Boston Flora

Category: Rhode Island

  • Thursday, November 7, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Botanizing in the Land of the Blue Poppy

    Join Blithewold Mansion, Gardens, and Arboretum on Thursday, November 7 from 10 – 2 for some high-elevation Himalayan escapism via Matt Mattus’ stunning photos and film from a recent expedition.

    He followed in the footsteps of some of the greatest 19th-century botanists (Farrer, Ward, Forest) through a fascinating horticultural area, Yunnan and the borderlands of the Tibetan Autonomous Region. This area remains of immense interest to botanists and alpine gardeners and is home to varietals of primula, rhododendron and meconopsis: the famed blue poppy.

    $85 per person – register at www.blithewold.org

    ***The lecture will be followed by a luncheon, book signing, and raffle at the R.I. Country Club.***

  • Saturday, November 2, 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm – The Genus Pinguicula

    The New England Carnivorous Plant Society will hold its November meeting on November 2 from 12:30 – 2:30 at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center, 1000 Elmwood Avenue in Providence. The meeting is free and open to the public. In November, the speaker will be Mike Graziano, on the topic of the genus Pinguicula. For more information visit http://necps.org

    Pinguicula, commonly known as the butterworts, is a genus of carnivorous plants that use sticky, glandular leaves to lure, trap, and digest insects in order to supplement the poor mineral nutrition they obtain from the environment. Of the roughly 80 currently known species, 13 are native to Europe, 9 to North America, and some to northern Asia. The largest number of species is in South and Central America.

  • Friday, October 25, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – Native Plant Design Symposium

    Native Plant Trust, the nation’s first plant conservation organization and the only one solely focused on New England’s native plants, announces a Native Plant Design Symposium in partnership with the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, featuring experts in ecological design and in landscape architecture. It will take place Friday, October 25, from 10 – 5 at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island’s Nature Center in Bristol, Rhode Island (pictured below). Space is limited and early registration is encouraged. Visit the “Learn” section of http://nativeplanttrust.org to sign up.

    The full day event highlights ecological design methods and strategies using native plants in both public and private spaces, and the role of native plants in shaping our ecosystems. It includes a keynote address by Ann Kearsley of Rhode Island School of Design, a panel discussion, and workshops. The Symposium will address large-scale issues, such as design’s role in habitat restoration.

  • Thursday, November 7, 6:00 pm – Food in the American Gilded Age

    Food was incredibly diverse in post-Civil War America. The era was one of gross income inequality, and differences in diet reflected the deep disparities between upper and lower classes, as well as the expansion of a flourishing middle class, at a time when technology and industrialization were transforming how and what people ate. Dr. Helen Zoe Veit, Associate Professor of History at Michigan State University, will speak on November 7 at Rosecliff in Newport. The lecture begins at 6 pm, and a book signing follows at 7 pm. $10 for members of The Preservation Society of Newport County, $15 for the General Public. Register at http://newportmansions.org/learn.

  • Friday, October 18, 10:00 am – Foundations in Gardening: Fall in the Garden Workshop

    Want to transplant some favorite perennials but unsure of the best time to do it? Come to Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum on October 18 at 10 am and learn from Blithewold’s horticulturists as they begin the yearly process of editing and changing the gardens. The address is 101 Ferry Road in Bristol, Rhode Island, and the cost is $35 for Blithewold members, $45 for the general public. Email jcleveland@blithewold.org if you are interested in attending.

  • Saturday, September 28, 10:30 am – 12:00 noon – Dahlias with Dan

    Green Animals in Portsmouth, Rhode Island is home to much more than fanciful topiaries. In fact dahlias have been an important part of the garden since its early days. On Saturday, September 28 from 10:30 – noon, learn from Chief Horticulturist Dan Christina all the tips and tricks that make growing dahlias an obsession for so many gardeners. Free with garden admission, but space is limited so call 401-847-1000, ext 178, to put your name on the list. For details visit http://newportmansions.org/learn.

