Boston Flora

Month: June 2017

  • Saturday, June 17, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Lush, Lovely, and Lawn-Free Gardens

    There is an exciting new trend in ecological landscape design that goes by many names lawn-free, no-mow, or lawn-alternative gardens. The incentives are many: lower maintenance, water conservation, reduced fertilizer/chemical use, increased biodiversity/habitat, and the greatest incentive – the stunning diversity of gardens!

    Carol Spitzer has been designing lawn-free gardens for many years and invites you to join her on Saturday, June 17 from 5 – 7 on a unique walking tour in Brookline Village. On this tour, we will walk through three different front yards where the existing lawns were removed and replaced with shrubs, perennials, groundcovers, and walkways. In all three projects, there were existing trees and plants that were incorporated into the new landscape.

    Each lawn-free project is different and comes with its own unique set of challenges. One of Carol’s projects included side-by-side condos whose owners had differing opinions about plant materials. A second project required a more welcoming landing and front steps, as well as a new walking path to the driveway. In addition to these three gardens designed by Carol, we will walk down an adjacent street, to view several other examples of lawn-free front yards.

    Lawn-free gardens require a fraction of the maintenance time of traditional lawns; provide a rich palette of color; introduce contrasting textures and fragrance; and increase curb appeal. Join us to explore lawn-alternative gardens and consider the rich tapestry that awaits in your own yard makeover.

    If you toured these gardens with Carol a couple of seasons ago, join us again to view the changes taking place as these landscapes continue to grow and thrive. Registrations are limited, reserve your space today! Ecological Landscape Alliance members $20, nonmembers $30.

    Carol Spitzer has been designing residential gardens in Brookline, Newton and greater Boston since 2002. She is a graduate of the Landscape Institute and has a commitment to use ecological design approaches and native plants whenever possible. Carol recently shared her landscape expertise in the ELA Newsletter article: Small Urban Gardens: Big Challenges, Greater Rewards. She may be reached at Carol Spitzer Landscape Design.

    See more at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/lush-lovely-lawn-free-gardens-2/#sthash.LlUTIbXP.dpuf

  • Tuesday, June 27 – Thursday, June 29 – One Water Summit 2017

    Water touches everything we do: it drives our economy, helps communities thrive, and shapes our environment. The challenges facing our water supplies and systems are complex and immense, both in scale and importance. From aging infrastructure, to demographic and economic shifts, political uncertainty, climate change, inequality—water cuts across so many of our country’s most pressing issues. At the One Water Summit 2017, the nation’s brightest minds and most committed leaders come together to discuss solutions that can create a more sustainable water future for all.

    Convened by the US Water Alliance, One Water Summit 2017 brings together hundreds of leaders from across the country to network, engage in thought-provoking dialogue, share best practices, set strategic priorities, amplify great ideas, and take actionable ideas back home. One Water Summit 2017 is a unique venue to craft innovative solutions, connect with influential leaders across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, and forge the alliances needed to advance sustainable water solutions.

    Many thanks to the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans for serving as our local host for One Water Summit 2017. New Orleans is the perfect backdrop for a dynamic, solutions-focused conversation about how we view, value, and manage water—now and for future generations. The Conference will be held at the InterContinental New Orleans, 444 St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans, and is $595 for a US Water Alliance Member, $745 for nonmember.

    Register today at http://www.cvent.com/events/one-water-summit-2017/event-summary-143e6507ae114e39b572c8c0c1eb1c0c.aspx. You won’t be disappointed.

  • Wednesday, June 21, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Growing a Vibrant Shade Garden

    Walk into most botanical gardens and you will see a few shade trees in an otherwise sunny garden. Though bee balm, anise hyssop and milkweeds display a blast of color in the sunny garden many folks find themselves at a loss when dealing with the shade.

