Boston Flora

Month: June 2010

  • Saturday, July 10, 10:00 am – Sedge Workshop at Lockwood Farm Cottage

    The Connecticut Botanical Society will sponsor a Sedge Workshop on Saturday, July 10, beginning at 10 am at Lockwood Farm Cottage in Hamden, Connecticut.  Led by Sigrun Gadwa, CBS Plant Ecologist, the workshop will work with fresh specimens of the Carex species from the 2010 field season, examining both inflorescences and vegetative characteristics, such as the color of leaf bases.  You’ll learn several distinctive sedge “Sections.”  If you collect a sedge to bring to the workshop, collect only a small portion of a clump, and a few perigynia (seeds); refrigerate in a ziplock bag until the workshop.  Bring a loupe. Directions: Interstate 91: Take exit 10. Follow the Route 40 connector for 3.1 miles. Take a right onto Whitney Ave (Route 10) and go north for 0.6 miles. Take a left onto Evergreen Avenue, go 0.1 mile and take a right onto Kenwood Avenue. The farm is on your left; take the second driveway and follow signs to the cottage.  $15 – no registration required.  For more information, log on to www.ct-botanical-society.org.

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  • Thursday, July 15, 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm – Photographing Your Garden

    This Berkshire Botanical Garden workshop on Thursday, July 15, from noon to 5, will help participants use cameras to see gardens in new ways and bring their garden photography to a higher level. Instruction will cover basic camera functions and digital basics in easy-to-understand concepts and then apply them to the unique challenges of photographing a garden. Participants will spend time outdoors photographing the beautiful gardens at Berkshire Botanical. Following the shooting session review/critique the images made during the afternoon. Participants with specific questions about their camera should bring the camera manual along.

    Rich Pomerantz, one of this year’s Garden Club of the Back Bay speakers, is a full time freelance photographer who specializes in garden photography for books, and magazines. Rich’s images have appeared in periodicals including Garden Design, Traditional Home, Horticulture and Fine Gardening, and Brides Magazine. Rich’s book Great Gardens of the Berkshires was published in October, 2008.  The workshop will cost $50 if a BBG member, $60 if not.  Bring a digital camera to class. You may register on line at www.berkshirebotanical.org, or call 413-298-3926.

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  • Thursday, July 8, 10:00 am – Tree Pruning: Health, Aesthetics and Safety

    David Salter, Tree Division Manager of Hamilton Tree in Falmouth, will speak on Tree Pruning: Health, Aesthetics and Safety, on Thursday, July 8, beginning at 10 am at Highfield Hall, 56 Highfield Drive in Falmouth.  From an informed background, with degrees in agriculture and urban forestry, and with certification as a Massachusetts and International Society of Arboriculture arborist, David is ready to help homeowners care for trees on their properties.  David will share the art of tree pruning so you don’t mistakenly damage or even kill a tree.  He’ll review the importance of removing deadwood, decreasing the weight in trees, increasing light to an area, enhancing a view, clearing brush away for fire safety, and shaping and reshaping trees.  He will also discuss the proper tools for different pruning challenges and demonstrate proper pruning techniques.  $5 suggested donation.  For more information, log on to www.highfieldhall.org.

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  • Thursday, July 8, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Neighborhood Night

    On Thursday, July 8, enjoy a summer’s evening soiree celebrating the arrival of summer plants and flowers in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum courtyard, 280 The Fenway, with family events, including planting flowers to take home.  The evening will begin at 5:30, runs until 8 pm, and is free, although tickets are available Tuesday through Thursday, from 11 – 4, the week of the event, since space is limited.  Call 617-566-1401 for more information.

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  • Wednesday, July 7, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Heritage Wheat Field Day

    After years of collecting heritage wheat seeds in villages in Europe and the Mideast,  the University of Massachusetts invites farmers and gardeners, chefs and researchers  to tour the UMass heritage wheat trials of rare grains, spanning little known ancient einkorn, emmer, and Transcaucasus wheat plants to delicious varieties beloved by French artisan bakers, and many more, on Wednesday, July 7, between 1 – 5 pm. Taste and bring home heritage wheat seeds that thrive in New England. Learn how to integrate small grains in a diversified rotation. Share practical experiences to build a local wheat-to-bread system. Taste high nutrition einkorn bread (pictured below)  that is safe for many people who suffer with gluten allergies. $10 donation for einkorn bread.  Contact Eli Rogosa to register: growseed@yahoo.com See: www.growseed.org for registration form. Funded by NESARE.  The address of the UMass Research Farm is 8991 River Road (off Rt. 116), Deerfield, Massachusetts.

    http://www.einkorn.com//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/WheatBreadVariety.jpg

  • Fridays, July 9, July 23, August 6, and August 20, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm – Look Local, Shop Local, Cook Local

    Gail Blakely, long-time food editor of the Enterprise Newspapers and artisan bread baker herself, will guide you through getting to know the vendors of the Falmouth Farmers Market, using local seafood in your recipes, becoming familiar with local cheeses, learning from a local fish chef, and then moving into Fall with the bounty of local produce.  This nutritious and delicious opportunity to eat and cook well is sponsored by Highfield Hall, 56 Highfield Drive in Falmouth, and the four part series will be held on Fridays, July 9, July 23, August 6, and August 20, from 10:30 – 12:30.  Classes are $20 or $75 for the four part series.  Sign up at www.highfieldhall.org.

