Boston Flora

Month: November 2011

  • Saturday, November 19, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Festival of Trees Preview Party

    The Massachusetts Horticultural Society invites you to a special sneak preview party, which offers an intimate opportunity to enjoy the Festival of Trees, which will be open to the public from Wednesday, November 23 through Saturday, December 10.  The preview party on Saturday, November 19, from 6 – 8, will be limited to 175 guests, so order tickets ($45) soon to reserve your place.  Wine, spirits and hors d’oeuvre will be served.  This is an adults-only event.  Photo of spiked cider  from www.sheknows.com.  To reserve tickets, call 617-933-4943, or you may order online at https://www.masshort.org/secureforms/OnlineRegistrationForm-FOT-PreviewParty.php.

  • Monday, November 21, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Boston Urban Forest Council Meeting

    For all those interested in improving and expanding Boston’s Urban Forest, you are invited to the Boston Urban Forest Council Meeting on Monday, November 21, from 6 – 7 at the Boston Natural Areas Network offices, 62 Summer Street in downtown Boston. Become a part of a citizen based stewardship group whose goals are to plan trees and educate the public about the benefits of trees. Please RSVP to reserve your spot at 617-542-7696 ext 20 or email: mathew@bostonnatural.org.

  • Thursday, November 17, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Planting Ecological Gardens

    The Maynard Community Gardeners are sponsoring a lecture entitled Planting Ecological Gardens on Thursday, November 17, from 7 – 9, at the Maynard Public Library, 77 Nason Street in Maynard.  The speaker, Maria von Brincken, earned a graduate design certificate from the Radcliffe Seminars Landscape Program, Radcliffe College in 1994 as well as national certification from the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) in 2003 — one of only seven APLD-certified professional landscape designers in Massachusetts. Her work has been featured in Fine Gardening Magazine and Taunton Press’ Front Yard Idea Book.  The lecture is free and open to the public.

  • Wednesday, November 23 – Saturday, December 10 – 2011 Festival of Trees

    Beginning November 23 and running through December 10, The Massachusetts Horticultural Society will again host the annual Festival of Trees at Elm Bank. The event kicks off the holiday season in a special way: by giving families an opportunity to see spectacularly decorated holiday trees in a festive environment. Tree themes appeal to all ages and all trees are raffled off, with proceeds supporting the mission of the Society.Viewing Days:  Wednesday, November 23 through Saturday December 10 (open Thanksgiving Day).

    Hours: weekends and the day after Thanksgiving: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; other days: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Note: On December 10th the Festival will close at 7 p.m.  General Admission: $8 for Adults, Children under 12 FREE!  Children age 14 or younger must be accompanied by an adult.  Please visit www.masshortfestivaloftrees.org to read more.

  • Sunday, November 20, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Grace Before Meals

    Trinity Church, Copley Square, will host a special pre-Thanksgiving event on Sunday, November 20, from 2 – 4 pm, with Father Leo Patalinghug.  In his book Grace Before Meals: Recipes and Inspiration for Family Meals and Family Life, Father Leo, the same Father Leo who defeated Bobby Flay on Throwdown) helps make family meals a way of life.  He has appeared on CBS, PBS, BC, EWTN, FOX, and The Food Network.  Pre-registration required – contact Kathy Acerbo-Bachmann at kacerbobachmann@trinitychurchboston.org, or call 617-536-0944, ext. 217.

  • Tuesday, January 24, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm – GIS for Public Gardens, Managed Landscapes, and More

    Take your garden maps to the next level. In this introductory, hands-on workshop, to be held Tuesday, January 24 (snow date Wednesday, January 25) at Harvard University’s Science Center Classroom B-09, using individual work stations, Brian Morgan, Developer, ArcGIS Public Garden Data Model, will guide you through the process of creating a Geographic Information System (GIS) for a landscape. Learn how to download and install the Alliance for Public Gardens GIS Public Garden Data Model template, how to create and edit map features in ArcGIS, how to collect garden data, and how to create plant collection maps. Brian will discuss crucial concepts and background information about GIS, managing and presenting garden collections data, and additional resources available for creating a GIS for your own garden, park, nature center, zoo, cemetery, museum or other landscape. Please bring your lunch or plan to purchase lunch locally. Coffee and sandwiches can be purchased from a cart located in the Science Center. Note: eating is not permitted in the computer lab. Offered by the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, the New England Wild Flower Society, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, and the Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture, with promotional support from Mount Auburn Cemetery. Fee before December 15: Members $160, non-members $195. After December 15: Members $185, non-members $220. You may register at www.wellesley.edu/WCFH, or www.newfs.org, www.towerhillbg.org, or www.arboretum.harvard.edu.

  • Saturday, November 19, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – First Annual Citywide Seed Swap

    Join gardeners from around the city for the Boston Gardeners Council’s first annual seed swap, to be held Saturday, November 19, from 2 – 4 at the Boston Natural Areas Network office at 62 Summer Street in Boston. Bring your favorite or extra seeds and discover what other gardeners love to grow. Come share your wisdom, tips and tales of beloved crops. Contact: karen@bostonnatural.org or call 617-542-7696 for more information.

  • Saturday, November 12, 10:00 am – Polly Hill Arboretum Guided Walk

    This Saturday, November 12, join Polly Hill Arboretum Executive Director Tim Boland for a guided walk through the grounds.  Right now there is much to see, including witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), pictured below, which has begun to bloom.  This Martha’s Vineyard native plant has spidery flowers and a soft fragrance.  The walk begins at 10 am.  This is the first of a winter walk series, which will be held the second Saturday of the month, through March.  Tours run about an hour and begin at the Visitor Center.  Tours are free, although a donation is always appreciated.  For more information, visit www.pollyhillarboretum.org.

  • Thursday, November 17, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – The Roses at the End of the Road

    With an illustrated lecture on Thursday, November 17, at 10:00 a. m., Pat Leuchtman will take us on a virtual stroll to see her country garden. The talk is part of the Mass Hort Library’s Author Series, and it is free and open to the public. The author of the new book, The Roses at the End of the Road, began planting her Rose Walk 30 years ago and will tell us about romantic old fashioned roses as well as hardy and disease resistant roses. For 30 years, she has written a column for The Recorder in Greenfield, Massachusetts, and other newspapers, which include The New York Times, the Boston Globe, and the Burlington Free Press. She has also written for magazines, including Horticulture and Organic Gardening. Her book is made up of lively essays about life among the roses and with the commonweeder.com blog. Books will be available for purchase.  Pre-registration is desirable but not required. To tell us that you are coming, please call Librarian Maureen Horn at 617-933-4912 or email her at mhorn@masshort.org.

  • Saturday, November 19, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Fall Leaf Raking

    Join Franklin Park neighbors and volunteers on a crisp fall day as they rake leaves and spruce the park up. Feel free to bring your favorite gloves or an extra rake, although we’ll have plenty on hand for those without.  Perhaps you should also bring your favorite spouse or partner, since the more the merrier. Meet at Valley Gates parking lot (midway down the main park road across from the golf course and near Pierpont Rd.) Call to RSVP at 617-442-4141 or email: RSVP@franklinparkcoalition.org.