  • Tuesday, August 13, 4:00 pm – A Picturesque Paradise: Kingscote and Early 19th Century Landscape Design in Newport

    In the mid-19th century, landscape design emerged as a professional field in America, promoted by tastemakers such as Andrew Jackson Downing and drawing upon European precedents of the previous century. These trends coincided with early estate development on Newport’s famed Bellevue Avenue and were particularly reflected in the landscape design of one of its first cottages, Kingscote. Join The Preservation Society of Newport County for the Jacalyn and William P. Egan Lecture on August 13 at 4 pm at Rosecliff, followed by a 5 pm reception. Jenn Robinson, Research Fellow, will be the lecturer, and the event is $5 for Preservation Society members, $10 for the general public. Reserve by phone at 401-847-1000, ext. 178.

    Kingscote circa 1840

  • Saturday, June 22, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm – Laura LeBoutillier

    Enjoy an elegant, seated luncheon on the grounds of the Newport Flower Show at Rosecliff on June 22 at 11:30 am and then remain for an entertaining presentation with Laura LeBoutillier.

    Get to know Laura LeBoutillier of Garden Answer in this Q&A style presentation. During the presentation you’ll learn about Laura’s journey to video fame and the passion for gardening that inspires her videos.

    Laura grew up around her parent’s garden center in Eastern Oregon. She worked there for 10 years and in 2014 started making gardening YouTube videos as a hobby along with her husband Aaron. After 2 short years of creating online videos she amassed over 1 million followers. Today she has over 2.5 million followers on Facebook and approaching half a million on Youtube. This easily makes her the most watched gardener on the internet.

    Admission:  Luncheon & Lecture $100/Lecture Only $50 (Both include one-day Show admission) Purchase at https://www.newportmansions.org/events/newport-flower-show/lectures-and-demonstrations

  • Friday, June 21, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm – India Hicks Lecture and Luncheon

    Enjoy an elegant seated luncheon on the grounds of the Newport Flower Show at Rosecliff in Newport on June 21, beginning at 11:30 am, and then remain for the entertaining and educational speaker presentation.

    One of this year’s keynote speakers at The Newport Flower Show will be internationally known lifestyle expert, India Hicks. Ms. Hicks will delight guests with her talk titled “Live an Extraordinary Life.” 

    India Hicks is the author of three beautifully illustrated lifestyle books, and is a former fashion model, TV personality, royal commentator and preservationist. She is the granddaughter of The Earl Mountbatten of Burma, and her godfather is the Prince of Wales. Her father was famed interior decorator David Hicks, and her mother is Lady Pamela Hicks, whose father was the last viceroy of India, hence India’s name.

    Admission:  Luncheon & Lecture $100/Lecture Only $50 (Both include one-day Show admission) Purchase tickets online at https://www.newportmansions.org/events/newport-flower-show/lectures-and-demonstrations

  • Friday, June 21 – Sunday, June 23 – Newport Flower Show: Audubon Artistic Adventures

    American ornithologist and painter John James Audubon (1785-1851) declared that he only came alive when “in the field” of this wild new land.  His artful hand created a pictorial journal not only of the birds he loved but also of their habitats.  Join The Preservation Society of Newport County at Rosecliff as we travel with this visionary naturalist in our own Artistic Adventure.

    Friday, June 21, 2019:  10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    Saturday, June 22, 2019:  9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    Sunday, June 23, 2019: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

    Show Highlights

    Festive Opening Night Party (June 21, 6 – 9)
    Colorful floral designs 
    Horticulture exhibits
    Garden displays
    Unique shopping opportunities
    Afternoon Tea
    Moonlight Movie 
    Champagne & Jazz Brunch
    Lectures and demonstrations
    Children’s activities All proceeds from the Newport Flower Show benefit the preservation and restoration of the historic landscapes of The Preservation Society of Newport County. Purchase tickets online at https://www.newportmansions.org/events/newport-flower-show