Boston Flora

Monday, April 11, 7:00 pm – Arnold Arboretum Director’s Series: Birth- The Early History and Meaning of the Arnold Arboretum, Live and Online

Join the Arnold Arboretum’s Director William (Ned) Friedman for the annual Director’s Series! To celebrate the Arboretum’s sesquicentennial, this year’s series will explore the Magic and Meaning of a Garden of Trees. Over the course of four sessions, we will trace the Arnold’s significance in the landscape architecture movement, value for the people of Boston, and leadership in creating global connections between plants and people. This session will include brief presentations and a moderated panel. The program is free and is offered both in person and livestreamed.

Panelists:

Dr. Ethan Carr, Director of the Master’s of Landscape Architecture Program, University of Massachusetts
Dr. Rosetta Elkin, Academic Director of the Master’s of Landscape Architecture Program, Pratt Institute
Lisa Pearson, Head of the Library and Archives, Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University

To sign up for the virtual presentation, click HERE. To sign up for the in-person event at the Weld Hill Research Building, 1300 Centre Street in Boston, click here.

Thursday, April 7, 6:45 pm – 8:15 pm – Saving Big Forests to Save the Planet, Online

Five stunningly large forests remain on Earth: the Taiga, extending from the Pacific Ocean across all of Russia and far-northern Europe; the North American boreal, ranging from Alaska’s Bering seacoast to Canada’s Atlantic shore; the Amazon, covering almost the entirety of South America’s bulge; the Congo, occupying parts of six nations in Africa’s wet equatorial middle; and the island forest of New Guinea, twice the size of California.

These megaforests are vital to preserving global biodiversity, thousands of cultures, and a stable climate, argues economist John W. Reid. They serve an essential role in decarbonizing the atmosphere—the boreal alone holds 1.8 trillion metric tons of carbon in its deep soils and peat layers, 190 years’ worth of global emissions at 2019 levels—and saving them is an immediate and affordable large-scale solution to our planet’s most formidable ongoing crisis.

In a Smithsonian Associates online program on April 7 that captures the majesty of these ancient forests, along with the people and animals who inhabit them, Reid offers practical solutions to meet today’s biggest challenges, from vastly expanding protected areas to supporting Indigenous forest stewards to planning smarter road networks.

Ever Green: Saving Big Forests to Save the Planet (W. W. Norton & Company), co-authored by Reid and the late biologist Thomas E. Lovejoy, is available for purchase. Politics and Prose is offering a 10% discount to Smithsonian Associates ticket-holders. To claim your discount, enter the code SPECIAL10 (no space between letters and numbers) in the “Coupon discount” section on Politics and Prose’s check-out page.

Lovejoy, a giant in the fields of biodiversity and conservation biology, spent part of his career at the Smithsonian, as assistant secretary for environmental and external affairs and, in 1994, as counselor to the secretary on biodiversity and environmental affairs. He established the Smithsonian’s Institute of Conservation Biology.

Register at www.smithsonianassociates.org. Once registered, patrons should receive an automatic email confirmation from CustomerService@SmithsonianAssociates.org. Separate Zoom link information will be emailed closer to the date of the program. If you do not receive your Zoom link information 24 hours prior to the start of the program, please email Customer Service for assistance.

Thursday, April 21, 7:00 pm – Conversations with Great American Gardeners: Shane Smith, Online

The American Horticultural Society is excited to launch a new speaker series featuring current and past Great American Gardeners Award Winners and Book Award Winners. Since 1953, the AHS has been recognizing and celebrating horticultural champions that represent the best in American gardening and we are thrilled to have a dedicated webinar series to highlight the work of these outstanding individuals.

In a lively and engaging conversational format, speakers will share their knowledge and experience with our event host, Holly Shimizu, gardener to gardener. Holly is a nationally recognized horticulturist with a rich background in public gardens and garden communication. On Thursday, April 21, Holly will speak with Shane Smith.

