Boston Flora

Month: September 2015

  • Thursday, September 24, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Designing Successful Rain Gardens for Civic Sites Webinar

    Rain gardens, as part of modern storm water management systems, rely on plant material for soil stabilization, contaminant filtering, nutrient absorption, and to slow rainwater for infiltration. Well designed rain gardens (with the appropriate plant material) can greatly improve the results of green infrastructure and ensure their long-term success. Selecting appropriate plants for rain gardens and other vegetated storm water management systems is a critical first step to their success. Beyond plant selection, proper site preparation and a comprehensive maintenance plan are critical components of a successful rain garden.

    In this Ecological Landscape Alliance webinar on September 24 from 1 – 2 pm EDT, Amanda Sloan describes the elements that go into a successful rain garden project. Amanda Sloan, RLA, ASLA, has worked for over 22 years to bring beauty as well as function to the design of parks and trails throughout New England. Amanda combines her background in natural science, community design, and art on projects such as school and playground gardens, lakeside parks, recreation sites, rain gardens, and home landscapes. Amanda is currently a landscape architect with BETA Group where she specializes in rain garden design and native plants. Free for ELA members, $10 for nonmembers. See more at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/webinar-designing-successful-rain-gardens/#sthash.o0RY98CA.dpuf

  • Saturday, September 19, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm – Opening Reception: Animal Tales

    Saturday, September 19, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm – Opening Reception: Animal Tales

    Nancy Schön is best known for her iconic sculpture Make Way for Ducklings. Her work has also included evocative sculpture inspired by beloved animal tales such as Winnie The Pooh, Blueberries for Sal, and Lentil. Come to the Wenham Museum, 132 Maine Street in Wenham, on Saturday, September 19 from 11 – 4 for the opening of Animal Tales: Sculpture by Nancy Schön, running through January 3, 2016. This exhibit is a retrospective of her sculpture inspired by stories about animals. See 26 pieces together in one location. Children and adults will be able to touch the sculptures, and even sit on some! Also please note two additional events in conjunction with the exhibit – a gallery talk with Nancy at 1 pm on Sunday, October 4, and on Thursday, October 22 at 6pm, a dinner in honor of the artist at Davio’s Restaurant in Lynnfield. Call 978-468-2377, or email info@wenhammuseum.org for more information.

    Nancy-on-Mother-Duck-square

  • Wednesday, October 7, 6:30 pm – Digging In: Beyond the Roots of Urban Tree Care

    Join The Friends of the Public Garden for a behind-the-scenes exploration into their 45-year efforts to help the trees of the Boston Common, Public Garden, and Commonwealth Avenue Mall persevere in the stressful environment of an urban park. Attendees will learn how these trees show us when they are in trouble and what methods are being used to care for them. Find out what a dramatic difference your support makes to the health of our park trees.

    Moderator: Council co-chair & Swan Boats owner Lyn Paget

    Panelists: Friends Board member, Garden Club of the Back Bay past president, & greenspace advocate Margaret Pokorny and Friends Project Manager Bob Mulcahy

    Wednesday, October 7, 2015 6:30 p.m.
    Four Seasons Hotel, 200 Boylston Street

    Visit the online art auction page, https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/auctionhome.action?auctionId=243712734, to view objects made from Boston Common elm wood.

    Event is free for FOPG members. Please RSVP by Friday, October 1 at info@friendsofthepublicgarden.org or call 617-723-8144.
    Your membership can be renewed at this event.  Reception to follow program. Thank you to the Motor Mart Garage, generous Lead Sponsor for this reception.

  • Wednesdays, September 30 – November 4, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Beginning Floral Design

    Would you like to learn how to create your own floral arrangements with “wow factor?” Have you ever walked through the floral design competitions at the Boston Flower & Garden Show or the Barnstable, Topsfield, or Marshfield Fairs and thought to yourself, “I could do this?” The Massachusetts Horticultural Society is ready to give you the tools to design your own arrangements!

    Beginning September 30 from 7 – 9 and continuing for six Wednesday evening sessions in The Parkman Room in the Education Building at Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street, Wellesley, you’ll learn the nuts and bolts of how the basics of floral design, you’ll even learn how to enter a competition. The class will cover the basics: how to choose a container, select plant material, and entering a design show. Expert designers will teach you the basic elements of the most popular classes of floral arrangement: traditional, creative, miniature and table design.

    You will receive the encouragement, guidance and the tools that can take you from arranging flowers at home to designing for a competition that will be viewed by thousands. Image from www.pamelaeganfloral.com.

    Course Fee: $100 Mass Hort members; $125 for non-members. Register online at http://www.masshort.org/eventdetail/181/422|427|430|433/beginning-floral-design-at-mass-hort-2015?filter_reset=1

  • Monday, September 21, 3:00 pm – Boston City Council Hearing on Gas Leaks in Boston

    There are over 3,000 gas leaks under Boston’s streets, and that’s a BIG problem because:

    Leaked gas can explode
    Gas leaks can aggravate asthma
    Gas leaks kill trees
    We’re paying for the lost gas: $90 million a year
    We could heat 200,000 homes with the gas that’s escaping from leaky Boston-area pipes
    Leaky old gas pipes may be Boston’s number one source of global warming gases – bigger than the emissions from all the cars and trucks in Boston!

