Boston Flora

Month: August 2015

  • Sunday, August 23, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm – Live Caterpillar Show

    The public is invited to see caterpillars. Visitors of all ages are invited to explore the fascinating world of caterpillars up close on Sunday, August 23, at Tower Hill Botanic Garden. This is the third year that the Boylston nonprofit has hosted Sam Jaffe – a naturalist, biologist, photographer, and educator – to share his Live Caterpillar Show at Tower Hill. Jaffe and his team of experts will bring with them caterpillars ranging in size – some small enough to fit on a fingertip and others larger than an adult’s finger – and color, from muted to brilliant. The one-day show, open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., is free with admission and visitors will learn about these insects often seen in passing, but rarely appreciated. Jaffe, who operates the Caterpillar Lab in Keene, N.H., has an infectious enthusiasm for sharing his expertise and offers a rare chance to learn about the lives of these stunning creatures. Participants will learn more about New England’s plants and bugs, along with receiving a better understanding of the importance of biodiversity. But perhaps most important, is how much fun people of all generations can have together seeing these, sometimes bizarre, insects up close. In addition to the caterpillar show, visitors can explore Tower Hill’s formal gardens in peak summer bloom, take a short hike on the trails in the surrounding woodlands, stop by the café and gift shop, and more. For more information please call 508-869-6111, visit towerhillbg.org, or explore samueljaffe.com.

  • Saturday, September 12, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Introduction to Italianate Gardens

    Massachusetts Horticultural Society Garden Keeper Beth Gray-Nix will discuss the basics of Italianate Gardens on Saturday, September 12 in the Parkman Room of Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street in Wellesley – their history and their composition. Get your hands dirty as you work in the garden along with Beth. Ask your questions and discover why this garden is a destination.

    Beth Gray-Nix is a retired Occupational Therapist. A favorite retirement gift was registration for the Master Gardener class of 2009. Her first volunteer role at Mass Hort was in Weezie’s Children’s Garden. In 2010, Beth became the first Garden Keeper for Mass Hort’s Italianate Garden, site of many family celebrations. Beth’s work in the garden maintains the Italianate as a picturesque destination garden. Beth recently received her WEED certification from Randy Protask.

    Please attend dressed to get your hands a little dirty in the garden. Lecture Fee: Mass Hort Members $5, Non-Members $8. Register online at http://www.masshort.org/eventdetail/180/422|427|430|433/introduction-to-italianate-gardens?filter_reset=1

  • Saturday, September 26, 9:00 pm – 12:00 midnight – Moondance After Dark

    Socialize, eat, drink, and dance under the stars on the banks of the Charles River!

    WHERE: Held under white tents on the banks of the Charles River
    WHEN: Saturday, September 26th from 9:00pm – Midnight
    WHAT: Ticket price includes admission, open bar including signature cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, dancing, photo booth, and chance to win prizes.

    Purchased tickets by September 6th for the special rate of $150. Ticket price increases to $175 September 7th.

    All money raised will support the Esplanade Association’s work to care for and improve the Charles River Esplanade. Purchase tickets online at http://www.esplanadeassociation.org/events-2/upcoming-events/moondance-after-dark/

  • Saturday, September 26, 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm – Moondance Gala

    The Esplanade Association invites you to the Moondance Gala on the banks of the Charles River Saturday, September 26, with cocktails at 6:30, gala dinner and live auction at 7:30, followed by dessert and dancing.  This black tie event has limited tickets available at $1,000 per person, with sponsorship opportunities ranging from $3,000 to $25,000, all to make life better in the park, from the ground up.  The response date is September 4, and you may reserve by calling 617-227-0365, ext. 102, or emailing info@esplanadeassociation.org.

  • Saturday, August 29, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm – Taste of the Market: Tomatoes

    The Coastal Growers’ Market and Historic New England invite you to taste a variety of fruits and vegetables from local Rhode Island farmers during the height of Southern New England’s agriculture season. The event takes place Saturday, August 29 from 8:30 – 12:30 at Casey Farm, 2325 Boston Neck Road in Saunderstown, Rhode Island.

    Casey Farm is one of three vegetable growers offering a taste of the season. Tasting is free, but feel free to support local farmers by purchasing your favorites from each of the vegetable growers. In addition to tasting, there will also be music, coffee, bakery items, and many other delicious treats. Free. Date is subject to change due to availability of crop. Please call 401-295-1030 for more information, or visit www.historicnewengland.org.

