Boston Flora

Through Sunday, December 15 – Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature

Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature presents the vibrant career of the renowned Scottish artist, Rory McEwen (1932-1982). Focusing on his remarkable paintings of plants, the exhibition reveals McEwen’s lifelong enquiry into light and color in portraying his unique concept of the natural object. Over the course of his career, with his all-embracing perspective of modern art, McEwen developed a distinctive style, painting on vellum and using large empty backgrounds on which his plant portraits seem to float. In his paintings he forged his own personal interpretation of 20th century modernism, portraying individual flowers, leaves and vegetables as subject matter, “as a way of getting as close as possible to what I perceive as the truth, my truth of the time in which I live.”

Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature presents 85 watercolors on vellum and paper, representing a wide range of the artist’s work, along with many of the well-known 17th and 18th century masters who influenced him—including Robert, Redouté, Ehret, Aubriet as well as early illuminated manuscripts and folio volumes. McEwen’s work is also presented alongside the works of numerous contemporary artists who in turn continue McEwen’s artistic legacy. It includes works on loan from the Collection of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Mellon’s Oak Spring Garden Foundation Collection, the Shirley Sherwood Collection and the McEwen Family Estate Collection, as well as works from numerous private collections, most of which have never before been seen by the American public. McEwen’s work is found in private and public collections across the globe, including the British Museum; Victoria and Albert Museum; Tate; National Gallery of Modern Art, Scotland; Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge; Hunt Institute, Pittsburgh; and Museum of Modern Art, New York.

The exhibition, Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature, is presented by the Davis Museum at Wellesley College in association with Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (London) and Oak Spring Garden Foundation (Virginia); tour management by Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles, CA.

The Gerard B. Lambert Foundation has provided major support for the exhibition. Generous support for the Davis presentation is provided by Wellesley College Friends of Art at the Davis, the Alice G. Spink Art Fund, the Constance Rhind Robey ’81 Fund for Museum Exhibitions, and the Kathryn Wasserman Davis ’28 Fund for World Cultures. Below: Rory McEwen, Tulip ‘Julia Farnese’ rose feather, 1976, Watercolour on vellum, ©Estate of Rory McEwen

Friday, November 22 – Wednesday, January 1 – Holidays at the Newport Mansions

The Breakers, Marble House, and The Elms will be decorated in their traditional, lavish fashion for The Preservation Society of Newport County’s “Holidays at the Newport Mansions,” from November 22, 2024 to January 1, 2025. In addition, Chateau-sur-Mer will be open for the first two weeks of the holiday season. Its first floor will be fully decorated in the spirit of the holidays – the first time in 25 years! Nearly 30 Christmas trees are exquisitely decorated to complement the décor and theme of each room, like Mr. Vanderbilt’s tree in The Breakers, ornamented with trains and top hats! Hundreds of poinsettias, garlands, wreaths and fresh floral arrangements add color, warmth and life. As always, the 15-foot-tall poinsettia tree in the Great Hall of The Breakers – made up of 150 poinsettia plants – provides a perfect holiday photo opportunity. Admission for daytime house tours during the holiday period is by our regular tickets: The Breakers, One-House, Duo or Trio. These tickets are good for any date and time the mansions are open and can be purchased online or in person when you visit. All houses closed Thanksgiving Day, November 28, and Christmas Day, December 25. On December 24, all houses close at 2 pm.

Please note, Rosecliff will be open daily from December 9 – January 1 but will not be decorated for the holidays. For tickets and additional information visit https://www.newportmansions.org/events/holidays-at-the-newport-mansions-2024/

Saturday, November 30, 8:00 pm – Deadline for Community Client Project & Designer Application

COGdesign matches landscape architects and landscape designers with community initiated projects located in Eastern Massachusetts with a focus on Greater Boston. For 25 years COGdesign has facilitated open and inclusive community meetings so every project is informed by as many neighborhood voices as possible. All the work is pro bono. All projects are based on need. The concept drawing is an essential tool both for fundraising and for community building.

Wednesday, November 13, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Poinsettia Care 101: Keeping Them Alive

Are you tired of watching your poinsettia wither away before the new year even begins? You’re not alone! Whether you’re a first-time plant parent or have struggled with poinsettias in the past, this New England Botanic Garden workshop on November 13 from 6 – 8 is designed to take the mystery (and frustration) out of caring for this holiday classic.

In a fun, hands-on setting, we’ll teach you everything you need to know—from how to pick the healthiest plant, to watering and light tips, and even troubleshooting common problems like leaf drop. And don’t worry if you’ve never managed to keep one alive before—this class is perfect for beginners.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll feel confident in caring for your poinsettia and even have the know-how to help it bloom again next year. Plus, you’ll leave with your very own poinsettia to take home, ready to thrive with all your new plant care skills. $55 for NEBG members, $60 for nonmembers. The class will take place at Tower Hill, 11 French Drive in Boylston. Register at www.nebg.org

Monday, November 18, 7:00 pm – A Taste of Autumn

Russ Cohen, celebrated local naturalist and wild foods enthusiast, will teach us about the snacks we can find in our own backyards- there’s more out there than you think! On November 18 at 7 pm Russ will give a presentation about foraging and seeing a landscape with an eye for edibles. We’ve already harvested the garden, but there’s more to enjoy right at our feet if we know how and where to look, and how to gather safely and respectfully. Some of Russ’s favorites include shagbark hickory, black walnut and beach plum, and we’ll be lucky enough to taste some of his recipes. The event takes place at the Durant-Kendrick House, Education Center, 286 Waverly Avenue, Newton, Massachusetts.

