Boston Flora

Month: June 2010

  • Saturday, June 12, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – A Rose Family Reunion

    The rose family is more than just roses. This large group of plants contains plenty of ornamental trees and shrubs but also an astonishing array of edible fruits including apples, cherries, peaches, almonds, and strawberries.

    On this free tour on Saturday, June 12, beginning at 1 pm, you will walk through the Arnold Arboretum’s Bradley Rosaceous Collection andl look at some of the beautiful, unusual, and edible members of the rose family, complete with interesting tales of how these plants came to the Arboretum and what’s happening in the collection.  The Arboretum is located at 125 Arborway, Jamaica Plain, and for directions, call 617-384-5209, or email arbweb@arnarb.harvard.edu.  Photo by kreynard.

    http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3611/3520149355_b1554b2a99.jpg?v=0

  • Saturday, June 19, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Making More Woody Plants – Taking Cuttings

    Longing for that special hydrangea? Learn how to propagate easy to grow shrubs and trees in a class at Berkshire Botanical Garden, 5 West Stockbridge Road, West Stockbridge on Saturday, June 19,  from 10 – noon,  with woody plant specialist Adam Wheeler. He will cover how to collect, prepare and propagate shrubs and trees from softwood cuttings. Set at a good time of the year, participants will take cuttings, make a simple propagator and learn techniques needed for insuring successful rooting. Easily propagated shrub varieties, cultivation requirements, timing and care will be the focus of this program. Participants will go home with some great plant material.  Materials are included in the cost of the class, but please bring your own hand pruners.   $40 members of BBG, $45 non members.  Register on line at www.berkshirebotanical.org, or call 413-298-3926.

    Adam Wheeler is the Propagation and New Plant Development Manager for Broken Arrow Nursery located in Hamden, Ct. a specialty nursery with a focus on woody plants, especially kalmias (below.)  He has an M.S. in Plant and Soil Science form the University of Vermont and he teaches woody plant propagation workshops throughout New England.

    http://www.english-country-garden.com/a/i/flowers/kalmia-5.jpg

  • Thursday, June 24, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm – Survey of Grasses of the Northeast

    Learn how to identify the common grasses in this workshop designed for both amateurs and professionals.  The program, sponsored by The New England Wild Flower Society and taking place at Garden in the Woods in Framingham, will be led by Dennis Magee.  Starting with a review of the morphology of reproductive parts, you’ll focus on characteristics necessary to learn the differences among the numerous grass tribes as well as genera within each tribe.  In an afternoon field session, you’ll learn some shortcuts for recognizing groups.  Handouts will be provided.  Bring a 10x hand lens and a bag lunch.  Fee is $66 for NEWFS members and $78 for nonmembers.  The grasses below were photographed at Margaret Pokorny’s New Hampshire residence in 2008. Register at www.newfs.org.

  • Tuesday, June 15, 6:00 pm – The Friends of Copley Square Annual Meeting

    The Annual Meeting of The Friends of Copley Square will be held Tuesday, June 15, beginning at 6:00 pm in the Orientation Room of the Boston Public Library (McKim Building), 700 Boylston Street, Boston.  A slate of Officers and Directors will be presented by the Nominating Committee for election.

    The Friends of Copley Square has been inactive during the past few years, and a new and energized Board hopes to expand the membership roster in order to continue providing extraordinary care for this highly visible park .  For more information, log on to http://friendsofcopleysquare.org.

    http://photos.igougo.com/images/p162181-Boston-Fountain_at_Copley_Square.jpg

  • Wednesday, June 23, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm – Wildflower Propagation I: Transplanting Seedlings and Rooting Cuttings

    Ron Wik of Garden in the Woods will present a class on Wednesday, June 23, beginning at 11 am, sponsored by The New England Wild Flower Society.  This lecture/workshop covers propagation from cuttings, container growing, and transplantation. The morning session discusses basic plant physiology and anatomy, cutting techniques, container design, soil mixes and fertilization. The second part of the class provides an opportunity for guided practice taking cuttings and transplanting seedlings of various wildflowers to take home. Bring a sharp pair of scissors or pruners. Pots, soil, and a variety of plant materials provided. $62 for NEWFS members, $72 for nonmembers.  Register at www.newfs.org.

    http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/Wildseed/info/2.2.jpeg

  • Friday, June 18 – Sunday, June 20 – The Maine Gardeners and Artisans Festival

    The three-day Garden Fair at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens June 18 – June 20  features an amazing array of merchandise by vendors from many areas of the U.S. Each day will bring new entertainment, tours, and talks – all free to those who attend. In addition, Barbara Damrosch and Eliot Coleman will present the keynote lecture Eating from the Garden Year-Round, Even in Maine from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Saturday, June 19. See a display of container gardens created by professionals and amateur gardeners, with some of the containers available for sale. Garden Fair media sponsors are WHOM and Down East Magazine, Books & Online.  Free with Gardens admission.  For a complete schedule and directions to Boothbay, Maine, log on to www.mainegardens.org, or call 207-633-4333.

    http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1v5Yo0xZ9zY/SN8SkcLUyyI/AAAAAAAAAhk/BRKkLp-tw_g/s320/b+and+e.jpg

  • Thursday, June 10, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm – An Intimate Garden Tour: The Maddock Garden, Barrington

    Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum invites you beyond the garden gate to tour this charming local property on Thursday, June 10, from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. As part of a small and informal group, discover the Maddock Garden’s story and distinct collection of plants. See the landscape through the eyes of the owner and come away with new ideas and a fresh perspective. Each Intimate Garden Tour is unique, but all afford the opportunity to explore and ask questions.

