Saturday, August 18, 10:30 am – 12:00 noon – Native Plants for New England Gardens

Dan Jaffe, coauthor of Native Plants for New England Gardens, wants to teach you how to create lovely, low-maintenance gardens that support biodiversity and thrive in New England. This handy guide to more than 100 great native perennials, trees, shrubs, ferns, grasses, and vines features practical information accompanied by beautiful color photography. Join him on Saturday, August 18 at 10:30 am for this informative discussion about native plants and all their garden uses–from plants to use instead of mulch to tough plants for urban gardens. The Urban Gardening Series is a set of lectures designed to help city dwellers grow healthy, sustainable, and beautiful gardens. Led by New England Wild Flower Society in partnership with the Cambridge Conservation Commission, these free lectures take place at the Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA.

Image result for Dan Jaffe Native Plants

RSS
Follow by Email
Instagram

Tuesday, August 28, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm, Tuesday, September 4, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, and Tuesday, September 11, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm – Native Woody Plant Materials

Explore the huge variety of native trees, shrubs, and woody vines. Learn which species grow well in shade, which support local wildlife, and how you should stagger your plantings for continuous bloom, fruit production, and fall color. We’ll discuss growth characteristics, cultural requirements, and best horticultural uses.

The three session Ecological Landscape Alliance course on Tuesdays, August 28 – September 11, will include lectures and walks in the Garden as well as a field trip to The Arnold Arboretum. Bring a bag lunch. Instructor Dan Jaffe is the propagator and stock bed grower at New England Wild Flower Society (NEWFS) in Framingham, Massachusetts. He earned a degree in botany from the University of Maine and an advanced certificate in Native Plant Horticulture and Design from NEWFS. After interning at Garden in the Woods, Dan worked for a year as Plant Sales Coordinator at the Garden. The classes will take place at Garden in the Woods in Framingham, and are $170 for ELA members, $200 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/native-woody-plant-materials/

Image result for native Northeast woody plant materials

RSS
Follow by Email
Instagram

Thursday, August 16, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm – Goddesses in the Gardens

Join the Massachusetts Horticultural Society at The Gardens at Elm Bank on Thursday, August 16 from 5:30 – 8 for our summer music and arts series. Come to the gardens for a fun evening of music, tastings, and tours. Feel free to bring a picnic, blankets, or chairs to enjoy a beautiful evening in the gardens. Wine and other beverages will be for sale. Free admission. The Gardens are located at 900 Washington Street in Wellesley. For more information visit http://masshort.org.

Image result for Mass Hort goddesses in the gardens

RSS
Follow by Email
Instagram

Wednesday, August 22, 7:30 pm – Can History Help Us Reinvent the Food System?

New England farmers have been struggling with what we think of as present-day problems—finding fertile and affordable land, competing with larger farms outside the region, balancing food prices with labor and other costs—for nearly two centuries. But the story we often tell about small-scale farming in this part of the world is an over-simplified one, emphasizing decline and farm abandonment rather than continual reinvention and adaptation. The story of how farmers like the Lockes and their neighbors adjusted to changing markets offers important insights for today’s efforts to build a fairer, healthier, smaller-scaled food system. Join us for a presentation and discussion about an expanded and exciting role for historic sites and farm museums within today’s “food movement.”

Cathy Stanton is an anthropologist and public historian with a longtime interest in how people make use of the past in their present-day lives. She has studied and written extensively about historical reenactment and industrial heritage sites. Her recent work focuses on food and farm history; with Michelle Moon, she is co-author of Public History and the Food Movement: Adding the Missing Ingredient (Routledge, 2018). She teaches at Tufts University and lives in western Massachusetts, where she is actively involved in local food projects.

The session will be held at 7:30 at Wright-Locke Farm in Winchester on Wednesday, August 22 in our beautiful 1827 Barn, and will be followed up with a Q&A session. We will also offer a casual supper before each presentation. For more details, check out our website, http://wlfarm.org, or to RSVP, email Kim Kneeland at kkneeland@wlfarm.org.

