Boston Flora

Sunday, May 19, 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm – Rattlesnake Gutter

The Native Plant Trust, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions and guide George LoCascio, will lead a walk on May 19 from 12 – 3 at Rattlesnake Gutter in Leverett, Massachusetts. Discover spring ephemerals along the historical road of this important habitat. This little-known nook features impressive calcareous rock cliffs and enchanting wooded areas. Will we find hordes of rattlesnakes? Probably not, but we will find some excellent native plant specimens! $28/$35. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/rattlesnake-gutter/

Wednesdays, May 15 – June 12, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm – Smartphone Photography: Spring Close-Ups

Capture the magic of the season with your smartphone. Lilacs, azaleas, horse chestnuts, redbuds, and more will be flowering and leaves will have recently unfurled, providing a perfect venue for close-up photographs.

Professional photographer Nancy Katz will teach you that you don’t need fancy equipment or lenses to come in close to shoot these exquisite plants. You need your smartphone and an understanding of shooting macro (close up) and how to enhance the images with your phone’s editing capabilities and a great App, aptly named Snapseed. Most of the time will be spent outdoors, except when working on Snapseed in small groups. The class will take place on three Wednesdays, May 15, 29, and June 12, from 1:30 – 3:30 at the Arnold Arboretum 125 Arborway.

Fee: Arboretum member $65, nonmember $84

Thursday, May 16, 1:00 pm – What Plants Talk About

The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History presents a free with Museum admission Nature Screen Even on May 16 at 1 pm entitled What Plants Talk About. Hard core science is effortlessly integrated with a light-hearted look at how plants behave, revealing a world where plants are as busy, responsive and complex as we are. From the stunning heights of the Great Basin Desert to the lush coastal rainforests of west coast Canada, plant ecologist J.C. Cahill and a variety of other experts in plant communication take us on a journey into the “secret world of plants,” revealing an astonishing landscape where plants eavesdrop on each other, talk to their allies, call in insect mercenaries and nurture their young. It is a world of pulsing activity, where plants communicate, co-operate, and sometimes wage all-out-war. Come along for the ride and discover that plants are a lot less passive and a lot more intelligent than you think. For more information call 508-896-3867, ext 133.

Wednesdays, May 22 – June 26, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm – The Art of Conservation: Watercolor

Develop deep botanical knowledge through art! Learn to observe plants and grow an understanding of basic watercolor techniques. This Native Plant Trust six session course at Garden in the Woods May 22 – June 26 from 10 – 12:30 will address opaque/transparent washes, value, and color intensity through exercises en plein air. Taught by Cecilia Sharma, the class is $198 for NPT members, $240 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/art-conservation-watercolor/

Tuesday, May 14, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm – How Birds Work: Eggs

Lorna Gibson, PhD, Matoula S. Salapatas Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, MIT , will speak in the Hunnewell Building of the Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway, on Tuesday, May 14 from 7 – 8 on How Birds Work: Eggs.

How does an egg become an egg? Why do chickens continue to lay eggs day after day? What controls the shape of eggs? Why do eggs of different species of birds have different colors? And how strong are eggshells?

In this talk, which follows previous talks about bird flight, migration, and feathers, Lorna Gibson answers common questions about bird eggs.

Fee Free, but registration requested.

Wednesday, June 5, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm – Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts Annual Meeting

Please join President Suzanne McCance along with the Board of Directors of

THE GARDEN CLUB FEDERATION OF MASSACHUSETTS, INC.

Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 at The Hilton Boston Dedham , 25 Allied Drive, Dedham MA 02026

9:00 – Registration, Coffee, Boutique Shopping, and Design Specialty Flower Show

9:30 – Credentials & Call to Order. Welcome, Announcements, and Business Meeting

10:30 – Keynote Speaker Professor Doug Tallamy: Professor of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. Author of the award-winning book ‘Bringing Nature Home’

11:45 – Awards Presentation

12:15 – Installation of new officers – Barbara May, former GCFM & NGC president

12:45 – Credentials and Announcements

12:50 – Boutique Shopping, Flower Show, and Social Hour

1:30 – Luncheon on the lawn

Please refer questions and inquiries to Nancy D’Ercole: nancy.m.dercole@gmail.com.

Monday, May 13 – Sunday, May 19 – National Public Gardens Week

National Public Gardens Day was created in 2009, with then partners Rain Bird, to drive local and national exposure to the importance of building vibrant, relevant gardens committed to community enrichment and environmental responsibility through community engagement, sustainable practices and conversation.

Beginning in 2019, the American Public Gardens Association is excited to announce National Public Gardens Week, May 13-19, 2019! Throughout the week, many of our nation’s public gardens will emphasize their importance and impact as community resources and catalysts for change and resilience by encouraging the general public to visit, engage, donate, and/or volunteer. For more information, visit http://nationalpublicgardensweek.org or http://publicgardens.org

Friday, May 10, 4:00 pm – Landscape Pests and Problems Walkabout

Get some hands-on experience scouting and identifying landscape diseases and weed problems on May 10 beginning at 4 pm. Join Randy Prostak, Extension Weed Specialist and Nick Brazee, Extension Plant Pathologist, for a walk through the landscape at Newton Cemetery & Arboretum, 791 Walnut Street in Newton, as they discuss and demonstrate how to put IPM practices to work efficiently and examine some of the most common pest and cultural problems of woody ornamentals. Dress for walking; workshop held rain or shine. Bring a clipboard, pencil and hand lens if possible. Preregistration required as space is limited; the cost is $50. Register at https://www.newcemcorp.org/news-events/landscape-pests-and-problems-walkabout

Tuesdays, May 7 & 14, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Butterfly Training Course

Interested in volunteering for the The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History’s 2019 Butterfly House and Pollinator Path? Come share your joy of the outdoors, interest in pollinators and knowledge about butterflies with our summer visitors! The Museum will be looking for many volunteers to connect with our visitors in June, July and August.

To enroll please call the Museum at 508-896-3867, ext. 133.

For more information please contact Barbara Knoss, Volunteer Coordinator at 508-896-3867, ext. 119. The Museum is located at 869 Main Street, Route 6A, in Brewster. Visit http://ccmnh.org

Saturday, May 18, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Ecology of Mount Tom

Mount Tom is an iconic traprock ridge nestled between Easthampton and Holyoke. Learn about its distinctive geology, glacial history, and rich plant communities on a hike towards the summit. This hike is cosponsored by the Native Plant Trust and the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions. $38 for members of sponsoring organizations, $46 for nonmembers. Yoni Glogower leads. Register online at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/ecology-mount-tom/