Passionate about maintaining and expanding our native edible landscape, Russ can often be found removing invasives and planting native edibles in their place. He is an authority on edible plants, maintaining a list of about 190 native plant species in Massachusetts and the Northeastern US, and has led walks and workshops for 50 years. To register and for more info visit grownative.org/our-programs/workshops

Thursday, November 14, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Eastern – The Ericaceae of New England: Diversity, Ecology, and Phylogeny, Online

With over 4100 species found across the globe, the Ericaceae—commonly known as the Heath Family— is an incredibly diverse group of flowering plants. New England is home to a broad assortment of these species, many of which grow—and thrive—in some of the region’s most challenging environments. Through the consideration of a subset of these species, this Native Plant Trust online class on November 14 at 6 Eastern will explore some of the traits and interspecific relationships that contribute to the ecological success of the Ericaceae. Additionally, we will touch on the phylogenetic (evolutionary) relationship that exists among some species in this group.

Please note: We do not make video or audio recordings of classes or programs available after the fact, because we believe education is interactive, with instructors and students building a community and culture of learning. $17 for NPT members, $20 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/the-ericaceae-of-new-england-diversity-ecology-and-phylogeny/ Image courtesy of iNaturalist.

Friday, November 24 – Sunday, January 5, 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Night Lights 2024

Night Lights is an annual celebration held at The New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill in Boylston, MA just outside of Worcester. Night Lights is an inclusive, secular event where visitors of all backgrounds can celebrate winter, light, and nature together. Amidst a quarter million lights, enjoy a delightful evening with popular favorites such as s’mores, seasonal drinks, a model train, holiday shopping, and fun photo opportunities for the whole family! NEW this year, a skating rink will debut for the first time in Night Lights’ history to bring joy to the young and young at heart. Colorful landscapes, immersive experiences, and lifetime memories await this winter!

NIGHT LIGHTS Daily, 4 pm to 10 pm
Celebrate the season with enchanting landscapes, fun experiences, and thousands of lights. Enjoy seasonal fare and spirits, visit our Garden Shop for unique gift ideas, or give the gift of four-season membership. Pre-purchased timed-entry special event tickets are required for entry after 4pm.

Night Lights ticket prices for Tower Hill members and nonmembers range from depending on age and date. Nonmembers pay slightly more. Reserve at https://nebg.org/nightlights/

Wednesday, November 13, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Eastern – Rare Flora of the Sanctuaries, Online

Native Plant Trust acquired its seven plant sanctuaries for the exceptional flora present in each space. Each sanctuary has a different habitat characterized by unique flora. In this November 13 webinar from 6 – 7:30 pm Eastern, Native Plant Trust’s Ecological Programs Coordinator Erik Sechler focuses on the ecology and characteristics of the unique and rare plant species found in these natural areas. $26 for NPT members, $30 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/rare-flora-of-the-sanctuaries/

Saturday, November 16, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm – Regional Impact Award Presentation and Talk

The Native Plant Trust is pleased that Dr. John Daigle, a tribal member of the Penobscot Indian Nation, professor of Forest Recreation Management, and a program leader for the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism program at the University of Maine, will accept Native Plant Trust’s 2024 Regional Impact Award. The award recognizes individuals or organizations for regionally significant leadership and achievement in conservation, horticulture, or education. Director of Conservation Michael Piantedosi nominated Daigle for his role in the Ash Protection Collaboration Across Wabanakik, whose mission is to center, protect, and restore the sacred relationship between Wabanaki peoples and ash ecosystems. In Wabanaki culture, brown (aka black) ash (Fraxinus nigra) appears in the creation story and provides an important basket-making material.

Daigle and his research team collaborate with Wabanaki tribal partners, the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance, Brown Ash Task Force, private landowners, and others in order to manage and protect brown ash from destruction by the emerald ash borer. This project exemplifies Daigle’s ongoing efforts to facilitate conversations among individuals who bring unique ways of knowing to a common ecological question.

Dr. Daigle will deliver a talk following his acceptance of the award. Please join us to celebrate Dr. Daigle and learn more about his research to protect brown ash. The event takes place November 16 at 3:30 in the Commonwealth Salon Community Room, Boston Public Library Main Branch, Boylston Street, Boston. Free, but registration required at https://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/regional-impact-award-presentation-and-talk/

Thursday, November 21, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern – Leave the Leaves, Online

In this American Horticultural Society online talk on November 21 at 2 pm Eastern, we will explore why fallen leaves, sticks, and dead-head flowers are important to wildlife and soil fertility. Then, we will address practical concerns that arise when we keep autumn materials on home or community properties. How can careful plant selection, plant care, timing, and good landscape design help us to keep properties attractive at the same time as we practice good stewardship? This talk is accompanied by an extensive reference document. $15 for AHS members, $20 for nonmembers. Register at www.ahsgardening.org

Kathy Connolly is a landscape designer who specializes in naturalized designs, low-impact landscape techniques, and native plants. She works with homeowners, municipalities, and organizations through her business, Speaking of Landscapes. She has a master’s degree in ecological landscape planning and design from the Conway School and is an Accredited Organic Land Care Professional. Connolly has received award and recognition for her communications efforts on the topic of invasive plants.