Upcoming Events
Bullington Gardens hosts a variety of events and programs throughout the year. From educational opportunities for students and adults to social events with a garden flair. We offer Horticultural Therapy and are the only Horticultural Therapy Garden in Henderson County.
Tiny Landscape-Terrarium Workshop
Join us at Bullington Gardens for a hands-on workshop where you'll create your own beautiful terrarium! In this class, you'll use a two-gallon glass container to design a unique miniature landscape featuring plants from our Bullington Greenhouse. Along with the plants, you'll incorporate mosses and decorative botanicals, all sourced from natural materials.
Oak-The Tree of Civilization
Join us as Henderson County Extension Agent Steve Pettis will discuss acorns as a food source throughout history, the age of sail, ancient and modern industries based on oak, the oaks of western NC and much more.
Grafting Japanese Maples: A Hands-On Workshop with Fritz McCall
Join us for an immersive experience in the art of grafting Japanese Maples, led by expert horticulturist Fritz McCall, owner of Blue Ridge Nursery and longtime Bullington supporter.
Plants Make the Garden
Join Amy Fahmy to understand the planting design principles that she has found most useful in 30 years of residential garden design experience. For both novice and experienced gardeners this class is about placing and growing plants for the most eye-catching effect. You'll leave class knowing what to buy, and where to plant to transform your existing garden!
Mountain Mushrooms Workshop: Fungus Among Us!
Join us for a spore-tacular time at the Mountain Mushrooms Workshop! We’ll teach you the fun-gamentals—it's quite the 'fun-guy' activity! We'll also explore the best wild mushrooms to forage in the forest, making sure you're not in truffle when identifying them. This class is perfect for beginners and seasoned mycophiles alike. Don't miss out on this morel of a good time!
January 28, 2025, 1:00-3:00pm.
Essential Pruning Techniques for Healthy Plants
Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your horticultural skills and ensure your plants thrive.
February 1, 2025, 2-4pm.
Stealing from the Great Gardens
You've visited famous gardens and gone on amazing residential garden tours. Remember that sense of magic - like stepping into another world? How did they do it? Join Amy Fahmy to learn how she builds the structure of a residential garden using time honored techniques from the world's great gardens. With 30 years of experience in renovating old gardens, and designing and building new residential gardens, Amy will share how she listens to clients, identifies priorities and sets affordable goals. Leave with specific ideas for the changes you know will fit your own garden!
Restoring Nature with Native Plants
Maintaining the Biodiversity of the Mountains - Restoring Nature with Native Plants. Planting native, removing invasives, restoring habitat and using environmentally friendly landscape management practices.
Join Steve Pettis, Henderson County Commercial and Consumer Horticulture Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show and Podcast to learn how we can do things better! In this series of classes Steve will discuss how to manage your landscape in the most environmentally friendly way possible using sustainable gardening practices. Also learn about tree health care and maintenance.
February 11, 2025, 1:00-3:00pm.
Stories from the M.O.B., Mothers of the Brides
Our show tells those tales. This series of monologues reveals the history behind the mothers of the brides' dresses of 25 women. Their stories range from laugh-out-loud funny to touching. They include diverse characters such as moms of gay couples, a transgender theme, a cancer patient and an ICE raid. It is performed by all women, written by a women and about women. Playwright-Doreen Blue
Starting Seeds-Sow It Begins
As people all over the country start to grow their own gardens, plant prices continue to rise. These price increases quickly add up when growing your own garden. Starting your own seeds is a much more economical way to grow a large number of plants. Believe it or not many plants also do better when you grow them from a seed. Starting seeds can seem like a very scary task but it doesn’t have to be. Join our education coordinator, Isaac Wyatt, for a course all about starting your own seeds. From what you need to get started to how to get your seedlings in the garden.
*We will also have a selection of seeds to trade. Please feel free to bring any seeds you may be interested in trading!
March 4th, 2025, 1:00-3:00 pm. Fee: $20.00.