  • Friday, August 21, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm – New England Cottontail Habitat Management Walk

    MassWildlife Habitat Biologist, Marianne Piché, along with Natural Resources Conservation Services and Department of Conservation and Recreation Service Forestry staff will lead a nature walk hosted by Chad Pease. They will discuss New England Cottontail conservation, habitat management planning, funding, and permitting. Join us to see this conservation effort and learn what you can do to become involved! The walk will take place from 5:30 – 7:00 P.M. at 228 Sandisfield Rd. in Sandisfield on August 21. Be prepared for a short walk on level but uneven and muddy terrain. Contact Marianne at 508-389-6313 or via email, marianne.piche@state.ma.us for more details.

  • Garden Club of the Back Bay Website

    We wish to apologize for the disruption in posts and, to our email subscribers, the disruption in daily outreach, due to problems at WordPress headquarters.  Sadly, between 60 – 70 upcoming event notifications were erased during WordPress’s server problems, and while we will do our best to restore what was lost, we cannot guarantee that all material will be available in a timely way.  One portion of our site, however, remains intact, which is the Calendar page.  Our Google calendar has a complete list of all upcoming tours, lectures, classes, and trips, and we hope you will take the time to visit https://bostonflora.com/thecalendar/ at least once each week to check on items of interest. You may look at the calendar by the week or by the month, and clicking on to any event will bring up the full description. We should return to full capacity by the beginning of September.  Thank you all for your patience.

  • Friday, September 18, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm, and Saturday, September 19, 8:00 am – 12:00 noon – Middlesex Conservation District Fall Bulb and Perennial Sale

    The Middlesex Conservation District is now accepting orders for its annual Fall Bulb and Perennial Sale, to be held on 9/18 (3-6pm) and 9/19 (8am – noon) at its new location at Verrill Farm, 11 Wheeler Rd, Concord, MA. All proceeds from the sale benefit the District’s environmental programs, concentrating on protection of soils and waters in Middlesex County.

    All items may be ordered in advance for best selection, through 8/31; items for sale include tulips, daffodils, specialty bulbs and perennials.

    (Customers are welcome to come and shop without placing an order, but we do sell out of some items so ordering ahead of time is encouraged). To place an order online please visit www.middlesexconservation.org, or email middlesexconservation@yahoo.com to receive a printed copy of our catalog.

    Don’t forget to stop at the farm stand and check out Verrill Farm’s great selection of produce, bakery and gourmet items when you pick up your order!  Image from www.botanicgardens.org.

  • Saturday, August 29, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Bressingham Basics

    Join Suzanne Higham on Saturday, August 29 at 10 am for an introduction to the Bressingham Garden of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. She will identify different plants and the inspired design concepts that make this a gem of The Gardens at Elm Bank.

    Garden Keeper Suzanne Higham has had the opportunity to spend time in the Bressingham Garden with renowned designer Adrian Bloom. Working beside him, and speaking with him through several seasons, she has a deep understanding of this beautiful garden and Bloom’s vision for its development and future. Work with Suzanne to get a hands-on lesson on how you can grow these plants in your own landscape. Come with questions!

    Owner and principal designer of Frog Hollow Landscapes, Suzanne is an award winning designer, and has worked on a team of designers with Mass Hort to create our award winning gardens at the Boston Flower and Garden Shows in 2014 and 2015. Learn more at www.froghollowlandscapes.com.

    Please attend dressed to get your hands a little dirty in the garden. Fee: Mass Hort Members $5, Non-Members $8. Register online at www.masshort.org.

  • Tuesdays, September 8 – September 29, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, and Saturdays, September 12 and September 26, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Fundamentals of Landscape Design

    This Massachusetts Horticultural Society six session course in landscape design is directed to the do-it-yourself home gardener who would like to design their own garden space. Mark Ahronian of Ahronian Landscaping and Design will lead you through all the steps of designing your chosen space. The goal is for participants to leave the class with a complete design of their own making. Course is $275 for members, $300 for non-members. The class meets at Elm Bank Tuesday evenings, September 8 – September 29 6:30-8:30pm, and two Saturday mornings, Sept 12 and Sept 26 10am-Noon. Registration is limited and pre-registration is required. Register online at http://www.masshort.org/eventdetail/162/422|427|433/fundamentals-of-landscape-design?filter_reset=1