Sandhills Horticultural Society Events

Fall Lectures and Workshops

All classes and workshops are held in the Burlingame Room at the Ball Garden Visitors Center, Sandhills Horticultural Gardens, unless otherwise noted. Registration for each event is listed below.

Woodpeckers: Master Musicians of the Pineywoods

Thursday, November 20th
1:00pm

*Registration for this event is FULL.

Please email sccgardens@sandhills.edu to be added to the waitlist.

Join Gabriela Garrrison, the Eastern Piedmont Habitat Conservation Coordinator for the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, as she teaches us about the various species of woodpeckers that occur in the Sandhills. These curious birds are known for their distinctive pecking and drumming sounds. She will discuss their biology and foraging behaviors, as well as the vital role they play in nature. She will also delve into the unique characteristics that make the longleaf pine ecosystem so special and round it out with an overview of the rare and elusive red-cockaded woodpecker, a small bird with a big personality.

This event is FREE for everyone

11/21 - LSG & Culinary "Pies & Plants Sale"

Friday, November 21st
10:00am

Come on out for this annual collaboration between the students of the Landscape Gardening Program and the Culinary program. They will be selling cyclamen and amaryllis in different varieties, both of which are such beautiful and unique plants. The pie selections are Pumpkin, Apple, Pecan, Sweet Potato, and new for 2025, Mud Pie! Be sure to arrive early as these pies and plants tend to sell out quickly.

Santa in the Gardens

Sunday, November 30th
12:00pm - 4:00pm

*Registration for this event is FULL.

Please email sccgardens@sandhills.edu to be added to the waitlist.

Santa and Mrs. Claus are coming to the Gardens again this year for our annual Santa in the Gardens event! Especially created for children and families, it will be an afternoon full of holiday fun and activities, including making reindeer food, writing letters to Santa, and learning about plants. Your little one may want to get their face painted, complete a scavenger hunt, or try making a simple holiday craft to take home with them. Cookies-n-Moore will also be on-site with a free cookie and beverage for each child!

New this year...Santa and Mrs. Claus will have their very own tent for visitation and photos. We have teamed up with a local photographer, too, who will be offering professional digital photos for those who are interested. You must register and pay for the professional photographer service ahead of time, so please check the appropriate ticket when registering.

As always, we will be collecting canned and non-perishable goods to donate to our SCC Campus food pantry. Any contributions you can make to that will be very much appreciated!

Upcoming Events for Winter 2025

12/4 - LSG Holiday Plant Sale, SCC Employees & SHG Members Only

12/5 - LSG Holiday Plant Sale, for the public

12/10 - Pinecone Wreaths - Seasonal Craft Workshop

12/11 - Winter Birds & Berries, Monthly Tour

Check back often to stay up to date on these additional events, registration links will be posted here when available