Daily Archives: July 6, 2017

Thursday, July 20, 9:30 am – 11:30 am – Phyto Filtration: The Power of Plants

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Nature uses vegetated depressions, wetlands, marshes, etc. to clean stormwater runoff by removing sediments, turbidity, heavy metals, and other pollutants. Some pollutants are removed by vegetation uptake, some by slowing the flow down enough for sedimentation to occur, and some by biota consumption and ionic attraction around the roots. In the built environment, stormwater best management practices include vegetative removal of pollutants through the use of raingardens, bioswales, vegetative buffers, and constructed wetlands. And common to all of these is the vegetation component.

Join Rip Sokol on Thursday, July 20 at  52 Bates Street in Mendon at 11:30 am for this behind-the-scenes tour of Fourth Generation Nursery to learn about Vegetative (Phyto) Filtration. Rip will discuss several vegetative filter types in the nursery area as well as review the “dry” set-up of multiple configurations. Vertical and horizontal flow patterns will be compared along with common types of “mechanical” filtration. Pros and cons of installation mechanics and resultant maintenance requirements will be discussed and demonstrated. Both hardy and tropical plant communities can be assembled and compared for short and long term efficacy.

Fourth Generation Nursery is the largest stocking distributor of products for the construction and maintenance of water features east of the Poconos. They are also the oldest and largest wholesale grower of aquatic plants north of New Jersey, focusing on established ornamental & functional plants for ponds and streams. They propagate about 98% of the plants they sell right in Mendon and have introduced a select few hybrids into the trade, most notably the Hardy Waterlily (Nymphaea) ‘Cliff Tiffany’ chosen as the 2009 Best New Hardy Lily.

Bring your camera! $10 for Ecological Landscape Alliance members, $20 for nonmembers.

R. P. “Rip” Sokol has worked in the horticulture industry for over 50 years, has been growing plants since the age of five, and created his first water garden at age He has been a Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist since 1986 and belongs to multiple nursery associations. Rip is the co-owner of Fourth Generation Nursery, a wholesale nursery and supplier in Mendon, MA. The Sokol family has been engaged in horticulture for over 100 years, and began Fourth Generation Nursery in 1989. See more and register at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/phyto-filtration-power-plants/#sthash.rEks9jo1.dpuf

Tuesday, July 25, 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm – Bressingham Garden Symposium 2017

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Join the Massachusetts Horticultural Society on July 25 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of this beautiful garden at Elm Bank! They have arranged a day led by the experts, presenting on how you can create a unique four-season landscape that is truly inspirational. Garden designer and creator, Adrian Bloom, plantsman of the Bressingham and Foggy Bottom Gardens in England, will talk about the garden’s design intent and year-long appeal. The symposium will also feature Michael Dirr, America’s top expert on woody plants; Kerry Ann Mendez, garden design, speaker and author; and Mal Condon, hydrangea expert.

And, you’ll want to stay for the 10th Anniversary celebration of the Bressingham Garden at Elm Bank- wine and hors d’ oeuvres in the garden.

Plant Sale: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Suzanne Thatcher, Russell’s Garden Center, offers you an opportunity to take home the plants that inspire you. A portion of the day’s proceeds will go to support Mass Hort and future projects in the Bressingham Garden.

Day Symposium: 12 – 5 p.m. $99 per person (includes box lunch)

Add Reception: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. $20 per person ($25 per person if not attending symposium)

Full Symposium and Reception: $119

Additional information, please call: 617-933-4973

Proceeds raised from this event will support the Bressingham Garden and future projects. To register online visit www.masshort.org.

Saturday, July 15, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm – Landscape Photography Workshop

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In this intermediate level class at Tower Hill Botanic Garden on Saturday, July 15 from 9 – 2, Steve McGrath will show the various camera settings appropriate for Landscape Photography, utilizing your Shutter and Aperture settings for the best exposure. The class will also cover composition, focal length, depth of field, filters and the use of natural light. Tripods are a plus but not mandatory. After a presentation, we will head out into the Gardens to photograph and end the class with a critique of your work.

Steve McGrath is a professional freelance photographer and photography teacher who has been creating images for 20 years. Steve first began by shooting sports photography for local high schools, then weddings, and stock agencies. Then his love of the outdoors led him to focusing more on his true passion, “nature photography”. Steve was an active member of the Gateway Camera Club for many years, and has won many ribbons and awards at fairs and competitions through the group and on his own. Several of his images have been published in school text books. His favorite places to shoot are Acadia National Park in Maine, the Green Mountains of Vermont, and the Cape Cod National Seashore. Tower Hill Member price $60, nonmembers $75. Register online at www.towerhillbg.org.