Boston Flora

Month: July 2011

  • Thursday, October 13 – Saturday, October 15 – Tour of Garden in the Brandywine Valley

    Join Berkshire Botanical Garden staff Dorthe Hviid, Elisabeth Cary and Molly Boxer October 13 – 15 for a three-day study weekend in the Brandywine valley of Pennsylvania. The cornerstone of this trip includes attendance to the Perennial Plant Conference held at the extraordinary Scott Arboretum located on the campus of Swarthmore College (pictured below.)  Attended by both professional and avid home gardeners from the northeast and mid-Atlantic states, this conference is by far the most sophisticated, cutting edge gardening conference held on the East Coast. This three-day trip includes transportation tours of exceptional gardens both private and public, admission to a world class gardening conference and optional evening lectures. There will be a bit of free time for relaxing and resting weary feet! The staff is eager to share this wonderful gardening adventure with you.

    Included in the $765 cost (add $180 for a single room, and one must join the Berkshire Botanical Garden if not already a member):

    Attendance to The Fall Perennial Plant Conference at Swarthmore College. Speakers include Fergus Garrett, Nan Sinton, Sydney Eddison, Roy Diblick, Gregg Tepper and the ever popular Promising Perennial Forum. For more information visit www.perennialplantconference.com.

    Garden visits include:

    Hortulus Farm, the private garden of Renny Reynolds and Jack Staub, New Hope, Pennsylvania.

    Chanticleer Garden, Wayne, Pennsylvania

    Scotts Arboretum, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.

    Longwood Garden, Kennett Square, PA

    Overnight accommodation at the Radnor Hotel on Philadelphia’s Main Line in Wayne, PA conveniently located near area gardens.

    All lunches and breakfasts, admission to all gardens and the conference are included in the fee. Evening meals are on your own – a variety of different restaurants are located within walking distance to the hotel.  A non-refundable $400 deposit is due by August 15.  For more information, visit www.berkshirebotanical.org.

  • Saturday, August 6, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Container Gardening for the Urban Dweller

    Want to grow veggies, herbs, flowers, even shrubs, but don’t have the garden space? Don’t despair! If you have a patio, porch, or windowsill you can experience the pleasures of gardening from spring through fall. In this class, we’ll learn about where and how to grow the flowers you’ve always wanted and get ideas for new and exciting plants. This Boston Center for Adult Education class will cover containers, soil, feeding and disease control, varieties of plants, growing conditions, and more. Every student will leave with their very own potted, starter plant and the skills to create a little garden oasis in the city. The class will take place at 122 Arlington Street in Boston on Saturday, August 6, from 10 – 2, and the charge is $40 for BCAE members, $45 for nonmembers, with a $10 materials fee.  Register on line at www.bcae.org, or call 617-267-4430.

     

  • Saturday, July 30, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm – Rhizome Sale by the Iris Society of Massachusetts

    The Iris Society of Massachusetts is holding a rhizome sale on Saturday, July 30, from 11 – 4, at Verrill Farm, on Wheeler Road in Concord, Massachusetts. The plants are donated by members and are ones that thrive in our region. You can choose from a variety of bearded irises, Siberians, and others.  Now is a perfect time to plant irises! Come early for the best selection of plants. Society members will be on hand to answer questions and make suggestions.  The event is free and open to the public.  For more information, log on to www.massirises.org.  Image below of bearded iris ‘Orange Harvest’ from www.thegoodthing.org

  • Saturday, July 23, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm – Dedham BioBlitz

    The Dedham BioBlitz is an interactive event where parents, children and family members can explore the outdoors and seek out species for identification. The goal is to tag and identify 375 species, such as plants, lichens, fungi, mammals, insects, birds, spiders, reptiles, and amphibians. Although there may be thousands of species in Dedham, the idea is to celebrate and honor Dedham’s milestone anniversary of 375 years as a town and community. Events scheduled for the day include nature walks led by world-renowned naturalist Peter Alden, a kid-friendly nature scavenger hunt along the banks of the Charles River, information sharing by field specialists who will educate participants about wetlands, vernal pools, meadows, New England wildflowers, and native and invasive species. A display of live animals, and natural curiosities will also be a part of the festivities. The BioBlitz is FREE and open to all curious minds.  Meet at the Dolan Recreation Center, 269 Common Street in Dedham, at 9 am on Saturday, July 23.  For more information, email steph@dinosaur13.com.

