When
In-person class: Members $25 (with coupon code) / Non-Members $35
At the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden / Courtyard Classroom
Join Emily Joseph, Nursery & Sales Manager for the Hardy Fern Foundation, for an engaging and hands-on exploration of one of the most rewarding aspects of fern cultivation: growing from spore.
Whether you’re a curious beginner or an experienced fern enthusiast looking to refine your propagation skills, this class will provide the knowledge, techniques, and practical experience needed to successfully grow ferns from the very start of their unique and remarkable life cycle.
Class highlights include a refresher on fern biology and reproduction, how to identify and collect ripe spore, techniques for cleaning and storing spore, and proven methods for successful propagation. Emily will also share practical tips, troubleshooting advice, and best practices gathered from fern growing experts around the world.
Following the presentation, participants will put their new knowledge into practice by sowing their own pans of fern spore in a guided workshop setting. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the fern-growing process, increased confidence in their propagation skills, and their own future sporelings to nurture at home.
About Emily Joseph
Emily Joseph serves as the Nursery & Sales Manager for the Hardy Fern Foundation and as the Retail Sales Manager & Assistant Nursery Manager at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden. Across both organizations, she oversees sales, purchasing, merchandising, and nursery operations, while propagating a diverse range of plant genera through cuttings, grafting, seeds, and spores. Emily shares her knowledge through educational programs and as a regular contributor to written publications. As a Washington State Certified Professional Horticulturist, she advocates sustainable practices, soil stewardship, and integrated pest management. Emily holds degrees in Environmental Horticulture and Fine Art, blending scientific prowess with an artist’s creativity. In 2025, she was selected by the International Plant Propagators’ Society as the recipient of the Young Professional Exchange Fellowship to New Zealand. Beyond her professional endeavors, Emily enjoys traveling, photographing the flora that inspires her work, and sharing her discoveries with the horticultural community.
Register today! Participation is limited to 20 people.
HFF Members, please use the coupon code provided in the event email to receive the discounted member price.