Sometimes you have to get your hands dirty to come up with something pretty. For the remainder of August and into September, there are a variety of floral- and garden-themed events and workshops where you can do just that in some pretty creative ways.
Child- and Young-Adult Focused
Green Spring Gardens teaches those aged 16 and up floral design in their end-of-summer workshop. Certified floral designer Betty Ann Galway instructs on how to create a summer arrangement, offering design ideas and tips for the proper handling of flowers. The event takes place on August 14 at 1 p.m. Supplies are provided and the fee is $39. Pre-registration is required. 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria
Children’s Day at the Museum offers Colonial Gardens and Herbs to kids and their parents at Merchant Park. There will be a scavenger hunt where kids will learn about herbs, and then they’ll make their own herbal sachets to take home. The event takes place on August 21, from 1 to 3 p.m. RSVP is required. 3944 Cameron St., Dumfries
For Adults Who Want to Keep It Simple
A floral arranging class hosted by Ali Chrisler, founder of Blue Ribbon Floral, is being offered at Lost Boy Cider on September 1, from 6 to 7 p.m. You will learn the basics of flower care and floral design. Cost includes the price of a pint of cider, and you’ll leave with a bouquet. Pre-registration is required. 317 Hoofs Run Dr., Alexandria
If you want to take basic floral design to the next level, Design Days at Metro Flower Market is offering Arranging in Glass, focusing on the art of lacing. This first installment in the series explores lacing, arranging flowers close together to cover a specific area in the vase or container. The event takes place on August 22, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required. 4151 Lafayette Center Dr., Ste. 110, Chantilly
Floral Design, Minus the Flowers
The Crystallized Flower Workshop offered by Green Spring Gardens explores the Victorian art of crystallizing flowers. You will learn how to sugarcoat edible flowers and blooms to fancy up your homemade desserts by using tips you learn at the class as you enjoy refreshments. The event takes place on August 28 at 10 a.m. The cost is $32 and pre-registration is required. 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria
Dimensional Flowers with Mimi Dietrich is a two-part class where quilters learn how to create large, gathered flowers using ruching techniques. The flowers will be samples you can use later in applique or existing patterns. The event takes place at the Virginia Quilters Museum, part one on September 18, and part two on September 25, with both starting at 1 p.m. Tickets are $65 and pre-registration is required. 301 S. Main St., Harrisonburg
Garden Variety Events
Challenges of the Summer Garden is a Zoom presentation offered by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia through the Agricultural Natural Resource Extension. This virtual event explores quandaries common to gardeners like bark scale (sack-sucking insects), and offers best practices for garden management, minimum watering guidelines, and pruning. The event takes place on August 20, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Pre-registration is required.
Sundays, starting September 5, you can catch Music in the Gardens at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. Enjoy a different ensemble from the Virginia Chamber Orchestra as they play in front of the Korean Bell Pavilion, to kick off this live music series running through September 26. Event takes place from 3 to 4 p.m. weekly. The cost is $3 to $6, depending on age, and members enter free. 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct., Vienna
Feature image courtesy NOVA Parks
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