Boston Flora

Month: December 2019

  • Tuesdays, January 7 – February 11, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm – Botany for the Home Gardener

    In this six-session course January 7 – February 11, join the Massachusetts Horticultural Society Senior Horticulturist, Hannah Traggis, to explore the fundamentals of plant structures and their function, reproductive and floral biology, introductory concepts in physiology and metabolism, and overall systematic organization and classification of major plant groups within the plant kingdom. Participants will better understand the world of plants and gain a far deeper appreciation for their wonder. The class takes place at The Gardens at Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street in Wellesley, from 6:30 – 8. $175 for Mass Hort members, $220 for nonmembers. To register visit www.masshort.org

    SAMSUNG

  • Wreath of the Day – First Lutheran Church and Community Engagement

    We have taken over the courtyard and basement of The First Lutheran Church of Boston during the first week in December for many years, and always say that if, for any reason, the Church should close for renovation, we might have to suspend our operations. The combination of a locked outside and partially covered space with a large work area with kitchen below is unbeatable. The staff at the Church has always been a joy to work with as well. This year, following the retirement of Pastor Ingo Dutzmann, we have been privileged to meet the new Pastor, James Hopkins, who is as dedicated to community involvement as his predecessor. In fact, this year Pastor Hopkins and Church Administrator John Lindemann insisted we suspend our annual nominal rent payment, saying our presence there is part of their mission of community outreach and engagement. The Garden Club of the Back Bay is now in the process of overseeing the installation of a small walled garden on the side of the Church, and we intend to contribute financially to the small congregation’s ongoing projects as well. Our flower arranging classes are held in the kitchen and workspace (stay tuned for announcements of winter and spring sessions). Thank you again, First Lutheran Church! Without you we would not have produced the elegant satin bowed wreath below.

  • Wreath of the Day – Christmas at Highclere Castle

    The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon were delighted to host an exclusive Festive Evening and Dinner in the State Dining Room at Highclere Castle on Friday 6th December 2019. One of our best decorators was privileged to attend. Following champagne cocktails in the Saloon with a roaring fire and magnificent Christmas tree, she then explored the State Rooms such as the Drawing Room, Music Room and Smoking Room with Lord and Lady Carnarvon, who also took her around the Egyptian Exhibition which is housed in the atmospheric cellars of the Castle. The exhibition follows the story of Lord Carnarvon’s great grandfather who, with his colleague Howard Carter, discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. Dinner was served in the State Dining room, one of the most famous rooms, with the portrait of Charles I. Coffee and petit fours followed in the Library. For fans of Downton Abbey, this would certainly be a priceless experience. Luckily, we didn’t lose the services of our intrepid traveler, who flew out to London immediately following our Thursday wrap-up. Below is one of her wreaths, a sugar plum fairy confection anticipating her night at Highclere.

  • Wednesday, February 26 – Tuesday, March 3 – Discover Antigua Guatemala

    Pacific Horticulture invites you to join them to explore the enchantment of Guatemala, the Mayan and scenic wonderland of Central America! You will begin in Guatemala City with a visit to the Jardin Botanico, a fine garden that was founded in 1922, and which has more than 1,400 species. With a local expert, explore the garden and learn about fascinating Mayan super food plants such as the Chaya or Mayan Tree Spinach. Your adventure will next take you to the enchanting colonial city of Antigua, which is situated in the Guatemala Highlands surrounded by volcanoes. Continue to enchanting Lake Atitlan where you will boat across the lake to explore village life around this jewel of the Americas. Then fly to the finest Mayan archaeological site in Central America – Tikal, with an optional extension to the superb archaeological sites of Quirigua and Copan. Complete information may be found at https://www.pacifichorticulture.org/tours/discover-antigua-guatemala/

  • Wreath of the Day – Easier with Easels

    This year we were especially fortunate to receive an additional supply of easels for our designers to use. Former member Sandra Ray brought in her own easel, made by her husband, sometime in the early 1990’s, and we were all envious. Used to working flat on tables, we discovered we could better envision our designs and achieve a more accurate balance and placement if we worked upright. Not only that, we saved wear and tear on our backs! Another intrepid member husband, John Christians, constructed our first set of easels in his back yard. Last year we realized we were running short on easels, and member Patti Quinn approached her very talented son, Zachary Hardoon, of Cannon Hill Woodworking, to put together more for our use, which he did, donating his time and skill to the project. We all realized this was a bit like asking John Singleton Copley to paint a sign, or Frederick Law Olmsted to weed a garden, but we are basically shameless. Thank you, Cannon Hill, for making this year so efficient, and we urge you all to visit the website link above, and follow them on Instagram #cannonhillwoodworking. Beneath the wide shot of part of our workshop, showcasing some of the empty easels, is a trio of wreaths hanging on them, demonstrating how critical they are to the success of our designs.

