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
Plant N Pour: Bug Hotels & Seed Balls
Join us for an exclusive evening in the Botanical Garden as we explore the vital role of pollinators through a relaxed social setting. Enjoy the Garden with a refreshing beverage as you build a crafty bug hotel for your home garden that will provide important shelter for beneficial insects through the winter. Take home a homemade seed ball to plant that will bloom in the spring.
Thursday, November 7
6:00–8:00pm
Ages 21 and up.
$45 per person or $80 for both programs. Includes 2 drink tickets; additional drinks will be available for purchase.
Botanical Notecards
Create a unique set of botanical notecards through flower preservation. Participants will use pressed flowers and greenery to create a design. Everyone will also learn how to pound flowers so that their impression is transferred onto the card for a lovely floral design.
Saturday, November 16
10:00am–12:00pm
$20 Riverbanks members; $25 general public.
Holiday Wreaths
Using freshly cut greenery from the Riverbanks campus, participants will learn the basic technique of making a wreath with a grapevine base. With a large variety of greenery and seed pods to use, these wreaths will be a distinct reflection of personal style.
Saturday, December 14
10:00am–12:00pm
$30 Riverbanks members; $36 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 craft a small sweetgrass basket in the traditional style through this hands-on workshop with Mary Graham-Grant.
Saturday, February 1
10:00am–2:00pm
$70 Riverbanks members; $85 general public.
Kokedama, Japanese Moss Balls
The art of using moss as a way to encapsulate soil and a living plant can create a stunning botanical piece for your house or garden. Participants will all learn to make this living sculpture that can be a table centerpiece or hung indoors or out for a unique floral focus.
Saturday, April 26
10:00–11:30am
$25 Riverbanks members; $30 general public.
Ikebana Floral Arranging
Ikebana is a Japanese art form that involves arranging flowers and other natural materials in a stylized manner. Lin Ko of the Asia Cultural Society will be demonstrating three styles of Ikebana, and then leading participants through a hands-on portion to create an arrangement to take home.
Saturday, June 7
10:00am–12:00pm
$40 Riverbanks members; $48 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.
Volunteer Opportunity
The Conservation Engagement Volunteer program is a 6-month volunteer commitment for adults (18+) that runs Thursday–Sunday each week. This program is designed for those looking for a community and those with an interest in sharing Riverbanks’ mission with guests through informal education opportunities.
Riverbanks will accept Conservation Engagement Volunteer applications for Spring 2025 from November 1 through November 30, 2024.
