Boston Flora

Month: June 2016

  • From the Archives: Fancy Cookies

    On Saturday, May 15, 1976, the Garden Club of the Back Bay sponsored a Garden Tour, and although that tour has been mentioned in previous posts, one member requirement that was not described was the contribution by each member of 100 “fancy cookies” for the tea.  Refreshments were to be served in the courtyard at the Boston Public Library.  With 38 members, that should have produced 3,800 cookies, but looking over the member list (and naming no names) we can say with some authority that the likelihood of such a cookie harvest was slim indeed.  If any member has a baking recollection to share, please email info@bostonflora.com.

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  • Wednesday, July 17, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm – Martha’s Vineyard Garden Tour

    Down dirt roads and hidden behind stone walls are some spectacular Vineyard gardens; join The Polly Hill Arboretum on Wednesday, July 17 from 9:30 – 3:30 for this special tour to visit a few. We will focus on Chilmark gardens with lunch included at the Beach Plum Inn, transportation provided as well. $145/$110 for PHA members. Non member price includes individual membership at the Arboretum. This event is currently fully registered but contact the Arboretum (508-693-9426) if you would like to put your name on a wait list.

  • Saturday, July 16, 11:00 am – 3:30 pm – Introduction to Native Ferns

    Beautiful and flowerless, ferns are among the most ancient plants in the world. Learn to distinguish among the most common ferns of New England through lecture, microscopic examination of fresh plant material, and field study. By the end of this New England Wild Flower Society class, you will be familiar with most of the ferns you encounter in the woods. Bring lunch and a hand lens if you have one. The class will be led by Don Lubin at Garden in the Woods on Saturday, July 16 from 11 – 3:30, and is $60 for NEWFS members, $72 for nonmembers. (Garden Club of the Back Bay members note that Mr. Lubin will speak to our Club in November, 2016, on the topic of ferns, as part of our “Prehistoric Garden” year of programming.) Register online at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/introduction-to-native-ferns.

  • Sunday, July 10, 12:00 noon – 1:30 pm – Meet the Bee Keeper

    Join local bee keeper Bob Simek on Sunday, July 10 at noon to hear his story of getting into the world of bee keeping. We’ll walk into to see his hives, and have time for questions an answers afterwards. Meet in the parking lot of Rocky Woods in Medfield, Massachusetts. All ages welcome. Free. For directions visit www.thetrustees.org.

  • Saturday, July 23, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Wildlife Haven at Turkey Hill Brook Farm

    Turkey Hill Brook Farm is a small “habitat” farm in the Worcester Hills (88 Wire Village Road in Spencer) that has been landscaped for wildlife and sustainability since 2004. Invasive plants have been strictly controlled, conventional exotic landscaping plants have gradually been replaced with site-appropriate natives, and local native plant communities have been encouraged to make a return.

    The farm features several very different habitats (open meadow, woods, pond and stream), each supporting a diversity of adapted plants along with their co-evolved wildlife species. Other areas used for horses, chickens, food production, recreation, and a small native plant nursery are managed with as few outside inputs as possible, with an emphasis on function, aesthetics, and wildlife support. Enjoy an Ecological Landscape Alliance two-hour tour of this peaceful farm on Saturday, July 23 beginning at 10 am, and feel free to bring a picnic to eat lunch afterwards. The site is hilly, so wear good walking shoes.

    Ellen W. Sousa owns Turkey Hill Brook Farm, a native plant nursery and habitat farm in Spencer, Massachusetts and is the author of The Green Garden: A New England Guide to Planning, Planting & Maintaining the Eco-friendly Habitat Garden. She provides coaching and design services to clients to guide them in the design and construction of landscapes that support pollinators and biodiversity. Ms. Sousa is also an overseer and instructor for New England Wild Flower Society. $23 for ELA members, $33 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/wildlife-haven-at-turkey-hill-brook-farm/#sthash.vnH3tmEn.dpuf

  • Thursday, July 14, 9:00 am – 10:30 am – Extending the Flowering Season

    Adding new plants to the collections at Mount Auburn Cemetery (580 Mt. Auburn Street in Cambridge) which flower in late spring or summer is not just about adding color to the landscape. This initiative is also a response to climate change and the general trend of plants flowering earlier and earlier each year. Because so much biological activity is centered around the time when plants are flowering, the life cycles of insects, and subsequently, the health of other wildlife species such as birds, are a concern. Come on this walk with Dennis Collins, Horticultural Curator, on Thursday, July 14 from 9 – 10:30 and learn about this recent addition to Mount Auburn’s list of horticultural initiatives for the next five years. Funding for programs has been provided in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. $7 for Friends of Mt. Auburn, $12 for non-members. Register online at http://mountauburn.org/2016/extending-the-flowering-season/

  • Tuesdays, July 12 – August 2, 9:00 am – 12:00 noon – Landscape for Life

    This intensive four session New England Wild Flower Society introductory course at Garden in the Woods in Framingham will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and understanding to create a great-looking garden that is healthier for you, your family, and the environment. This class, to be held Tuesdays, July 12 – August 2 from 9 – noon, taught by Director of Horticulture Mark Richardson, is based on the principles of the Sustainable Sites Initiative, the nation’s first rating system for sustainable landscapes. Bring a bag lunch. $185 for NEWFS members, $218 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/landscape-for-life.

  • Tuesday, July 12, 7:00 pm – Backyard Bird Sanctuaries

    The North Andover Garden Club will present Bill Gette of the Massachusetts Audubon Society on Tuesday, July 12 at 7 pm at St. Michael’s Parish Hall, Main Street in North Andover, who will give a talk on Backyard Bird Sanctuaries.  Learn many different aspects about birds and how to create your own backyard sanctuary to enjoy these amazing creatures.

  • Friday, July 22, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Glass Flowers Soiree

    Friday, July 22, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Glass Flowers Soiree

    Exclusively for guests over 21, this one-of-a-kind evening on Friday, July 22 at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford Street, will celebrate the Harvard Museum of Natural History’s Glass Flowers exhibition. Come with a date, come with friends, or make new friends as you enjoy signature cocktails and music while strolling through the museum’s sixteen exhibitions! Tickets available online and at the door on a first-come, first-served basis. $20 members/$25 nonmembers

    Presented in collaboration with the Harvard Summer School. Free parking is available at the 52 Oxford Street Garage.

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  • Saturday, July 2 – Friday, July 29 – Coastal Haven Designer Show House

    Originally a working farm, 284 Water Street is located in the heart of Newburyport’s riverside Joppa neighborhood. The home’s historic charm and stunning location on the Merrimack River make it a quintessential New England property, while its sensitive renovation and expansion lend modern luxury.

    Coastal Haven boasts both original features like wide pine floors, and modern updates like an open kitchen with a large island. These elements blend seamlessly, making the home comfortable, functional, and stylish. The home’s impressive renovation was conceived by renowned Newburyport architect Andrew Sidford.

    With renovations complete, interior designers participated in a juried selection process for the chance to design, furnish, and decorate a room. The designers selected are among the finest on the North Shore, and their work celebrates the home’s rich history, serene coastal setting, and its modern transformation. Each room showcases the designer’s unique style and skill and works in harmony with the rest of the house, breathing new life into this historic property.

    Tour the home to see the latest trends in interior design, gather ideas for your own home makeover, see the expertise of over a dozen different designers, and experience the transformation of a historic working farm to a contemporary Coastal Haven. The house will be open July 2-29, 2016, Tuesdays-Sundays 10am-4pm, Mondays 1pm-4pm, but closed July 4. For more information visit www.nbptshowhouse.com. Tickets may be purchased on line.