Daily Archives: April 17, 2024

Saturday, April 27, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm- Bay State African Violet Society Show & Sale

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What is it about African violets that has attracted so many fans and admirers? African violets are known for their unique features, vibrant colors, and beautiful blooms. The annual judged African violet show and sale by the Bay State African Violet Society, Inc. on April 27 at The New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill is a much-anticipated event. See horticultural and design exhibits of African violets grown by members of BSAVS, Inc. and attend lectures/demonstrations. Learn general care of African violets and basic requirements for soil, fertilizer, watering, and light. Discover tips on how and when to re-pot and how to propagate new plants from leaves. There will also be hundreds of gorgeous named African violets for sale! There will also be a demonstration from 1 – 2 on How to Grow African Violets. From fuzzy leaves to friendly flowers, there are many reasons why African violets are among America’s most popular houseplants

This event is included with General Admission. We recommend purchasing your tickets online in advance to secure your preferred date. You can also buy tickets in person at the Garden. Click here to reserve your tickets in advance.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, April 30, May 1, & May 2, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Spring Ephemeral Wildflowers in Situ

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Capture the beauty of New England ephemeral plants in their naive habitat in this 3-day Massachusetts Horticultural Society class with Betsy Rogers-Knox. These special plants bloom early, before the leaf canopy shades their habitat. Starting with line drawings and a quick tonal, we’ll compose a small habitat composition using live subjects native to the area. With step-by-step instruction and demonstrations, we’ll incorporate many watercolor techniques including wet-on-wet, dry brush and everything in between. The class will meet at the Garden at Elm Bank, Cheney Room, Education Center, 900 Washington Street in Wellesley.

Betsy Rogers-Knox earned a Certificate in Botanical Illustration from The NYBG and is enchanted by the full lifecycle of plants and their habitats. Her work has been shown widely in the US including the 13th-26th ASBA International Exhibitions, the 3rd and 4th NYBG Triennials and the RHS Botanical Art Exhibit in London in 2019 where she received the Judges Special Award for the educational and ecological value of her paintings of Beckley Bog. Her work is held in the permanent collection at the RHS Lindley Library in London and at the Hunt Institute in Pittsburgh.

Note: This course may be taken at the Foundations-level (150) or Techniques-level (250), with appropriate completion requirements for each. Fee is $350 for Mass Hort members, $425 for nonmembers. Register at www.masshort.org.

Prerequisite: Suitable for artists who have completed at least two “Foundations of Botanical Drawing & Painting” classes or equivalent.