m. – noon
(Rain Date on Sunday, May 3)
Advanced Landscape Photography Techniques
Photography Certificate
3 Saturdays:
May 2 – May 16
8 – 11 a.m.
Photographing Signs of Spring
Certificate Photography
4 Thursdays:
May 21 – June 11
9 a.m. – noon
Visual Storytelling in Photography | Online
Photography Certificate
6 Tuesdays:
May 26 – July 7
(no class June 16)
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Photography in the Piet Oudolf Style
Certificate Photography
2 Saturdays:
June 6 & June 13
9 a.m. – noon
Photographing in Natural Light
Photography Certificate
4 Mondays:
June 8 – July 29
9 a.m. – noon
Photographing Butterflies and Blooms
Photography Certificate
Wednesday, June 10
8 – 10 a.m.
Nature & Landscape Portfolio B
Photography Certificate
6 Saturdays:
June 20 – August 1
(no class July 4)
9 a.m. – noon
Beginning Digital Photography
Photography Certificate
4 Saturdays:
June 20 – July 18
(no class July 4)
9 a.m. – noon
Black and White Photography
Photography Certificate
5 Sundays:
June 21 – July 26
(no class July 5)
9 a.m. – noon
Behind the Lens After Dark
Certificate Photography
2 Tuesdays:
June 23 & July 14
6 – 9 p.m. and
Tuesday, June 30
7 – 10 p.m.
Photographing Bridges of the Garden
Photography Certificate
4 Wednesdays:
July 8 – 29
9 a.m. – noon
Lightroom 1 | Workflow and Image Editing
Photography Certificate
5 Thursdays:
July 9 – August 6
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Intermediate Digital Photography
Photography Certificate
4 Saturdays:
July 25 – August 15
9 a.m. – noon
Photographing Dragonflies & Damselflies
Photography Certificate
3 Saturdays:
July 25 – August 8
1 – 4 p.m.
The Organized Photographer
Photography Certificate
3 Wednesdays:
July 29 – August 12
6 – 9 p.m.
Urban Photography
Photography Certificate
5 Thursdays:
July 30 – August 27
9 a.m. – noon
Photographing Nature | Forest Preserves
Photography Certificate
2 Tuesdays:
August 4 & 25
9 a.m. – noon and
2 Tuesdays:
August 11 & 18
7:30 – 10:30 a.m.
The Fine Art Water Portfolio | Online
Photography Certificate
6 Fridays:
August 7 – September 18
(no class September 4)
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
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
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.
Ornamental Plant
Materials Certificate
Sun-Loving Native Perennials | Online
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate
Sunday, April 19
10 a.m. – Noon
Versatile Crabapples
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate
Saturday, April 25
1 – 4 p.m.
Best Plants for Birds and Pollinators
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate
Saturday, May 9
9 a.m. – noon
Small Flowering Trees
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
& Garden Design Certificate
7 Tuesdays:
May 12 – June 30
(no class May 26)
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Also includes Garden Walks. Meet at Visitor Center.
6 Saturdays:
May 16 – June 27
(no class May 30)
8 – 10 a.m.
Rethinking Lawns
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate
2 Wednesdays:
May 13 & 20
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Native Vines for Every Garden | Online
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate
Monday, May 18
6 – 8 p.m.
Botany 1
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate, and Garden Design Certificate
5 Tuesdays & 5 Thursdays:
June 2 – July 2
6:30 – 9 p.m.
More Flowering Shrubs
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate
4 Thursdays:
June 4 – 25
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. and
3 Saturdays:
June 6 – 20
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Also includes Garden Walks, meet at Visitor Center.
Native Bulbs and Their Allies | Online
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate
Saturday, June 13
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Ground Covers and Vines
Certificate Ornamental Plant Materials
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 1
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 2
and Certificate Garden Design
7 Tuesdays:
July 14 – August 25
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and
Also includes Garden Walks, meet at Visitor Center.
6 Saturdays:
July 18 – August 22
8 – 10 a.m.
Ornamental Grasses In Depth
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate
3 Wednesdays:
August 5 – 19
6 – 8 p.m.
Native Plants for Difficult Sites | Online
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate
Thursday, August 6
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
Professional Gardener
Level 1 Certificate
Soil Basics
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
6 Thursdays:
April 16 – May 21
6:30 – 9 p.m. and
Saturday:
May 9
1 – 4 p.m.
