Calendar of Events
Classes and Events
►Denotes pre-registration required!
Send an email to Arboretum@uky.edu to pre-register for classes, programs and workshops unless otherwise noted.
Please note:
Due to COVID-19, all April classes and programming have been cancelled.
The Arboretum Grounds are CLOSED till further notice.
Thank you for your patience and understanding!
last updated 4.6.2020
APRIL 2020
Apr. 1 Kentucky Children's Garden opens for the season: Opening date postponed until further notice
Apr. 4 [Saturday] Celebrating the Seasons in the Kentucky Children's Garden: Spectacular Spring!- CANCELLED
Apr. 18 [Saturday] Arbor Day- CANCELLED
►Apr. 25 [Saturday], Volunteer Opportunities Update- CANCELLED
MAY 2020
►May 2 [Saturday], Derby Day Planting Party- SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION - Please check back
We need your help to plant thousands of annuals and perennials to make The Arboretum bloom.
Location Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center
Time 10:00am - 12:00 pm
Cost Free
Ages 13+
►May 9 [Saturday], Volunteer Opportunities Update- SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION - Please check back
Come learn about all of our volunteer opportunities and sign up for the areas that interest you!
Location Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center
Times 9:30 to 10:00 am: Volunteer Opportunities Update
10:00 to 11:00 am: KCG Training Updates
11:00 am - Noon: Introduction to Best Practices for Interacting with Children
Cost Free
Ages All ages but minors must be accompanied by an adult at all times while volunteering
May 16 [Saturday] Addie's Day - SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION - Please check back
Location Kentucky Children's Garden
Time 10:00 am to 2 :00 pm
Cost FREE
JUNE 2020
►Jun 9 [Tuesday], How about Hydrangeas
In this class we will discuss the many types of hydrangeas that we can grow in Kentucky, which ones are easier to grow and how to grow them successfully. Will also go outside to look at specimens in the landscape.
Location Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center
Time 6:00 am - 7:30 pm
Cost $10 per person
Ages 13+
►Jun 13 [Saturday], Volunteer Opportunities Update
Come learn about all of our volunteer opportunities and sign up for the areas that interest you!
Location Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center
Times 12::30 - 1:00 pm: Volunteer Opportunities Update
1:00 to 2:00 pm: KCG Training Updates
2:00 - 3:00 pm: Introduction to Best Practices for Interacting with Children
Cost Free
Ages All ages but minors must be accompanied by an adult at all times while volunteering
Jun 20 [Saturday], 3rd Annual Hundred Acre 5k
Support The Arboretum and the Horticultural Gardens
Location Arboretum Parking Lot
Time 8:00 am
Cost Free
Ages Family Event
JULY 2020
►Jul 7 [Tuesday], All American Selection Trials
Discuss the purpose of the All American Selection Trials, some past winners and recent winners. Then tour the trial and display gardens and talk about the trials.
Location Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center
Time 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Cost $5 per person
Ages 13+
►July 11 [Saturday], Summer Wildflowers of The Arboretum
Join Curator Emily Ellingson on a tour of the various native wildflowers we have at The Arboretum.
Location Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center
Time 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost $10
Ages 13+
►Jul 18 [Saturday], Volunteer Opportunities Update
Come learn about all of our volunteer opportunities and sign up for the areas that interest you!
Location Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center
Time 9:30 to 10 am: Volunteer Opportunities Update
10:00 to 11:00 am: KCG Training Updates
11:00 - Noon: Introduction to Best Practices for Interacting with Children
Cost Free
Ages All ages but minors must be accompanied by an adult at all times while volunteering
►Jul 20 [Monday] - August 8 (Saturday), Bluegrass Area Woodturners Display and Silent Auction (Reception on August 8, 2-4 pm)
Location Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center
Time 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
Cost Free
►Jul 25 [Saturday], Celebrating the Seasons in the Kentucky Children's Garden: Sizzling Summer!
Location Kentucky Children's Garden
Time 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Cost FREE, thanks to Kentucky Utilities
AUGUST 2020
►Aug 12 [Saturday], Bluegrass Area Woodturners Silent Auction and Reception from 2-4 pm
Location Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center
Time 9:30 - 5:00 pm
Cost Free
Ages For all ages
SEPTEMBER 2020
►Sep 12 [Saturday], Propagating Native Plants from Seed
In this workshop, you will learn the basics of collecting, storing, and germinating native plants at home. Participants will take home a few Arboretum sourced plants.
Location Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center
Time 12:00 - 3:00 pm
Cost $20 per person
Ages 13+
OCTOBER 2020
►Oct 3 [Saturday], Celebrating the Seasons in the Kentucky Children's Garden: Amazing Autumn!
Location Kentucky Children's Garden
Time 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Cost FREE, thanks to Kentucky Utilities
►Oct 13 [Tuesday], Tree Week Tree ID: Learn the Basics
Join Curator Emily Ellingson on a atour of common and important trees of Kentucky. This class will consist of an indoor introduction to Tree ID using plant keys and an outdoor field component.
Location Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center
Time 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Cost $5 per person
Ages 13+
►Oct 14 [Wednesday], Tree Planting and Tree Walk
Come help us plant a couple of trees at The Arboretum and then join us for a short tree walk.
Location Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center
Time 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Cost Free
Ages 13+
NOVEMBER 2020
►Nov 10 [Tuesday], Succulents
In this class we will talk about easy care succulents, and how to care for them. Attendees will get a couple from the Arboretum Collections to take home.
Location Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center
Time 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Cost $10
Ages 13+
DECEMBER 2020
►Dec 5 [Saturday], Kissing Balls
In this class we will talk about the Victorian age Kissing Ball, enjoy some Hot Cider of Coffee, take a short walk through some evergreens and make your own kissing ball from Arboretum greenery to take home.
Location Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center
Time 10:00 am - 12:00pm
Cost $20
Ages 13+