Upcoming Events

Think the growing season ends with summer? Think again! Fall is one of the best times to grow fresh, delicious edibles in the Bay Area. In this class, our resident expert, Teresa we’ll guide you through the best cool-season crops to plant—from leafy greens and root veggies to herbs and more. You’ll learn when and how to plant, how to prep your soil, and what’s needed to keep your fall garden thriving through the cooler months. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned grower, this class will help you grow a garden that's both productive and tasty.

Want fall color that looks great now and keeps going? Learn when to choose perennials for long-term structure and when to add annuals for instant pop with Jacob, our resident expert. We’ll compare cost, longevity, care, and water needs; map sun vs. shade choices; and show simple design tricks to mix both for nonstop color through fall and into winter.You’ll see side-by-side plant demos, “backbone + pops” recipes, and a quick refresh plan for swapping seasonal color without redoing whole beds. Leave with a planting plan, a region-ready shopping list, and confidence to refresh your yard this week.

What we’ll cover

• Perennial vs. annual: value, bloom time, and maintenance
• Sun/shade palettes and spacing that actually last
• Water-wise care and easy seasonal swaps

Join our 60-minute class to explore transforming your garden into a haven that attracts, supports, and provides a secure habitat for local birds. Discover the art of plant selection, strategically placed feeders, and the beautiful science behind it. Learn to harmonize nature and design, creating a nurturing space for feathered friends.

Join us for a fascinating hour with guest speaker Susan, an expert on monarch butterflies. During the hour, Susan will take you on a captivating journey into the world of butterflies—revealing how they find their way to your garden, and what you can do to attract them. She brings a unique expertise to this topic, with novel information that is genuinely helpful for gardeners to feed local butterflies and their larvae. Beyond the journey, you’ll also gain practical insights and tips you can put into action right away, making your garden a welcoming stop for monarchs and other pollinators. Whether you’re new to butterfly gardening or already passionate about supporting these essential creatures, this class offers inspiration and guidance you won’t want to miss.

Susan Dunlap has served as CEO since Aerulean's inception in 2004. She created the intellectual property now serving as the basis for Aerulean and Monarch Habitats, Inc. A recently published paper: Three-fold Quantum Leap in Butterfly Nectar Knowledge: A Comprehensive Study Revolutionizing Conservation Strategies addresses a critical gap in butterfly conservation -- the lack of comprehensive data on nectar plants preferred by US butterflies. The paper was based on her novel curation of 15,000+ nectar plants correlated with extant US adult butterflies. That analysis has been expanded to include her curation of over 275,000 monarch images and continues to grow.

Looking to add a touch of mystery to your garden? Join us for our Goth Gardening class, where we’ll showcase plants with deep, dark foliage and hauntingly beautiful blooms. You’ll discover how to design striking planters and landscapes by pairing dramatic, almost-black plants with lighter accents for bold contrast. These moody, elegant selections bring year-round intrigue while also adding a perfectly spooky vibe for the season.

Join Teresa as she shares expert tips on what to plant—and when—for success in Bay Area gardens. Discover the best choices for each season, from vibrant flowers and hardy shrubs to tasty edibles, and learn how to create a planting plan that keeps your garden thriving year-round. Whether you’re refreshing your beds or starting new projects, this class will help you choose the right plants at the right time for lasting beauty and harvests.

Discover the timeless Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, which celebrates the imperfect, the rustic, and the natural. In this class, you’ll learn how to design gardens that embrace weathered textures, asymmetry, and seasonal change to create peaceful spaces full of quiet charm. Explore plant choices, natural materials, and design techniques that highlight simplicity and authenticity—reminding us that true beauty is found in the imperfect and impermanent.

Native plants are easier than you think—and gorgeous beyond spring. Join Vicki & Sean as they bust common myths (“they only bloom in spring,” “they’re hard to grow,” “native gardens look weedy”) and show simple, proven ways to succeed in Bay Area yards.Learn how to match plants to sun, soil, and water, the low-stress way to establish natives, and the design tricks that keep plantings tidy and intentional—evergreen structure, massing, repetition, and mulch.