Eco-Friendly Landscape Care
Join Steve Pettis, Henderson County Commercial and Consumer Horticulture Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show and Podcast to learn how we can do things better! In this series of classes Steve will discuss how to manage your landscape in the most environmentally friendly way possible using sustainable gardening practices. Also learn about tree health care and maintenance.
March 6, 2025, 1:00-3:00pm.
Give me a P! Perennials and Pollinator Plantings – The plants and the process
Creating a Meadow Style Landscape
Meadows don't have to be massive to contribute to the biodiversity and beauty of a landscape. Many gardeners are learning how to incorporate meadow style plantings in their home or small business landscapes. Join us for our engaging workshop on creating a meadow style landscape feature. Learn from Crissy Dzielak, Vice President and co-owner of Landmark Landscapes about the plants, installation techniques, and maintenance practices that bring these vibrant, naturalistic landscapes to life.
Grow Your Own: Basics of Vegetable Gardening
Grow Your Own: Basics of Vegetable Gardening
Late winter is the perfect time to start planning for summer gardens, and what better way to begin than with our Basics of Vegetable Gardening class! Join us to learn the essentials of starting your own vegetable garden, including information about plants that do best in our area.
In this class, experienced teacher and former director John Murphy will guide you through the fundamentals of vegetable gardening. You'll discover the best practices for soil preparation, seed selection, planting, and maintaining a thriving garden. This class will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to grow your own fresh and healthy vegetables.
Get ready to dig in and start your journey to a bountiful summer harvest. March 17, 2025, 1-3pm.
Divide and Bloom-Dividing Dahlias and their Culture
Bullington Gardens is known for our expansive collection of dahlias. Each year our volunteer dahlia crew work tirelessly to ensure we have the best crop possible. These amazing plants take quite a bit of work to be successful, and it starts with dividing your tuber. Join Kim Biggerstaff and Isaac Wyatt as we walk through the culture of dahlias. We will also have a tuber dividing demo after the class. Participants will get a chance to divide a clump of tubers and take one home!
April 1, 2025, 1:00-3:00 pm. Fee: $30.00
Early Spring Beauty - Ephemeral Flowers, Mosses and Ferns
Discover the delicate and fleeting world of ephemeral flowers, mosses, and ferns that grace our landscapes with their beauty. Join Steve Pettis, Henderson County Commercial and Consumer Horticulture Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show and Podcast and learn to identify these early spring wonders, understand their unique lifecycles, and explore their roles in the ecosystem.
Crafting Garden Treasures: Make Your Own Hypertufa Open Roof Planter
Unleash your creativity at Bullington Gardens by learning to craft your very own hypertufa open roof planter! This hands-on class will guide you through the process of mixing and molding hypertufa—a lightweight, durable material perfect for garden containers.
Healthy Trees, Thriving Landscapes
Join Steve Pettis, Henderson County Commercial and Consumer Horticulture Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show and Podcast to learn how we can do things better! In this series of classes Steve will discuss how to manage your landscape in the most environmentally friendly way possible using sustainable gardening practices. Also learn about tree health care and maintenance.
Gardening and Planting for Pollinators 2025
Join Steve Pettis, Henderson County Commercial and Consumer Horticulture Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show and Podcast to learn how we can do things better! In this series of classes Steve will discuss how to manage your landscape in the most environmentally friendly way possible using sustainable gardening practices. Also learn about tree health care and maintenance.
Medicinal Herbs & their Preparations
Are you interested in learning more about some of the amazing medicinal herbs you can grow right here in WNC? There is a large selection of native plants that were used for thousands of years for many purposes. Everything from treating headaches to aiding in the suppression of bleeding. Did you know that many of the plants uses were linked to what organ that plant resembled? Join Rachel Meriwether for a course in medicinal herbs and their preparations. This class will offer a great introduction into the vast world of medicinal herbs for the beginner, while also offering some new tips for the seasoned herbalist.
