Boston Flora

Month: May 2010

  • Saturday, June 12, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – “Alternative” Lawns

    The Ecological Landscaping Association, in conjunction with Green Decade, sponsors a tour of four residential Newton properties on Saturday, June 12, from 1 – 4 pm.  Are you looking for alternatives to traditional, monoculture lawns that require a lot of water, chemicals, and time?  There are many alternatives to a resource-intensive, chemically-maintained lawn.  Visit four beautiful and successful properties in Newton to see organic lawns, meadow gardens, and edible landscapes.  Each location that you visit will have a professional on-site to discuss the project design, maintenance, answer your questions, and help you understand the options that you have this season to move to more sustainable and organic practices.  All of the sites will be open during the entire tour, so you may choose how much time to spend at each location.

    Perennial and Meadow Gardens:  Elaine Bresnick is a technology entrepreneur.  A few years ago, her gardens, which she called “the final frontier,” were rescued from over 25 years of neglect by Risa Edelstein, a local landscape designer, who designed and installed the lovely, indigenous and drought tolerant organic plantings which thrive there today.  The design was inspired by Elaine’s neighbor, Virginia Inglis, who adopted the notion of no lawn, years before.  Virginia’s backyard garden, terraced with billows of grasses and perennials, is a wildlife sanctuary in the middle of Newton.  Risa will be on hand to guide you through these gardens and answer your questions.

    Edible Garden: Ted Chapman, another local landscape designer, is opeing his own property for this unique opportunity to tour a successful example of an edible landscape.  Sustainability and energy efficiency are hallmarks of this property.  Using a permaculture model, Ted began designing this edible landscape in 1983.  The mature plantings are both beautiful and productive and are a testament to sustainable maiintenance practices.  Ted’s property also features a 1983 passive solar retrofit of an 1880 working class Victorian home.

    Organic Lawn: This private property will demonstrate a successful organic lawn installation that has been managed sustainably for a few years.  Frank Koll, an organic lawn care professional, will be on hand to answer your questions about organic fertilizers, compost tea, watering, and organic lawn care.

    $15 for ELA or Green Decade Members, $20 for non-members.  Registration is limited.  Call 617-436-5838, or email ela.info@comcast.net.

    http://www.ithaca.edu/alternativelandscaping/images/full/garden1.jpg

  • Thursday, June 3 – Sunday, June 6, and Saturday, June 12 – Sunday, June 13, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm – Hosta and Perennial Sale

    The Lyman Estate Greenhouses will host the annual Hosta and Perennial Sale on Thursday, June 3 – Sunday, June 6, and again Saturday, June 12 – Sunday, June 13, from 9:30 am – 4:00 pm.  Thousands of plants are available in creams, golds, blues, and mixes.  Choose from large specimen and small plants, along with many new to the market and hard-to-find varieties.  The Lyman Estate  knowledgeable staff is on hand to help you choose the right hostas for your garden. Free admission.  Call 781-891-1985 for more information, or log on to www.historicnewengland.org.

    http://www.parkgreen.co.uk/photos/Hosta%20%27Patriot%27.jpg

  • Peony Season

    Faith Crawford, photographer and designer of this web site, posted some peony pictures on her own website, www.faithcrawford.com, which are quite luscious, and we think you will enjoy them.  A sample is shown below.

    DSC 0016 peonies

  • Saturday, June 5, 11:00 am – 25th Annual Tower Hill Plant Sale

    It’s hard to believe that 25 years have passed since the first Plant Sale was held on the rough field and lawn in front of the Farmhouse.  That sale attracted nearly 400 visitors – pretty astonishing for the first sale at the brand new headquarters of the Worcester County Horticultural Society. At its peak, the sale has attracted as many as 3,100 visitors, expanding to become one of Tower Hill’s largest fundraisers.

