The leaves are nearly gone from most shrubs, but you can still learn to recognize them, in this Sunday, December 12 class co-sponsored by the New England Wild Flower Society and the Massachusetts Audubon Society. The session will run from 10 – 2 at Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham.
In this class, instructor Roland “Boot” Boutwell focuses on a number of macro-characteristics such as branching patterns, growth habits, bark, persistent fruit, galls, and habitats to help us identify more than 20 native New England shrubs in late fall and winter. We also discuss the natural history of the shrubs we see.
The program begins with a classroom session and then moves into the field. Look for such species as witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), and, of course, winterberry (Ilex verticillata, below) and wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens).
The class will cost $48 for NEWFS and Mass Audubon members, $56 for non-members. Pre-registration is necessary. Contact the registrar at 508-877-7630, ext. 3303, or email registrar@newenglandwild.org.
