Boston Flora

Month: April 2010

  • Saturday, May 15, Friday & Saturday, May 21 – 22, and Saturday, May 29, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm – Annual Garden Plant Sale at Gore Place

    Come purchase a wide variety of open pollinated annuals, perennials, herbs and fifteen varieties of heirloom tomatoes.  These are beautiful, hard-to-find varieties that will enhance any border or decorative garden.  You’ll have the chance to confer with Gore Place gardener Scott Clarke.  Scott has a great deal of knowledge about these varieties and he is eager to share his expertise.  The dates are Saturday, May 15, Friday and Saturday, May 21 – 22, and Saturday, May 29, from 9 – 3, but come early, since some of the offerings may be in limited supply.  Gore Place is at 52 Gore Street in Waltham, Massachusetts, and you may email events@goreplace.org for more information, or call Thom Roach at 781-894-2798.

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  • Sunday, May 2, 7:00 am – Project Bread Walk for Hunger

    Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger is Sunday, May 2, 2010. The 20-mile route weaving through Boston, Brookline, Newton, and Cambridge will include entertainment and free snacks along the way. On May 2nd, over 40,000 Walkers will step out and raise $4 million to help fund over 400 food pantries, soup kitchens, food banks, and food salvage programs across Massachusetts. Registration is from 7:00 to 9:00 A.M. on Boston Common. For more information, visit www.projectbread.org or call 617-723-5000. If you or someone you know is struggling to put food on the table, please call Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333.

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  • Saturday, May 8, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Rose Advice

    Andy Langley of Conard-Pyle Roses will be in the Russell’s Garden Center rose yard to help you select the perfect rose for your garden. Since its founding in 1897, The Conard-Pyle Co. has evolved from a retail mail order firm specializing in roses, to a wholesale container nursery. Today, they grow an extensive range of perennials, ground covers, grasses, woody ornamental plants and roses (see the Knock Out rose below.)

    As one of the pioneer container growers on the East Coast and currently one of the largest and most respected, Conard-Pyle has over 5 million plants growing in its Pennsylvania and Maryland nurseries. In the San Joaquin Valley of California, it grows an equal quantity of Star® Roses.

    Over 75 years ago, Robert Pyle laid the foundation that still exists at The Conard-Pyle Co. today. A beautiful garden begins with exceptional plants. By establishing friendships with nurseries and hybridizers all over the world, Pyle expanded its horticultural palette. These friendships have allowed them to work with some of the world’s most innovative nurseries to introduce plants that have passed the ultimate test — the rigorous American climate.  The event is free. For more information, log on to www.russellsgardencenter.com, or call 508-358-2283.

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  • Thursday, May 13, 6:00 pm – Boston Preservation Alliance Auction and Awards

    Join the Boston Preservation Alliance for Gala on the Greenway, the 2010 Auction and Living Icons Award night, at Goulston & Storrs, 400 Atlantic Avenue in Boston.  Silent and Live Auctions begin at 6:00.  The Boston Preservation Alliance honors Governor Michael S. Dukakis (below, middle) and Frederick P. Salvucci (below, right), former Secretary of Transportation for the Commonwealth.  The pair will be presented with the Alliance’s first “Living Icons” award for their vision in conceiving Boston’s Central Artery Project, and fortitude in making it a reality. Hors d’oeuvre and cocktails by La Morra, wines by Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.  Tickets $150, of which $115 is deductible.  For more information on the awards and auction items log on to www.bostonpreservation.org.

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  • April 26 – May 28 – Boston Public Works Department Seasonal Yard Waste Recycling

    Seasonal yard waste pick-up is on your recycling day (based on address) and will continue from now through May 28.  The Public Works Department will collect your leaves and yard waste, and use it as natural fertilizer for Boston’s community gardens.  Place leaves and yard debris in large paper leaf bags or open barrels labeled “yard waste.”  Large paper leaf bags are available at any local True Value hardware store, supermarket, or Home Depot.  Yard waste stickers are available by calling 617-635-4500.  Tie branches with string, making sure they are no longer than 3 feet in length.  Please do not put branches in the barrels.  Under no circumstances use plastic bags.  We thank The Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay for this timely reminder.

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  • Thursdays, June 3, 10 & 17, 6:30 – 8:45 pm, and Sundays, June 6 & 13, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm – Native New England Shrubs

    The New England Wild Flower Society plans a five session course with Roland “Boot” Boutwell, beginning June 3, which will be held at Garden in the Woods in Framingham, plus various field sites.  The many species of native New England shrubs display a wide variation in size, shape, color and characteristics of their bark, flowers, and fruits.  This course introduces students to approximately 50 species growing in this region.  Identification will be emphasized, and students will become familiar with family characteristics and historic uses.  Bring a hand lens to each session.  Weekend sessions will be held at off-site locations and directions will be provided at the first class.  The fee is $195 for NEWFS members and $225 for non-members.  To register, log on to www.newfs.org.