July 10th, 2025. 1:00-3:00pm. Fee: $25.00
Mastering Plant Identification: A Hands-On Approach with Aaron Cook
Join expert botanist Aaron Cook for an insightful class on plant identification at Bullington Gardens.
July 16, 2025, 10:00 am-12:00 pm.
The Joy of Propagation
Learn how to sow, divide, root and nurture plants for your garden. Get easy practical explanations on how to increase your stock of existing plants and how to create new cultivars by hybridization.
Macro Magic: Capturing Dahlia Details
This workshop taught by Lois Van Reese will focus on Macro photography during this beautiful dahlia season. There will be an emphasis on composition, lighting and focus. While our current cell phones take amazing photos, this class will be utilizing DSLR/mirrorless cameras or a point and shoot. While not required, a tripod for your camera is helpful particularly when honing your focus skills.
Harvest Hues: Crafting Your Own Thanksgiving Centerpieces with Garden Fresh Flowers
Immerse yourself in the warm colors and textures of autumn as you gather inspiration from nature's bounty. Under the expert guidance of Mary Quirk, you'll learn essential floral design techniques and tips for incorporating seasonal elements into your centerpiece creations.
From vibrant chrysanthemums and seed heads, to rustic branches, you'll have access to a diverse selection of garden-fresh blooms and foliage, allowing you to design a centerpiece that perfectly reflects your personal style and the festive atmosphere of Thanksgiving.
Making Fire Cider
Fire cider is a great herbal tonic used to support the immune system, especially during the fall and winter season. It has been a traditional medicine of various cultures over the centuries. Come learn about the history of fire cider and make your own to take home with Education Coordinator Rosie Reeves. The information presented in this class is intended for educational purposes and should not be considered an endorsement of or recommendation for any medical treatment. Please consult your health care provider before pursuing any herbal or homemade treatments.
September 12, 2-3 pm
$15 public/$12 friends
Seed Saving
Isaac Wyatt, Agricultural Program Assistant with Henderson County Extension, will teach the basics of seed saving. Learn to save seeds from your favorite veggies, flowers, and herbs to start for the next year!
September 12, 2-3 pm
$15 public/$12 friends
Fall Plant Sale
Join us for Bullington Gardens’ annual Fall Plant Sale! Shop for all your favorite perennials, shrubs, trees and so much more! September 12-14, 9am-4pm.
Story Walk Opening Day
Join us for the opening day of Bullington Gardens’ Story Walk. Labor Day, 9am-4pm. All proceeds will go towards the restoration of Green River Bee Company whose property suffered damage from recent flooding.
Pawpaw Class
Learn all about North America’s largest native fruit, the pawpaw! Join Henderson County Specialized Extension Agent Craig Mauney in exploring this curious fruiting tree.
August 22 , 2-4
2024 Dahlia Photography Contest
Capture the vibrant beauty of dahlias at Bullington Gardens! We invite you to grab your phone, point and shoot camera or DSLR, and enter our Dahlia Photography Contest. Showcase your talent and creativity by capturing the stunning colors and intricate details of these beloved blooms.
The Secret Lives of Trees
Henderson County Extension Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show Steve Pettis will talk about the importance of Western North Carolina’s tree canopy, tree health, tree care and how individuals can make a difference.
August 8, 2-4 pm
$15 public/$12 friends
Twilight Dahlias & Mocktails
Join us for an intimate evening at Bullington Gardens, designed for a select group of eight guests. Enjoy the exclusive use of the dahlia garden after hours while indulging in a unique culinary experience with specialty mocktails curated from Bullington’s own herbs and honey, paired perfectly with a selection of gourmet appetizers. Feel free to bring your own drinks to add to the mocktails. (Choose two mocktails and two appetizers)
Guests will have the shaded pavilion to gather and will take home a stunning floral arrangement, crafted from our beautiful Bullington dahlias. This experience would be a perfect way to celebrate a child’s birthday, a friend’s engagement, or just gather with friends. This exclusive gathering is a wonderful opportunity to support Bullington Gardens and its mission while enjoying a magical evening in a picturesque setting. We look forward to sharing this delightful experience with you.