Image result for public history and the food movement adding the missing ingredient

RSS
Follow by Email
Instagram

Garden Club of the Back Bay Announces 2018/2019 Programs

Today is the day to mark your calendars and participate in this season’s Garden Club of the Back Bay programs. Although most of the list below has been finalized, you will see a handful of events with dates and times to be determined. Check back periodically at http://www.gardenclubbackbay.org/events/ for updates and additions.  Also, individual  programs will also be highlighted on our website, and members will receive email notifications. If you are not yet a member of the Club,  click on to our membership page, http://www.gardenclubbackbay.org/membership/, and join now!

Wednesday, September 12, 10:00 am – Frederick Law Olmsted and the Massachusetts Legacy – The College Club, 44 Commonwealth Avenue

Alan Banks, Supervisory Park Ranger of Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site, will talk about the firm Frederick Law Olmsted founded over a century ago and was involved in over 1,200 landscape architecture projects throughout Massachusetts, ranging from expansive 500-acre public parks to intimate private gardens.  One of the greatest achievements is the six-mile long “emerald necklace” of ponds, parks and parkways that winds its way through Boston.

Alan Banks oversees the historical interpretation of Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site in Brookline.  He has researched and developed a variety of landscape walking tours and presentations on the Olmsteds and their work across the country.  He has lectured at Wellesley College Davis Art Museum, Harvard Graduate School of Design, Appalachian Institute at Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, and American Society of Landscape Architects in Atlanta, among other locations.  He consulted on PBS productions, “Olmsted and America’s Urban Parks” and “Frederick Law Olmsted:  Designing America.”  Banks wrote the first comprehensive guide and map to the Boston Park System.

This Program will be the kick-off of The Garden Club of the Back Bay’s 2018-2019 season, and will be followed 2 weeks later on Wednesday, October 3, by a field trip to the Olmsted Home and Office in Brookline (Fairsted).

Wednesday, October 3, 12:30 pm departure, return 3:30 pm – Field Trip to Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site (Fairsted) – 99 Warren Street, Brookline

Alan Banks, Supervisory Park Ranger, will meet us on the Emerald Necklace for a brief tour before we proceed to Fairsted, the name Olmsted called his Brookline home.   Carpools will be arranged.

Thursday, October 25 10:00 am – The Boston Committee of The Garden Club of America Annual Meeting – Pedestrian Bridges: Context and Landscape Integration, The Country Club, 191 Clyde Street, Chestnut Hill

Miguel Rosales, will speak on Pedestrian Bridges: Context and Landscape Integration.  Rosales + Partners specializes in the design, engineering and architecture of bridges, highway corridors, interchanges, streetscape elements, and other transportation facilities. From pedestrian bridges to twelve-lane landmark river crossings, the firm’s work encompasses landmark projects large and small located both in the United States (yes – the Zakim Bridge!) and abroad. Members of the garden clubs comprising the Boston Committee will receive written invitations to the event. For more information visit http://bostoncommitteegca.org.

Thursday, November 8, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Reception for Garden Club of the Back Bay New and Prospective Members – Home of member Pat Dubuque  (by invitation only)

Wednesday, November 14, 10:00 am – Phenology and Biodiversity Research at Mount Auburn Cemetery – The College Club, 44 Commonwealth Avenue

Brooks Mathewson, MFS – Ecologist/Educator/Photographer and Paul Kwiatkowski – Conservation and Sustainability Manager will each speak about ongoing studies at Mount Auburn Cemetery.  Brooks will discuss Phenology, a branch of science dealing with the relation between climate and biological phenomena such as bird migration and plant flowering.  Paul will give an overview of the Citizen Science Project and biodiversity research taking place at Mount Auburn Cemetery.