Small Flowering Trees
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
& Garden Design Certificate
7 Tuesdays:
May 12 – June 30
(no class May 26)
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Also includes Garden Walks. Meet at Visitor Center.
6 Saturdays:
May 16 – June 27
(no class May 30)
8 – 10 a.m.
Botany 1
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate, and Garden Design Certificate
5 Tuesdays & 5 Thursdays:
June 2 – July 2
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Gardening Techniques | Session D
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
6 Sundays:
June 7 – July 26
(no class June 28 or July 4)
9 a.m. – noon
Ground Covers and Vines
Certificate Ornamental Plant Materials
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 1
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 2
and Certificate Garden Design
7 Tuesdays:
July 14 – August 25
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and
Also includes Garden Walks, meet at Visitor Center.
6 Saturdays:
July 18 – August 22
8 – 10 a.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)
Professional Gardener
Level 2 Certificate
Soil Basics
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
6 Thursdays:
April 16 – May 21
6:30 – 9 p.m. and
Saturday:
May 9
1 – 4 p.m.
Principles of Garden Design
Professional Gardener Level 2 and
Garden Design Certificate
8 Wednesdays:
May 6 – June 24
6:30 – 9 p.m.
and
2 Saturdays:
April 16 and June 6
1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Small Flowering Trees
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
& Garden Design Certificate
7 Tuesdays:
May 12 – June 30
(no class May 26)
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Also includes Garden Walks. Meet at Visitor Center.
6 Saturdays:
May 16 – June 27
(no class May 30)
8 – 10 a.m.
Botany 2
Professional Gardener Level 2 and Certificate Garden Design Certificate
6 Mondays & 6 Wednesdays:
June 1 – July 8
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Botany 1
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate, and Garden Design Certificate
5 Tuesdays & 5 Thursdays:
June 2 – July 2
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Gardening Techniques | Session D
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
6 Sundays:
June 7 – July 26
(no class June 28 or July 4)
9 a.m. – noon
Plant Health 2
Professional Gardener Level 2 and Garden Design Certificate
6 Mondays & 6 Wednesdays:
July 13 – August 19
6 – 8 p.m.
Rain date: August 24, 2026
Ground Covers and Vines
Certificate Ornamental Plant Materials
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 1
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 2
and Certificate Garden Design
7 Tuesdays:
July 14 – August 25
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and
Also includes Garden Walks, meet at Visitor Center.
6 Saturdays:
July 18 – August 22
8 – 10 a.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)
Garden Design
Certificate
Soil Basics
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
6 Thursdays:
April 16 – May 21
6:30 – 9 p.m. and
Saturday:
May 9
1 – 4 p.m.
Principles of Garden Design
Professional Gardener Level 2 and
Garden Design Certificate
8 Wednesdays:
May 6 – June 24
6:30 – 9 p.m.
and
2 Saturdays:
April 16 and June 6
1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Landscape Graphics Studio Workshop
Garden Design Certificate
3 Thursdays:
May 7 – May 21
6 – 8 p.m.
Small Flowering Trees
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
& Garden Design Certificate
7 Tuesdays:
May 12 – June 30
(no class May 26)
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Also includes Garden Walks. Meet at Visitor Center.
6 Saturdays:
May 16 – June 27
(no class May 30)
8 – 10 a.m.
Botany 2
Professional Gardener Level 2 and Certificate Garden Design Certificate
6 Mondays & 6 Wednesdays:
June 1 – July 8
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Botany 1
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate, and Garden Design Certificate
5 Tuesdays & 5 Thursdays:
June 2 – July 2
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Gardening Techniques | Session D
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
6 Sundays:
June 7 – July 26
(no class June 28 or July 4)
9 a.m. – noon
Plant Health 2
Professional Gardener Level 2 and Garden Design Certificate
6 Mondays & 6 Wednesdays:
July 13 – August 19
6 – 8 p.m.
Rain date: August 24, 2026
Ground Covers and Vines
Certificate Ornamental Plant Materials
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 1
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 2
and Certificate Garden Design
7 Tuesdays:
July 14 – August 25
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and
Also includes Garden Walks, meet at Visitor Center.
6 Saturdays:
July 18 – August 22
8 – 10 a.m.
Harmonizing Design and Plant Selection
Garden Design Certificate
2 Thursdays:
July 16 – 23
6 – 8 p.m.
Perennial Bed Design for Sun | Online
Garden Design Certificate
Saturday, July 25
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Perennial Bed Design for Shade | Online
Garden Design Certificate
Saturday, August 1
11 a.m. – 1 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.