Ferns and Their Allies

Dog Days of SummerRegister Here$30 Non-Member / $24 Member Ferns and their relatives were once the dominant land plants on Earth and they still form important components of ecosystems around the world.  In this class we explore the diversity and natural history of fern......More

Dog Days of SummerRegister Here$30 Non-Member / $24 Member Ferns and their relatives were once the dominant land plants on Earth and they still form important components of ecosystems around the world.  In this class we explore the diversity and natural history of ferns, horsetails, and other plants known collectively as pteridophytes. Instructor Jeff BabsonJeff Babson is an all-around naturalist, with particular interest in birds, butterflies, moths, beetles and dragonflies. Owner of Sky Island Tours, an environmental education and eco-tour company, Jeff has led birding tours for the Tucson Botanical Gardens, Pima County Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and several birding festivals in southern Arizona (Wings over Willcox, Southwest Wings, Tucson Birding and Nature Festival). He lives in Vail with his wife and two children. Refund & Cancellation PolicyNo refund will be issued less than 15 days prior to any Community Class. A $10 cancellation fee will be applied to all refunds. No refunds will be issued for special events. We reserve the right to cancel Community Classes due to insufficient registration, garden closure, or inclement weather, in which case, participants will receive a full refund. People with disabilities should make requests for accommodation as early as possible to allow time to make appropriate arrangements. Upcoming ClassesSpecial Go Public Gardens DayMay 17 @ 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Horticultural Therapy, Special Caring for Caregivers: Pressed Flower PoetryJune 13 @ 8:30 am – 10:30 am Special Closing Reception: Walking with KingsJune 28 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

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Essential Oils for Summertime

Dog Days of SummerRegister Here$36 Non-Member / $29 Member Capacity 18 From bug repellant to cooling sprays to sunburn, we’ll explore the top essential oils and tried and true recipes for the summer season. Each participant will make a project of their own to take home ......More

Dog Days of SummerRegister Here$36 Non-Member / $29 Member Capacity 18 From bug repellant to cooling sprays to sunburn, we’ll explore the top essential oils and tried and true recipes for the summer season. Each participant will make a project of their own to take home and use.  Presented by certified aromatherapist Kerry Cummins of Catalina Aromatherapy. Instructor Kerry CumminsKerry is a holistic skincare therapist, energy expert, and sound healing practitioner with more than 30 years of experience. She is passionate about helping people feel more beautiful in their skin, better in their bodies, and guiding them to tap into their inner wisdom. As a certified aromatherapist, she enjoys creating natural herbal-based formulas that are effective, nourishing, and eco-conscious. Kerry is the owner of HiVibe Healing Arts in Tucson, Arizona, where she offers services, workshops, and sound baths.  Contact Kerry at (520) 448-1060 or [email protected]. Refund & Cancellation PolicyNo refund will be issued less than 15 days prior to any Community Class. A $10 cancellation fee will be applied to all refunds. No refunds will be issued for special events. We reserve the right to cancel Community Classes due to insufficient registration, garden closure, or inclement weather, in which case, participants will receive a full refund. People with disabilities should make requests for accommodation as early as possible to allow time to make appropriate arrangements. Upcoming ClassesSpecial Go Public Gardens DayMay 17 @ 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Horticultural Therapy, Special Caring for Caregivers: Pressed Flower PoetryJune 13 @ 8:30 am – 10:30 am Special Closing Reception: Walking with KingsJune 28 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Porter Hall

The Art of Ikebana: Ping Wei Workshop

Dog Days of SummerRegister Here$115 SACA Members / $135 non-members Registration is through SACA Welcome to our second workshop with Ping Wei! Bring the pieces made in our first workshop, or any appropriate vessels, and learn how to create your own beautiful ikebana arr......More

Dog Days of SummerRegister Here$115 SACA Members / $135 non-members Registration is through SACA Welcome to our second workshop with Ping Wei! Bring the pieces made in our first workshop, or any appropriate vessels, and learn how to create your own beautiful ikebana arrangements!  We recommend that participants bring a low-walled basin (suiban )with a metal-prong frog (kenzan) and a tall vessel (nageire-hanaire). Fresh flowers and natural materials will be provided by Master Wei.  Master Wei is ranked as a First Grade Komon, the highest teaching qualification in the Sogetsu School of Ikebana in Arizona, and has been teaching since 2001. He will give feedback about everyone’s pieces, so we’re sure to leave with something impressive, even if it’s our first time arranging flowers! Please direct questions to Alesha: events@southernarizonaclayartists Upcoming ClassesFamily Garden Story TimeMay 13 @ 10:00 am – 10:30 am Classes, Nature & Ecology Ferns and Their AlliesMay 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Wellness Essential Oils for SummertimeMay 16 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Workshop, Classes The Art of Ikebana: Ping Wei WorkshopMay 16 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Go Public Gardens Day

Dog Days of SummerFree Admission Enjoy FREE admission to the Gardens this Go Public Gardens Day! Come spend the day exploring nature Whether you’re a longtime TBG fan or a first-time visitor, Tucson Botanical Gardens will open to everyone in the community. The Garden G......More