    Join Dan Jaffe at Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Road in Framingham on Wednesday, June 21 at 1 pm for a crash course on all things shade. From blasts of color to great groundcover filler species we’ll have you walking out ready for any shady site. Dan is the propagator and stock bed grower at New England Wild Flower Society (NEWFS) in Framingham, Massachusetts. He earned a degree in botany from the University of Maine and an advanced certificate in Native Plant Horticulture and Design from NEWFS. After interning at Garden in the Woods, Dan worked for a year as Plant Sales Coordinator at the Garden. $26 for Ecological Landscape Alliance members, $32 for nonmembers – See more at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/growing-a-vibrant-shade-garden/#sthash.KYWGPuSQ.dpuf

  • Saturday, June 24, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – The Healing Garden

    Since the dawn of history, humans and animals have sought healing from plants. Although many of today’s most popular remedies are compounded in laboratories, there are still vast numbers of commercial cures whose major medicinal ingredients are derived from green herbs, trees, and shrubs. In this illustrated presentation at The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster on Saturday, June 24 at 1 pm, Cindy Sauers will share with you her garden journey collaborating with the plants, the soil, wind, sun, cold, heat, rain… and all of nature for food and medicine for the body and soul. You will be able to gently and easily begin your own healing garden or, if you don’t have a space for your own garden you will have new insight to how plants, trees and weeds throughout Cape Cod provide us with healing food and medicine. Cindy will help you identify our wild natural Cape Cod plants and she will share with you easy ways to make remedies to relieve many of our everyday discomforts and fortify our bodies and our minds.

    Cindy Sauers is an artist, shepherd, gardener and herbalist who works in collaboration with her ‘medium’. As a gardener, she collaborates with nature; shaping and adding elements while observing how nature responds and what nature adds or subtracts from the garden. As an herbalist, she has been using plants as healing remedies, scented gifts, and food since 1973. Cindy and her garden, along with her husband and the sheep, the Baa Boys, were recently featured in Country Gardens Spring 2017 magazine. Cindy can’t imagine anything more rewarding than sharing the joy she gets from these sweet plants with you.

    Free with admission. For more information please call: 508-896-3867, ext. 133.

  • Thursday, June 22, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop Part Two

    Part two of this two-part fruit tree pruning class on Thursday, June 22 from 10 – 2 will cover fruit tree management and growth control techniques for a maximally productive tree. Participants will learn how trees set bud, and what type of wood produces fruit. The class will focus on apples, cherries, peaches and pears. The program will begin with a lecture at Polly Hill Arboretum, 809 State Road in West Tisbury, in the new Education Center (pictured below), and move to the Grey Barn orchard for the hands-on portion. During the Grey Barn visit, the group will revisit trees from part one of the class in March, and observe how the pruning influenced growth, as well as discussing next steps for proper management. Bring a lunch, work gloves, and safety glasses, and dress for the weather. The Arboretum will provide pruners, saws, loppers and ladders. $40 for non-members, $30 for members. Space is limited; please call to preregister: 508-693-9426. All are welcome, whether or not you attended part one. Park in the main lot and meet at the visitor center.

  • Saturday, June 17, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Plants and Pints

    Saturday, June 17, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Plants and Pints

    Celebrate the summer solstice at Garden in the Woods in Framingham while enjoying craft beer, great music, and drink-themed demonstrations. You won’t want to miss this special summer night on the longest day of the year! Somerville’s Aeronaut Brewing Company will provide seasonal craft beers and discuss how plants are used in the brewing process. Dan Jaffe will identify native plants for beverages and teach you how to make cocktails such as the sassafras storm. Stroll the Garden while enjoying libations, nature, and music. The ticket price of $25 (NEWFS members) or $30 (nonmembers) includes all the festivities and one craft beer. Additional drinks will be available for purchase. All guests must be at least 21 years old and proper identification is required. Image from www.bbcgoodfood.com.  For more information, or to register, visit http://newenglandwild.org/learn/our-programs/plants-and-pints.