Since its inception in 1977 until 2018, Shane Smith was the director (and a founder) of the award-winning Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, Wyoming’s only public botanic garden. Currently, Smith is the Director Emeritus. In addition to the AHS award, Smith has received the Wyoming Governor’s Community Hero award; the Wyoming Business Council Award of Excellence for starting the State of Wyoming’s first modern farmer’s market; the 2011 Award of Merit from the American Public Garden Association; and the 2012 National Garden Clubs Award of Excellence for his contributions to gardening and horticulture. He continues to mentor other botanic gardens and continues to garden in his state-of-the-art greenhouse in western Colorado. In 1982 Smith wrote the first ever manual on building and operating a 100% solar heated, walk-in high tunnel/quonset greenhouse. He also authored the “The Bountiful Solar Greenhouse,” and the bestselling garden book “Greenhouse Gardener’s Companion.”

Register to view the webinar taking place Thursday, April 21 at 7:00PM (eastern). AHS members $10 (must log in to access discounted rate); nonmembers $20.

Tuesdays, April 5 – April 26, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm , and Wednesday, April 13 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Cooking at Wright-Locke Farm

Wright-Locke Farm in Winchester announces its April series of cooking classes, each of which may be taken individually. Please note, due to the close working conditions in the kitchen as well as the tasting of food where masks might be lowered and having the pleasure of enjoying our meal together after class, ALL KITCHEN WORKSHOPS REQUIRE PROOF OF COVID VACCINATION to participate.

On Tuesday, April 5, from 11 – 1, Sweta Shanbhag will be in the kitchen for an Indian inspired cooking class, Intro to Indian Brunch. Breakfast in Indian households is usually a fairly elaborate affair. Ever heard the saying “eat breakfast like a king”? It certainly applies to breakfasts back home. Preferences and choices offered for breakfast in India vary hugely by region giving us hundreds, if not more, of dishes consumed in different states across the country. In this brunch class, we will journey through various regions/communities . On the menu is Potato Poha from Maharashtra, Akuri (scrambled eggs) from the Parsi community, Instant Rava Dosa, and Chai. A vegetarian option is available.

Debbie from the Effortless Kitchen joins the same day from 6 – 8 for Dinner Today, Lunch Tomorrow. Featuring delicious Asian flavors, this class will give you the opportunity to slow down and enjoy time in the farm kitchen all the while learning about making a scrumptious meal that will last you beyond the dinner table and into the week’s lunches. On the menu are chicken banh mi sandwiches, pickled vegetables, and sesame noodles.

April 12 from 6 – 8 featured Wright-Locke Farm’s Chef Kelcy in the kitchen to learn Handmade Spring Pasta. For this class, we will demystify handmade pasta and make both a seasonally inspired ravioli along with fresh fettuccini. The class will be paired with homemade meatballs, simple and delicious pasta sauce, and finished with fresh caesar salad (including our own croutons!)

The next day, April 13 from 6 – 8, brings guest chef Shilpi Ranjan. chef and owner of EZ Compliments, for Introduction to Indian Cuisine: Lentils. Lentils are nutritious, rich in fiber, and a good source of protein. Learn to flavor sabut moong dal (Green Gram) with Indian spices to make three different dishes that can be a meal on their own. This class is vegetarian/vegan AND gluten free.

Finally, on April 26 from 11 – 1, enjoy Katie from Two Aprons Cookery on Cooking to Reduce Food Waste. On the menu are grain bowls with green goddess dressing, roast carrots with carrot top pesto, and a whole orange cake.

Each class is $70, and you may register at www.wlfarm.org.

Wednesday, June 22 – Friday, July 1 – Superb Gardens of the Côte d’Azur and Provence

The Denver Botanic Gardens Center for Global Initiatives offers trips that traverse continents. Space is limited for all trips. COVID-19 vaccinations required for all participants. Our tour starts in Nice on the Côte d’Azur visiting beautiful gardens along the coast. Then on to Provence, where a selection of private gardens have been chosen by leading local landscape designers. Cypress trees, country roads lined with majestic plane trees, olive trees and vines, massive lavender fields in bloom near Sault and Valensole – all seen against a backdrop of craggy limestone hills or forested mountains – are just part of the superb Provençal landscape. The climate is challenging: Hot summers with the fierce Mistral blowing down the Rhône valley, a lack of water, and even cold winters. Yet the gardens are stunning. Host is Larry Vickerman, director of Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms. Tour includes a local French guide. For complete information on pricing and itinerary, Email info@susanwornertours.com. Also, visit https://www.botanicgardens.org/our-impact/trips-travel

