This four-session course, taught by Jenna O’Brien on Tuesdays from Sept. 30 to Oct. 21 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., will focus on the “bones” of the garden with a survey of ornamental woody plants for residential landscape design. Students will become familiar with the many garden-worthy woody plants that thrive in Zone 5, including ornamental shrubs, small flowering trees, shade trees, and broadleaf and needle evergreens. The course covers plant identification, selection, siting, cultivation, and possible design uses. Students should dress for outdoor field study. All students participating in this class as part of the Horticulture Certificate Program are required to complete a final project.

Jenna O’Brien is a lifetime Berkshires resident and owner/founder of Viridissima Horticulture & Design and the blog Berkshire Garden Style. She specializes in container gardening, perennial garden design and care, and country estate garden management. She has been working in Berkshire gardens for 25 years.