Programs for Adults at Kalmia Gardens
It’s never too late to learn something new. Here at Kalmia Gardens, we strive to create opportunities for students of all ages to have an opportunity to learn. From lectures and workshops, to informal drop ins, to private tours, we aim to create avenues for education.
Tours
Interested in booking your own private guided tour? Our talented staff can take you through the cultivated gardens, nature trails, or the historic Hart House, where you will get behind the scenes views and personal insights. These tours are great for garden enthusiasts, history buffs, and those intrigued by the outdoors. Tours must be booked in advance and are offered weekdays, based on availability. Tours of six guests or less are $75, while those with seven guests or more are $10 per person. Contact us to learn more and book your tour!
Lectures
Discover upcoming presentations in our adult education lecture series, Cultivating Knowledge. View the different lectures below to learn more and purchase tickets. Visit our Events Page to view more upcoming events!
Dr. George Sawyer, Director Emeritus of Kalmia Gardens, will be presenting his lecture Early History of Kalmia Gardens. He will be discussing the early history of the development of Kalmia Gardens by May Roper Coker and her gift to Coker College. This will be followed by Dr. Sawyer’s personal involvement with transitioning the garden from a private estate garden to a public garden and its role in the tourism industry in Hartsville, S.C., while maintaining its role as an outdoor classroom/laboratory of the college.
Pre-registration and $5 tickets are required and can be purchased HERE.
Sorry, no refunds on customer-initiated cancellations.
Geraldine Cuypers, Water Resources Agent for Florence County Cooperative Extension, will be presenting her lecture Managing Stormwater Runoff in the Home Landscape. Stormwater has emerged as a leading threat to water quality as our environments become more urbanized and can result in erosion, poor drainage, and flooding. Join Geraldine Cuypers as she discusses how to manage stormwater runoff at your home and how you can reduce the impact you have on stormwater runoff. Lecture attendees will learn best management practices to address erosion, poor drainage, and flooding with the use of rainwater harvesting, rain gardens, and the use of native plants.
Pre-registration and $5 tickets are required and can be purchased HERE.
Sorry, no refunds on customer-initiated cancellations.
Lucy Contreras, Assistant Director of Kalmia Gardens, will be presenting her lecture A Hypochondriac’s Guide to Gardening. Gardening is a great way to get outside and enjoy the tranquility of nature – unless you’re a hypochondriac. Lucy Contreras, a self-proclaimed hypochondriac (though her doctors would surely agree) discusses the real (and perceived) dangers lurking in the garden, as well as how to stay ahead of them. In this lecture, Lucy will share her experiences as a professional horticulturist and homeowner working in the garden through humorous anecdotes and general tips to make your time out in the garden pleasant, safe, and enjoyable.
Pre-registration and $5 tickets are required and can be purchased HERE.
Sorry, no refunds on customer-initiated cancellations.
Kaela Miller, Plant Collections Coordinator at Brookgreen Gardens, will be presenting her lecture Invasive Species: Rebalancing Your Backyard Ecosystem. Oftentimes we have plants from other parts of the world that do too well in our gardens. When those plants start creeping into native habitats, it can become a devastating ecological problem – but one we can work to fix. Come learn how to distinguish the difference between our native and invasive flora, and what to do next!
Pre-registration and $5 tickets are required and can be purchased HERE.
Sorry, no refunds on customer-initiated cancellations.
Mary Ridgeway, Director Emeritus of Kalmia Gardens, will be presenting her lecture How You Can Improve the World – Starting in Your Own Backyard. There is an amazing plethora of life that can be found in an ordinary yard – if you simply provide the right plant material. Join Mary and learn how to add more life to your own yard, all while improving our natural world, one garden at a time.
Pre-registration and $5 tickets are required and can be purchased HERE.
Sorry, no refunds on customer-initiated cancellations.
Brian Gandy, Historian and Director of Darlington County Historical Commission and Museum, will be presenting his lecture Thomas Hart, The Land, Money, and the Legacy. This presentation will examine the move from Mechanicsville to Hartsville, his rise and fall, and the property that was connected to his Black Creek Plantation.
Pre-registration and $5 tickets are required and can be purchased HERE.
Sorry, no refunds on customer-initiated cancellations.
Workshops
Gain hands-on experience by signing up for a workshop. Workshops are offered throughout the year and can be found below, or on our Event Page. Be sure to sign up soon – space is limited!
Josh Arrants, nationally renowned naturalist, will be presenting a nature study day. From plants to spiders, snakes to birds, and everything in between, the serendipity of Mother Nature herself will inspire and delight, with Josh serving as guide. The day will begin with a presentation, break for a group lunch, and conclude with a tour of the grounds, where everything from local ecology to cultural history will be explored.
Attendees are asked to bring comfortable walking shoes and dress appropriately for an outdoor hike. The hike will include inclines and declines on uneven and unpaved terrain.
Pre-registration and $75 tickets are required and can be purchased HERE. Contact Kalmia Gardens for alternative payment methods to avoid credit card fees.
Sorry, no refunds on customer-initiated cancellations.