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  • Saturday, May 8, 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm – Sheep Shearing Day

    OK, we know we’re obsessed with sheep shearing, but Kate Pokorny made converts out of the Garden Club of the Back Bay members.  So celebrate spring at this annual program on Saturday, May 8, from noon – 4, at Watson Farm in Jamestown, Rhode Island.  Watch the farm flock be shorn by local shearers and visit with the baby lambs.  View the farm’s herd of heritage Red Devon Cattle and enjoy a scenic hike around the farm, located on Narragansett Bay.  Free to Historic New England members, $10 per car for nonmembers.   For more information, call 401-423-0005, or log on to www.historicnewengland.org.

  • Saturday, May 8, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm – Draft Horse Plow Day

    While we’re still on the topic of sheep shearing, come to the Spencer-Peirce Little Farm in Newbury, Massachusetts on Saturday, May 8, from 11 – 4, if you’re not already headed down to Rhode Island to Watson Farm, and watch teams of draft horses and mules from throughout New England participate in plowing demonstrations as part of this annual event.  learn how horses are harnessed, hitched, and cared for.  Watch the – you guessed it – sheep shearing and see how the wool is washed, carded, and spun into yarn.  Enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, farm animals, blacksmithing demonstrations, children’s crafts and games.  Listen to fiddle music from E. J. Ouelette and watch a puppet show by Martha Dana.  Free to Historic New England members, $6 nonmember adults, $4 children.  Call 978-462-2634, or log on to www.historicnewengland.org.

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  • Month of May (and into June) Plant Sales

    A number of local Garden Clubs will hold plant sales in early May, to benefit their community projects.  We encourage you to attend and spend, since neighborhood beautification benefits everyone.  For complete, up to date listings, log on to www.gcfm.org and check the Calendar page.  Here are some highlights:

    May 7, 9:00 – 2:00 – Open Gate GC of Chelmsford Plant Sale at the Unitarian-Universalist Church, Chelmsford Center.  Contact sharon8@rubinfamily.com.

    May 8, 9:00 – 1:00 – Bridgewater Garden Club Spring Plant Sale at the Cole Yeaton Senior Center, Bridgewater.

    May 8, 9:00 – 12:00 – Hanson Garden Club Plant Sale at Thomas Mill, Route 58, Hanson.  Contact gparros@comcast.net.

    May 8, 8:30 – 12:00 – Groton Garden Club Plant Sale at Groton Town Hall. Contact Kimniles@hotmail.com.

    May 8, 9:00 – 1:00 – Country Gardeners of Georgetown Plant Sale at the corner of Park and East Main Streets, Georgetown. Contact amlacey@verizon.net.

    May 8, 8:00 – 12:00 – Greenleaf Garden Club of Milford Plant Sale, at Louisa Lake, Milford. Contact tblackbetty1@comcast.net.

    May 8, 9:00 – 12:00 – Arlington Garden Club Spring Plant Sale, on the lawns of the Jason Russell House, corner of Mass. Ave. and Jason Street. Contact Kathy Leva at 781-646-6814.

    May 8, 8:00 – 12:00 – Southborough Gardeners Plant Sale, at Community House, Southborough.

    May 8, 9:00 – 12:00 – Ashland Garden Club Plant Sale, at Montenegro Square in Ashland Center. Contact Diane Roberts at 508-881-8165.

    May 15, 9:00 – 1:00 – Reading Garden Club Geraniums and More Plant and Bake Sale, at the Reading Public Library. Contact Diane Chapin at 781-944-8152.

    May 15, 9:00 – 1:00 – Acton Garden Club Plant Sale at the Acton Center Common. Contact Gail Davidson at 508-993-8701, or email gd1@comcast.net

    May 15, 9:00 – 11L00 – Mansfield Garden Club Gardening on the Green Sale, at Town Hall, Mansfield.

    May 15, 9:00 – 12:00 – Garden Club of Buzzard’s Bay Plant Sale at St. Mary’s Church Parish Center, South Dartmouth.

    May 15, 9:00 – 1:00 – Framingham Garden Club Plant Sale at Cushing Maintenance Building near Keefe Tech School in Framingham. Contact Chris McGuire at 505-405-1113.

    May 16, 10:00 – 2:00 – North Andover Garden Club Plant Sale at Stevens Memorial Library.  For more information, log on to www.northandovergardenclub.com

    May 19, 10:00 – 4:00 – Lexington Field & Garden Club Plant Sale at the National Heritage Museum.

    June 5, 9:00 – 1:00 – Rockport Garden Club Plant and Garden Shed Sale at Spiran Lodge, 19 Broadway, Rockport. For more information, log on to www.rockportgardenclub.org.

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  • Tuesdays, May 11, 18, 25, and June 1, 6:30 – 8:30 pm – Oh Garden of Fresh Possibilities

    Gloucester designer Kim Smith will present the necessary elements for making your garden welcoming to birds, bees, butterflies, and other wildlife.  She will help you assess your existing garden to create a more life-sustaining ecosystem.  Students should research a specific habitat that is of interest and bring photos and sketches of an outdoor space to class, for comment and discussion.  You will gain a deeper understanding of the interconnected world that we human beings share with plants and wildlife, and learn how to translate that information to your own garden.  Copies of Kim’s book, Oh Garden of Fresh Possibilities!, will be available for sale.  The dates are Tuesdays, May 11, 18, 25, and June 1, from 6:30 – 8:30 in the Hunnewell Building of the Arnold Arboretum.  Arboretum members $85, non-members $100. To register, log on to www.arboretum.harvard.edu.

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