    Come out September 21st to share your concerns about gas leaks with our City Councilors! For more information and to get involved, contact bostonclimateaction@gmail.com

  • Wednesday, September 23, 6:30 pm – Siena Farms Autumn Dinner

    Sportello presents Siena Farms Autumn Dinner on Wednesday, September 23 with a 6:30 reception and dinner at 7.  Enjoy an aperitivo reception followed by a four course collaborative dinner with Siena Farms, Chef de Cuisine David Cavilla, and James Beard award-winning Executive Wine Director Cat Silirie.  $125 per person includes wine pairings.  Call 617-737-1234 to reserve.  Sportello is located on Congress Street in Boston.

  • Wednesday, September 16, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Hydrangeas

    The Garden Club of the Back Bay opens its 2015-2016 year on Wednesday, September 16, with an emphasis on Collectors and Collections, at The College Club, 44 Commonwealth Avenue, at 10:00 am, with speaker Gail Anderson on the topic of Hydrangeas.

    Endless Summer, Snow Queen, Pinky Winky, Incrediball – There has been an explosion of trademarked hydrangea cultivars with cute and quirky names. Gail Anderson will help demystify this immensely popular genus and will include tips for choosing the right hydrangea for your garden. You’ll enjoy an instructional look at the genus brought to popular attention by such disparate personalities as Martha Stewart and renowned plantsman Michael Dirr. Topics covered will include a primer of hydrangea species, cultivars commonly available for sale, flower shape and color, including soil pH, and how to plant and prune.

    Gail Anderson is a former teacher and magazine journalist. She earned a Certificate in Landscape Design and Maintenance from North Shore Community College and was certified as a Massachusetts Master Gardener. Gail worked for six years as a staff horticulturist for The Trustees of Reservations at Long Hill, an estate garden in Beverly, Massachusetts known for its woody plant collection. She has also served as a photography judge and jury member at the Boston Flower & Garden Show and has lectured at the Portland, Maine Flower Show. Gail is a member of the Ipswich Garden Club.

    GCBB members will receive written notification of the meeting.  If you are not a member but wish to attend, please email info@bostonflora.com.  Image of Pinky Winky from naturalmedicinefacts.info.

  • Sunday, September 27, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Fantastic Fall Soups

    On a chilly autumn evening, there’s nothing quite as comforting as a hot bowl of homemade soup. In this Sur la Table hands-on class in Copley Place on Sunday, September 27 from 2 – 4, you’ll learn to transform seasonal ingredients into a variety of savory soups, including broth-based, bisque and chowder. Our instructor will share secrets for creating unique and delicious flavor combinations and teach you how to season like a pro. Join us and discover how easy it can be to create hearty, satisfying soups to share with family and friends. $69 per person. Register online at http://www.surlatable.com/sku/2236263/Fantastic+Fall+Soups or call 800-243-0852. Menu will include Moroccan Lentil Soup with Chicken and Chickpeas (Harira), Shrimp and Corn Chowder, and Roasted Tomato Bisque with Parmesan Crisps.

  • Sunday, September 27, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Culture of the Gardens in the Italian Renaissance

    The Massachusetts Horticultural Society is delighted to welcome Princess Giorgiana Corsini in the Hunnewell Carriage House at Elm Bank on Sunday, September 27 at 5 pm, who will speak on the history and culture of gardens in the Renaissance. She brings rich understanding and hands-on experience in gardening and will, no doubt, give ideas to elegantly enhance our New England gardens.

    The architecture of the Palazzo Corsini’s 16th century vaulted loggia in Florence is echoed in the structure of the classical gardens it faces. Fifteen generations of the Corsini family have enjoyed the Renaissance symmetry of their private gardens just steps from the center of Florence. The garden is highlighted by symmetrical box hedges, ancient statuary and potted citrus trees. It was recently updated by the famous landscape architect, di Collobiano, who is known for his simplistic elegance. The Corsini have added color and scent with a variety of lavender and other vigorous Mediterranean plants.

    Princess Giorgiana and Prince Filippo Corsini come from an historical Florentine family dating back to the 12th century. Their early fortunes were tied to trading with the Court of England. While their political influence declined under the Medici they increased their wealth through trading throughout Europe and providing a postal service. During the 16th and 17th century they built palaces in Florence, Tuscany and Rome including the palace on Via Sul Prato that is home to their classical garden. The family soon regained political power with the elevation of cardinals and Pope Clement X11.

    Today the Corsini family maintains Wineries in Marsiliana and Le Corte and other agricultural properties. They also have one of Italy’s finest and most expansive family archives which have recently been moved from Florence to their Tuscan villa, Le Corti, with a great deal of national press.

    Giorgiana Corsini is an expert with hands-on experience in both Renaissance Italian classical gardens and aristocratic wineries in Tuscany. She travels and lectures throughout Europe, Canada and the United States.

    Registration: $20/Member, $25/Non-member.  Please register by Tuesday, September 22 at http://www.masshort.org/eventdetail/169/422|427|430|433/culture-of-the-gardens-in-the-italian-renaissance?filter_reset=1

  • Wednesday, September 23 and Thursday, September 24, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm – Introduction to Grasses

    Join Dennis Magee, author of Grasses of the Northeast, for this intensive look at grasses at the Polly Hill Arboretum in West Tisbury on Wednesday and Thursday, September 23 and 24, from 9 – 4.

    These fascinating plants are all around us but are little-known to most people. Fresh plant material and dissecting microscope exhibits will be used to teach key identification features for each taxon. The first day will be spent in lecture and lab learning the necessary background material and identification concepts. The second day will be in the field identifying grasses and relating them to the material introduced in class on Wednesday.

    $120/$100 for PHA members. $80 for professionals associated with Island land management or conservation organizations. Pre-registration required, class limited to 8. Please bring lunch each day. Register at http://www.pollyhillarboretum.org/workshop/introduction-to-grasses/