Learn with Marylee

Scroll Down

Live Zoom Classes
With Tucson Botanical Gardens

line

Look below to check for Marylee's Upcoming Live Zoom Classes offered by the Tucson Botanical Gardens!

Most of Marylee's classes are on Wednesday or Thursday at 1:00 pm Arizona Time.

If you cannot make a class live, you will receive a video replay and Marylee is always available for questions.

Current Zoom Class Prices

Members: $29
Non-members: $36

Jan class - Winter oasis

Container Gardening Delight: A Colorful Winter Oasis

Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 10:00 am - 11:30 am AZ Time

Turn your desert winter into peak flower season. In this class, Marylee shows you how to design vibrant, bouquet-style winter container gardens that thrive in cooler temperatures. Learn which flowers shine in winter, how to choose the right pots, and how to keep your displays blooming with minimal fuss. Ideal for newcomers, snowbirds, and year-round residents, you’ll also learn Marylee’s most effective strategies for keeping pots healthy during long absences.

Feb class 2026 Small pots

Container Gardening Wisdom for Thriving Small Pots

Thursdays, February 19, 2026 | 10:00 am - 11:30 am AZ Time

Not everyone can manage huge pots in the desert — and that’s the point of this class. Discover how to create beautiful, resilient small-scale container gardens in limited space. Marylee teaches you how to match plants to petite pots, optimize soil depth, manage heat stress, and create lush designs on balconies, patios, and small courtyards. Perfect for beginners, apartment dwellers, or anyone seeking manageable gardening without sacrificing beauty.

March class 2026 option

Container Gardening in the Heat - Prepare Now for Your Summer Desert Pots

Thursday, March 12, 2026 | 10:00 am - 11:30 am AZ Time

Summer in the desert is no joke. This essential class teaches you how to prepare your pots now so they survive the hottest months ahead. Marylee shares her “Beat the Heat” pillars — Pots, Placement, Plants, Prevention, and Pleasure — based on designing and caring for thousands of desert containers. If summer has ever wiped out your garden, this class gives you the knowledge, timing, and strategies you need before temperatures soar.

April class 2026 container gardens

Easy-Care Designs for your Summer Desert Pots

Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 10:00 am - 11:30 am AZ Time

When the heat arrives, you deserve beauty that doesn’t need constant care. This class focuses on easy-care, full-sun combinations that last through the toughest months. Learn Marylee’s favorite heat-loving plants, low-maintenance pairings, and simple design formulas that hold up all summer. Whether you’re new to the desert or tired of trial-and-error, you’ll leave with clear planting plans that keep your pots thriving with less work.

line

Garden Journals

line

Desert Container Gardening Notebook
and Journal – Summer

Your Desert Garden’s Smartest Summer Tool.

Tired of guessing what works in your pots?

This printable notebook helps you track what thrives, fix what doesn’t, and plan with purpose—all tailored to desert container gardening.

Set goals, log your progress, and get inspired with plant picks, practical tips, and space to grow your best summer garden yet.

Cost $5

Desert Container Gardening Notebook and Journal – Summer

Desesrt Container Gardening Notebook and Journal Image 1
line

Get ALL of Marylee's Self-Study Classes
for one low price!

line

Get Marylee's Best Self-Study Classes for one low price! Save!!

 

Green Thumb Bundle: Master Desert Container Gardening

Learn the basics so you get started on the right foot

Discover everything Marylee knows about watering pots in the desert.

Learn how to design your pot collections as well as your plants
8 + Hours of video instructions!

Planning a Container Garden That Thrives

Cost $79
It's like getting six classes FREE!

line

Marylee’s
Individual Self-Study Classes

line

Living COLOR 365 - Potted Desert Design Series

Unlock the secrets to vibrant desert container gardening with our comprehensive program, “Living Color 365: Potted Desert Design Series.” Dive into more than 3 hours of expert guidance from Marylee, the Desert’s Potted Garden Expert, and master the art of planning, planting, and nurturing your container gardens to thrive year-round.

Cost $79

6

Start Strong with Desert Container Gardening

Self-Study Video Class
A complete, downloadable, self-study video class and timed outline.

Newcomers to desert gardening and experienced gardeners alike struggle with growing flowers, perennials, and shrubs in pots in the desert. In this self-study class, you will learn Marylee's tested practices and have the advantage of planting your pots and getting it right the first time. As Marylee says, "I want to keep your money out of the compost heap."

Cost: $39.00

7

Just Add Water - How to Keep Your Desert Pots Alive

Learn How to Keep Your Plantings Alive in Your Desert Pots
A self-study video class and accompanying notebook.

The top question Marylee is asked about desert container gardening is how to keep your plants alive. 95% of plant failure is due to inappropriate watering. Learn how to water your container gardens all year long.

Cost: $39

9
line

Marylee’s Desert Container
Gardening Books

line

In her books, Marylee Pangman shares a wealth of information gained through 3 decades of creating successful potted gardens in the desert.

Getting Potted in the Desert and Riley's Garden Oasis make perfect companion books for anyone creating a container garden in their desert home.

11
line

Sign Up for Marylee’s
Best Potted Garden Tips ~ Free

line
10

Want Gorgeous Pots at Your Desert Home

  • 12 Months of Marylee’s To-Do List for Desert Pots
  • Free Guide, "8 Tips to Succeed with Desert Pots"
  • Lifetime Subscription to the Potted View E-News