August 2023 Adult Programming
Looking for fun, educational, and flavorful summer activities? The Botanical Garden offers a variety of educational classes for many interests! Check out our August programming below.
Prairie Hike | Tuesday, August 1, 5:45-6:45 p.m.
Take a hike through Iowa’s natural heritage on this prairie hike at Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge. Join Botanical Garden staff as we travel through time and explore the wide-open prairie. Take in the sights, sounds, and scents of plant and animal life on the open plains. The hike will occur on a paved path.
Sip and Stroll | Wednesday, August 2, 5:30-6:30 p.m. or 7-8 p.m.
Celebrate the season with a glass of wine and a walk through the Botanical Garden. Learn about what is in bloom, what is coming soon, and timely updates from our director of horticulture, Aaron Harpold. All participants must be at least 21 years of age.
Dance in the Garden
Thursday, August 3 | Salsa with Mambo Soul Dance Company
Thursday, August 31 | Country Swing with Des Moines Ballroom
Join us for a captivating dance experience amidst the enchanting splendor of the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden! Discover the perfect harmony of nature and movement as we present a delightful dance class like no other. After the class, immerse yourself in the rhythms and melodies of a live band, playing music complementing the style of dance you just learned.
Talented instructors from Des Moines Ballroom or Mambo Soul Dance Company will guide you through a range of dance styles, from the spirited swing to the energetic salsa, ensuring that both beginners and seasoned dancers can participate and enjoy.
Succulent Dish Gardens | Thursday, August 3, 5:30-7 p.m.
Explore plants of the desert ecosystem, then plant and decorate your own succulent garden to take home. Learn how to safely plant and care for succulents along with all the growing tips and tricks you need. Enjoy complimentary admission to Music in the Garden after the class!
Preserve the Taste of Summer | Tuesday, August 8, 5:30-7 p.m.
Love fresh garden produce but have more than you can eat? Preserve it! Preserving garden produce is not difficult, but you do need to follow safe methods. Learn how to can, freeze, and dry foods safely at home in this introductory course.
Charcuterie 101 | Thursday, August 10, 5:30-7 p.m.
Join us for a fun, tasty workshop, led by Boards by Heidi, to learn the tips and tricks to make your own beautiful charcuterie boards! All ingredients and materials will be provided for everyone’s board including samples of wine to enjoy while arranging your charcuterie board. We will cut, style, and arrange the cheese, meats, and accompaniments on the charcuterie board. Enjoy complimentary admission to Music in the Garden after the class!
This program is full.
Julian Tsai Bonsai Demonstration | Saturday, August 12, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., 12:30-2:30 p.m., and 2:30-4:30 p.m.
In partnership with the Iowa Bonsai Association, we bring you a fascinating day of demonstrations with Julian Tsai, a Southern California-based bonsai artist who trained at Fujikawa Kouka-en in Japan. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or bonsai-curious, this event is designed to educate and inspire on the art of bonsai design. Multiple demonstrations will take place throughout the day.
Included with admission
All About Air Plants | Tuesday, August 15, 5:30-7 p.m.
Dive into the exciting world of air plants with Horticulturist Laura Pence and learn the skills required to successfully care for them. Participants receive three or more air plants and create their own display to showcase them at home.
Sip and Stroll | Wednesday, August 16, 5:30-6:30 p.m. or 7-8 p.m.
Celebrate the season with a glass of wine and a walk through the Botanical Garden. Learn about what is in bloom, what is coming soon, and timely updates from our director of horticulture, Aaron Harpold. All participants must be at least 21 years of age.
This class is cancelled. Find more Sip and Strolls here.
Botanical Watercolor | Thursday, August 17, 5:30-7 p.m.
Explore essential techniques used in traditional botanical watercolor painting. Learn about the different brushes, paper, and paints and how to properly load a brush with color for flat washes, graded washes, and dry brush techniques. Then, choose a plant to transfer and paint a copy of it.
Macramé Plant Hangers | Thursday, August 24, 5:30-7 p.m.
Plant hangers are a unique and fun way to display your houseplants at home! Join Macramé by Jess in this introductory course and design your own one–of–a–kind macramé plant hanger using your choice of white, black, mint, or wine-colored cord. Then take home a 4-inch terra cotta pot and plant to display in your plant hanger! Enjoy complimentary admission to Music in the Garden after the class.
This program is canceled.
Air Plant Sculpture | Thursday, August 24, 6–7 p.m.
Learn more about these easy-to-care-for plants and create an artful sculpture to take home and display your new air plant! Take a quick break from Music in the Garden to create your air plant sculpture. This self-guided drop-in style activity allows you to work at your own pace. Walk-up registration only. Available while supplies last.
Toast to Terrariums | Tuesday, August 29, 5:30-7 p.m.
Enjoy a glass of wine while learning to design and care for terrariums, then build your own in this hands-on workshop. All materials are provided—just bring your creativity. All participants must be at least 21 years of age.