    Because of the construction  at the core of the property, this year’s sale will be held in the grassy overflow parking field adjacent to the paved lots.  Some details remain the same: one of the many benefits of Tower Hill’s Plant Sale is the ability to select from the specialty offerings of more than a dozen participating Plant Societies, including Bamboo, Cactus & Succulent, Conifer, Daylily, Epimedium, Fern, Heather, Hosta, Indoor Gardeners, Lilac, Magnolia, Miniature Plants, Orchid, Rhododendron, and Rose.  These ardent devotees are wild about their specific plant interests and can offer great tips on care and growing.  Please note that a Tower Hill member discount card does not apply to sales in the plant society area, and most of the societies are able to accept only cash or checks.

    More than 12,000 plants will be available for sale:  unusual perennials, herbs and everlastings, shrubs and trees, including Cary Award Winners, natives, annuals, incredible edibles, and Tower Hill “Best Buy” plants – donated divisions from beautiful plants grown by members. Special Plant Sale T-shirts to commemorate the 25th anniversary will be sold, and there will be Plant Giveaways to our early arriving members.  Two silent auctions on the day of the Plant Sale feature a variety of choice, hard to find, specimen plants and garden ornaments.  Register first and enjoy the challenge of competing with other plant enthusiasts for the plants that spark your interest.  Tower Hill members enjoy the benefit of early admission at 9 a.m.  For more information, call 508-869-6111, or log on to www.towerhillbg.org.

    http://www.soonerplantfarm.com/_ccLib/image/plants/DETA-835.jpg

  • Sunday, June 13, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm – Ferns of Estabrook Woods

    Don Lubin and Raymond Abair will lead a New England Wild Flower Society field trip on Sunday, June 13, from 11 – 3.  The large woods known as Estabrook Woods on the north side of Concord, Massachusetts has more fern diversity than one might expect. The normal array of common ferns is augmented by rich swamp edges and as well as old limestone quarry pits.  Expect to see Massachusetts fern, Christmas fern, ebony spleenwort, fragile fern, and perhaps a couple of other calciphiles.  Some off-trail walking is involved, but not much climbing. Wear long pants, and bring insect repellent, a bag lunch, and a hand lens if you have one.  Directions will be sent upon registration, which may be done by logging on to www.newfs.org.  Fee is $32 for members and $36 for nonmembers.

    http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KdN7empj1s8/SiD4gRG2JWI/AAAAAAAAGNc/TrnQi_8OJi0/s320/Mem+005.jpg

  • Susan Juretschke Profiled on BostonZest.com

    All Garden Club of the Back Bay members take note:  our own Susan Juretschke is featured today (May 24) at www.BostonZest.com. Susan is the Club’s Horticulture Chair, and recognition for all the work she does for the neighborhood and our Club is long overdue.   She will also talk about urban gardening in tomorrow’s BostonZest post, so be sure to log on!

  • US Department of Agriculture Launches “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food”

    Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan has launched a website – “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food,” and plans a Facebook chat to expand the conversation on local food systems.  The new web pages and on-line tools will help consumers make healthier food choices.  There is a lot on this website to explore. This is a USDA effort to create new economic opportunities by better connecting consumers with local producers. It is also the start of a national conversation about the importance of understanding where your food comes from and how it gets to your plate. Today, there is too much distance between the average American and the farmer, and the USDA hopes to create links. To log on, click on to www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/knowyourfarmer?navid=KNOWYOURFARMER (I know, could they possibly have made that address a little shorter?)

    http://www.foodsafetynews.com/USDA%20Know%20Your%20Farmer.jpg

  • Friday, June 11, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Glories of the Garden Art and Floral Show Preview Party

    A celebration of the opening night of Glories of the Garden, a summer-long series of programs and events to support the restoration of the gardens at Highfield Hall, will be held Friday, June 11, from 6 – 8:30 pm at Highfield Hall, 56 Highfield Drive in Falmouth.