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  • Friday, July 9 – Saturday, July 10, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Coastal Treasures Garden Tour

    The Wareham Garden Club sponsors its Coastal Treasures Garden Tour on Friday, July 9 and Saturday, July 10, from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.  Tickets cost $18 in advance, and $20 on the day of tour.  Contact Sandy Slavin, 508-291-1643 for more information.

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  • Sunday, July 18, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Minnechaug Mountain

    Another field trip sponsored by The New England Wild Flower Society on Sunday, July 18,  from 10 – 2, will take place in the Berkshires.  Located just a mile north of the Connecticut-Massachusetts border in the Town of Hampden, Minnechaug Mountain has a diversity of forests, wetlands, and stream corridor communties. The mountain, which is owned and managed by the Minnechaug Land Trust, has an elevation of 908 feet and is crossed by a network of hiking trails.  Its forested habitats include northern hardwoods-hemlock-white pine habitats on middle and lower slopes, and richer habitats with sugar maple and white ash at higher elevations.  The summit area has a dry hickory-hornbeam forest (a rare community type in Massachusetts) with a variety of unusual flora that are particular to this type of habitat.  Over the past two years, NEWFS Conservation staff have been working with the Minnechaug Land Trust in botanical inventories and invasive species management on the mountain.  Join us as we continue our botanical forays on this special mountain (there is still plenty of flora to search and identify!) and see some of our ongoing work to improve the quality of its habitats. Moderately strenuous—sturdy footgear recommended.  $32 for NEWFS members, $36 for nonmembers, and registration may be accomplished at www.newfs.org.

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  • Sunday, July 18, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Boulder Loop Trail and Sundown Ledges

    Take a field trip to Albany, New Hampshire with the New England Wild Flower Society on Sunday, July 18, from 10 – 4, led by Chris Mattrick.  The Boulder Loop Trail leaves the Swift River Valley from the Albany Covered Bridge, one of the most scenic locations along the Kancamagus Highway in the heart of the White Mountains. Located on the north side of the “Kanc” and the Swift River, this trail ascends through the boulder-strewn forest below Sundown Ledges. The bowl created by the arc of these ledges is highly enriched and contains several rare plant species. Take a quick off-trail hike to locate the known locations and look for more. The summit is montane acidic cliff community with some pockets of enrichment. The summit of the ledges provides spectacular views of the Swift River Valley to the west and south. Explore the summit area and look for another recently discovered rare species. Recent trail work on the Boulder Loop trail makes this an easy and enjoyable hike. Sturdy hiking boots a must.  Bring a bag lunch, plenty of water, and hand lens if you have one.  $48 fee for NEWFS members, $54 for nonmembers, and you may register at www.newfs.org.

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  • Executive Director, Massachusetts Horticultural Society

    The Massachusetts Horticultural Society is looking for  full time executive leadership. The Executive Director will hold full responsibility for the financial, strategic, and organizational growth and success of Mass Hort. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director will lead the development of the strategic vision and planning process for a renewed organization that drives the mission into an increasingly digital and ecologically-aware world. S/he will capitalize on the past successes, expertise, and resources of the Society to build it into a premier organization known for its mission of promoting the science, art, and practice of horticulture and dedicated to providing the public an appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of plants and our environment.

    The ED must have a leadership style that promotes collective involvement and collaboration, open and inclusive communications, be adept at managing in highly matrixed organizations, advocates and cultivates volunteer involvement, and inspires all parties to work toward a singular mission and vision. The ED will prepare all budgets and cash flow projections and in concert with the Board oversee all external audits.

    Formed in 1829, Massachusetts Horticultural Society is dedicated to encouraging and improving the science and practice of horticulture and to developing the public’s enjoyment, appreciation, and understanding of plants and the environment. With its library, exhibitions, education and community outreach programs, and the recent development of a hands-on education and information center at Elm Bank Reservation in Wellesley, the Society is recognized as a consistent and comprehensive resource for horticultural science and practice, serving more than 270,000 people annually. Among its finest and most widely recognized achievements has been the Society’s Spring Flower Show (now produced as a joint venture). First produced in 1871, the Show was New England’s largest indoor event, attracting nearly 90,000 people annually. MHS is one of the largest horticultural societies in the U.S., and New England is home to one of the largest and most dedicated groups of gardeners in the country.

    Local candidates only – no relocation. For additional information, contact Mass Hort  at 617-933-4900, or mail resume to them at 900 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02482.

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