  • Friday, June 23 – Sunday, June 25 – Fête des Fleurs: Paintings and Parterres

    Transport your imagination to the place that has inspired generations of artists and gardeners – France. At Rosecliff, modeled after the Grand Trianon of Versailles, you’ll travel on a very French adventure, from grand gardens to urban Paris chic. This year’s Newport Flower Show takes place Friday, June 23 from 10:30 am – 5:00 pm, Saturday, June 24 from 9 – 5, and Sunday, June 25 from 9 – 5. There will be a festive opening night party (Friday from 6 – 9), a picnic supper and movie experience, and afternoon tea with Iris Apfel, along with colorful floral designs, horticulture exhibits, garden displays, unique shopping opportunities, a champagne and jazz brunch, lectures and demonstrations, and children’s activities. All proceeds from the Newport Flower Show benefit the preservation and restoration of the historic landscapes of The Preservation Society of Newport County. For tickets and complete information visit http://www.newportmansions.org/events/newport-flower-show

  • Thursday, June 22, 12:00 noon – Live Bee Hive Opening

    Meet The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History’s bees up close with beekeepers George Muhlebach and crew who will open their live hives for visitors. Learn how bees have a symbiotic relationship to flowering plants and how beekeepers contribute to maintaining the biodiversity in our ecosystem. Veils provided.

    PLEASE NOTE:
    The first opening is at 12 noon, if that fills, a 2nd is at 12:45 and if needed a 3rd opening at 1:30. We only take reservations for Noon until that is full, and then open the next time slot.

    THURSDAYS:

    June 22, 29

    July 6, 13, 20, 27

    August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

    RESERVATIONS REQUIRED due to limited space.
    CCMNH Members $4/Non-Members $5: call 508 896 3867 x 111. For more information please call the Museum at 508-896-3867 ext. 133. Image from www.samlesburyhall.co.uk.

  • Saturday and Sunday, June 24 & 25, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Gardening with the Masters Tour

    You are invited to attend the University of Rhode Island Master Gardener Program’s (URIMGP) eighth biennial Gardening with the Masters Tour, to be held Saturday and Sunday, June 24 and 25 from 10 – 4. Once you register ($20 per person, before June 15, please, at http://web.uri.edu/mastergardener/tour/, you will receive a tour guide booklet which serves as your two-day admission ticket to 26 beautiful gardens, 17 of which have not been seen on any previous URIMGP garden tour.

    Each garden is unique. Some gardens are designed to attract pollinators and beneficial insects, while others are kitchen gardens with the perfect soil recipe to produce a bounty of vegetables. Every garden has evolved over the years, reflecting the changing interests and lifelong learning of its gardener. After visiting these gardens, we hope you’ll be inspired to go home and try something new. So ask questions, bring your camera, take notes, but most importantly enjoy the beauty created in these gardens!

    The inspiring gardens on the tour are created and maintained by certified URI Master Gardener volunteers. The host gardener has successfully completed a 14-week training program offered by URI Cooperative Extension as well as a volunteer internship. These certified URI Master Gardeners volunteer on educational projects and continually upgrade their horticultural knowledge by attending research- based classes each year. They have opened their gardens to you as a teaching tool, because our mission is to help local residents choose environmentally-sound gardening practices! The proceeds from this event will benefit the URI Master Gardener Program’s public education activities throughout the state.

  • Wednesday, July 12 – Saturday, July 15 – National Children & Youth Garden Symposium

    NCYGS is the only national event of its kind where you can network with like-minded teachers, garden designers, community leaders, program coordinators, and others involved with connecting kids to the natural world. This summer’s event will take place in the Greater Portland Oregon and Vancouver Washington area. NCYGS 2017 attendees will have the opportunity to:

    Explore topics ranging from curriculum to program management to garden design and maintenance during four dynamic days of educational sessions, field trips, and expert keynote presentations. July 12 will feature optional pre-symposium trips, while July 13-15 will comprise the main body of the symposium.
    Experience the vibrant gardening and environmental culture of the green Pacific Northwest. Share ideas, success stories, and inspiration with like-minded colleagues from across the nation. Have questions or need more information? Email education@ahsgardening.org or call 703-768-5700 ext. 140. Website: http://ahsgardening.org/gardening-programs/youth-gardening/ncygs/2017-ncygs/overview