Boston Flora

Month: January 2020

  • Wednesday, April 29 and Wednesday, May 6, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – The Garden in Art and Art in the Garden

    Gardens have been important to us since ancient times, so it isn’t surprising that artists have represented gardens in many symbolic ways. Exploring representations in both western and eastern art, this two-session Museum of Fine Arts Looking Together on April 29 and May 6 from 1 – 2:30 pm considers the symbiosis of art and gardens over time. Led by adjunct instructor Deborah Stein, tickets are $64 for MFA members and $80 for nonmembers, and must be purchased in advance at www.mfa.org, or by phone at 1-800-440-6975 (additional $6 processing fee), or at the ticket desk at the Museum. We are posting this announcement early because spaces are limited and tend to sell out quickly.

  • Saturday, February 8, 9:30 am – 11:00 am – Foundations in Gardening: Gardening in the Shade

    Do you struggle with lack of sun in your yard? This Blithewold class on February 8 from 9:30 – 11 is for you. This class will help you embrace the hidden joys of the shaded garden. We will discuss different types of shade gardens from dry shade to wet shade, dappled light to deep shade. We will also go over the best tried and true plants to make the most of this underutilized garden space. Betsy Ekholm leads, and the garden is located at 101 Ferry Road, Rt. 114, in Bristol. Rhode Island. Register at https://www.blithewold.org/event/foundations-in-gardening-gardening-in-the-shade/

    $25 Members | $30 Non-Members

  • Wednesday, February 12, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Valentines Day Floral Design

    Using flower and foliage that you might find in your own yard and garden, learn the basic techniques of floral design in this Massachusetts Horticultural Society holiday workshop led by Barbara Rietscha, owner of Field & Vase. The class will take place Wednesday, February 12 from 7 – 8:30 at The Gardens at Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street in Wellesley, and flowers and supplies will be provided. Mass Hort Members $50. General Admission $70. Register here.

  • James Hearsum Joins Massachusetts Horticultural Society as President and Executive Director

    Effective January 14, James Hearsum became President and Executive Director of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Mr. Hearsum has been Executive Director of St. Andrews Botanic Garden in Scotland since May 2014. In the heart of St. Andrews, the St. Andrews Botanic Garden is widely regarded as a national treasure. Hearsum succeeds Suzanne Maas, who has been the interim head of Massachusetts Horticultural Society since the fall of 2018.   

    As Executive Director of St. Andrews Botanic Garden, Hearsum has been responsible for renewal in all aspects of the organization’s guest experience, outreach, and educational programs, particularly by welcoming previously unreached communities. Notable developments include establishment of a sustainable Urban Farm, Butterfly House and Community Hub, in addition to a core focus on horticultural excellence. Prior to St. Andrews, Hearsum was Curator at the Royal Botanic Garden of Jordan.

    A member of the Charted Institute of Horticulturists, Hearsum began his career in the UK as a working gardener and nursery manager before attending Writtle College for his undergraduate degree in Horticulture and the University of Cambridge for Practical Horticulture and Plantsmanship. He also was a participant in the Longwood Graduate Program in Public Horticulture in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. 

     

  • Thursday, January 30, 10:45 am – Flower Arranging Demonstration

    Thursday, January 30, 10:45 am – Flower Arranging Demonstration

    Nancy Cyr, Garden Club of the Back Bay member, will be doing a large flower arranging demonstration at the Museum of Fine Arts Sharf Information Center on January 30 at 10:45 am.  This provides an opportunity to learn about flower arranging and get tips as Nancy makes a large flower arrangement which will be used as part of the Lunar New Year celebration. No need to RSVP. However, a membership to the MFA or day ticket will be required to enter. Grab a friend, spend the day, and enjoy a fellow member’s work!