    The Maddock garden is an original Cape style home and garden, once used as a gardener’s cottage. In this magical garden you will find a breathtaking rose arbor, bordering a sunny perennial bed, which connects the greenhouse to the fernery. The fernery welcomes its guests with gifts of Trillium, Hosta, and native ferns. Native plantings, including spring ephemerals, and bulbs will delight. The newly constructed Lantern walk and quiet upper terrace are planted with Japanese maples, and assorted hydrangeas for late summer interest. A hard surface walkway around the garden makes for a pleasant stroll whatever the weather.

    *In the case of heavy rain, participants will be notified of cancellations by phone. If you do not hear from us a few hours before the program start, the program will run as scheduled.  Directions to the site will be mailed a few weeks prior to the tour. Light refreshments will be served.  Registration is limited and required in advance. Call 401-253-2707, or email jmurphyedu@blithewold.org.  You may also log on to www.blithewold.org.  $30 Blithewold members, $35 non-members.

    http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dhOHZ7F7les/R_-mEl9ODwI/AAAAAAAAAHw/0UIY4JTm474/s320/Cecile+Brunner+just+open.JPG

  • Saturday, June 19, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Field and Floodplain Forest Foray

    The New England Wild Flower Society sure knows how to name a field trip. On Saturday, June 19, beginning at 10 am, come to Heard Farm in Wayland, Massachusetts. The Sudbury River curves around this upland area, farmed for centuries.  Vast hayfields support bobolinks, grassland birds that require large open spaces.  The Sudbury floods regularly, providing a band of floodplain forest and marshland along the slow, broad river.  Botanize the fields, learning common grasses and wildflowers of cultural landscapes.  Explore the shrubby edges with both native wetland vegetation and exotic invasives and talk about appropriate management.  Walk out to a point of mature trees overlooking the marshes of the National Wildlife Refuge and discuss the ecology of floodplains and the plants that can grow there.  Walking is easy, about a mile. Bring Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide, a hand lens (and binoculars!) for full enjoyment of this botanical morning.  Frances Clark will be your leader, and the fee is $16 for NEWFS members and $18 for nonmembers.  Register at www.newfs.org.

    http://www.wayland.ma.us/conservation/heardpic2.jpg

  • Saturday, June 12 and Saturday, June 26, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm – Boston Hazardous Waste Drop Off Days

    The City of Boston holds Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Days twice a year. As they are scheduled, the details are posted on the following website: www.cityofboston.gov/publicworks/recycling/hazardouswaste.asp.

    Drop Off Schedule & Locations

    Currently, the City of Boston’s Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Days are scheduled for:

    June 12, 2010
    9am-2pm
    University of Massachusetts, Boston
    100 Morrissey Blvd., Dorchester

    June 26, 2010
    9am-2pm
    West Roxbury Public Works Yard
    315 Gardner St, West Roxbury

    Guidelines

    Put household poisons, insecticides, paint, tires, auto fluids, car batteries, wood preservatives, herbicides and pool supplies, propane tanks, motor oil , and products labeled corrosive, flammable or toxic in cardboard boxes for safe transport and bring them to the above locations.

    For Boston residents only. No commercial waste will be accepted. Proof of residency required. The City reserves the right to reject materials. For more information call 617-635-4959.

    TVs & Computer Monitors
    TVs & computer monitors are NOT accepted at Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Days. Please call 617-635-7574 for home pickup of TVs and computer monitors.

    Web Link http://www.cityofboston.gov/publicworks/recycling/hazardouswaste.asp

    http://www.ci.redlands.ca.us/utilities/images/HHWPageGraphic.gif

  • Wednesday, June 16, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm – Farm to Fork Discussion Panel – Willow Speaking

    Come to Boston University’s Sargent College, 635 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 101, on Wednesday, June 16, beginning at 6:30 pm, for a provoking panel discussion in the Farm to Fork series. How do we get the food we eat? At the grocery store? From the deli? Out of a backyard? This panel of specialists is excited about local food, but beyond passion, they are ready to share with you how they farm, how they buy, and how they serve with intention. You’ll walk away inspired by what’s possible! Meet the panelists: John Lee of Allandale Farms, chef JJ Gonson, Jeff Morin, Manager of City Feed and Willow Blish, volunteer co-leader of the Boston chapter of Slow Food. The evening will be moderated by Drew Love, FRESH’s Event Coordinator for Boston and Intern for the Real Food Challenge. Tickets: $10.   At this event, you will receive a free voucher to see FRESH at the Brattle Theatre June 18-23. More information: http://action.freshthemovie.com/p/d/freshthemovie/event/display-theater-event.sjs?event_KEY=21814#freshweek3

    http://blog.lib.umn.edu/puot0002/3004/assets_c/2010/03/Grocery%20Store-thumb-450x337-33048.jpg