Dress up as Fairy Contest
Show off your best fairy costume at Bullington Gardens 1st annual Dress Up Like a Fairy Contest! Show up in your magical fairy outfit, get your picture taken and have our social media followers choose the winner. Winner of the Dress Up Like a Fairy Contest will win their very own Fairy Tea Party complete with wand making activities, a guided walk through the fairy trail and tea and cookies for your party of 8.
July 27, 10AM-12PM. Open to all ages. All entrants must sign a media release form and agree to have their picture posted on Facebook and Instagram. Entry fee of $20.00.
Insect ID and Management for Natural Pest Control
This class will provide a comprehensive overview of identifying common insects and pests in your garden and how to implement eco-friendly strategies to manage them. Blue Ridge Community College faculty member Rachel Meriwether will discuss effective natural pest control for home gardeners.
Introduction to Herbal Tea Blends
Herbs are not only great for cooking, but they are great for making herbal teas, also known as herbal infusions! Join teacher, Judy Peacock as you learn about common herbs used in teas, discuss herbs found in our gardens along with harvesting/drying techniques, and make three of your own herbal tea blends to take home.
July 16 12-2. Limit 16 people. $25/person $20/friends.
Blossoms & Blooms
Blossoms & Blooms: Creating Vibrant Arrangements with Easy-to-Grow Annuals
Unleash your inner florist and join us for a journey into the world of floral design! Learn the art of crafting stunning flower arrangements using easy-to-grow annuals that you can easily self-seed. Floral materials will be provided, just bring your favorite container.
Led by Mary Quirk who previously designed for Biltmore House, this hands-on class is perfect for beginners and gardening enthusiasts alike.
Fairy Tea Party
Join the magical fairies at Bullington Gardens for a special Fairy Tea Party. Start your journey with a guided walk through the Fairy Trail with Rosie. Next your child will make their own wand followed by tea and cookies in the pavilion. This event is for children ages 7 and up. Each child must be accompanied by an adult.
July 13th, 10:00AM, $25.00/per child.
Planting for Pollinators
Henderson County Extension Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show Steve Pettis will discuss the importance of beneficial insects and pollinators and how to garden for their benefit. Then Steve will lead a pollinator walk through the Bullington Garden grounds.
July 11, 2-4.
$15 public/$12 friends
Build Your Own Fairy House
Build Your Own Fairy House class for kids ages 5-8 and 9 and up. Your child, accompanied by one adult will create magical fairy homes using natural materials like bark, sticks, and moss with a tree cookie base. It's a fun and creative way to spend time together and bring your own fairy magic home.
First class, June 22, 10:00-11:30 AM for children 5-8 years old. Maximum of 10.
Second class, June 22, 1:00PM-2:30PM for children 9 and up. Maximum of 12.
Introduction to Medicinal Herbs
Have you ever heard about medicinal plant tinctures and teas, but aren’t sure what exactly they're used for? If so, then this class is for you! Join Rachel Meriwether as we learn about a variety of plants, both native and non-native, that can be used to relieve a number of everyday health concerns or add an extra boost to your day. You only need to bring yourself, your curiosity, and something to write on! The information presented in this class is intended for educational purposes and should not be considered an endorsement of or recommendation for any medical treatment. Please consult your health care provider before pursuing any herbal or homemade treatments.
June 18, 12-2pm. $12 FOB/$15 Public.
Native Bees Adult Program
Honeybees are a well-known pollinator, but have you ever heard of mason bees, one of our more efficient pollinators? Or learned more about the bumble bee, known for it’s “buzz pollination” that helps flowers bee more productive? Join native bee experts Jill and Brannen from Spriggley’s Beescaping to learn more about the native bees in our area and why it’s so critical that we support them.
Native Bees Family Program
Kids ages 5-10 are welcome as Jill and Brannen from Spriggley’s Beescaping introduce kids to native bees and other spectacular pollinators! There will be a quick story, along with a kid-friendly craft to help create habitat for native bees! Jill Jacobs and Brannen Basham.
