Daily Archives: September 6, 2020


Wednesday, September 16, 6:30 pm – Durable Ground Covers That Give Lawn Mowers a Rest Webinar

This Tower Hill Botanic Garden on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30 pm program will be held virtually. Once you register you will receive a zoom link in the confirmation. This webinar will also be RECORDED and available for 2 months to all registrants.

Would you like to fill the edges and understory of your landscape with durable, attractive ground covers? Do you want to do less mowing? Let’s look at the advantages and challenges of covering ground with healthy plants and shrubs. Possibilities include low-growing flowering perennials, shrub beds, native ornamental grasses, sedum, ferns, moss, and low-mow grass mixes that replace conventional lawns. We’ll talk about the importance of thorough site preparation this fall and winter, realistic expectations, and the value of advance planning. Extensive resource handout and plant lists included.

Instructor Kathy Connolly is a landscape designer who specializes in naturalized designs, low-impact techniques, and native plants for homeowners, municipalities, and other organizations. Kathy has a master’s degree in landscape planning and design from the Conway School in Easthampton, MA. She completed the advanced master gardener program and is an Accredited Organic Land Care Professional through NOFA. She is an active member of the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG). She is a regular columnist for The Day community papers which circulate throughout southeastern Connecticut and has written about lawn alternatives for TheSpruce/About.com. She gives about 25 talks and workshops each year for conservation organizations, master gardeners, museums, libraries, land trusts, and garden clubs. Her website is www.SpeakingofLandscapes.com.

$10 for Mass Hort members, $15 for nonmembers. Register at www.towerhillbg.org


Sunday, September 13, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Jane Austen Garden Party: Outdoors Under the Century Tent at Gore Place

Gore Place will present the Jane Austen Garden Party on Sunday, September 13 on the grounds of their beautiful 19th-century estate—a site fit for one of the celebrated author’s famous novels.

Event ticket includes: An individual showcase box with sweets and savories from Vicki Lee’s Bakeshop, a bottle of Vicki’s own lemonade or tea (add a mini bottle of wine for $10 more), an archery lesson led by On the Mark Archery, lawn games and an outdoor guided tour of the grounds.

The party starts under the spacious Century Tent. Tables and chairs will be provided, but you may bring your own lawn chairs or picnic blankets, if you wish. There will be ample free parking. The entire site is accessible, and modern indoor restrooms will be available. Costumes encouraged, masks required.

If you require an accommodation so you may more fully participate in this event, please contact us as soon as possible by email at marketing@goreplace.org.

Coronavirus prevention safety precautions:  We will provide hand sanitizing stations. Masks are required. All guests ages seven years old and up must wear masks or face coverings while not socially distancing. All staff and volunteers will wear masks or face coverings and gloves (if handling food).

Capacity of the tent will not exceed 50 guests. Tables and chairs will be spread out in the tent to maintain social distancing. Guests must sit within their own party, at least six feet away from other guests not in their party.

Cost is $35/pp ($45/pp with a mini bottle of wine. IDs will be checked at the event for anyone ordering wine.) Member discounts available. Capacity is limited. Advance online tickets required by Monday, September 7, 2020. To order tickets, visit https://goreplace.org/whats-on/a-jane-austen-garden-party