Boston Flora

Month: January 2010

  • Saturday, February 20, 1:00 – 3:00 pm – Housescaping with Patio Plants

    The Berkshire Botanical Gardens will hold a demonstration/workshop on Agaves, Orchids, Succulents and more on Saturday, February 20, beginning at 1 pm.  Investigate the trend in gardening with plants from around the world.  Consider agaves, and succulents, as low maintenance patio plants that double as houseplants for the winter months.  Learn about orchids and how to care for these exotic beauties.  Practical information on selection, cultivation, maintenance and  over wintering will be covered with a focus on keeping plants bautiful and  healthy. Students will practice dividing and repotting a variety of specimen plants and will take home divisions to grow.

    The class will be given by Rob Gennari, a garden designer and owner of Glendale Botanicals, a specialty tropical nursery located in Berkshire County.  He uses tropical plants in his design work and has in-depth experience with propagating, growing and maintaining these plants.  The cost of the workshop is $25 for BBG members, $30 for non members, and includes all materials. Bring gloves and pruners.  Additional plants will be offered for sale following the event.  To register, log on to www.berkshirebotanical.org.

  • Saturday, February 7, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm – Invasives in the Valley

    Non-native invasive plants are a leading threat to the botanical health of our ecosystems and the diversity of our landscapes. Now is the time to plan your strategy for combating these invasive threats to the biodiversity of our region. Learn how to identify the most common invasives in the Connecticut River Valley (see Japanese barberry below), where they are likely to be found, and how they can impact the plants and animals where they grow.  Topics include mechanical, chemical and manual control techniques, prevention of soil erosion and further infestation by invasives, and finally techniques for the re-vegetation process. The class includes a PowerPoint presentation, use of herbarium specimens and demonstrations of tools and equipment. The class is appropriate for landowners as well as stewards of public lands.  Sponsored by the New England Wildflower Society, the class will take place at Nasami Farm in Whately, Massachusetts, and will cost $28 for NEWFS members, and $33 for nonmembers.  The instructor is Tony Reiber, and you may register on line at www.newfs.org.

  • Saturday, February 6, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Paper Packages from Asia

    Berkshire Botanical Gardens is holding a special hands-on workshop Saturday, February 6, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm with Nancy Moore Bess, master basket maker.  Using handmade papers for packaging has a long tradition in Asia, especially in Japan. Pyramid packages hold snacks, juice, bath salts or Macadamia nuts. Textured paper is tied with raffia to hold three erasers or five black stones. Handmade paper is folded into a boat form and stitched with Japanese mizuhiki to hold a floral arrangement. Participants will duplicate these projects and many more inspired by the instructor’s collection. Participants should bring small items they might want to wrap – handmade soaps, potpourri from their gardens, small books, dried flowers, etc.

    Ms. Bess exhibits her baskets worldwide.  She has championed Japanese basketry in the west and is the author of Bamboo in Japan.  The cost for this workshop is $50 for BBG members, $60 for nonmembers, plus, in each instance, a $15 materials fee paid directly to the instructor at the class.  For more information and directions, log on to www.berkshirebotanical.org.  These popular workshops always sell out, so register as soon as possible.

  • Saturday, February 6, 1:00 – 3:00 pm – A Cottage Garden in New England

    What makes a cottage garden and how can this style, often associated with the English gardening tradition be adapted to the challenging climate of New England? Learn about the design elements of this unique gardening style, and consider the plants and planting schemes used to create the loose informal style, at this illustrated lecture to be held at the Berkshire Botanical Garden on Saturday, February 6, from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. The instructor will illustrate design concepts using a cottage garden located in Sherman, CT. This garden, often on the Garden Conservancy tour, will serve as an example for the lecture.

    Amy Ziffer owns Shady Lady Garden Design, a garden design and maintenance business in western Connecticut.  She is a former editor at Fine Gardening magazine and a Master Gardener.  Her display garden was honored with inclusion in The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days Directory beginning in 2007.   The cost of the lecture is $18 for BBG members, $24 for non members, and directions and information may be obtained by logging on to www.berkshirebotanical.org.

  • Friday, January 29, 7:00 pm – A Full Moon Tour of Gore Place

    What was it like to live in the dark with only the Moon and a few candles to light your way?  Living in the Dark will explore life before the electric light.  Enjoy this special evening tour of the beautiful Governor Gore mansion. Led by a guide in period clothing, these tours focus on life in the early 19th century.

    Why is it called a Full Moon Tour? These tours take place each month on an evening near the full moon. The full moon was very important to early settlers as well as Native Americas. By providing additional light at night, the full moon allowed them to work late into evening and made night-time travel safer. Though varied in theme, each Full Moon Tour includes the major rooms of the mansion and offers a glimpse into the fascinating world of the Gores.

