Boston Flora

Month: December 2019

  • Saturday, December 14, 9:30 am – 12:00 noon – Measure Twice, Cut Once: Introductory Tree and Shrub Pruning

    Put down the hedge shears! Through both classroom instruction and hands-on field training, this Arnold Arboretum class on December 14 from 9:30 – noon will include whats, whys, and hows of proper pruning approaches and techniques.

    Instructor Andrew Gapinski will focus on small ornamental trees, young shade trees, and shrubs with general approaches towards maintaining a plant’s natural form and encouraging health and vigor. Note: Pruning for fruit production will not be covered in this offering. Dress for indoor and outdoor learning. The class will begin in the Hunnewell Building, 125 Arborway, and is $38. Register at www.my.arboretum.harvard.edu

  • Saturday, December 14, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Warmth and Comfort: Cooking with Pleasure through the Depths of Winter

    As the snow falls and the temperatures dip, we can turn on the stove, pour a glass of wine, and bring our friends and family together around the warmth of the table.

    Join cookbook author Alana Chernila on December 14 from 2 – 5 at the Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge for a hands-on class where the comfort foods of winter play a starring role. Recipes will include polenta with all the greens, shredded brussels sprouts with crispy shallots and pecans, and pear gingerbread with whipped cream. BBG members $55, nonmembers $65. Register at http://berkshirebotanical.org. Image courtesy of www.foodnetwork.com

  • Sunday, December 15, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Christmas Centerpiece Workshop

    Sunday, December 15, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Christmas Centerpiece Workshop

    Create your own festive, beautiful, and very fresh centerpiece for your holiday table, using fresh-cut greens, berries, and flowers, on December 15 from 1 – 3 at the Lyman Estate Greenhouses, 185 Lyman Street in Waltham. You will leave with a finished centerpiece that looks and smells fantastic. Greenhouse Manager Lynn Ackerman teaches this special holiday workshop. $55. Advance tickets required. Please call 617-994-5913 for more information.

  • Saturday, December 14, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Bark and Buds

    On Saturday, December 14 from 10 – 2 at Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge, discover the many plants that lend bark, buds, fruit and structural interest to the garden in fall and winter. Students will develop the ability to identify winter trees by twig and bud anatomy, bark features and plant architecture while practicing their skills with winter tree dichotomous keys. BBG members $25, nonmembers $35. Register at http://berkshirebotanical.org

  • Thursday, December 12, 6:30 pm – Decorating “The People’s House”

    Author and renowned event producer Bryan Rafanelli and Jeremy Bernard, former White House social secretary under President Obama, will share their memories of holidays in the Obama White House on December 12 beginning at 6:30 in WBUR’s CitySpace at the Lavine Broadcast Center, 890 Commonwealth Avenue.

    The pair will discuss how the process of designing holiday décor was more than creating visually stunning displays, it was one that honored the history of a great house and the values of the First Family. $10, and door will open at 5:30 Buy tickets at www.wbur.org

    Jeremy Hobson, co-host of Here & Now, will moderate. Copies of Rafanelli’s new book, A Great Party – Designing The Perfect Celebration will be on sale. Rafanelli will sign copies following the discussion.

  • Saturday, December 7 – Sunday, December 8, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm – NABB’s Annual Christmas Tree Sale

    The Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay will again hold its annual Christmas Tree Sale on December 7 and 8 at the Clarendon Street Playground, on the corner of Clarendon Street and Commonwealth Avenue.

    Fresh cut Balsam Fir trees from Maine in a variety of sizes will be sold, and local delivery available. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Friends of the Clarendon Street Playground and the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay.  To make a special order or to find out further details, please contact the NABB office at 617-247-3961 or info@nabbonline.com.

  • Holiday Wreaths – Where We Are This Week

    There are many interesting garden related events taking place in the beginning of December, but luckily, many Garden Club of the Back Bay members and friends have decided to dedicate a portion of their week to our Annual Wreath Project, taking place today, December 2 through Thursday, December 5 at The First Lutheran Church of Boston. We’ll be decorating and delivering over 400 wreaths to friends and neighbors. While fully decorated wreaths are only available by advance order, a simple wreath with or without one of our signature bows may be purchased on site at the Church, which is located at 299 Berkeley Street, on the corner of Berkeley Street and Marlborough Street. Do stop by and view our operation if you are able, and put your name on our mailing list for next season. You can choose your ribbon and walk away with a fragrant holiday treasure.

     

     

  • Monday, January 20 – Friday, January 24, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm – ON LOCATION: The Kampong

    Monday, January 20 – Friday, January 24, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm – ON LOCATION: The Kampong

    Friends of Wellesley College Botanic Gardens announces the 2020 annual ON LOCATION: The Kampong, at the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Coconut Grove, Florida. All abilities are welcome.   Join Sarah Roche and enjoy five days of botanical art.  Once on location, start to draw with easy field sketches on the grounds of the stunning Kampong historic home and garden, where the climate of the southeast shore of Florida affords a natural open-air environment in which tropical species flourish.  Explore rudiments of form from live specimens as you work in graphite studies.  Some plants will be flowering, others will be fruiting, and some may have all stages of development visible.  Then add color with watercolors.  Take home a journal filled with field sketches useful for future art works and fond memories of a unique experience.  The fee includes class instruction, four luncheons, and a visit to a local botanic garden.  Travel, accommodations, other food, and other expenses not included.  Dormitory accommodations at The Kampong may be arranged on a first-come basis.  For those arriving on Sunday, January 19, a get-acquainted gathering will be arranged.  Contact WCBG Friends for more details.  WCBG Friends of Kampong Members $540, non-members $640. To register, email wcbgfriends@wellesley.edu or call 781-283-3094. Offered in collaboration with The Kampong, National Tropical Botanical Garden.

  • Saturday, December 7, 8:00 am – An Oasis for Birds

    Discover the abundant birdlife at Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, a restored wildlife sanctuary at 1399 Bennington Street in East Boston. We will walk with a guide from the DCR while birding for a distance of a mile on easy level terrain. A spotting scope will be available for viewing. Please bring bring binoculars and/or a spotting scope if you have them. Reasonable accommodations available upon request. Recommended for adults and children ages 10 and older but all ages and experience levels are welcome. All children must be accompanied by an adult. This is a free program, beginning at 8 am. Parking available to the right of the bulletin board at the property address. For more information email matthew.nash@state.ma.us

  • Wednesday, December 4, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Bonenkai Celebration

    Has politics been getting you down? Attend the Bōnenkai Celebration at Pabu Boston on Wednesday, December 4 from 6 – 8 with the Japan Society of Boston. Pabu Boston is located at 3 Franklin Street downtown.

    Bōnenkai literally means “forget the year gathering.” In Japan, bōnenkai parties are held with friends, colleagues, and community members in December to celebrate the past year before we shift our focus to the next. Join us for Japanese food and enjoy some sake flights with your friends at the Japan Society of Boston. Appetizers will be provided by our generous friends at Pabu Boston, JSB members $40, $50 general admission. Register online at https://japansocietyboston.wildapricot.org/event-3627329