Dog Days of SummerFree Admission Enjoy FREE admission to the Gardens this Go Public Gardens Day! Come spend the day exploring nature Whether you’re a longtime TBG fan or a first-time visitor, Tucson Botanical Gardens will open to everyone in the community. The Garden Gift Shop is having a pavilion sale! Find beautiful gifts and handmade local items at steep discounts. Stop by the SAHBA Pavilion when you visit for Go Public Gardens Day. Upcoming ClassesFamily Garden Story TimeMay 13 @ 10:00 am – 10:30 am Classes, Nature & Ecology Ferns and Their AlliesMay 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Wellness Essential Oils for SummertimeMay 16 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Workshop, Classes The Art of Ikebana: Ping Wei WorkshopMay 16 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Container Gardening with Less Water and Worry: Smarter Pots for Desert Heat

Dog Days of SummerRegister Here$36 Non-Member / $29 Member Water is precious, and summers are long. In this new class, learn how to build water-wise container gardens that stay healthy with far less attention. Marylee covers pot types, soil mixes, irrigation options, w......More

Dog Days of SummerRegister Here$36 Non-Member / $29 Member Water is precious, and summers are long. In this new class, learn how to build water-wise container gardens that stay healthy with far less attention. Marylee covers pot types, soil mixes, irrigation options, water-holding strategies, and wise plant choices that significantly reduce both water use and stress. Ideal for eco-minded gardeners, travelers, or anyone wanting stunning pots with fewer worries during extreme heat. Instructor Marylee PangmanMarylee Pangman founded The Contained Gardener in 1998 as a niche business in the desert community of Tucson, Arizona.  Since then, Marylee has been compelled to share all that she has learned about container gardening over 3 decades of blistering summers and record breaking winters. Marylee sees container gardening as a way to have an oasis garden while conserving water as the demands of pots are far less than heavily planted areas and beds. You can find Marylee’s books, Getting Potted in the Desert, and Riley’s Garden Oasis at the Garden Gift Shop. These two books are excellent resources for creating and caring for potted gardens, advice on container selection, plant lists and much more. https://thepotteddesert.com Refund & Cancellation PolicyNo refund will be issued less than 15 days prior to any Community Class. A $10 cancellation fee will be applied to all refunds. No refunds will be issued for special events. We reserve the right to cancel Community Classes due to insufficient registration, garden closure, or inclement weather, in which case, participants will receive a full refund. People with disabilities should make requests for accommodation as early as possible to allow time to make appropriate arrangements. Upcoming ClassesSpecial Go Public Gardens DayMay 17 @ 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Horticultural Therapy, Special Caring for Caregivers: Pressed Flower PoetryJune 13 @ 8:30 am – 10:30 am Special Closing Reception: Walking with KingsJune 28 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

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Garden Story Time

Dog Days of SummerGarden AdmissionThis event is free with Garden Admission Join us every Wednesday at 10 am in the Education Classroom for an interactive story session. This fun hour features nature-themed stories, songs, puppets, and sensory activities! Held rain or s......More

Dog Days of SummerGarden AdmissionThis event is free with Garden Admission Join us every Wednesday at 10 am in the Education Classroom for an interactive story session. This fun hour features nature-themed stories, songs, puppets, and sensory activities! Held rain or shine. Kids of all ages welcome, but we are geared toward infants through 7-year-olds. Registration is not necessary. Free with Garden Admission. Upcoming ClassesFamily Garden Story TimeMay 13 @ 10:00 am – 10:30 am Classes, Nature & Ecology Ferns and Their AlliesMay 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Wellness Essential Oils for SummertimeMay 16 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Workshop, Classes The Art of Ikebana: Ping Wei WorkshopMay 16 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Education Building Classroom

Fused Glass Mosaic Painting: Ferns

Dog Days of SummerRegister Here$65 Non-Member / $52 Member Capacity 16 Paint a glass tile in the greens of ferns and enjoy greenery year ‘round.  Or paint them brightly and appreciate the joy of color.  All materials are provided by the artist.  Tiles are ready to hang ......More

Dog Days of SummerRegister Here$65 Non-Member / $52 Member Capacity 16 Paint a glass tile in the greens of ferns and enjoy greenery year ‘round.  Or paint them brightly and appreciate the joy of color.  All materials are provided by the artist.  Tiles are ready to hang when painting is finished.  Each tile is approximately 12” by 7”.  Instructor Dee TaubeI have always loved art, so while growing up I took all the art classes that were offered in school. I was drawn to art beyond being content to just appreciate it, but during my working career making time for art seemed a luxury to be put on hold for the future. Somehow I found jewelry making and fell in love with it. It enabled me to work with color, design, and texture, it was a great stress-reliever, an outlet for my creativity, and it nurtured my soul. When I became a member of an artists’ co-op in Colorado Springs, I was constantly admiring the work created by the glass artists there, and one day one of them offered to teach me how to fuse glass. I was hooked. Creating fused glass art has taught me to appreciate all art even more than I did before. It is always a learning experience. But when everything goes right, the end result brings me joy and nurtures my soul, as I always hope it will for those who see my art. Learning, enjoying and creating art is an ongoing journey. Each new piece guides its own design and helps me grow as an artist. I love it! Refund & Cancellation PolicyNo refund will be issued less than 15 days prior to any Community Class. A $10 cancellation fee will be applied to all refunds. No refunds will be issued for special events. We reserve the right to cancel Community Classes due to insufficient registration, garden closure, or inclement weather, in which case, participants will receive a full refund. People with disabilities should make requests for accommodation as early as possible to allow time to make appropriate arrangements. Upcoming ClassesSpecial Go Public Gardens DayMay 17 @ 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Horticultural Therapy, Special Caring for Caregivers: Pressed Flower PoetryJune 13 @ 8:30 am – 10:30 am Special Closing Reception: Walking with KingsJune 28 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Education Building Classroom

