Festival of Fabulous Mums: Basic Floral Design with Patty Stimell (Sun.)

Drop in for a free floral design workshop led by Patty Stimell, a retired designer with impressive credentials—she's worked for the British Embassy, the White House, and Hillwood Museum and Gardens during her career in Washington, D.C. You'll learn practical skills like preparing containers for centerpieces and conditioning flowers and foliage to keep them fresh longer. It's a hands-on demonstration that works well for anyone curious about floral arranging, whether you're a complete beginner or just looking to pick up some professional tips. The workshop happens at Duke Gardens in a classroom setting, and best of all, it's completely free. You don't need to sign up ahead of time—just show up and grab a seat. Keep in mind that spots fill up on a first-come basis and seating is limited, so arriving a bit early (doors open 15 minutes before start time) is a smart idea. It's a casual, accessible way to spend an hour learning something new at a beautiful location.