Attendees learn to:

· Choose foolproof natives for sun/shade

· Establish with the right watering rhythm

· Design natives that look curated, not weedy

· Keep color going year-round

Steep your garden into your daily ritual. In this demo-style class, learn how to grow, harvest, dry, and brew soothing herbs—lemon balm, chamomile, mint and more—in beds or containers. We’ll cover light and water needs, the right soil and pots, organic pest control, and how to keep flavors strong through fall. See simple layouts for a small “tea patch,” climate-smart choices for sun vs. shade, and tips for succession planting so you always have fresh leaves to pick.

We’ll walk through harvest timing, quick drying and storage, and share easy blend ideas (think Calm Evening, Mint & Lemon Lift, Tummy Soother). You’ll leave with a planting plan, a brew-and-blend guide, and a shopping list tailored to what’s in stock.Educational only; not medical advice.

Join us for a fascinating hour with guest speaker Susan, an expert on monarch butterflies. During the hour, Susan will take you on a captivating journey into the world of butterflies—revealing how they find their way to your garden, and what you can do to attract them. She brings a unique expertise to this topic, with novel information that is genuinely helpful for gardeners to feed local butterflies and their larvae. Beyond the journey, you’ll also gain practical insights and tips you can put into action right away, making your garden a welcoming stop for monarchs and other pollinators. Whether you’re new to butterfly gardening or already passionate about supporting these essential creatures, this class offers inspiration and guidance you won’t want to miss.

Susan Dunlap has served as CEO since Aerulean's inception in 2004. She created the intellectual property now serving as the basis for Aerulean and Monarch Habitats, Inc. A recently published paper: Three-fold Quantum Leap in Butterfly Nectar Knowledge: A Comprehensive Study Revolutionizing Conservation Strategies addresses a critical gap in butterfly conservation -- the lack of comprehensive data on nectar plants preferred by US butterflies. The paper was based on her novel curation of 15,000+ nectar plants correlated with extant US adult butterflies. That analysis has been expanded to include her curation of over 275,000 monarch images and continues to grow.

Join guest expert and author Ed Lavio as he shares the principles of Backyard Orchard Culture and the art of high-density planting. Discover how to grow more fruit in less space by planting multiple trees close together, extending your harvest season, and keeping your orchard easy to manage. Whether you have a large yard or a small garden, Ed will guide you through practical techniques for pruning, spacing, and care to help you enjoy a diverse, abundant harvest right at home.

Think the growing season ends with summer? Think again! Fall is one of the best times to grow fresh, delicious edibles in the Bay Area. In this class, we’ll guide you through the best cool-season crops to plant—from leafy greens and root veggies to herbs and more. You’ll learn when and how to plant, how to prep your soil, and what’s needed to keep your fall garden thriving through the cooler months. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned grower, this class will help you grow a garden that's both productive and tasty.

Create a landscape that glows from September through winter. In this demo-style class, we’ll show you how to layer trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, and annuals for nonstop color—plus how to build palettes (gold, burgundy, copper, and berry tones), match plants to sun vs. shade, and keep everything low-water and low-maintenance.We’ll spotlight region-ready favorites and give you simple care tips, a planting plan, and a take-home shopping list so you can refresh beds, borders, and entryways the same day.

Plant now, bloom later! Join us this fall to discover how planting bulbs today sets the stage for a breathtaking garden next spring. Learn which bulbs thrive in Bay Area gardens, the best planting techniques, and creative ways to mix and match tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and more. With a little preparation this season, your spring garden will burst into vibrant color and stunning displays.

What You'll Learn:

- Selecting the right bulbs for your garden, including tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and more.

- Proper planting techniques, soil preparation, and spacing for optimal growth.

- Seasonal care and maintenance to ensure healthy, vibrant blooms.

- Creative bulb combinations and design ideas for stunning spring displays.

Bring fragrance to every corner of your garden! In this class, you’ll discover a variety of perennials, shrubs, and container-friendly plants chosen for their captivating scents. From sweet floral notes to refreshing herbal aromas, we’ll guide you through the best options for Bay Area gardens, large or small. Learn the specific growing needs—sunlight, soil, and water—that will help your scented selections thrive, and explore design ideas for filling beds, borders, or patios with irresistible fragrance.

Join our 60-minute class to explore transforming your garden into a haven that attracts, supports, and provides a secure habitat for local birds. Discover the art of plant selection, strategically placed feeders, and the beautiful science behind it. Learn to harmonize nature and design, creating a nurturing space for feathered friends. 

