Boston Flora

  • Saturday, October 13, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm – Apples, Apples, Apples

    It’s fall, time to celebrate all things Apple! Apples are an ancient, mysterious and remarkable fruit. Grown for over 10,000 years, apples appear in myths, legends, songs and folk traditions. Apple trees can live for over 100 years and no two apple seeds will produce the same fruit. Instructor Betsy Williams will hold a food and design class at Tower Hill Botanic Garden on Saturday, October 13 from 10:30 – 1.

    The shape, flavor and fragrance of apples play starring roles in fall and winter celebrations. We’ll discuss apple history and traditions, learn how to use apples decoratively for the upcoming holidays and enjoy an apple tasting. The class will sample apple cider syrup, nibble dried apple slices, enjoy a sip of apple infused vodka, try a savory apple soup and classic apple salad then make a small table arrangement to celebrate Autumn with apples, greens, berries and other seasonal touches. Recipe handouts included. All materials included.

    Betsy Williams teaches, lectures and writes about living with herbs and flowers. A gardener and herb grower since 1972, Betsy trained as a florist in Boston and England. She combines her floral and gardening skills with an extensive knowledge of history, plant lore and seasonal celebrations. Betsy is the author of several books on the uses and stories of herbs and flowers. She has appeared on the Discovery Channel and greater Boston cable stations as well as local and national radio talk shows. Betsy lectures and teaches locally and nationally. $70 for Tower Hill members, $80 for nonmembers. Register online at www.towerhillbg.org.

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  • Thursday, October 18, 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm – Massachusetts Horticultural Society Honorary Medals Dinner

    The Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s 118th Honorary Medals Dinner will take place Thursday, October 18 from 5:30 – 9 in the Hunnewell Building at The Gardens at Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street in Wellesley.

    Margaret Roach (pictured below) is the 2018 nominee for the George Robert White Medal of Honor, the highest honor given by the Society. Ms. Roach will be honored for her distinguished career in horticulture as a garden writer for publications, such as Newsday and Martha Stewart Living, where she was able to reach millions of people as she shared her knowledge of gardening. The author of three books, A Way to Garden, And I Shall Have Some Peace There, and The Backyard Parables and her web site, A Way to Garden. She also hosts a public-radio show and podcast which all continue to make meaningful connections between people, plants, and their beloved gardens.

    The George Robert White Medal of Honor was established in 1909 and is among the most distinguished horticultural awards in the United States. The first honoree was Charles Sprague Sargent, Director of the Arnold Arboretum. Other recipients have included Gertrude Jekyll, Jens Jensen, The Royal Horticultural Society, Massachusetts General Hospital and Tasha Tudor.

    Dale Deppe of Spring Meadow Nursery is the 2018 nominee for the Jackson Dawson Memorial Award. This award is given for exceptional skill in the science or practice of hybridization or propagation of hardy, woody plants.

    William Cannon is the nominee for the Thomas Roland Medal, which honors men and women who have shown exceptional horticultural skill. Mr. Cannon is honored for his expertise of holly and his garden in Brewster, MA.

    Betsy Ridge Madsen will receive a Gold Medal for her leadership as Chair of Massachusetts Horticultural Society and her dedication to help continue the Society’s legacy. Betsy’s volunteerism at the Flower Show as a judge, clerk, and many other positions helps continue Mass Hort’s tradition of promoting Amateur Competitions for passionate designers and plants people. As a floral designer, gardener, horticulturist and spokesperson, Ms. Ridge Madsen has advanced the art and science of horticulture by example and her willingness to share her expertise with others.

    Carol Stocker will receive a Gold Medal in recognition of her work as a garden writer for the Boston Globe and other publications which has promoted the art and science of horticulture to thousands of readers.

    Karen Perkins is nominated for the Silver Medal for her efforts in the propagation and promotion of Epimediums. She is the owner of Garden Vision Epimediums, and has demonstrated her dedication to the science of horticulture and promoting plants for people to enjoy in their gardens.

    Trish Wesley Umbrell is nominated for the Silver Medal for her extraordinary skill as a garden educator, both formerly with Mass Hort and currently with the Natick Community Organic Farm.

    Reservations are required ($125 per person).  Visit https://masshort.org/education-events/honorary-medals-dinner/

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  • Sunday, October 7, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – The Art and Science of Growing Giant Pumpkins

    Sunday, October 7, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – The Art and Science of Growing Giant Pumpkins

    On Sunday, October 7, at 2 pm at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, giant pumpkin grower Steve Connolly will discuss how he grew the state record holding 2075 lb. pumpkin in 2016. His free talk will focus on how 30+ years of selective breeding of an isolated species of Giant Pumpkins has led to fruits that are bigger and heavier than ever. The genetic bundle inside the seeds know what to do. Provide optimum conditions and monster pumpkins result!

    Steve Connolly grew the first 1000 pound pumpkin in New England in 2000 and currently holds the record for the largest pumpkin grown in Massachusetts at 2075 pounds (2016). In his 24 years of growing giant pumpkins, he has won numerous awards and has been featured on radio, television and in print, including the Today Show, NPR, Martha Stewart, David Letterman, National Geographic, Yankee Magazine, and more. He is an active Board member of the Southern New England Giant Pumpkin Growers Club.