    Admission for Full Moon Tours is $12 adults, $8 children 6-12. Light refreshments are included.  Please note, these tours are designed for adults and older children and are not appropriate for children under 6 years of age. Parking is free. For reservations call (781) 894-2798.

    Additional Full Moon Tours will take place on Friday, February 26 and Wednesday, March 29 starting each night at 7pm (doors open at 6:30pm).  For directions, log on to www.goreplace.org.

  • Sunday, February 7, 3:30 pm – The End of the Line

    Slow Food Boston’s 3rd Annual Film Series continues with a screening of The End of the Line at the Tufts University Friedman School, 150 Harrison Avenue, on Sunday, February 7 at 3:30 pm.

    Grilling beautiful tuna steaks. The ubiquitous shrimp cocktail. Polluted fish farms. Mercury. Omega 3 fatty acids. Fishing quotas. Ouch – purchasing & consuming seafood has never been so rife with conflict.   This somewhat unnerving documentary The End of the Line explores issues like those above in what the LA Times called a “…crisp, informative and convincing way…” The NY Times says, despite some flaws, that it “…subverts our ancient faith in the ocean as an inexhaustible resource, offering a persuasive case that the major species of edible fish are headed for extinction.”

    Join Slow Food Boston for this in-depth look at current research and thoughts on our oceans, the fish that populate them and the people whose livelihoods depend on them. Oh, not to mention the effects all of it has on those of us on the other end of the chain: the consumers!  Cost is $5, payable at the door by cash or check.

  • Garden Club of the Back Bay Sends Help to Haiti

    The Executive Committee of The Garden Club of the Back Bay voted this week to send an unrestricted $1,000 contribution to Partners in Health, for its Stand With Haiti initiative.  As we are all aware, the major earthquake centered just 10 miles from Port-au-Prince has devastated the country.  Partners in Health and its partner organization Zanmi Lasante have worked in Haiti for nearly twenty-five years, and today it is one of the largest non-governmental health care providers in the country.  The Garden Club is proud to support its efforts.  More information can be found on the Partners in Health website, and at www.standwithhaiti.org.

    http://image3.examiner.com/images/blog/EXID3122/images/Haitiquake2.jpg

  • Saturday, February 6, 1:00 – 4:00 pm – Backyard Sugaring

    On Saturday, February 6, from 1:00 – 4:00 pm, instructor Tia Pinney, a Drumlin Farm Teacher-Naturalist, will cover all the basics of maple sugaring.  Do you have a sugar maple or two in your yard?  Do you love maple syrup?  If so, come learn how to make your own delicious syrup.  Everything will be covered – tree identification, equipment needed, tapping, weather, boiling, finishing, and storing.  The class is open to adults, teens age 16 and older, and children age 12 and older with adult supervision.  Dress warmly.  Registration is required.  Adults, $25 for Mass Audubon members, $35 for nonmembers.  You may register by phone with credit card by calling 781-259-2200, or by logging in to www.massaudubon.org.  You may also email drumlinfarm@massaudubon.org for more information and directions to 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA, where the class will take place.

  • Thursday, January 28, 12 noon – 3:00 pm – Garden Club Day at the Worcester Art Museum

    As previously reported, the Worcester Art Museum will present the 8th Annual Flora in Winter January 28 – January 31.  Skilled artisans from across New England create clever, provocative interpretations of works from the Museum’s collection, and public spaces are adorned with arrangements by area florists.  On Thursday, January 28, enjoy a special day of Flora just for Garden Club members.  Begin with a lunch at noon in the Conference Room, followed by a Flora in Winter Chairman’s Tour of the Galleries from 1 – 2 pm.  From 2 – 3 pm, learn design secrets and flower arranging techniques during a Demonstration by legendary arranger Julie Lapham.  Come early at 11 am and stay late until 5 pm to wander through the galleries and breathe in the fresh aromas of spring.  The price for Garden Club Day is $25 for WAM members, $40 for nonmembers (includes Museum admission).  Reservations are required, since space is limited.  Call 508-799-4406, x 3025.

  • Thursday, January 28, 5:30 – 8:00 pm – Flora Euphoria!

    Flora in Winter’s Opening Celebration begins on Thursday, January 28 at 5:30 pm in the Renaissance Court and Galleries of the Worcester Art Museum.  Celebrate Flora in Winter at its freshest during this evening soiree.  Visit with friends and wander the galleries, and be inspired.  Live music and light hors d’oeuvre will be served, with a cash bar.  WAM and Tower Hill Botanic Garden members – $10, nonmembers $20, and no rsvp is required.  If you’ve toured as part of Garden Club Day earlier, consider staying and enjoying the party.  The picture below shows Garden Club of the Back Bay member Donna Morrissey’s creation from Flora in Winter 2008.