Orchids in Tucson 101

Dog Days of SummerRegister Here$30 Non-Member / $24 Member Capacity 18 Who hasn’t at one time or another bought or have been given an orchid in bloom, and once it has finished blooming wondered how to keep it alive and to rebloom? We will discuss and show the basics for......More

Dog Days of SummerRegister Here$30 Non-Member / $24 Member Capacity 18 Who hasn’t at one time or another bought or have been given an orchid in bloom, and once it has finished blooming wondered how to keep it alive and to rebloom? We will discuss and show the basics for orchid culture in the desert environment of Tucson. One can grow orchids in one’s home or a greenhouse, but regardless there are certain requirements for orchids to flourish in Tucson. We will show how to repot an orchid, potting materials, light, water and humidity requirements, and fertilizers necessary for your orchids to rebloom. There will be ample time for questions you might have. If you have an orchid that needs help, please bring it to the class and get advice from two seasoned Tucson orchid growers. Instructed by Members of Tucson Orchid Society Refund & Cancellation PolicyNo refund will be issued less than 15 days prior to any Community Class. A $10 cancellation fee will be applied to all refunds. No refunds will be issued for special events. We reserve the right to cancel Community Classes due to insufficient registration, garden closure, or inclement weather, in which case, participants will receive a full refund. People with disabilities should make requests for accommodation as early as possible to allow time to make appropriate arrangements. Upcoming ClassesSpecial Go Public Gardens DayMay 17 @ 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Horticultural Therapy, Special Caring for Caregivers: Pressed Flower PoetryJune 13 @ 8:30 am – 10:30 am Special Closing Reception: Walking with KingsJune 28 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Education Building Classroom

Garden Story Time

Dog Days of SummerGarden AdmissionThis event is free with Garden Admission Join us every Wednesday at 10 am in the Education Classroom for an interactive story session. This fun hour features nature-themed stories, songs, puppets, and sensory activities! Held rain or s......More

Dog Days of SummerGarden AdmissionThis event is free with Garden Admission Join us every Wednesday at 10 am in the Education Classroom for an interactive story session. This fun hour features nature-themed stories, songs, puppets, and sensory activities! Held rain or shine. Kids of all ages welcome, but we are geared toward infants through 7-year-olds. Registration is not necessary. Free with Garden Admission. Upcoming ClassesFamily Garden Story TimeMay 13 @ 10:00 am – 10:30 am Classes, Nature & Ecology Ferns and Their AlliesMay 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Wellness Essential Oils for SummertimeMay 16 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Workshop, Classes The Art of Ikebana: Ping Wei WorkshopMay 16 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Education Building Classroom

Dog Days of Summer

Dog Days of SummerGarden AdmissionDog Admission is $5 Dog Days of Summer returns June 1! Bring your furry friend along with you for morning garden walks and soak up the smells and sunshine! Enjoy breakfast or brunch with your pup when you stop by Edna’s Eatery for deli......More

Dog Days of SummerGarden AdmissionDog Admission is $5 Dog Days of Summer returns June 1! Bring your furry friend along with you for morning garden walks and soak up the smells and sunshine! Enjoy breakfast or brunch with your pup when you stop by Edna’s Eatery for delicious food and a special dog-friendly menu. All dogs receive a free treat upon entry! Make sure to stock up on more delicious dog treats in the Garden Gift Shop on your way home.Get a Dog Membership to enjoy unlimited summer walks! (available for purchase in-person only) Dog members receive a 2026 Dog Member tag, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers doggie bandana, and a Raising Cane’s lemonade coupon.$20 for one dog+$10 for additional dogs**limit 3 dogs per membership Good Pups of the Week Photo Submissions! When you bring your furry friend to visit during Dog Days of Summer, snap a pic and upload it here. Your pup could be featured on our ‘Good Pups of the Week’ social media pages and the welcome board at the Gardens! Submit Your PhotosSupport for our Summer Sips Water Bowls from Support for our Doggie Treats from Upcoming ClassesFamily Garden Story TimeMay 13 @ 10:00 am – 10:30 am Classes, Nature & Ecology Ferns and Their AlliesMay 15 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Classes, Wellness Essential Oils for SummertimeMay 16 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Workshop, Classes The Art of Ikebana: Ping Wei WorkshopMay 16 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm