Boston Flora

Tag: Acton Arboretum

  • Wednesday, May 15, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Wild Edibles at Acton Arboretum

    Join wild plants expert Russ Cohen on May 15 from 1 – 4 for a walk through Acton Arboretum, where he highlights over eighty species of edibles! Discover new favorite native edibles, tools to identify them, and appropriate ways to utilize them in your own landscapes. This field trip is sponsored by the Native Plant Trust (formerly the New England Wild Flower Society (and we’ll stop reminding people about this when we think the new name has stuck), and is $36 for members of the NPT, and $41 for nonmembers. Register online at www.nativeplanttrust.org.

  • Wednesday, May 9, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Acton Arboretum in Flower

    The Acton Arboretum is a little gem situated on 53 acres of orchards, woodlands, and a small bog. The Friends of the Acton Arboretum have planted a host of spring ephemerals in the woodlands and many should be in full bloom during this New England Wildflower Society and Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions field trip on May 9 from 10 – 2. We hope to see wood poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum), wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), trout lily (Erythronium americanum), red and white trillium (Trillium spp) and many more. We’ll focus on wildflower ID as well as fun and interesting natural history. Bring lunch. $38 for members of sponsoring organizations, $46 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/acton-arboretum-in-flower

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  • Friday, November 30, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm – Naked Shrubs: Identifying Shrubs in Winter

    No leaves? No problem! Use a combination of branching patterns, bud and bark characteristics, habitat, persistent fruits, galls and marcescent leaves to identify shrubs in winter. The Friday, November 30 program will begin at 9:30 am at the Acton Arboretum in Acton, Massachusetts, with a short session indoors. Then you’ll head outside for a field trip to the Acton Arboretum and Bog for a close look at 15 to 20 native New England shrubs plus a couple of non-native invasives. A boardwalk through the bog will allow you to stay high and dry, yet give you the opportunity to get up close and personal with several obligate wetland species. Bring lunch and a hand lens if you have one. Be sure to dress for the weather. “There is no bad weather, only improper clothing!” Instructor: Boot Boutwell, Naturalist. Attendees should bring a bag lunch. Coffee and morning refreshments will be served. Bring a notebook and pencil or pen. MACC members $55, non-members $75, students $35. Register at www.maccweb.org, or email lindsay.martucci@maccweb.org. Photo from www.carrieanddanielle.com.

  • Saturday, October 3, 9:30 – 12 noon – Autumn Beauties: Habitat Gardens in Acton

    Fall can be one of the most beautiful seasons in the garden. On Saturday, October 3, from 9:30 – noon, Dori Smith, landscape designer of Gardens for Life in Acton, leads this tour of several gardens designed primarily with native plants to please birds and butterflies, as well as her clients. Native shrubs such as fothergilla and cranberry viburnum glow with autumn color. Winterberries are ripening, and twigs of dogwood are turning crimson. Many of the fall flowers are still blooming. The designer shows you “before” photos of these landscapes, as well as photos taken in different seasons. She discusses the unique challenges, goals and methods of each project. Learn ways to use stone and water to enhance the effects of the plantings. You are welcome to tour the Acton Arboretum  before or after the garden tour. The tour is sponsored by The New England Wild Flower Society, and costs $25 if a NEWFS member, and $30 if a nonmember.  Limited to 20 participants.  To register, log on to www.newfs.org, or call 508-877-7630.

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