Daily Archives: March 14, 2015

From the Archives: Flower Arranging

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The Garden Club of the Back Bay is not known as an “arranging” garden club,  although we have always boasted many talented floral designers among our members.  Our primary Club emphasis is tree care, and flower shows are something of a side line activity.  Delving into our Archives, however, we find members have a long history of providing arrangements to local events.

The Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay gave a supper party for Boston’s City Counselors at the home of Lawrence Perera on Marlborough Street in 1968, and the Garden Club filled the home with bouquets.  During a subsequent Neighborhood Association house tour, Garden Club members decorated the home of host Kitty Winter for the tea associated with the tour.  Mrs. Melvin Johnson created a “particularly interesting flower arrangement” for the Women’s Educational and Industrial Union, formerly located on Boylston Street.  Our presence at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston at Art in Bloom also dates to the event’s inception, and members participate in the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts competitions at the New England Spring Flower Show.

This year, guests at our Twilight Garden Party on Thursday, June 4 at The Chilton Club will enjoy more bouquets created for the event by The Garden Club of the Back Bay.  We hope to see you then.

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Thursday, March 19, Saturday, March 21, and Monday, March 23 – New England Wild Flower Society Volunteer Training Days

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The New England Wild Flower Society is looking for volunteers for the 2015 spring/summer season. Volunteering is an opportunity to enjoy nature, develop new skills, and make new friends.

Volunteer opportunities range from guiding to gardening to office work and plant conservation. Currently, NEWFS is seeking dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers to join the Garden Guide program, touring children and adults through Garden in the Woods. The Society is looking for friendly and outgoing volunteers who want to educate others on the beauty and importance of native plants.

Garden Guides lead both scheduled and informal drop-in tours during the Garden’s open season, from April 12 to October 31. Adult Guides may lead just weekday tours or just weekend tours, or they may sign-up to do both. Children’s Guides lead tours only during the week. Guide Training is provided, and begins on March 19 for Children’s Garden Guides, on March 21 for Weekend Adult Garden Guides, and on March 23 for Weekday Adult Guides.

Guides enjoy opportunities to learn, to grow as individuals, to share with others who have similar interests, to enjoy a beautiful setting, and to contribute to the cause of native plant conservation. Special programs are offered free to volunteers such as garden tours, lectures, workshops, and brown-bag lunches.

If you are interested in becoming a Garden Guide, or have an interest in our other volunteer opportunities, please contact the Director of Public Programs, education@newenglandwild.org, 508-877-7630 ext. 3302.