Beginning Botany — Learn the Plant Families Every Virginian Should Know!

Curious about the plants you see every day? This engaging introductory course makes botany accessible, practical, and fun. Join the Garden’s Vice President of Horticulture, Danny Cox, as you explore the ten most common plant families in Virginia—and learn how to recognize them anywhere you go. You’ll build the foundational skills that botanists use daily: essential terminology, naming conventions, and the pattern recognition techniques that make plant ID quicker and more intuitive. Through a blend of lecture, herbarium exploration, and a guided garden walk, you’ll gain real world experience identifying plant families in the field. Bonus Experience: After class, participants are invited to stay and enjoy live music during the Garden’s popular Flowers After 5 event—making this not just a course, but an enjoyable evening out at the Garden. Perfect for home gardeners, nature lovers, and anyone wanting to build confidence in plant identification. Reserve your spot today!
Fees: Member $27, Non-Member $34
All programs are subject to change. Pre-registration through our website is required.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden strives to be a Garden for all and we are committed to offering diverse adult learning opportunities that are inclusive and accessible to all learners. If you would like to request an accommodation to support your participation in an adult learning opportunity at the Garden, please contact registrar@lewisginter.org or call 804-262-9887 x328 and we will make our best effort to help.