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  • Friday, October 5 – Saturday, October 6 – Stockbridge School of Agriculture Centennial Celebration

    A series of exciting events will mark 100 years of Stockbridge School of Agriculture on October 5 and 6 on the campus of University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

    The $75 registration fee includes any and all events throughout the weekend:
    the Friday Welcome Reception, Saturday Morning Bus Tour (Agricultural Learning Center, Cold Spring Orchard Research & Education Center, Hadley Farm, Joseph Troll Turf Research Center, and the Levi Stockbridge Home) , Saturday Lunch in the Atrium of the John Olver Design Building, Saturday Afternoon Campus Tour and/or Saturday Centennial Gala. During registration you will select the events and tours you will attend.

    For registration and more information, visit the website, https://umass.irisregistration.com/Home/Site?code=Stockbridge100.

  • Friday, October 12, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – “The Desert” Memorial Forest Reservation Walking Tour

    This 615 -acre area in Sudbury, Massachusetts, is known as The Desert because of its well-drained sandy soils, originally deposited by glacial activity. The soils support an unusual patch of pitch pine and scrub oak in the midst of forest, wetlands, and waterways. Come observe the special features of this habitat and the abundance of food for wildlife, in contrast with the surrounding forests and wetlands. This New England Wild Flower Society walk is rated easy, and takes place October 12 from 10 – 1. $28 for NEWFS members, $35 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.newenglandwild.org/learn/our-programs/201cthe-desert201d-memorial-forest-reservation

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  • Thursday, October 11, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Putting Your Garden To Bed Webinar

    Wondering when to cut back your perennials, and how long into autumn you can plant or prune perennials, trees, and shrubs? Want to know about the most wildlife- friendly approach? Anna Fialkoff will talk about how you can transition your garden into winter dormancy while balancing winter and spring preparation, beauty, and wildlife value. This live webinar by the New England Wild Flower Society takes place Thursday, October 11 from 7 – 8, and is $10 for NEWFS members, $13 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.newenglandwild.org/learn/our-programs/putting-your-garden-to-bed

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  • Saturday, October 13, 10:00 am – 11:00 am – Wing Island Guided Walk

    On Saturday, October 13 at 10 am, join Archaeologist Dan Zoto and The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History for a guided walk of Wing Island, the location of the Wing Island Archaeology Project. Learn the history of the island and its varied uses throughout the millennia. Autumn brings rich color to the marshes and meadows of Cape Cod and one of the great places to soak it all in is along the John Wing Trail in Brewster. Located behind the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History on Route 6A (869 Main Street), the public parking area for the trail is located at nearby Drummer Boy Park.

    It’s an easy and beautiful walk – a little more than a mile round trip–but it packs in a lot of fun and scenery. You get to walk a plank path across the marsh, then head up onto the forested island (complete with a mini-Stonehenge-like solar calendar, and the next thing you know you’re on a beach looking at Cape Cod Bay.

    $4 CCMNH Members / $6 Non-members / Please call 508.896.3867 for reservations

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  • Thursday, October 4, 6:00 pm – Conserving Biodiversity: A Global Priority

    Biodiversity is the sum total of life on Earth and a living legacy to future generations. Sadly, it is declining almost everywhere on the planet. Russell A. Mittermeier, Chief Conservation Officer, Global Wildlife Conservation, Chair, Primate Specialist Group, Species Survival Commission of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and recipient of the 2018 Indianapolis Prize, is a biologist and lifelong conservationist who has traveled across 169 countries and discovered more than 20 species in his quest to save biodiversity hot spots. Focusing on nonhuman primates—our closest living relatives—Mittermeier will examine strategies for setting conservation priorities, highlight successful initiatives from around the world, and demonstrate why biodiversity is so critical to human survival.

    The Harvard Museum of Natural History Lecture will take place October 4 at 6 pm in the Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford Street in Cambridge.. Free and open to the public.

    Free event parking available at 52 Oxford Street Garage. Presented by Harvard Museum of Natural History and Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology in collaboration with the Indianapolis Prize. For more information visit www.hmnh.harvard.edu.

    Conserving Biodiversity lecture image of speaker Russell A. Mittermeier

  • Saturday, October 6, and Sunday, October 7, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Pickles and Pints

    Put a lid on autumn with this delicious weekend at Tower Hill Botanic Garden focusing on the world of canned, jarred, jammed, pickled, preserved, fermented, and brewed produce. Find out how to make your harvest last all winter with tried and true techniques and fresh ideas. Bring your garden’s bounty to the Let’s Get Growing competition with prizes for all ages–professionals, hobbyists, and amateurs alike. For complete details visit www.towerhillbg.org.

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  • Thursday, October 11, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – An Autumn Walk Through Meadow and Forest

    Diverse habitats mean diverse plants. This New England Wild Flower Society field study begins at the last working farm in Winchester, Massachusetts (Wright-Locke Farm), and explores meadows and meadow edges, ponds and pond edges, an upland forest, and the highest point in Lexington to encounter pitch pine, scrub oak, and bearberry. The walk, with Roland “Boot” Boutwell, focuses on plant identification and natural history. Bring lunch and a hand lens if able. $38 for NEWFS members, $46 for nonmembers. Register at www.newenglandwild.org.

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