GET TOGETHER AT THE GARDEN

Adult Group Programs

Explore More, Together!

Whether you are a garden club, a church class, or just a bunch of friends who want to get together to do something fun, your group can plan an educational outing at the Garden. 

Looking for corporate programs? Head to our Corporate Opportunities page to learn more. 

Garden Talks

Programs usually last 45 minutes, with additional time allowed for questions. Garden staff can be scheduled to speak to groups on a wide variety of topics. See the suggestions below, or call with a suggestion.

• On-site talks $75
• Off-site talks $100
• $150 for evening and weekend programs

Call 901-636-4128 for pricing outside Shelby County.
Plant Society Partners receive a $10 discount on Garden Talks.

AVAILABLE TOPICS
  • Annuals and Perennials
  • Bamboo in the Garden
  • Butterfly Gardening
  • Children’s Gardens
  • Conifers
  • Container Gardening
  • Gardening for Wildlife
  • Herbs
  • Horticultural Therapy
  • Hydrangeas
  • Memphis Botanic Garden
  • History
  • Native Plants
  • Orchids
  • Ornamental Grasses
  • Plant Propagation
  • Planting for Pollinators
  • Plants of the Bible
  • Proper Pruning Techniques
  • Spring Planting / Fall Planting
  • Tree ID
  • Tree Planting and Care
  • Tree Selection
  • Tropicals
  • Water Garden Plants
Garden
Workshops

Each program lasts 90 minutes depending on the workshop and can be scheduled daily, Monday through Friday. There is a minimum of ten participants. Pricing varies according to program needs and supplies.

Garden Workshop Programs include:

Container Gardening

Discover the key to putting together the perfect container arrangement. From shape and height to texture and color combinations, you’ll learn what it takes to make eye-appealing seasonal indoor and outdoor containers. Themes, including ornamental, edible, and even aquatic, can be arranged to suit your group’s interests. Containers provided or you can bring your own.

Terrariums

Create your own indoor, miniature garden. You'll get to choose from a selection of houseplants, and even add tiny figures, colorful rocks, and glass "jewels" to make it your own unique little world!

Floral Design

Discover the art of botanical design with programs on flower arranging, covering everything from the basic mechanics to themed designs. These may be set up as either hands-on design classes or demonstrations. Arrangements may be auctioned at the end of the program to raise funds for your group.

Herb Gardening

Learn herbal folklore, along with the many medicinal, culinary, and cosmetic uses of herbs, tour the Herb Garden, and pot up your own windowsill herb garden.

Guided Tours

Staff or docent-led tours of the Garden can be arranged for your group. Tours last approximately an hour and focus on the general history of the Garden with its 30 different display gardens and collections.

Groups pay Garden admission plus $45 fee for each private tour guide. Each guide can handle approximately 20 people. An admission discount of $2 per person is available for groups over 20.

Plant Society Partners receive a $10 discount on the guide fee.

Note: If your group has members who cannot manage an hour of walking, a seven-passenger tram is available for an additional $20 fee.

The following special Garden tours are also available and can be tailored to the interests of your group:

  • Japanese Garden (all-year)
  • My Big Backyard (all-year)
  • Herb Garden (seasonal)
  • Pollinator Garden (seasonal)

If you have any questions or would like additional information about Adult Group Programs, please reach out
Laurie Williams, Adult Education Department, at 901-636-4128 or email laurie.williams@membg.org.