Boston Flora

Month: June 2010

  • Saturday, June 12, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – The Essentials of Garden Maintenance

    The Berkshire Botanical Garden, 5 West Stockbridge Road, West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, will hold a lecture and field study afternoon on Saturday, June 12, from 1 – 3 with Elisabeth Cary. After the first bloom of spring, as summer advances, the perennial border can often lose its lovely appearance. Learn how to keep the perennial border looking its best all season long by shaping perennials to produce more flowers, encouraging new growth, staggering bloom times, discouraging pests and encouraging vigorous plant health. Simple techniques for pruning, shaping, pinching, thinning, deadheading and staking perennials will be discussed and demonstrated. Weed control and mulching will be covered.

    Elisabeth Cary is the Director of Education at the Berkshire Botanical Garden and has been gardening for over twenty years. She specializes in perennial, vegetable and mixed border gardens. She teaches woody plant identification for the horticulture certificate program and perennial and vegetable gardening for beginners.  The class is $18  for BBG members and $24 for non members.  You may register on line at www.berkshirebotanical.org, or by calling 413-298-3926.  Image below from www.thegardenerseden.com.

    http://www.thegardenerseden.com//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/perennial-borders.jpg

  • Sunday, June 6, 2:00 pm – America’s Arboreal Bequest

    Take a walking tour of Mount Auburn Cemetery on Sunday, June 6, beginning at 2 pm, with Jim Gorman, a Lecturer at the Boston Architectural College and a Volunteer Docent at Mount Auburn. From the 1530’s onward, explorers and plant collectors reveled in the rich botanical diversity found in the newly discovered United States. Join Jim and help examine a sampling of trees and shrubs once craved for scientific, economic, ornamental and medicinal uses and listen as he recalls some illustrious plant collectors. $5 members; $10 non-members.  For more information, log on to www.mountauburn.org.  The image below may depict the Japanese maples planted at the Boston Public Library main branch courtyard and later moved to Mount Auburn.

    http://www.frogsonice.com/photos/may-mt-auburn/japanese-maple.jpg

  • Wednesday, June 2 – Sunday, July 18 – Bring Back The Animals: An Exhibit of Native American Artists

    Curated by Mashpee artist/musician Ej Mills Brennan, this exhibition at Highfield hall, 56 Highfield Drive in Falmouth, is presented under the auspices of the Native Arts Invitational, Northeast Woodland: Interpretations. In addition to her own multi-media works, she will feature the artwork of Native American artisans from throughout New England.

    Environmental health and traditional native celebrations of the seasonal abundance of plant and animal life will serve as unifying themes for the works on display. The dates of the exhibit, June 2 – July 18, span the time frame leading up to, during and following the annual Mashpee Pow Wow, usually held during the July 4th weekend. Free admission. For more information, call 508-495-1878, ext. 313, or log on to www.highfieldhall.org.

    http://www.plimoth.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/C/D/CD-Breath_of_Prayers_II_.jpg

  • Saturday, June 12, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Growing Vegetables in Containers

    City Natives, 30 Edgewater Drive in Mattapan, is the location of a second class on Saturday, June 12, from 1 – 2:30, this time dealing with the subject of container gardens, which offer many benefits to the urban gardener in terms of beauty, practicality, and most importantly, produce close at hand.  Jo Ann Whitehead, BNAN Garden Educator, will cover the techniques used to design, create, and maintain successful container vegetable gardens.  Reservations required.  Call BNAN at 617-542-7696, or email info@bostonnatural.org.

    http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3214/2404775807_bf8b8c81e7_m.jpg

  • Saturday, June 12, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Vegetable Garden Basics

    The Boston Natural Areas Network will help you maximize your vegetable garden experience on Saturday, June 12, from 10 – 11:30 am at City Natives, 30 Edgewater Drive in Mattapan.  Learn about soil building, plant spacing, water conservation, and how to develop a garden schedule.  Jo Ann Whitehead will give you answers regarding crop rotation advantages, succession planting, and ideal planting times for the season.  Reservations required. Call BNAN at 617-542-7696, or email info@bostonnatural.org.

    http://2hlfarms.com/images/Vegetable-Basket.jpg

  • Friday, June 4, 7:00 am – Early Risers’ Horticultural Club

    For those that appreciate the early morning or who are looking for a quick walk before work, visit Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge on Friday, June 4, at 7 am.  This brief excursion will highlight what’s in bloom throughout the spring, from early bulbs to magnificent trees.  Walks begin promptly and last approximately one hour.  No preregistration required.  Free.  For more information and directions, log on to www.mountauburn.org.  Richard Cheek photograph.

    http://www.mountauburn.org/interface/horticulture.jpg