We received an extremely generous order for six fully decorated wreaths from our friends at The Lenox Hotel. The colors specified were tan, green and gold – a sophisticated choice, but by wreath number six our decorators’ creative juices were drying up. Subsequently we were told that indeed we could have exercised decorator’s choice options, but too late – a half dozen wreaths were done, each different but all in the original color scheme.
2017 is a significant year for three of Worcester’s organizations. At the Tower Hill Botanic Garden library from January through June, view historic material on display from the Worcester Agricultural Society (founded 1817), the Worcester County Mechanics Association (founded 1842), and the Worcester County Horticultural Society (also founded 1842), that show the connections between all three. Free with admission. For more information visit www.towerhillbg.org.
Our volunteers were excited by the news that our co-chair Margaret Pokorny’s daughter Katherine was invited to a White House Christmas Party the weekend following wreath week, and we enjoyed inspecting the dress she bought for the occasion, discussing accessories, and whether or not she would be presented with a photo opportunity with the First Family. We think the wreath below would be perfectly fitting at the White House, but sadly we’ve never received an order from Pennsylvania Avenue. This is one wreath we would deliver personally.
Vectorworks Landmark is a 2D & 3D CAD solution for landscape design. The focus of this Massachusetts Horticultural Society course will be on instruction and exercises on the basic 2d environment. Students will develop the capability to use Vectorworks Landmark module to develop designs, create compelling presentations, and exchange work with other design professionals and allow for a streamlined workflow.
Mass Hort is now Partnering the Stockbridge School at UMass to offer classes at The Gardens at Elm Bank for UMass credit!Part of the Sustainable Food and Farming Associate’s Degree and the Certificate of Sustainable Food and Farming.
Class meets at Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street in Wellesley for five, full days, Monday, January 9 to Friday, January 13 from 10 – 4. Pre-registration required, register now at www.umassulearn.net. 2 credit through UMass Amherst. $944 for Massachusetts residents.
2016 has not been the best year for many of us, and in the spirit of looking on the bright side, we created an exuberant look with glittery pears, vivid green and red bow, pine cones and glass balls, for retired music teachers who were very excited to receive it. The wreath brought a smile to everyone’s face.
Winter is a perfect time to celebrate the muted hues and leafless forms of woody plants. Twigs-in their wonderful variety-make fascinating subjects for botanical studies. Join botanical artist Helen Byers at Tower Hill Botanic Garden on January 14 and 15 from 10 – 4 to discover why. Instruction will cover the parts of a twig (maybe more than you knew!), tips on composition, and drybrush watercolor technique to convey details of bark and bud. Participants will be invited to bring and share specimens from which to work. Daily demos and individualized instruction. To see examples of Helen’s work, go to helenbyers.com.
Helen Byers is an artist, writer, editor, and educator with a background in literary and educational publishing. Her drawings and paintings have been exhibited in solo and group shows in the West and East and are held in various private collections. Her illustration credits include six children’s books and six literary book covers. Her teaching of art has included courses and workshops in botanical drawing and painting, watercolor painting, figure sketching, still-life drawing, and field sketching / journaling.
SKILL LEVEL: ALL LEVELS. $130 for Tower Hill members, $145 for nonmembers. Register online at www.towerhillbg.org
We had another first this year – an order came in from Switzerland. At first we thought we would have to explain our inability to ship our fragile creations at a reasonable price, but then discovered the buyer was purchasing the wreath as a gift for her son, who worked in Boston. That is what we call good mothering. She asked us to choose a bow and decorate with all natural accents, which is just what we did.
David R. Montgomery, PhD, University of Washington, Earth and Space Sciences, and Ann Bikle, MLA, Biologist and Environmental Planner will speak at the Hunnewell Building of the Arnold Arboretum on Sunday, January 8, from 2:00–3:30pm with a lecture entitled The Hidden Half of Nature: The Microbial Roots of Life and Health.
From garden to gut, David R. Montgomery and Anne Biklé will present a new view of the tiniest creatures on Earth and how it is changing the way we see nature and ourselves. Through the twists and turns of history, science, and personal experience, they’ll reveal our tangled relationship with the microbial world, including the stunning similarities between what’s going on around the roots of plants and deep within the human gut. Fee: Free for Arboretum members and students, $10 nonmember. Register at my.arboretum.harvard.edu or call 617-384-5277.
We have a number of customers who need a very lightly colored wreath to show up in a darkened corner or hallway, or under an unlit portico, and this cream, silver, and white creation will do just that. While we are known for our beautiful natural materials, we do not hesitate to glam it up with sparkles and pearls when needed.
Join Carol Govan throughout the seasons to learn about the ecology of New England Habitats. Observe the different species in various niches. Whether building on existing identification skills or starting from scratch, students will learn how to define a habitat and identify and document its plants and other interesting wildlife. Each student will find a habitat near his or her home and observe it throughout the seasons, noting seasonal changes. Students will compile, share, discuss their findings and solve mysteries together during class using various media such as photographs, drawings, notes, herbarium specimens, and rubbings. When the weather improves, the class will head outdoors to learn about various habitats at Garden in the Woods. The classes will be held Thursdays, January 5, March 9, May 4, June 1, August 17, October 19, 2017, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.at Garden in the Woods in Framingham. $160 for NEWFS members, $200 for nonmembers. Register online at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/new-england-habitats