Wednesday, April 13, 6:00 pm – How to Prepare for Climate Change, Live and Online

The Athol Bird & Nature Club presents a live presentation (limited seating) and a webinar on April 13 at 6 pm from the Athol Public Library with David Pogue, entitled How to Prepare For Climate Change. Bestselling self-help author David Pogue offers sensible, deeply researched advice for how we can ready ourselves for the years ahead. Pogue walks readers through what to grow, what to eat, how to build, how to ensure, where to invest, how to prepare your children and pets, and even where to consider relocating when the time comes. He also provides wise tips for managing your anxiety, as well as action plans for riding out every climate catastrophe, from superstorms and wildfires to ticks and epidemics. Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xA4Vv7BdSvGXAuGX0xtd9w
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Friday, June 17 – Sunday, June 19 – The Newport Flower Show: Eden … A Personal Paradise

From Fantasy Gardens and Modern Farms to Community Plantings and Plant Parents, the concept of a personal Eden has been redefined. Visit Rosecliff from June 17 – 19, 2022. The Opening Reception will take place Friday, June 17. Tickets information may be found at https://www.newportmansions.org/events/newport-flower-show Presenting Sponsor is Bartlett Tree Experts. Group tours are welcome. For groups of 20 or more, advance reservations are required. Proceeds will benefit the preservation and rehabilitation of the historic landscapes of The Preservation Society of Newport. All visitors ages five and older must be fully vaccinated, and visitors will be required to provide proof of vaccination and photo ID at the entrance – no exceptions. Proof of a COVID booster shot for all visitors 12 and older also required. Masks required indoors.

Boston Tree Plan Online

As part of Boston’s first ever Urban Forest Plan, a citywide inventory of public street trees was begun in spring 2021. This is data on public street trees as of May 2021. The Boston Parks and Recreation Department is working on ways to more routinely update data and provide an easy way for pubic viewing of updated information. This plan is different from the inventory The Garden Club of the Back Bay has conducted over many years, and which is available on our website www.backbaytrees.org. Our Club is currently amassing information on our alley trees, not included in the Boston plan, but the Boston plan, accessible at https://boston.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=c9de58cb207f448a8212163812d91626, is more far reaching. The easiest way to negotiate the Boston site is to type an address in the box on the upper left corner, which zooms you in to a map of the area at and surrounding the address. Then click on the little colored boxes along the street. For instance, a red dot at 423 Beacon Street expanded to a pop up box with information that there is a silver linden there, scientific name Tilia tomentosa, 37 inch diameter, and a tree identification number. We encourage you to visit and poke around the site. The more people who visit, the more likely the City will continue to devote time and funds to the project.

Friday, April 29 – Green & White Ball: Save the Date

The Friends of the Public Garden will return to the Four Seasons Hotel Boston on April 29 for its signature fundraiser, The Green & White Ball. This event typically sells out well before the date, so for more information contact Amanda McGuire, Development Manager, at amanda@friendsofthepublicgarden.org, or call 617-723-8144.

Monday, April 4, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm – Marie-Antoinette’s Petit Trianon, Online

The Gardens Trust is presenting an online lecture on April 4 at 2 pm Eastern exploring the Jardins Anglais with Gabriel Wick. £5 through Eventbrite – register HERE. Attendees will be sent a Zoom link 2 days prior to the start and a link to the recorded session will be sent shortly after each session and will be available for 1 week.

In September 1777 Marie-Antoinette invited her husband and a select number of courtiers to an inaugural fête at the Jardin Anglais of the Petit-Trianon, her personal domain within the park of Versailles. Over the preceding three years, despite the climate of fiscal austerity, the queen and her architect Richard Mique had succeeded in replacing Louis XV’s celebrated botanical gardens with rolling fields, a meandering river and clumps and woodlands. Subsequent years witnessed the addition of a temple, grotto, a dramatic alpine outcropping, and a hamlet. The prevailing interpretation of this garden is as an escapist fantasy, a refuge from a hostile court for a frivolous and unhappy young woman. This talk considers it in another light – a celebration of the autonomy and formidable influence of what was fast becoming one of the most powerful factions at court, the Partie de la Reine.