Traditionally, Wreath of the Day posts for New Year’s Eve feature especially sparkly wreaths, in keeping with the party sensibility of the night, and this year is no exception. We also take the opportunity to thank Maureen O’Hara and Coldwell Banker for all their support of the Garden Club of the Back Bay over the year. Coldwell Banker, along with Lois Kunian and Gibson/Sotheby’s International Realty, are corporate sponsors of our annual spring Twilight Garden Party, and we thank them once again for their kindness and generosity.
Fascinating adaptations, galls are highly modified tissues in plants caused by arthopods, fungi, viruses, or bacteria. Surprisingly little is known about the biology and ecology of galls, making them a prime topic for naturalists to study. This New York Botanical Garden online class on January 18 at 6:30 pm will focus on the ecology of galls created by wasps, midges, aphids, psyllids, and more in the northeastern U.S. Participants will receive some tips on how to identify some of the more common species around so you can begin to study them come spring.
John Butler, the lecturer, earned a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from the University of Vermont in 2013, and in 2021 a masters degree in Geographic Information Sciences at CUNY Lehman College. Currently the Program Director of Restoration & Stewardship at the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, John develops goals for forest restoration and management across the park’s 640 acres of forested land, all while engaging community members in this important work.He is a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner through the Society for Ecological Restoration and a lover of salamanders.
The Garden Club of the Back Bay’s Wreath Project is an all-volunteer endeavor. From taking the orders to producing the tags, from the accounting to the bill payments, from the set up and break down, decorating and delivery, nothing happens without our members, and in some cases, friends of members. We thank everyone who planned, everyone who worked, everyone who lent moral support, and everyone who bought. Without all of you, we couldn’t help the street trees in the Back Bay to the extent we do.
The Athol Bird & Nature Club presents a webinar of special interest to gardeners with author Eric Eaton on January 11 at 7 pm discussing his book Wasps: The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect. The book, published by Princeton University Press in 2021, is described as the ultimate visual journey into the beautiful and complex world of wasps. Wasps are far more diverse than the familiar yellowjackets and hornets that harass picnickers and build nests under the eaves of our homes. These amazing, mostly solitary creatures thrive in nearly every habitat on Earth, and their influence on our lives is overwhelmingly beneficial. Wasps are agents of pest control in agriculture and gardens. They are subjects of study in medicine, engineering, and other important fields. Wasps pollinate flowers, engage in symbiotic relationships with other organisms, and create architectural masterpieces in the form of their nests. This richly illustrated book introduces you to some of the most spectacular members of the wasp realm, colorful in both appearance and lifestyle. From minute fairyflies to gargantuan tarantula hawks, wasps exploit almost every niche on the planet. So successful are they at survival that other organisms emulate their appearance and behavior. The sting is the least reason to respect wasps and, as you will see, no reason to loathe them, either. To register, visit https://atholbirdclub.org/
We had a number of absolutely beautiful silver and white wreaths this year and thought you would enjoy seeing some of them, side by side. Grey can be tricky – you don’t want a wreath that looks like a radiator. The decorators did a magnificent job avoiding the pitfalls.
The American Horticultural Society has rescheduled its exotic garden adventure hidden behind the peaks of the Himalayas from its original 2020 and 2021 dates to April 15 – 26, 2023. AHS host Tim Conlon and Tour Leader Susie Orso of Specialtours will lead the trip.
Highlights:
Buddha Point, one of the largest Buddha statues in the world at 177 feet tall.
The Tashichho Dzong, the seat of the government since 1952.
The Royal Botanical Garden, Serbithang, a rescue center for rare and threatened native floral species.
The high mountain pass of Dochula, at 10,000 foot; on a clear day we will see the Himalayas.
The Lampelri Royal Botanical Park & Rhododendron Festival, pictured below. The park features 46 species of rhodies, many of which will be in bloom during our visit. During the festival we’ll enjoy traditional songs, dances, and cultural programs.
Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the country.
Bhutan’s most celebrated examples of monastic architecture: Paro Takstang monastery, also known as the Tiger’s Nest.
Top-rated Accommodations:
Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport hotel, for short stays both at the beginning and end of the tour.
Norkhil Boutique Hotel & Spa in Thimphu is known for holistic spa treatments and organic cuisine in an exceptionally beautiful natural setting.
The Dhensa Boutique Resort, set in the Punakha Valley. We’ll be immersed in the peace and beauty of nature at its most brilliant.