  • Monday, January 27, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Hynes Convention Center Meeting

    The State Administration Committee has scheduled a hearing for 01/27/2020 from 01:00 PM-04:00 PM in Room A-1 in the Statehouse regarding the Hynes Convention Center. The Baker administration is reviving the idea of expanding the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston’s Seaport and wants permission to sell the Hynes Convention Center in the Back Bay as part of a consolidation of the city’s event and convention space. The public is invited. For more details, visit http://nabbonline.com

  • Saturday, February 1, 9:30 am – 11:00 am – Foundations in Gardening: Small Gardens for Big Enjoyment

    Are you reconsidering the size of your garden or thinking of simplifying your garden space? This Blithewold class on February 1 from 9:30 – 11 will focus on basic garden principles applied to small spaces to maximize your garden enjoyment. Small gardens can be both beautiful and functional: from creating a mini wildlife sanctuary to expressing dynamic tastes to providing a space for relaxation. Learn from Gail Read’s photo visits to friend’s gardens – discover how they enjoy their small gardens in a big way. Blithewold is located at 101 Ferry Road, Rt. 114, in Bristol, Rhode Island.

    $25 Members | $30 Non-Members. For more information, and to register, visit https://www.blithewold.org/event/foundations-in-gardening-small-gardens-for-big-enjoyment/

  • Tuesday, February 11, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Begonias for Any Season

    Tuesday, February 11, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Begonias for Any Season

    Far from ordinary, begonias are wonderful houseplants; many make lovely terrarium specimens. This Massachusetts Horticultural Society program on February 11 at 7 pm at The Gardens at Elm Bank will feature how to grow begonias both inside and out. A season by season plan for enjoying this diverse and versatile genus will be described. As winter wanes and we think about spring, begonias as bedding and container plants are a beautiful addition to any garden. Fall brings cooler weather, and is the time to think about bringing plants inside and perhaps taking a few cuttings. With the holidays, it’s time for “winter-flowering” and fancy-leaved hybrids to enjoy while waiting for spring. Instructed by Betsy Szymczak, President, Buxton Branch – American Begonia Society. MGH members $20, general admission $35. Register at www.masshort.org

  • Sunday, February 16, 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm – What’s My Orchid Telling Me Now?

    Orchids are the largest family in the plant kingdom and grow all over the world! Some grow in soil and others grow on rocks and trees. Learn orchid anatomy and plant structure, as well as the difference between terrestrial and epiphytic orchids, so you can understand what your orchid is telling you. Matt Tetreault, Tower Hill Botanic Garden’s conservatory horticulturalist, is an orchid expert and develops orchid displays for Tower Hill’s annual shows. Matt will teach you how to assess an orchid’s health and what steps you can take to bring an orchid back to good health. The session will take place February 16 from 1:30 – 3, and is $15 for Tower Hill members, $29 for nonmembers. Register at www.towerhillbg.org.

    Matt Tetreault graduated from Worcester State with degrees in biology and chemistry. His diverse experience includes studying mangroves and other subtropical plants in the Dominican Republic, sequencing tropical spider DNA, and working on a salamander population study. After working as an intern at Tower Hill, he was brought on as a conservatory gardener in January 2018 and was promoted to conservatory horticulturist in December 2018. Matt was responsible for all the beautiful forced bulb displays at Tower Hill in the early months of 2019.

  • Tuesday, January 28, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm – Botany Blast: What Is Biodiversity and Why Does It Matter?

    Jake Grossman, PhD, Putnam Postdoctoral Fellow, Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, will speak in the Hunnewell Building of the Arnold Arboretum on January 28 at 6:30 pm.

    Most of us have an intuitive sense of what counts as “biodiversity” and why it is important to live in a biodiverse world, but these questions have also powered decades of revelatory and complex ecological research.

    Join Putnam Postdoctoral Fellow Jake Grossman for an exploration of the world of biodiversity research. Our focus will be on how scientists define and quantify biodiversity and how biodiversity loss affects the way that ecosystems work. Jake will share highlights from his dissertation research, which entailed the use of experimentally planted “forests” to study the role of biodiversity in supporting tree growth, health, and nutrient use.

    Free, but registration requested. Register at my.arboretum.harvard.edu or call 617-384-5277.