    The evening’s activities  include hors d’oeuvre by Chef Roland, a complimentary wine and beer bar, and a preview of an art exhibition representing 34 regional artists. Participating artists include Kate Nelson, Ron Fowler, Jan Lhormer, Hilary Osborn, Doug Rugh, Jane Eccles, MaryAlice Eizenberg, Sarah Fielding-Gunn, Suzanne Packer, Christie Velesig, Joyce Zavorskas (whose painting is pictured below,) Susan Anne Hollis, Joan Ledwith, Jane Lincoln, Linda Young, Audrey Forge, Anne Boucher, Diana Lee, Julie Olander, Marisa Repeta, Carol Odell, Tamara Clark, Priscilla Levesque, Mona Podgurski,  Sandra Wakeen, Aleta Steward, Loraine Trenholme, M’Lou Sorrin, Ron Tinney, and Rosalie Nadeau.   There will also be a floral show, silent auction, and raffle.   Tickets, $75 per person, can be purchased online at www.highfieldhall.org/programs_fundraisers.shtml or by calling (508)495-1878, ext. 313.

    http://www.highfieldhall.org/images/Zavorskas%20web.jpg

  • Sunday, June 20 – Thursday, June 24 – 2010 Joint Field Meeting of the Northeast Section of the Botanical Society of America, the Torrey Botanical Society, and the Philadelphia Botanical Club

    The 2010 Field Meeting of the Northeast Section of the Botanical Society of America, the Torrey Botanical Society and the Philadelphia Botanical Club, to be held Sunday, June 20 – Thursday, June 24 will explore the Botany of Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Participants will stay at Buxton School in the heart of Williamstown, down the street from the famous Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute and Williams College. This is a lovely country setting with hiking trails close by.

    Accommodations are in the school dormitory rooms in the main building and two other buildings on campus. Men and women will have separate facilities either by building or by floor. Most rooms will have two, three or four occupants and bathrooms are shared. Private rooms for singles or couples will be hard to come by, but we may be able to arrange something depending on the registration number. Also, if anyone would prefer a private room with bath, the Williams Inn is just down the street and will have rooms available for $125 single and $145 double (plus tax) per night. For this, you make your own arrangements. All your meals would be at Buxton.

    Buxton has the reputation of having very good meals using local produce when available. The price of the field meeting will be $350 including four nights lodging and meals from Sunday night thru Thursday breakfast. Linens are included. Without room, price is $225.

    Field trips, by bus, will include Mt. Greylock (below), the highest mountain in Massachusetts with its own unique sub-alpine boreal forest and rare plants, and Bartholomew’s Cobble, National Natural Landmark, where “you’ll find one of North America’s greatest diversity of fern species” and many interesting plants amid the unusual geology of the cobbles. Other trips will depend on the best botanical locations at the time. There will be a variety of evening lectures. For further information, contact Chairperson Nan Williams at nnwrowe@gmail.com, (413) 339-5598, or download the invitation at www.ct-botanical-society.org.

    http://www.innatironmasters.com/images/trail.jpg

  • Sunday, June 6, 2:00 pm – The Maine Work of Beatrix Farrand

    The Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites are pleased to announce the Fifth Annual Bellefield Design Lecture: The Maine Work of Beatrix Farrand by Patrick Chasse, a program of its park partner, The Beatrix Farrand Garden Association, on Sunday, June 6, beginning at 2 pm, at the Henry A. Wallace Visitor Center at the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt Historic Site and The FDR Presidential Library and Museum, 4079 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, New York.  Patrick will discuss Farrand’s life and work in Maine from childhood through her retirement at Garland Farm, including a number of private commissions that are rarely ever seen by the public. A reception and heirloom plant, book and garden treasure sale will follow in the Garden at Bellefield.  Tickets are $30 ($25 for Beatrix Farrand Garden Association and Garden Conservancy members), and may be purchased in advance (strongly recommended, because seating is limited) by logging on to www.beatrixfarrandgarden.org or by calling 845-229-9115, ext. 26.

    http://www.gardenpreserve.org/preserve-images/books/reef-detail.jpg