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
Creating a Water Garden
Zach Steinhauser from Wingard’s market will guide participants through the steps of creating a backyard water garden that fits your space and budget. The workshop will cover basic needs of a water garden and which plants perform the best in South Carolina.
Saturday, October 18
10:00am–12:00pm
$20 Riverbanks members; $25 general public.
Drying and Using Herbs
Join us as we talk about effective ways to dry and preserve herbs for use year-round. Participants will learn about herbal mixes for dips, soups or teas, while creating an herbal blend of their own to take home.
Saturday, November 8
10:00am–12:00pm
$20 Riverbanks members; $25 general public.
Holiday Wreaths
Use fresh cut greenery from the Riverbanks campus to create a wreath for your door or a table top centerpiece. With a variety of leaves and seed heads, no two wreaths ever look alike!
Saturday, December 13
10:00am–12:00pm or 1:00–3:00pm
$30 Riverbanks members; $36 general public.
Purple Martin Conservation
Join Wingard’s Naturalist and USCG Captain Zach Steinhauser and learn about Purple Martins, why they need protection, and how to become a Purple Martin landlord by setting up your own colony of Martin Houses. Every Purple Martin you see flying around Bomb Island on Lake Murray in the summer was born in a birdhouse. Since they no longer nest naturally, they need us to put up housing for them to nest and raise their young in.
Saturday, January 31
10:00am–12:00pm
$20 Riverbanks members; $25 general public.
Kudzu Connections
Discover the tangled story of kudzu in a hands-on workshop with Aaron Baumgardner and DeLesslin “Roo” George-Warren, both artists and citizens of Catawba Nation. Learn to wrangle kudzu into basketry and sculptural forms while encountering stories of kudzu’s tangled past, insights into Catawba history, and the challenges of reweaving ecosystems and cultures. Part craft, part history, and part storytelling, this workshop invites you to reimagine what kudzu can mean in our landscapes and our lives.
Saturday, February 7
10:00am–2:00pm
$50 Riverbanks members; $55 general public.
Terrariums
A terrarium is a miniature, contained garden housed in a glass container that functions as a self-sustaining mini-ecosystem. Learn the basics of creating a closed terrarium that stays healthy and requires minimal maintenance. Everyone will make a terrarium to take home.
Saturday, March 21
10:00–11:30am
$35 Riverbanks members; $40 general public.
Vegetable Gardening 101
Join us for this informal discussion of tips and tricks to successful vegetable gardening. We will discuss soil types, organic materials, watering techniques, pest control and more.
Saturday, April 18
10:00–11:30am
$15 Riverbanks members; $20 general public.
Program Details
- Cost :
- Varies per class. Note: If you are not a Riverbanks member, a general admission ticket will also be required for programs during normal park hours.
- 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.
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 :
- $5 per person (10 person minimum), plus admission fees. $75 tour fee.
- Capacity :
- Maximum of 20. For groups of more than 20, an additional tour guide will be provided.
- 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.
