Boston Flora

Month: April 2018

  • Thursday, May 17 – Sunday, June 17 – Witnesses

    Copley Society of Art artist Lucy Kalian is having a solo show entitled Witnesses, which features remarkably detailed graphite drawings of trees and woodland forms, at Co|So, 158 Newbury Street, from May 17 – June 17. Lucy spent a year of wandering the preserves of D&R Greenway Land Trust in Princeton, NJ to create this body of work. The show’s title refers not only to the thoughtful observer, but also to the fields and woodlands that have witnessed history longer than most of us who walk the preserved land today.

    In Lucy’s words: “Before an artist visually celebrated them, who looked twice at hay bales? I hope my work makes others stop, look, and think. I suppose, unintentionally or not, I’ve become an activist. My title for this body of work, Witnesses, refers not only to the thoughtful observer, but also to the woodlands that have a life story far longer than most of us walking the preserved land today. They are witnesses of a changing ecosystem and changing ‘humansystem’.”

  • Saturday, May 12 – Three Plant Sales

    The Easton Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale of garden-dug perennials, annuals, and mother’s day gifts on Saturday, May 12 from 9 – 1 at the Yardley-Wood Skating Rink, 388 Depot Street in South Easton. On the same day, from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, the Garden Club of Concord will offer over 1,000 plants for sale, including perennials, herbs, annuals, vegetables and houseplants, many from the established gardens of club members, on the lawn of the Middlesex Savings Bank on 64 Main Street in Concord. Finally, for those of you in Dedham, the Fairbanks Garden Club will have its plant sale at Fairbanks House from 9 – noon.  Support these clubs and pick up some treasures.

  • Saturday, May 19, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – The Art of the Garden

    Saturday, May 19, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – The Art of the Garden

    The Trustees 5th Annual “Home Sweet Home” Historic Open House Day will take place on Saturday, May 19th from 10AM to 4PM. This year’s theme, The Art of the Garden: Inspiration Grows Here, will celebrate The Trustees’ public gardens, a living documentary of Massachusetts horticulture and design traditions. Many of these gardens are part of the landscapes of Trustees historic sites, the former homes of historical figures, literati, titans of industry, political leaders, artists and more and span a 300-year timeline from the Colonial Era to the Modern Movement. Come experience all the beauty, history, and unique stories contained within each home, as well as the exquisitely designed gardens and stunning natural landscapes. The ten sites open free of charge are Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich, the Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate in Canton, the Stevens-Coolidge Place in North Andover, The Old Manse in Concord, The Ashley House in Sheffield, Naumkeag House & Gardens in Stockbridge, the Mission House in Stockbridge, The Folly at Field Farm in Williamstown (pictured)  and the William Cullen Bryant Homestead in Cummington. Special tours, gardening and family-friendly activities and refreshments will be offered. Visit http://thetrustees.org/homesweethome for details.

  • Saturday, May 19, 9:00 am – 2:30 pm – Grow Native Plant Sale

    Grow Native Massachusetts will hold its  Annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 19 from 9 – 2:30 at the UMass Waltham Field Station, 240 Beaver Street in Waltham. Adding native plants to your garden is the best way to support biodiversity in your neighborhood including bees, butterflies, birds and much more.

    Grow Native will be selling a wide variety of native plants, including:

    Perennials · Ferns · Grasses and Sedges · Shrubs · Trees

    Grow Native sources  plants from more than eight nurseries around New England, to bring together a range of species rarely found in one location. Sale proceeds support educational programs.  Also, enjoy Ask the Experts:  experienced landscape professionals will answer your questions and help you find the plants best suited to your landscape needs and conditions. This is a tremendous resource.  Free admission.  For more information visit http://grownativemass.org/programs/plantsale,  or call 781-790-8921. Jennifer Schamber photograph.

  • Tuesday, June 25 – Saturday, July 6, 2019 – Chile & The Skies of the Southern Hemisphere, Including Total Solar Eclipse

    After last August’s solar eclipse we’ve all become a little eclipse-crazed. On July 2, 2019, witness a total solar eclipse at a unique location—the north of Chile, home to world-class astronomical observatories. Enjoy special access to state-of the art observatories in the desert including: the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, or ALMA, the world’s most powerful radio telescope, Paranal, home to the Very Large Telescope, and Las Campanas, home to the Magellan Telescopes and the Giant Magellan Telescope.

    Your Harvard University-led journey also includes an exploration of the Atacama Desert and some of the most extraordinary landscapes of our planet—volcanoes, evaporated salt lakes, lagoons and hot springs as well as a host of animal life. Top this off with stargazing in the Southern Hemisphere. Visit the Elqui Valley, and a pisco distillery. Conclude your adventure with lunch and a tasting of select vintages in Chile beautiful Casablanca Valley at the Kingston Family Vineyards. Enjoy special entry to the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), Paranal Observatory and Las Campanas Observatory. Relax in thermal springs in the Atacama Desert Observe the dazzling evening skies of the Southern Hemisphere with large amateur telescopes.Visit the Elqui Valley and a Pisco distillery.Spend a day in Chile’s wine country at a winery founded by a Harvard alumnus.Tour Santiago and its Pre-Columbian Museum. $11,295 per person, double occupancy / $2,295 single supplement. Accommodations include two nights at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Santiago, three nights at the Explora Atacama Hotel, one night at the Hotel Terrado, and three nights at the Costa Real Hotel.

