Boston Flora

Month: December 2016

  • Wreath of the Day – We’re Back!

    The Garden Club of the Back Bay members and outside volunteers helped make 2016 our most successful Wreath Week ever, both financially and socially.  We all had a great time – even our first time decorators who had to put up with our candid critiques – and not surprisingly are eager to do it again in 2017.  From now through January 1 we will feature a different wreath picture each day, showcasing our versatility and including a tip or anecdote of interest.  We will begin, however, with a classic wreath with red bow and all natural accents, which many of our customers favor.

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  • Wednesday, April 4 – Monday, April 17 – Springtime in Japan: Inspiring Gardens and Landscapes

    Wednesday, April 4 – Monday, April 17 – Springtime in Japan: Inspiring Gardens and Landscapes

    See iconic vistas, experience gardens that capture the essence of Japanese culture, witness rare and exclusive cultural events, marvel at bonsai masterpieces, see 1,000-year-old trees, and get an insight into the intricate landscape and design philosophies of this ancient culture this spring, April 4 – 17, with the American Horticultural Society.

    Our AHS hosts will be Holly and Osamu Shimizu. Holly is recently retired from her position as Executive Director of the U.S. Botanic Garden. Osamu is an accomplished landscape architect who spent the early years of his career in Japan. Both have traveled extensively, visiting gardens around the world.

    Frances Roxburgh, a founding partner of Specialtours, will be our tour leader. She has worked closely with Holly and Osamu over the past year to craft an exceptional itinerary exclusively for this AHS tour.

    Highlights

    Explore Tokyo’s Imperial Palace Gardens.
    Admire living masterpieces in the Shunka-en bonsai garden and museum.
    Behold the world’s largest bronze statue of the Buddha.
    Experience Kenroku-en, one of Japan’s finest landscape gardens.
    Be entertained by geisha in the ancient city of Kyoto — a rare opportunity.
    Learn about traditional Japanese philosophies and landscape design sensibilities.

    Our accommodations range from highly-rated hotels like the Ana Intercontinental Hotel in Tokyo, the Nikko Hotel in Kanazawa, the Hyatt Hotel in Kyoto, the Swissotel in Osaka, and the Benesse House Hotel in Naoshima, to distinctive ryokan inns in Hakone and Takayama, where we will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy traditional Japanese hospitality and culture. For complete itinerary and registration information visit http://www.ahs.org/gardening-programs/travel-study/springtime-in-japan2017

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  • W. Atlee Burpee & Company Saves White House Kitchen Garden

    A $2.5 million gift has been announced to ensure the operation and maintenance of the White House Kitchen Garden initiated by First Lady Michelle Obama. The donation will be made by the home gardening company, W. Atlee Burpee, and The Burpee Foundation. The gift will ensure maintenance of the garden over a 17-year period.

    According to George Ball, chairman and CEO of the 140 year old Pennsylvania based Burpee, establishment of a formal vegetable garden at The White House resurrects a tradition that goes back to John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. “As America’s leading home gardening company we recognize the importance of continuing The White House Kitchen Garden and developing its educational activities in support of The White House initiative.” The gift will be made to the National Park Foundation (NPF) to cover direct costs to expand and maintain the Garden. The donation is a long-term commitment to the preservation of the White House Kitchen Garden.

    “Everyone at Burpee is proud of the First Lady’s ‘Can-Do!’ attitude,” Mr. Ball says, “and we hope that a well-conceived longlasting version of The White House Kitchen Garden will be fully supported by ensuing Administrations for so long as The White House serves as the residence for The President of the United States.”

    Burpee has been working with the NPF for more than two years to help reverse the dramatic loss of bees and other pollinators. The company donated more than one million seed packets to help home gardeners plant gardens that attract bees and butterflies. The packets were distributed free of charge to visitors to national parks throughout the 2015/2016 season.

    Funding for the donation will come from W. Atlee Burpee Company, a privately owned home gardening company in Bucks County, PA, and The Burpee Foundation, which was established in 2003. The Burpee company breeds, produces and distributes seeds and plants of vegetables and flowers both nationally and internationally.

    The First Lady of the United States commended Burpee and The Foundation for its generous gift in support of the future preservation of The White House Kitchen Garden and its impact on her “Let’s Move!” initiative, at a ceremony, Wednesday, October 5th, on the South Lawn next to the Garden which she planted in 2009.

    The Garden Club of the Back Bay thanks the Burpee organizations for their foresight and generosity.

  • Friday, December 16, 6:30 pm – 243rd Boston Tea Party Reenactment

    Celebrate the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party – take on the role of a Patriot or a Loyalist as you join more than 100 reenactors to bring to life the famous tax protest that sparked a revolution.

    Events begin at Old South Meeting House, where over 100 volunteer re-enactors portray Patriots such as Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and John Hancock as they recreate the events of Dec. 16, 1773, when more than 5,000 colonists gathered here to voice concerns on a moonlit night.

    After the debate, you can join the procession, complete with fifes and drums, down to Griffin’s Wharf, and watch as the tea is dumped into Boston Harbor.