Monday, December 3 – Thursday, December 6, 8:30 am – 7:00 pm – Wreath Making – The First Lutheran Church of Boston, 299 Berkeley Street

Join fellow garden club members and friends for training, decorating and delivery of holiday wreaths throughout the neighborhood and beyond, with proceeds benefiting the many projects of The Garden Club of the Back Bay. Set up will take place Sunday, December 2, time to be determined.

 January, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Annual Garden Club Member Tea – The Courtyard Restaurant at the Boston Public Library, Boylston Street, Boston (date to be determined)

Thursday, February 7, 10:00 am – Ellen Shipman and the American Garden – The College Club, 44 Commonwealth Avenue

Judith Tankard is a landscape historian, author, preservation consultant and member of the GCBB.  She received an M.A. in art history from the Institute of Fine Arts, NYU and taught at the Landscape Institute for over 20 years.  Judith has authored or co-authored 10 books on landscape history including her latest book:  Ellen Shipman and the American Garden.  Judith will have some copies of the book available for sale and signing.

Wednesday, March 27, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Japanese Flower Arranging Workshop – First Lutheran Church, 299 Berkeley Street

GCBB member Kaye Vosburgh will teach us the basics of Ikebana, the Japanese art of flowering arrangement.  The tradition dates back to the 7th century.  The cost of the workshop is $30.00.  Attendees will be limited to 25 GCBB members.  (Details subject to change)

Monday, April 29, 11:00 am – Tour of the Boston Public Garden – 4 Charles Street, Boston

Meet at the Duckling Sculpture, near the corner of Beacon and Charles Streets inside the Pubic Garden. Sherley Smith, Co-president of the Garden Club of the Back Bay, will lead a one-hour tour of the Garden covering history, discussion of trees and flora, and commentary on the statues. The Public Garden is the first public garden in America – – its form, plantings and statuary evoke its Victorian heritage.  The Garden is accessible to all.  Boston citizens have always played an extraordinary role in protecting and preserving the Garden.  The Garden Club of the Back Bay has been an annual donor to the Friends of the Public Garden.  Many Garden Club members are also members of the Friends of the Public Garden.  Optional lunch to follow at local restaurant.

Spring, 2018  – The Boston Committee of the Garden Club of America Spring Meeting and Luncheon – The Country Club, 191 Clyde Street, Chestnut Hill

May , 5:00 pm  – Annual Meeting –  The College Club of Boston, 44 Commonwealth Avenue (Date and details to follow)

June   – Twilight Garden Party – Date, venue, and details to follow

Image result for ellen shipman and the american garden

RSS
Follow by Email
Instagram

Saturday, August 11, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Smartweeds and Knotweeds (Polygonaceae)

Through a power point presentation, a close look at herbarium specimens, and a foray into the field, this August 11 New England Wild Flower Society class will investigate the large and complex Polygonaceae family, whose many species in our region range in size from prostrate doorweeds (Polygonum aviculare) to the 12-foot giant knotweed (Fallopia sachalinensis), and grow in a wide range of habitats. In the field, we will look for and identify a number of upland and wetland species in the Fallopi, Persicari, and Polygonum genera. Taught be Ted Elliman, this class at Garden in the Woods will run from 10 – 4 and is $80 for NEWFS members, $96 for nonmembers. Register online at http://www.newenglandwild.org/learn/our-programs/smartweeds-and-knotweeds-polygonaceae

Image result for knotweed

RSS
Follow by Email
Instagram

Saturday, August 18, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Pollinator Activity on Native Shrub Cultivars

Increasingly native plants have been used to support pollinators in the landscape, but consumers and conservation groups want the best plants to support these organisms. Native plants are primarily sold as cultivated varieties (cultivars), which have been questioned for their ability to support as effectively as “straight species”, plants that have been unaltered from their natural form. Dr. Jessica Lubell-Brand and Jacob Ricker have directed research towards pursuing the answer to this question. Six native shrub species and cultivars at the University of Connecticut native shrub planting are being measured for pollinator visitation. Over ten groups of pollinators are being assessed to find potential similarities or differences among the straight species and their varieties in an attempt to encompass as much diversity as possible. This Saturday, August 18 Tower Hill Botanic Garden presentation from 1 – 2 will entail a summary of the results of two complete seasons of research at the shrub planting. Free with admission to the garden. For more information visit www.towerhillbg.org.