Think the growing season ends with summer? Think again! Fall is one of the best times to grow fresh, delicious edibles in the Bay Area. In this class, we’ll guide you through the best cool-season crops to plant—from leafy greens and root veggies to herbs and more. You’ll learn when and how to plant, how to prep your soil, and what’s needed to keep your fall garden thriving through the cooler months. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned grower, this class will help you grow a garden that's both productive and tasty.

Give your garden a seasonal twist with plants that bring bold drama and rich, dark foliage. In this class, we’ll show you how to design striking combinations using deep-toned plants paired with lighter accents for contrast. Perfect for creating an elegant, moody look that shines in fall planters and beyond.

Plant now, bloom later! Join us this fall to discover how planting bulbs today sets the stage for a breathtaking garden next spring. Learn which bulbs thrive in Bay Area gardens, the best planting techniques, and creative ways to mix and match tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and more. With a little preparation this season, your spring garden will burst into vibrant color and stunning displays.

What You'll Learn:

- Selecting the right bulbs for your garden, including tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and more.

- Proper planting techniques, soil preparation, and spacing for optimal growth.

- Seasonal care and maintenance to ensure healthy, vibrant blooms.

- Creative bulb combinations and design ideas for stunning spring displays.

Create fall containers that look lush now and keep shining through the season. In this demo-style class, we’ll show you how to design like a pro using the thriller–filler–spiller method, pick the right pot and soil, and build color stories with rich autumn tones and bold textures. Learn how to choose plants for sun vs. shade, what to pair for longevity, and simple care tips to keep containers show-ready (watering, feeding, and quick refreshes).We’ll share ready-made recipes using the stunning plants in stock and offer swap ideas for different microclimates. You’ll leave with a planting plan, a shopping list, and the confidence to style your own containers the same day.

Attendees learn to:

• Design with proportion, color, texture, and height
• Pick the right pot, soil, and drainage
• Build sun and shade combos that last
• Care for containers through fall (fertilizer & watering rhythm)

Refresh with seasonal swaps

Join our 60-minute class to explore transforming your garden into a haven that attracts, supports, and provides a secure habitat for local birds. Discover the art of plant selection, strategically placed feeders, and the beautiful science behind it. Learn to harmonize nature and design, creating a nurturing space for feathered friends.

Join us for a fascinating hour with guest speaker Susan, an expert on monarch butterflies. During the hour, Susan will take you on a captivating journey into the world of butterflies—revealing how they find their way to your garden, and what you can do to attract them. She brings a unique expertise to this topic, with novel information that is genuinely helpful for gardeners to feed local butterflies and their larvae. Beyond the journey, you’ll also gain practical insights and tips you can put into action right away, making your garden a welcoming stop for monarchs and other pollinators. Whether you’re new to butterfly gardening or already passionate about supporting these essential creatures, this class offers inspiration and guidance you won’t want to miss.

Susan Dunlap has served as CEO since Aerulean's inception in 2004. She created the intellectual property now serving as the basis for Aerulean and Monarch Habitats, Inc. A recently published paper: Three-fold Quantum Leap in Butterfly Nectar Knowledge: A Comprehensive Study Revolutionizing Conservation Strategies addresses a critical gap in butterfly conservation -- the lack of comprehensive data on nectar plants preferred by US butterflies. The paper was based on her novel curation of 15,000+ nectar plants correlated with extant US adult butterflies. That analysis has been expanded to include her curation of over 275,000 monarch images and continues to grow.

Curious about the art of bonsai but not sure where to begin? This beginner-friendly class offers a guided introduction to the history, principles, and techniques behind this timeless horticultural tradition. You’ll learn what makes a potted plant a bonsai, how to choose the right plant, basic styling methods like “clip and grow” vs. wiring, and essential tools and care practices. Whether you're looking to start your first bonsai or simply want to understand the craft, this class will help you appreciate the beauty—patience—and the art of Bonsai.

Plant now, bloom later! Join us this fall to discover how planting bulbs today sets the stage for a breathtaking garden next spring. Learn which bulbs thrive in Bay Area gardens, the best planting techniques, and creative ways to mix and match tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and more. With a little preparation this season, your spring garden will burst into vibrant color and stunning displays.

What You'll Learn:

- Selecting the right bulbs for your garden, including tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and more.

- Proper planting techniques, soil preparation, and spacing for optimal growth.

- Seasonal care and maintenance to ensure healthy, vibrant blooms.

- Creative bulb combinations and design ideas for stunning spring displays.