The Gangtey Lodge, a window into Bhutanese rural life. It respectfully blends into its environment and will enable us to connect with the spirituality of Bhutan.
Le Méridien Paro, Riverfront hotel. Located on the edge of the Paro River, it offers panoramic views of the Eastern Himalayas.
For more information and to make reservations, please contact 703-768-5700 ext 127, or email development@ahsgardening.org.
Matched pairs – we’ve said it before, not our favorite task. So many things can go wrong. Bows could be slightly uneven, sufficient materials might be in short supply, instructions can be missing (bows on top? mirror image?), the underlying wreaths themselves not the same thickness. Two members, Stephanie Fletcher and her mother Gudi Seward, have been our “go to” pair themselves for this thankless job. I can’t be sure if the pair of wreaths below was done by them this season, but I know, even without having been there, that they took on their fair share of the work. Stephanie, in addition, took many of the beautiful photos pictured in the Wreath of the Day posts, and runs our Instagram page. What a good eye!
Come join Kass Urban-Mead, Xerces Pollinator Conservation Specialist, NRCS Partner Biologist, on January 26 online for an adventure exploring how wild bees use the woods–from the leafy forest floor to the tippy top of the canopy. Although we usually think of bees busy in our gardens, flower patches, and meadows (which is true!), that is not the only place they are found. In fact, in the northeastern US up to 1/3 of our wild bee species may rely on forest habitats for at least a part of their life cycle. Some are specialized to only collect pollen from spring ephemerals on the forest floor, while others nest in stumps, logs, and leaf litter deep in the woods, and orchard pollinators use forest canopy pollen before the orchards bloom. We will discuss the changing nature of forests on our landscape and how this is likely to affect different groups of bees. Finally, we will highlight ways in which forest management for healthy, diverse, climate-resilient woods is crucial not just for birds and other wildlife, but also for the bees.
This webinar will be recorded and available on our YouTube channel. Closed Captioning will be available during this webinar.
This isn’t your typical Wreath of the Day post, but The Friends of the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit has announced that on November 10 the Boston Park Rangers bid farewell to a legendary member of their Mounted Patrol Unit.
Winston, a 17 year veteran of the unit was put to rest after suffering a brief illness. Well known as the “anchor horse’ of the operation prior to his retirement in 2020, Winston’s storied history included countless public encounters that drew attention wherever he patrolled. He never failed to leave an impression with children of all ages. His steadfast performance over his many years of service to The City of Boston and its parks will always remain a part of his legacy.
Making the public feel safer, more secure and happier when visiting our parks, was part of his role. Winston’s quiet, yet bold demeanor was characteristic of why he excelled at it. Beyond his daily patrols, participating in ceremonial functions and being the center of attention during “Horse Of Course Programs” were a natural fit from the time he joined the team. For those of us who were privileged to be partnered with him, we knew he enjoyed it as well.
Despite the immeasurable loss of Winston, we are grateful for having had the opportunity to work together with him and experience his remarkable service and unique talents. Winston’s loss will be felt by all who knew, admired and loved him.
Chief Gene Survillo gives thanks to The Friends of The Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit and to all of those who have reached out with their thoughtful support and response. Special thanks go to Doctors Nostrant and Shen and the staff at The Northbridge Equine Associates, along with Doctors Kirckerhead and Lehmann and the staff at The Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. We are forever grateful for their high-quality, compassionate, personalized care.
Love the new wilder gardens you see in magazines? These naturalistic gardens are more than a field meadow. Want to use native grasses and flowers to attract pollinators? Small space or large, you’ll learn how to design “wild” your perennial garden. You’ll also learn how to add plants for Winter Interest. This Massachusetts Horticultural Society online workshop/class on January 25 from 10 – 2 offers hands-on exercises. Learn the techniques of layout, how to choose perennials for seasonal colorful flower waves, and be introduced to choice native meadow garden plants. This is a three session workshop – more information on the times of the next two sessions will be found on Mass Hort’s website below.
Instructor: Maria von Brincken, principle of Maria von Brincken Landscape Garden Design, is an award-winning certified designer (APLD and LI) celebrating over 20 years in professional practice. Maria specializes in landscape plans and coaching that creates beautiful spaces and colorful flower gardens designed for you. A certified landscape designer by profession and an artist and gardener by obsession. $230 for MHS members, $255 for nonmembers. Register at www.masshort.org