Jacob earned his BS in 2016 at the University of Connecticut, where he is now in his second year of his Masters Degree in Plant Science working in the lab of Dr. Jessica Lubell-Brand.

Image result for bees

RSS
Follow by Email
Instagram

Saturday, August 18, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Butterfly Walk

Tower Hill’s gardens and meadows provide bountiful food and shelter for a variety of butterflies in both their adult and larval forms. Join Dawn Vesey of the Massachusetts Butterfly Club on August 18 from 10 – noon to learn more about these beautiful insects and how you can attract them to your own gardens. Perhaps you’ll see a Red-spotted Admiral (below) or a Silver-spotted Skipper, among the many butterflies large and small that make their home at Tower Hill. Please bring close focus binoculars if you have them. Limited to 15; pre-registration required at https://towerhillbg.thankyou4caring.org/pages/event-registration-form—butterfly-walk. $5 for Tower Hill members, $20 for nonmembers.

Amateur naturalist and photographer, a member of the Massachusetts Butterfly Club (and past Vice President of Eastern Mass), Dawn can often be found searching for and photographing butterflies in the woods and meadows of Tower Hill.

Image result for red spotted admiral butterfly photos

RSS
Follow by Email
Instagram

Sundays, August 12, 19, and 26, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Corn Roast at Gore Place Farm

Celebrate the sweet corn season at the Gore Place Farm Stand on three August Sundays, August 12, 19, and 26, from 2 – 5. Enjoy roasted corn freshly picked from local farms, drink lemonade and play games on the lawn in front of the farmer’s cottage. Admission to this event is free. Food and beverages sold individually. Fore Place is located at 52 Gore Street in Waltham. For details, visit http://goreplace.org

Image result for corn roast gore place

RSS
Follow by Email
Instagram

Saturday and Sunday, August 18 – 19, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – An Introduction to Impressionist Painting in Oils & Acrylics

Join in the fun of painting with impressionist techniques using color boldly, outdoors, in the botanical setting of Tower Hill Botanic Garden. This two day painting workshop on August 18 – 19 from 10 – 4 with Marcia Wise will enhance the use of color, color placement, values, and technical skills, and provide individual attention as well as group discussions & critiques.

Oil paints, acrylics, and water soluble oil paints can be used in this workshop. A materials list will be sent upon registration. $150 for Tower Hill members, $165 for nonmembers. Register at https://towerhillbg.thankyou4caring.org/pages/event-registration-form—an-introduction-to-impressionist-painting-in-oils-and-acrylics

A native of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, instructor Marcia R. Wise began painting lessons as a child studying in Provincetown, Ma. with impressionist painter Henry Hensche. She received formal training at L’Ecole Nationale Superieure Des Beaux Arts in Paris, France; The Art Institute of Boston; and Boston University. Marcia worked as an art teacher in public and private education, and she is now a full time studio artist with gallery representation in Boston & Provincetown, MA., Santa Fe, NM, Los Angeles, CA., New York, and Milford, DE. She also continues to teach private students as well as painting workshops locally, nationally and internationally. Each year Marcia takes people to paint in the Tuscan landscape in Italy. Marcia’s work has been in local and national exhibits as well as in juried shows, publications, and collections. Please visit her website at www.marciarwise.com.  Image below courtesy of Boston Voyager Magazine.

Image result for Marcia R. Wise painting

RSS
Follow by Email
Instagram
RSS
Follow by Email
Instagram