Wisdom Wood Outdoor Classroom at Montgomery Botanical Gardens was well attended by gardeners eager to learn on a beautiful Saturday morning, September 13, 2025, at 10:00 AM. Cathy Maddox, President of the MBG Board of Directors, welcomed the class and introduced other board members who were present. She encouraged attendees to take a stroll after the class through the Southern Garden, the Daylily Display Garden, the Green Bridges Pollinator Gardens, the Fitzgerald Biblical Garden, the Japanese Maple Garden and Hosta Garden to see the early fall changes of color and form.  Cathy invites everyone to come and enjoy your Montgomery Botanical Gardens green spaces, colorful blooms and leaves in this peaceful oasis in the midst of an urban environment.

Maggie Stringer, MBG board member and chair of the MBG Education Committee, introduced the speaker, Rhona Watson, Advanced Master Gardener, from Elmore County. Rhona demonstrated and described various methods of propagation for different types of plants. Attendees learned how to multiply plants for use in their own landscape, to share with friends and family, or to donate to plant sales. Rhona has been a Master Gardener since 2005 and has achieved certification as an Advanced Master Gardener in Propagation.  She demonstrated how to use a Soil Blocker to create small cells of soil for propagating with seeds. She demonstrated how cuttings from plants like Shrimp Plants and Turk’s Cap Plants can be dipped in rooting hormone to encourage rapid root growth and how to successfully root cuttings in water or soil. Soil layering and Air layering methods were also explained for multiplying existing plants without cutting or dividing. Rhona also explained which times of the year are best for each propagation methods.

There was no admission fee for the class and donations to MBG are always appreciated. MBG Brochures were available and attendees were encouraged to use the enclosed form to become a supporting member of MBG.MBG funding relies on membership dues, donations and grants, so financial contributions are sincerely appreciated.

Watch for news about the MBG class in the gardens coming for October.