    When: Friday, December 16, 6:30pm (rain or shine)
    Where: Old South Meeting House
    Closest T station: Red and Orange Line/Downtown Crossing; Orange and Blue Line/State
    Parking: Use the Boston Common Garage and walk over – maybe an 8-10 minutes , or check out Boston garages near Government Center
    Cost: $20 (plus service fee)
    More information and tickets: Old South website, www.osmh.org (don’t wait too long to get tickets – this event always sells out)

  • Sunday, December 11, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm – All the Presidents’ Gardens

    Visit Berkshire Botanical Garden, 5 West Stockbridge Road in Stockbridge on Sunday, December 11 from 2 – 3:30 to hear a timely lecture by Marta McDowell on Presidential Gardens. Learn the untold history of the White House grounds, starting with the seed-collecting, plant-obsessed George Washington and ending with Michelle Obama’s kitchen garden.

    The talk is filled with fascinating details about Lincoln’s goats, Ike’s putting green, Jackie’s iconic roses, Amy Carter’s tree house, and information on the plants whose favor has come and gone over the years and the gardeners who have been responsible for it all. BBG members $10, nonmembers $15. Register by calling 413-298-3926, or email info@berkshirebotanical.org.

  • Monday, December 12, 6:00 pm – 7:45 pm – 4th Annual Gingerbread House Contest

    The South Boston Arts Association presents their 4th Annual Gingerbread House Competition & Exhibition to benefit Toys for Tots. Create a gingerbread house, display it with us for the evening, and then in your own home or business for the rest of the holiday season. Exhibits should be dropped off at the branch (646 East Broadway, South Boston), between 3 and 5:30 p.m. on December 12. The cost of registration is a (or many) new, unwrapped toy. The donation of a toy from our viewing audience is also welcome. First, second, and third prizes will be awarded for individual participants; the Business/non-profit winner will receive a trophy and bragging rights. Our judges:

    Carol O’Connor, Co-Host, Chef’s Table Series (R) Cooking Show, Co-Founder, Chefs Table Foundation

    Kennedy WBMX – Mix 104-1 – CBS Radio

    Glenn Quirion – Sweet Tooth Bakery, South Boston

    Register by December 5 at the SBAA website or at the South Boston Branch.

  • From the Archives: Lady Parts

    The rather graphic discussions of female anatomy we have endured during the November political campaign reminds us of a 1977 Garden Club of the Back Bay program when Dr. John Twaddle addressed the members on the subject of mammograms. Dr. Twaddle’s wife Anne was a Club member and presumably arranged for her husband to lecture on the subject, which was something of a departure from the usual floral and environmental agenda.  We can only imagine whether there were slides or hands-on demonstrations.  This season we examine The Prehistoric Garden and thus far are very pleased with our speakers and attendance numbers.  Below is a right breast arrangement by Camila Sitarama Carlow, part of her series Eye Heart Spleen.

  • Thursday, December 8 – Wednesday, December 14 – Wakefield Estate Holiday Open House

    Visit the Wakefield Estate during the first ever week-long holiday open house December 8th through 14th. It’s a chance to get into the holiday spirit and see the historic Davenport Mansion decked out in beautiful greens and holiday decorations. While there, visitors can pick up a handmade wreath to get you started on your own holiday decorations.

    The Holiday Open House will kick-off with a reception Thursday, December 8th from 4-8 pm. The Mansion house will be accessible for open house visits Friday though Wed. from 11 am until 3 pm.

    Admission is a suggested donation of $10, members are free. Group rates are available. To rsvp or arrange a group visit, call 617-333-0924 x22. The Wakefield Estate is administered by the Mary M.B. Wakefield Charitable Trust, and is located at 1465 Brush Hill Road in Milton.  Image from www.thegreenhead.com.

  • Sunday, March 19 – Monday, April 3, 2017 – Japan’s Cultural Landscapes

    Following on the success of its annual excursions and Garden Dialogues, The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF) is venturing overseas to offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the gardens, architecture, and museums of Japan with TCLF president + CEO Charles Birnbaum, along with the TCLF Board of Directors and Stewardship Council. Loosely based on the extensive travels of well-known landscape architect James van Sweden (who is the subject of one of TCLF’s Pioneers oral histories), the trip will include visits to traditional Japanese gardens, but will also focus on contemporary Japanese landscape architectural design.

    Travelers will learn the secrets of ancient design theory and see Japan through the eyes of landscape architects, architects, and historians. And this two-week immersion in Japanese design, culture, and history will be liberally supplemented with FUN—with TCLF Board Member Eric Groft leading the way, there’s bound to be plenty of sashimi, sake, and shopping as well.

    The full itinerary of the excursion can be found at http://tclf.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/TCLF%20Japan%202017%20Itinerary.pdf. For inquiries and registration, please contact Susan Gullia, Managing Director at Protravel International, LLC, at Susan.Gullia@protravelinc.com or 800.227.1059 (ext. 9556).

  • Friday, December 9, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Fort Point Holiday Stroll

    On Friday, December 9 from 4 – 8, artists will display their jewelry, paintings, clothing, cashmere accessories, holiday ornaments, and pottery. For the Sale, gather in the lobby of 315 on A, where you can also enjoy drop-in holiday art and craft activities, refreshments, and the fireplace. For the Stroll, just follow the signs to local businesses and restaurants (Row34, Flour Bakery + Cafe, Fort Point Market), museums and galleries (Children’s Museum, Grand Circle Gallery), art studios, and more! Free.

    More information: Friends of Fort Point Channel website – http://friendsoffortpointchannel.org/holiday-stroll/