We didn’t forget about the grown-ups at Riverbanks! Get to know the Botanical Garden, learn new gardening techniques, or invite us to visit your community with one of our Adult Programs.
Garden Workshops
Hands-on workshops and classes for those with a love for learning to dig up fascinating facts about native and exotic plant life at Riverbanks and beyond. Expert horticulturists engage participants with hands-on workshops and demonstrations.
Scheduled Programs
Painting with a Purpose
Express your creativity through a guided painting session highlighting our conservation efforts for native pollinators. Everyone will receive a blank canvas and all the supplies needed to create a unique painting featuring local plants and pollinators while following the instructor's step-by-step guidance.
Thursday, September 24
6:00–8:00pm
Conservation Learning Center.
$40 per person.
Bonsai 101
Join the Riverbanks Botanical Garden for a hands-on Bonsai 101 workshop. This event is suitable for anyone interested in dabbling in the art of Bonsai cultivation. This workshop will be led by Kyle Purvis, owner/operator of HoneyHill Bonsai Growers nursery near Charleston, SC, where he collects, field-grows, and develops bonsai material suitable for southeastern bonsai. Each participant will receive a tree specifically selected for bonsai training, a suitable training pot, soil, a water sensor and instruction to create a beautiful bonsai tree. During the workshop, participants will be guided through the initial potting and styling of their tree, including future training strategies.
Saturday, October 3
10:00am–1:00pm
$70 Riverbanks members; $80 general public.
Longleaf Pine Ornament Workshop
Join Catawba artist, Teresa Dunlap, for a hands-on basketry workshop that will connect you to local, natural materials. Participants will learn to work with pine needles, and each participant will receive the supplies to create an ornament using hand-stitching and coiling techniques.
Saturday, November 7
10:00am–1:00pm
$50 Riverbanks members; $60 general public.
Holiday Wreath Workshop
Create a unique, personalized wreath using freshly cut greenery from Riverbanks’ campus to decorate your door or table. Everyone will get a grapevine wreath base, a variety of greenery, and a large selection of other natural materials to adorn the wreath.
Saturday, December 12
10:00am or 1:00pm
$45 Riverbanks members; $55 general public.
Sweetgrass Basket Weaving
The Gullah tradition of weaving baskets from strong but supple marsh grass in the Lowcountry is one of the nation’s oldest and most beautiful handicrafts of African origin. Participants will create a small sweetgrass basket in the traditional style during this hands-on workshop with Mary Graham-Grant.
Saturday, January 23
10:00am–2:00pm
$75 Riverbanks members; $85 general public.
Program Details
- Cost :
- Varies per class.
- Location :
- Programs typically take place in the Waterfall Junction Learning Center. The instructor will notify participants of exact location if held elsewhere, but all programs are held at Riverbanks Botanical Garden.
- Registration :
- Pre-registration is required for all activities. Upon receipt of your registration, a confirmation will be sent when you are placed in the activity.
Registration TBD
Guided Garden Tours
Whether your group includes casual visitors or avid gardeners, young students, or seasoned explorers, a trained horticulturist will help you develop a fun and interactive tour to fit your needs.
Program Details
- Cost :
- $75, plus admission. Max of 20 people per tour, however large groups can book simultaneous tours.
- Program Length :
- May be scheduled Monday–Saturday. Tours last approximately one hour.
Register for Tour
- Registration :
- Tours must be scheduled in advance by calling 803.602.0813.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation or date change requests must be received ten days in advance of the event. Requests must be submitted in writing at education@riverbanks.org. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden will retain a $2 processing fee for cancellations and charge a $2 processing fee for date changes.
In the rare event that Riverbanks Zoo and Garden must cancel the scheduled event, all deposits or money received will be reimbursed or an option to reschedule will be provided. Notification of cancellation will be provided at least ten days prior to the scheduled event (unless weather-related). Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is not liable for any other expenses that the guest may have incurred in the preparation and execution of the event.
Refunds will not be provided for individuals who do not show up for the event.
Questions about Adult Programs?
Please call 803.602.0803 or email us.