  • Thursdays, July 21 – August 25, 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm – Beverage Confidential: The History of Libations

    This Berkshire Botanical Garden series covers history, lore, and practical know-how about some of life’s best indulgences. Learn about coffee, chocolate, beer and cider, how they have been used throughout history and are now celebrated in contemporary society. Consider the amazing artisan beer, cider, coffee and chocolate available in the Berkshires and learn tips and techniques from the experts for steeping, brewing, pressing and baking at home. Lectures will include demonstrations and participants will enjoy tasty samplings following the talks.

    The first of the series is entitled Sweet Perfection – Chocolate from Seed to Sweet.  Cacao (Theobroma cacao) known as chocolate, once considered only as a beverage, has a long delicious association with humans. Chocolate has been considered a delicacy for centuries, beginning with the pre-Columbian Mayan cultures, to the chocolatiers of Europe and is now ending as a mass produced commercial product of modern society. Learn about the natural history of this tropical plant, consider its culinary properties and learn about the art and craft of chocolate making from an expert. The talk will include some tasty samples. Instructor Joshua Needleman is creator and chocolatier of Chocolate Springs Café and has been fascinated with chocolate all of his life. He graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, has studied in France and had the opportunity to work at several prestigious establishments, including a stage with Maitre Chocolatier Michel Chaudun.

    Then, on Thursday July 28, hear Beyond the Buzz … All About Coffee. Enjoy a stimulating program on the history of coffee, and learn about its remarkable journey from ancient Ethiopia to the latte shops of modern society. Consider caffeine, the natural stimulant found in coffee, derived from shrubs in the coffea genus and explore the many different coffees available today. Instructor Barth Anderson will explain sustainable, organic as well as fair trade; what they mean and why it’s important. Learn how to brew a great cup of coffee, how to discern a good coffee from a great one and enjoy a delicious sample of the Barrington Coffee Roasting Company summer menu. Barth Anderson co-founded Barrington Coffee Roasting Company in 1993. He is an environmental scientist by education, was drawn to coffee at the age of 14 and clearly hasn’t shaken it since.

    Continue, on August 11, with Brewing Up a Storm: The Art & Science of Beer Making.   One of America’s most popular libations, beer, is enjoying a renaissance through artisan beers, microbreweries and home brewing. Join two brewmasters from The Barrington Brewery for an in-depth look at beer, beer making and the history and science of this popular drink! Learn about the essential ingredients of beer including the hops plant. This talk will cover the basic home brewing process, ingredients and equipment needed. Andrew Mankin is head brewer and co-owner of Barrington Brewery. He began as a home brewer twenty seven years ago and then completed an apprenticeship at the Vaux Brewery in Sunderland, England in 1989. Scott Craumer has been a home brewer for six years and is now a brewer at the Barrington Brewery.

    Finally, on August 25, join John Vittori of Hilltop Orchard for The Big Squeeze: Making Apple Cider, Hard & Sweet, for a look at the art and science of making cider both sweet and hard. This lecture/demonstration will cover the history, culture and lore of cider making. Practical information will include selecting apple varieties, cider making techniques, timing, and preserving of both sweet and hard cider. Following a demonstration with a beautiful two-bucket cider press (courtesy of Denis Mareb at Windy Hill Farm), enjoy a tasting of this local sweet (or hard) drink. John Vittori has owned and operated Hilltop Orchards and Furnace Brook Winery for the past twenty four years. His main interests are, sustainable agriculture, integrated pest management, and land preservation.

    To register for all four classes (BBG members $75, nonmembers $85), or for any individual class ($22), visit www.berkshirebotanical.org.