    Participants should expect to walk one or two miles in length (sometimes over uneven terrain) with pauses to observe and discuss surroundings. Walks can be longer based on the participant’s discretion. The altitude in San Pedro de Atacama, where you spend three nights, is 8,000 feet. The ALMA Observatory located in the Atacama Desert, has an operations support facility at an altitude of 9,514 feet. There is an optional visit to the site of ALMA’s satellite dishes on the Chajnantor Plateau located at an altitude of 16,400 feet. Guests who would like to see the satellite installation on the plateau must have a medical release signed by their personal physician in order take part on this part of the tour. Paranal Observatory, outside of Antofagasta, has an altitude of approximately 8,645 feet. Las Campanas Observatory, outside of La Serena, is located at an altitude of approximately 8,370 feet.

    All the hotels are located at comfortable altitudes. Please note, since some of the travel will be in remote areas, flexibility is required concerning time schedules, food, weather, and dust. To enjoy this experience, participants must be in good physical and mental health, and be able to keep up with the pace of the group. Program participants requiring additional assistance must be accompanied by a guest who will assist them throughout the length of the program. For complete details visit https://alumni.harvard.edu/travel/trips/Chile-eclipse-2019?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=travel_monthly&utm_content=haa_travel_sell_out_2018-01-25

  • Sunday, May 6, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Container Gardening with Native Perennials at Nasami Farm

    Kick those petunias to the curb and create a show-stopping container garden using native plants! Become familiar with the species that thrive in containers and discover how to combine them. Learn about containers, soil mechanics, fertilizers, and proper care. Bring your own container and get creative. Plants are available for purchase, and potting soil is provided. This New England Wild Flower Society session will take place at Nasami Farm Nursery in Whately on Sunday, May 6 from 10 – 12, and is $26 for NEWFS members, $32 for nonmembers. Register online at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/container-gardening-with-native-perennials-at-nasami-farm

    Image result for spring New England native plants

  • Wednesday, July 11 – Saturday, July 14 – National Children & Youth Garden Symposium

    National Children & Youth Garden Symposium 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. NCYGS 2018 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 11 will feature optional pre-symposium trips, while July 12-14 will comprise the main body of the symposium. Experience Central New York’s breathtaking natural beauty and the world renowned facilities of Cornell University. Share ideas, success stories, and inspiration with like-minded colleagues from across the nation. Registration is open at http://ahsgardening.org/gardening-programs/youth-gardening/ncygs/2018-ncygs/overview

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  • Saturday, May 12, 9:30 am – Heather Pruning

    Learn about gardening with hardy and beautiful heather as you join members of the Northeast Heather Society while tending The Fells Heather Bed on Saturday, May 12 at 9:30 am. Bring lightweight hedge trimmers (if you have them), dress in layers and wear gloves. Free to all. Advance registration requested. Meets at the Heather Bed, beyond the Rock Garden. The Fells is located on the eastern shore of Lake Sunapee at 456 Route 103A in Newbury, NH.

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  • Sunday, May 6, 10:30 am – 12:00 noon – Early Season Gardening Workshop

    Get an early start on implementing a successful growing season at Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street, on Sunday, May 6 at 10:30 am. Hannah Traggis will lead this hands-on workshop, covering essential vegetable gardening skills such as handling and transplanting young seedlings and proper weed management. Consideration will be given to spring garden and soil preparations, early spring and summer cover cropping and mulching options, and planning ahead for succession planting and extended vegetable harvest.

    Hannah Traggis, a senior horticulturist, manages Mass Hort’s edible gardens throughout The Gardens at Elm Bank. She oversees the Seed to Table vegetable garden which produces more than 4,000 pounds of produce each year to support our educational mission and local food pantries.

    $20 members; $30 general admission. Register at http://www.masshort.org/eventdetail/658/early-season-gardening-workshop?filter_reset=1

    Image result for Hannah Traggis

  • Wednesday, May 16, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Third Annual Beacon Hill Garden Club Soiree

    You are cordially invited to the Beacon Hill Garden Club’s Third Annual Soiree celebrating the Club’s 90th year. The event takes place Wednesday, May 16 from 6 – 8 at the historic garden at King’s Chapel Parish House, 55 Branch Street in Beacon Hill.  Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvre, raw bar, and jazz combo.  Also, from 5 – 6 ticket holders may preview three historic gardens from the Hidden Gardens Tour taking place the next day. To purchase tickets go to http://garden-soiree.eventbrite.com. Capacity for this event is limited and last year’s event sold out quickly.

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