Sunday, December 8, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm – Explore the Conifer Collection at the Arnold Arboretum
The Conifer Collection is just off the beaten path, yet offers a lens through which to discover the Arboretum’s history, mission, collections, and research. Robbie Apfel, Arboretum Docent, will lead a walk through the collection on Sunday, December 8, from 2 – 3:30 pm. Meet at the Bussey Street Gate. Observe grand gymnosperms, learn the botany of conifers, and hear about Hemlock Hill’s evolving ecosystem. In case of inclement weather, contact 617.384.5209.This activity is free, but please sign up at http://my.arboretum.harvard.edu/SelectDate.aspx.
Wednesday, December 11, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Evolution in a Toxic World
With pesticides in produce, mercury in fish, and flame retardants permeating our homes, the world has become a toxic place. But as Emily Monosson demonstrates in her groundbreaking book, Evolution in a Toxic World, it has always been toxic. When oxygen first developed in Earth’s atmosphere, it threatened the very existence of life: now we literally can’t live without it. According to Monosson, understanding life’s evolutionary response to environmental poisons and how rapidly or slowly life adapted to such threats can teach us a great deal about today’s and tomorrow’s most dangerous contaminants. Emily Monosson, PhD, is Environmental Toxicologist and Adjunct Professor at University of Massachusetts, Amherst.  She will speak on Wednesday, December 11, from 7 – 8 in the Hunnewell Building, Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, and the fee is free for members of the Arboretum, $10 for nonmembers. Students: call 617.384.5277 to register free. To sign up, visit http://my.arboretum.harvard.edu/Info.aspx?DayPlanner=1260&DayPlannerDate=12/11/2013&utm_source=November-December+2013+Lectures+and+Classes&utm_campaign=Fall+2013+Classes&utm_medium=email.
Tuesdays, December 10 & 17, and Thursday, December 19, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Holiday Bell Ringing Concerts
The Friends of the Public Garden will be sponsoring three free holiday concerts by the Back Bay Ringers, an innovative handbell organization, in December. The concerts will be one hour in length, from 5:00pm to 6:00pm, and will be held on the corner of Charles and Beacon Streets on Tuesday, December 10, at the Brewer Fountain Plaza near Park Street Station on Tuesday, December 17, and at the beginning of the Commonwealth Avenue Mall on Arlington Street on Tuesday, December 19. For more information contact info@friendsofthepublicgarden.org or call (617) 723-8144.
Wednesday, December 11, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Gifts from the Kitchen
A gift has arrived unexpectedly … feeling obliged to return the favor? How about pulling a few ingredients from your pantry to put something special together instead of pulling something out of your wallet? You may end up looking at the grocery differently. The Massachusetts Horticultural Society and Whole Foods Market are teaming up Wednesday, December 11, from 6 – 7 at the 340 River Street Whole Foods location to make body scrubs, dulce de leche, smoothie mixes and child friendly snacks. $20 Mass Hort members, $25 non-members. Sign up with Lisa Kamer at 617-933-4943 or email her at lkamer@masshort.org. Thank you www.soniatasteshawaii.typepad.com for the perfect image.
Happy Thanksgiving
The Garden Club of the Back Bay wishes you a joyous Thanksgiving Day, filled with family and friends, but if, for some reason, the day has become a little too frantic and a little less fun, take a deep breath and curl up with a good book, watch a football game, or take in a movie. The holiday season is in full swing, and this may be your last chance to put your feet up for a while. And if you haven’t done so yet, click on this link and order your holiday wreath (we know, we’re shameless): http://www.gardenclubbackbay.org/products-page/
Saturday, December 7, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm – Shrubs in Winter
Even without leaves, many shrubs are still recognizable at this time of year. Focus on some macro-characteristics like branching patterns, growth habits, bark, persistent fruit, galls, and habitats to identify more than 20 native New England shrubs in late fall and winter, in this New England Wild Flower Society class at Garden in the Woods in Framingham on Saturday, December 7, from 10 – 2:30 with Roland “Boot” Boutwell, naturalist. We also discuss the natural history of the shrubs we see. The program begins with a classroom session and then moves into the field. Look for such species as witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), and, of course, winterberry (Ilex verticillata) and wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens, pictured below). Bring a bag lunch and a hand lens. Fee $53 for NEWFS members, $64 for nonmembers. Register on line at https://46858.blackbaudhosting.com/46858/fw13-bot3312-Shrubs-in-Winter.
Sundays, December 8 & 15, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm – Introduction to Winter Tree Identification
Learn how to identify deciduous trees during their dormant season with Arnold Arboretum Arborist Kyle Stephens on two Sundays, December 8 and 15, from 9 – 12:30 at the Hunnewell Building at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. Looking at specific character combinations, you will determine the genus and species of several types of trees in the Boston area. Class begins indoors with a discussion of basic classification techniques and continues outside to the Arboretum grounds to examine a variety of trees. (Note: Start date has shifted from Dec. 1 to Dec. 8.) Fee $75 Arboretum member, $100 nonmember. Register on line at http://my.arboretum.harvard.edu/Info.aspx?DayPlanner=62&DayPlannerDate=12/8/2013&utm_source=November-December+2013+Lectures+and+Classes&utm_campaign=Fall+2013+Classes&utm_medium=email
Saturday, December 7, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Putting the Rose Garden to Bed
Help put the Kelleher Rose Garden to bed for the winter on Saturday, December 7, from 10 – 1. Gloves, tools, and training provided. Sign up at projectassistant@emeraldnecklace.org. Thank you motherearthnews.com for the image below.
Saturday, December 7, 9:00 am – Two Holiday Greens Sales
The Wollaston Garden Club and the Bridgewater Garden Club will each host a Holiday Greens Sale on Saturday, December 7. The Wollaston sale, featuring wreaths, swags, table arrangements, outdoor arrangements, bagged greens and novelties, will be held at the Wollaston Congregational Church Social Hall, 48 Winthrop Avenue, Wollaston, from 9 am – noon. The Bridgewater event will take place at the Bridgewater Cole-Yeaton Senior Center, 10 Wally Krueger Way, Bridgewater, from 9 – 1. Proceeds will benefit the club’s scholarship fund.