2024 Fairy Door Sponsor
Last year, our fairy gardens attracted almost 9,000 visitors between June and August 2023. We see this as an opportunity to highlight Bullington’s circle of contributors through the sponsorship of a fairy door. The handcrafted doors will have the sponsor’s name, will be opened by guests to reveal a hidden message, and will be given to the sponsors when they are taken down after the summer.
Growing Culinary Herbs
Interested in learning more about how to grow plants to use for culinary purposes? Join us in discussing plants that can be grown for kitchen creations, best growing practices for culinary herbs, and more!
DIY Father's Day Nature Gift
A fun way for kids ages 7-12 to celebrate dad! Kids will join our garden educator in making a nature gift just in time for Father’s Day, followed by a nature walk around the gardens.
Creating Bonsai Trees
Bonsai is the ancient art of dwarfing trees. The goal is to create in miniature a tree that looks like a mature tree. The word bonsai literally means ‘plant in a tray’. The concept is simple; restrict the growth of a plant’s roots and shoots, allowing the trunk to grow. The end result is a plant that appears to be a miniature representation of its relatives in the wild. Join Horticulture Agent Steve Pettis to learn how to create bonsai trees. Attendees will get to take home their very own bonsai tree!
In Time for Mother's Day: DIY Self-Care Products
Looking for a chance to celebrate mom and make her a unique gift? Or are you wanting to learn a new skill? In this fun introductory class led by Judy Peacock, you will learn to make your own herbal self-care products including an oatmeal rose honey scrub, a rose clay mask, and herbal tea blend. It's the perfect way to spend time with mom, or make something for yourself. Each participant will take home a honey scrub, a clay mask blend, and an herbal tranquil tea blend.
Saturday May 4th 12-2. Limit 16 people. $35/participant$27 FOB
Ephemerals, Mosses, and Ferns
Ephemerals, Mosses, & Ferns
Henderson County Extension Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show Steve Pettis will discuss the many flowers that grow in the Spring time in the forests of Western North Carolina. He will discuss some of the most common spring ephemeral plants' biology, their pollinators and some of the interesting history of these special plants as well as mosses and ferns.
May 2, 2-4 pm.
$15 public/$12 friends.
Spring Plant Sale
Join us for our annual spring plant sale! Discover a wide array of perennials, annuals, bulbs, shrubs, and trees, including new favorites. Enjoy a diverse selection, friendly faces, and fantastic plants!
Seed Starting
Isaac Wyatt, Agricultural Program Assistant with Henderson County Extension, will teach the basics of seed starting. Seed starting is an affordable way to start gardens for different seasons.
Berries!
Berries!
Interested in delving into cultivating fruits but not sure how to start? Berry plants are great examples of fruiting plants that grow well in our area. Henderson County Specialized Extension Agent Craig Mauney will discuss cultivation and horticultural techniques for berry plants.
March 21, 2-4 pm.
$15 public/$12 friends.
Perennials & Dahlias
Isaac Wyatt, Agricultural Program Assistant with Henderson County Extension, and Kim Biggerstaff, head of Bullington’s Dahlia Crew, will teach the basics of perennial and dahlia culture. What is a perennial and what makes them special in the garden? How can you get free plants from your current perennials? These questions and so much more will be covered. We will also have a demo on how to divide perennials.
Basics of Vegetable Gardening
Late winter is the perfect time to start planning for summer gardens and what better way to start than with the Basics of Vegetable Gardening class! Come prepared to learn about what it takes to start growing your own vegetables in our area. Join experienced teacher and former director, John Murphy, as he guides you through vegetable gardening basics.
February 27, 2-4pm.
$12 FOB/$15 general public
Bullington Gardens Cancellation Policy:
Please note that due to limited class capacity, refunds will not be available for cancellations made after 72 hours of purchase. We appreciate your understanding.