  • Friday, August 12, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Wrapping Your Garden: Herbs, Flowers and Veggies, Japanese Style

    In Japan, presentation influences so much — food, flowers, tea. But Japan is not the only culture this workshop will be influenced by. There are wonderful, exciting packaging traditions from many cultures that will be introduced in this Berkshire Botanical Garden workshop. August 12 from 10 – 3 is the perfect time to offer this new workshop as our gardens will abound with many herbs, flowers and vegetables ready to harvest and share for packaging. Participants will use basketry materials, papers and metal screening to present their bounty in a new way. Seeds will be held in a simple paper package and even the excessive quantities of zucchini will be newly admired.

    Nancy Moore Bess is a master basket maker and exhibits her baskets worldwide. She has championed Japanese basketry in the west and is the author of Bamboo in Japan. She teaches basket making workshops throughout the United States including for the Haystack School of Crafts on Deer Isle, Maine. Her popular workshops always sell out. Register online at www.berkshirebotanical.org. BBG members: $75, non members: $85, plus a $20 materials fee for all.

  • Wednesday, August 3, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – A Walk Through Time

    The Falmouth Garden Club will present a Standard Placement Flower & Garden Show on Wednesday, August 3, from 10 – 4.  The event will feature homes in the historic Davisville area of Falmouth. Tickets are $25 in advance.  Send a check made out to the Falmouth Garden Club to  Post Office Box 487, Falmouth, MA 02541.  Tickets will be available for pick-up starting at 10 am on the day of the event at the Waquoit Congregational Church, 15 Parsons Lane, East Falmouth.  Tickets can also be purchased the day of the event for $30 at the Church, starting at 10 am.

  • Tuesday and Wednesday, July 19 – 20, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Macro Photography

    Discover the world of nature close up in this macro photography workshop at the Berkshire Botanical Garden, Tuesday – Wednesday, July 19 – 20, from 3 – 6. Learn to take amazing photos of flowers, leaves, insects, feathers, pebbles and more at the Berkshire Botanical Garden. Each class will include a lecture on techniques, demonstrations, and plenty of practice time in the garden. Participants will also bring developed photos to the second class for analysis and critique. Learn the tips and techniques of using macro settings on your own camera, as well as learning about different lenses and lighting techniques for more advanced photo adventures. Discuss focus, light, composition, color and final output of your photographs. Students will get a chance to use the instructor’s high-end macro lenses with a Canon dSLR (digital single lens reflex). This workshop will be fun, relaxed, non-competitive and students will learn by doing.

    Taylor Mickle is a photographer based in Copake, New York. She holds a BA in studio art (photography) and an MS in Arts Technology Management. Her photographs can be seen in Hudson, NY’s Columbia County Council on the Arts Gallery and Arts Walk. Her passion for macro photography is unending and she loves teaching all ages and sharing her enthusiasm and knowledge of photography with others. Register on line at www.berkshirebotanical.org, and you will receive a materials list upon registration. Fee for BBG members is $55, nonmember fee is $65.

  • Friday, August 12 – Sunday, August 14, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm – Bring in the Garden

    The Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture bring Carol Ann Morley to guide you in this three day course at the Wellesley College Botanic Garden, Friday, August 12 through Sunday, August 14, from 9:30 – 3:30 each day.  Discover graphite pencil techniques for sketching more quickly and looking more closely at flower structures.  Sketch the shape and movement of flowers sitting amongst them in the garden.  Then bring your notes and sketches into the studio to render the intricacies of flowering plants with finely detailed tonal studies.  WCFH members $250, non-members $300.  To register, call 781-283-3094, or log on to www.wellesley.edu/WCFH.  Illustration by Diane Cardaci.

  • Through October, 2012: Urban Garden Art Installation

    The Rose Kennedy Greenway announces a sixteen month art installation. The Fort Point Channel Parks have been transformed. The recent installation of three contemporary sculptures based on botanical forms, together suggest a fantastic garden amidst the urban-scape of Boston. The Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy, deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum and Boston Properties are proud to present Urban Garden, a sixteen month exhibition of sculpture on the Greenway.  Urban Garden features the work of internationally acclaimed artists, Tom Otterness, John Ruppert (his Pumpkins is below, in a photo by C. Ely) and James Surls and is curated by deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum with generous support from Boston Properties. The exhibition can be viewed in Fort Port Channel Parks through October 2012.