  • Tuesday, June 9 – Saturday, June 13 – World Bromeliad Conference 2020

    The World Bromeliad Conference 2020 will be held in Sarasota, Florida, USA from Tuesday, June 9, 2020 through Saturday, June 13, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. We will celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Bromeliad Society International! Events will include tours of two of the world’s leading Bromeliad nurseries (Michael’s Bromeliads and Tropiflora), a visit to the renowned Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (with free admission for conference registrants), a number of notable speakers, an opening conference reception and welcome address, a banquet with a rare plant sale and auction, a plant sale with numerous sellers, a fantastic judged plant show, and more. Reserve now ($295 if postmarked by December 31, 2019) at https://www.bsi.org/new/world-bromeliad-conference-registration/

    The BSI has arranged for a special $149 room rate at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota (with no resort fees, normally $24+ daily) with free parking for hotel guests and conference visitors. All the rooms at the Hyatt provide water views and the hotel has a central downtown location with easy access to gardens, restaurants, museums, shopping, cultural activities, and world-renowned beaches. In order to catch all the planned events for WBC 2020, you would check into the hotel on Tuesday night, June 9th and stay through Saturday night, June 13th (checking out on Sunday). Of course, with all there is do in Sarasota and other nearby areas in Florida, you may want to extend your stay. We recommend reserving your hotel room as soon as possible since a limited number of rooms at the special rate are available.

    Photo courtesy of Michael’s Bromeliads

  • Wreath of the Day – Winter Storms

    We hope everyone is as excited as we are to begin our month-long annual feature of Wreath of the Day, highlighting just a few of the many beautiful wreaths created by our members this year during our Wreath Week sessions at The First Lutheran Church of Boston. We try to pair the pictures with a story from the project, and this year we begin with what just might have been a record breaking two day weather event this past Monday and Tuesday. Although we remember a snowfall or two over the past twenty-some odd years, never were we battered with such unrelenting rain, ice, and snow for such an extended period. Not only was it a challenge to keep our wreaths dry, but we worried we would lose the services of some of our volunteers, as well as walk-in buyers for plain wreaths or wreaths with bows. We need not have worried about the volunteers – they came out in record numbers. On Tuesday we had 37 people working in the basement and in the Courtyard. Thank you everyone for your dedication! The winter wreath below is emblematic of those first two days. Natural and spray painted pine cones, milk weed, branches, and sweet gum seed pods were joined with silvery artificial silver ferns, added greens and dried flowers, all highlighted by a cream, white, gold and silver bow.

  • Friday, September 4 – Saturday, September 12 – Gardens of Bavaria

    Join The American Horticultural Society on September 4 – 12 for this extraordinary tour, including these highlights:

    • Munich’s Botanischer Garten, one of the most important botanical gardens in the world with nearly 20,000 species and subspecies


    • Schloss Nymphenburg, a favorite summer residence of the former rulers of Bavaria


    • Mainau, nicknamed the Flower Island and famous for its extraordinary diversity of flowers, trees, and shrubs, including rare and subtropical plants


    • Alte Pinakothek, with an outstanding art collection that includes Leonardo da Vinci’s Madonna of the Carnation as well as works by Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Giotto, Raphael, El Greco, and Diego Velázquez


    • Westpark, designed for the International Garden Expo of 1983 and featuring a rose garden with more than 20,000 specimens from 500 varieties


    • Ludwigsburg Residential Palace, where the magnificent state rooms offer a journey through Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical architecture


    • Six visits to private gardens that showcase their owners’ creativity and originality

    The 5-star accommodations for this program:

    • Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich, with breathtaking views of the city and the Alps


    • Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Lindau, with stunning views of Lake Constance


    • Wald and Schlosshotel Friedrichsruhe in Zweiflingen, a converted manor house set amid lovely gardens

    For more information and to make reservations, please contact Susan Klejst, Director of Development & Engagement at (703) 768-5700 ext. 127, or email development@ahsgardening.org. Our fax number is (703) 768-8700.

  • Monday, January 20, 2020 – Deadline for National Garden Clubs Poster Contest

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the National Garden Clubs, Inc. are giving students the opportunity to demonstrate through original drawings of Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl their understanding of wildfire prevention and basic environmental conservation principles. Only You Can Prevent Wildfires!Smokey Bear is recognized nationally and internationally as the symbol for fire prevention. The original Smokey Bear appeared in 1944. Smokey’s message, “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires!” encourages personal responsibility for fire prevention. Smokey Bear teaches children and adults to be careful with campfires, barbecues, trash fires, and matches. Lend a Hand, Care for the Land!Woodsy Owl is America’s icon for the conservation of the environment. Since 1971, Woodsy has helped parents and teachers inspire children to observe, explore, and care for the environment. He challenges children to “Lend a Hand, Care for the Land!” and to take an active role in caring for the land through recycling, reusing, and reducing waste, planting and caring for trees, using resources wisely, and not littering. Visit www.gardenclub.org to find more information and recent National winners under Youth Programs Visit www.gcfm.org to see recent state contest winners. Open to children in first through fifth grades.

  • Saturday, December 14, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Fungi in Winter

    In this Native Plant Trust class at Garden in the Woods on December 14 from 1 – 4, mycologist Lawrence Millman discusses the seasonality of fungi: why some species fruit in the spring, why most mycorrhizal species fruit in the fall, and why — as well as how — some species are adapted to cold weather and fruit in the winter. After the presentation, we will go on a walk in the Garden in search of this last group of fungi. $45 for NPT members, $54 for nonmembers. Image from www.discovercentralmass.org. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/fungi-ecology-and-relationships/