Cultivating Knowledge and Passion: A Guide to NYBG Continuing Education Courses

The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) has long been a cornerstone of horticultural education. For over a century, the Continuing Education program at NYBG has provided a rich assortment of classes and hands-on programs. Whether you’re interested in floral design, landscape architecture, botany, or gardening, NYBG’s program offers the tools you need to thrive. The programs cater to a wide range of people from children and parents who want to grow their interest in the natural world to professionals looking to enhance their skills or change career paths.

A Century of Horticultural Education

NYBG is dedicated to education for everyone who shares a love of plants. The Continuing Education program has been a go-to resource for training in various fields for over a century. The institution also provides hands-on programs for kids to grow their interest in the natural world, learn about healthy eating, and connect with the environment.

Programs for Young Minds

NYBG offers a variety of programs designed to spark an interest in the natural world in children. Each year, thousands of kids, parents, and teachers discover the beauty and diversity of plants, their cultural significance throughout the world, and their importance to life on Earth. These programs aim to instill a love of nature and an understanding of the environment in the next generation.

School of Professional Horticulture

For over 90 years, NYBG’s School of Professional Horticulture has trained some of the world’s best plantspeople, blending top-tier academics with intensive hands-on horticultural training. This school is dedicated to providing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the field of horticulture.

Botanical Art and Illustration

Contemporary botanical art captures the beauty of the natural world with precision. NYBG offers an extraordinary program where instructors share their expertise. The Botanical Art & Illustration Certificate is a prestigious indicator of mastery and accomplishment. Required courses provide a solid foundation in scientifically accurate drawing based on observation and fine art techniques. Students enjoy access to the exceptional collection of botanical art in the Garden’s LuEsther T. Mertz Library.

Read also: Explore LaGuardia's Programs

Student Testimonials

"Studying for my Certificate in Botanical Illustration at NYBG was one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling challenges I’ve ever taken on. The instructors were wonderfully talented, inspiring, and generous. After working in various areas within the art world for more than 20 years, I feel like I’ve finally landed in the right spot."
"The NYBG Botanical Art & Illustration Program was highly intense and thoroughly rewarding, and drawing from the helpful and knowledgeable instructors."
"I’ve always loved drawing plants and the natural world but wanted some professional guidance before jumping into a career in art. The experienced and accomplished artists-instructors at NYBG have given me invaluable feedback and advice."

Course Offerings

NYBG offers a diverse range of courses to cater to different interests and skill levels. Here are some examples of the courses available:

Garden Design Principles

This class introduces basic garden design principles using the interplay of structural features, plant characteristics, and site assessment.

Broadleaved Evergreens

Become familiar with the cultural requirements, identifying features, and uses of native and non-native broadleaved evergreens, and incorporate them into both naturalistic and formal landscape settings.

Composting

Whether you live in a house with a backyard or an apartment with no access to green space, you can compost!

Lichens

Lichens are among the most unique, resilient organisms on Earth-and among the least understood.

Environmentally Friendly Gardening

Explore the basics of successful, environmentally friendly gardening. Topics include soils and their improvement, seed sowing, vegetative propagation, planting, pruning, watering, weeding, mulching, and disease and pest control.

Plant Groups

This user-friendly intro course surveys the major plant groups-flowering plants, conifers, ferns, and bryophytes-focusing on their form and structure.

Pruning Techniques

Learn the essential pruning techniques for woody plants used by NYBG experts.

Landscape Design Software

Learn the various tools and applications of this software package for landscape designers. Topics include: developing base plans from surveys, techniques for quick estimates, and utilizing the online plant database.

Landscape Maintenance

This course is designed for horticulturists who are responsible for maintaining outdoor landscapes. Examine sustainable techniques for managing and maintaining commercial and residential landscapes.

Floral Arrangements

Create your own professional-looking arrangements with economical, store-bought bouquets. Full, lavish arrangements to enhance entrance halls, ballrooms, parties, and hotels are always in demand. Learn the mechanics behind how these dramatic arrangements are designed and constructed.

Graphics for Landscape Design

Graphics are essential in developing and communicating your ideas. Practice various graphic techniques on a range of materials and equipment and learn how to organize and render landscape plans on paper for optimal presentation to clients.

Plant Propagation

Learn principles and techniques of plant propagation by seed and cuttings.

Botanical Drawing

Apply your understanding of contours, perspective, and tone to drawing three distinct types of flowers. The object is to accurately draw a fully toned flowering plant. Designed for both inexperienced students and those who wish to improve their skills, this class will allow you to work at your own pace on a variety of pieces. Accurate observation translates into sensitive, realistic drawings and is an essential skill for botanical artists.

Flowering Bulbs

This course is designed for horticulturists, gardeners, or designers who want to learn to identify and classify familiar and unusual spring-, summer-, and autumn-flowering bulbs.

Licensing and Accreditation

The School of Horticulture and Landscape Design-which includes Horticulture and Landscape Design-is licensed with the New York State Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (BPSS), a division of the New York State Department of Education. Students of Licensed Private Schools in the State of New York have the right to file a complaint with the New York State Education Department if they believe that the School or anyone representing the School has acted unlawfully.

Additional Resources and Events

LuEsther T. Mertz Library

The LuEsther T. Mertz Library offers access to hundreds of thousands of books and centuries of knowledge.

Lectures, Conferences, and Panels

Each year, you’re invited to dig into a diverse calendar of NYBG lectures, conferences, and panels that welcome the world’s top plantspeople, scientists, artists, and designers-and spotlight up-and-coming talents making waves in their industries.

The Orchid Show

The Orchid Show is an annual event. Step into a breathtaking fusion of nature and cityscape artistry.

Welikia Project

The Welikia Project aims to illuminate the rich ecological history that underwrites the development of New York City, drawing awareness to how drastically our own neighborhoods have changed over time, and suggesting possible alternative futures.

Member Benefits

Members get more of what makes NYBG great!

Flexible Learning Options

Become a part of our welcoming community of nature enthusiasts as you explore classes entirely online; join us for a course in person, right here at the Garden; or find a mix of virtual and on-site education that offers the best of both worlds. Whatever your plant passion, NYBG Continuing Education has courses and formats that work for your schedule! Explore everything from one-day workshops on botanical illustration to multi-week classes that give you the in-depth training you need to establish your foundation in gardening, horticulture, botany, and so much more.

Certificate Programs

Take your love of plants to the next level. Our comprehensive certificate programs are designed by experts and honed to deliver the necessary skills to pursue a new career path or enhance your current portfolio.

Online, Self-Paced Courses

Looking to take a class on your own time, whenever your schedule allows? With our online, self-paced courses, you can hone your skills in a variety of disciplines.

Inspiring Testimonials

"The NYBG Botany and Horticulture programs gave me the opportunity to develop my knowledge in plant science, and explore a variety of fields and practices. My decision to enroll at NYBG has been nothing short of life changing; what began as an impulse to pursue my passion for plants quickly blossomed into a deeply rewarding new career path. The structured curriculum, the time frame, and the quality of experienced industry instructors were all key reasons I chose the NYBG program."
"The skills and confidence I gained really helped me discover and better define my creative style as a floral designer."
"I wanted a plant-based outlet for the creativity I’ve developed over 25 years as a physical therapist and professional writer-and at NYBG I found the perfect place and program."
"I came to NYBG as a Summer Intensive Landscape Design student to see if I wanted to pursue a career in the field. From the first day, I knew I’d made the right decision. The teachers-landscape architects, historians, head horticulturalists-were experienced and encouraging, and the work was challenging."

tags: #nybg #continuing #education #courses