Boston Flora

Tag: American Rhododendron Society

  • Saturday, May 19, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Bruso Rhododendron & Magnolia Garden Tour

    Take a guided tour of hybridizer and propagator Joe Bruso’s 3-acre woodland garden containing predominantly species and hybrid rhododendrons, magnolias and wildflowers. Many of the hybrids are of his own creation. The tour is scheduled at a time when the garden is normally at peak bloom, but attractive foliage is a main theme of this garden as well. Joe is a member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Chapter, American Rhododendron Society. Directions will be sent upon registration. The Tower Hill Botanic Garden sponsored tour will take place Saturday, May 19 from 10 – 12. THBG members $25, nonmembers $35. Register at https://towerhillbg.thankyou4caring.org/pages/event-registration-form—bruso-rhododendron-and-magnolia-garden

    Image result for Joe Bruso Rhododendron

  • Saturday, February 10, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Rhododendron Diversity

    Saturday, February 10, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Rhododendron Diversity

    This free (with admission) talk at Tower Hill Botanic Garden on Saturday, February 10 at 2 pm will provide an introduction to, and overview of, the very diverse genus Rhododendron. You will learn about the main rhododendron types using both native and exotic species as examples. Both species and hybrids that perform well in New England will be highlighted. You will see examples of the diversity in flower color and shape. You will be shown another, less often appreciated aspect of rhododendrons – the magnificent foliage found on some hardy species and their hybrids. This will include learning new terms to describe foliage characteristics. Live material will be used to demonstrate some of the features discussed.

    Joseph Bruso is a hybridizer and propagator of rhododendron species and unusual hybrids, with a focus on attractive foliage as well as flowers. He maintains a three acre woodland garden in Hopkinton MA containing all the hardy species, including the natives, and many hybrids of his own creation. Bruso is a member of the Board of Directors of the Mass. Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society.

  • Saturday, May 14, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm – Gardeners’ Fair at Elm Bank

    Join the Massachusetts Horticultural Society at its annual Gardeners’ Fair on Saturday, May 14, this year featuring Allandale Farm, Boston’s oldest working farm, and the New England Unit of the Herb Society of America.  Special members’ hours 8:00 am – 9:00  am, and public hours 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.  Admission free for Mass Hort members with valid membership card, $5 per car for nonmembers.  Herb Garden tours will be available, and there will be family-oriented workshops such as Fairy Flowers at 10 am and Planting Herbs in a Tea Cup at noon.  The Wellesley Bank will play in the Crockett Garden at 1 pm.

    The Gardeners’ Fair and Plant Sale at Massachusetts Horticultural Society at Elm Bank Reservation includes a variety of vendors carrying everything you need to plan, dig, plant, and enjoy your home garden space. The heart of the Gardeners’ Fair is the plant societies. New Englanders take their gardens seriously and the most passionate gardeners – whether of the indoor or outdoor persuasion – join a plant society dedicated to the pleasure and pursuit of growing a particular genus. At plant society meetings, plants are swapped, exchanged and bartered. At the Gardeners’ Fair, they’re sold to discerning visitors who are looking for the great addition to their garden. With every plant society purchase comes a wealth of advice on care and propagation. There will be representatives from the American Begonia Society, American Rhododendron Society, Gesneriad Society and Hosta Society, among others. Many of the local chapters of specialist plant societies will continue to offer their own plant varieties including unusual and popular cultivars that Society Row has provided for more than 75 years.

  • Sunday, March 20, 1:30 pm – American Rhododendron Society DeBurlo Lecture

    The Massachusetts Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is hosting the DeBurlo Lecture, featuring speaker Donald Hyatt, in the Hunnewell Building at Elm Bank on Sunday, March 20, beginning at 1:30 pm.  The lecture will last roughly one hour, with ARS providing time for questions and refreshments.  This event is free to MHS members.

    Although professionally a mathematics and computer science teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools in Northern Virginia for 33 years, Donald Hyatt has always maintained a strong interest in plants. He lives in the family home his late parents built in 1950, and maintains a lovely mature garden that he started when he was only 3 years old.

    Don’s educational background includes a Bachelors degree in Horticulture with double major in Biochemistry, but he also earned a Masters degree in Computer Science. He served as the Computer Systems Lab Director at the highest ranked school in the US, the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, VA, from the time school opened in 1985 until he retired in 2002. During his teaching career, Don received a number of tributes as an educator. A team of students he coached won a million dollar supercomputer for their school, and numerous other students won national and international awards in various science and Internet competitions. Don was personally honored as a Teacher of the Year finalist in Fairfax County.

    After retiring, Don has focused his efforts on varied horticulture interests including the documentation and preservation of rare native azalea populations in the Southern Appalachians. Don has served on the national boards of the ASA (Azalea Society of America) and the ARS (American Rhododendron Society). He has received national awards from both organizations including the Distinguished Service Award from the ASA, and both Bronze and Silver Medals from the ARS. He is a frequent speaker at national and international plant conferences, has authored a number of articles on azaleas and rhododendrons, and is recognized as an accomplished botanical illustrator and photographer.

    Recently, Don has been championing the local opposition to what many see as an ill-conceived decision by certain administrators at the U.S. National Arboretum who plan to destroy the magnificent azalea display (pictured below) on the historic Glenn Dale Hillside planted in 1947 by the Arboretum’s first Director, Benjamin Y. Morrison.  If you plan to attend, please rsvp to Susan Harding at dsh1965@comcast.net.

  • Saturday, June 5, 11:00 am – 25th Annual Tower Hill Plant Sale

    It’s hard to believe that 25 years have passed since the first Plant Sale was held on the rough field and lawn in front of the Farmhouse.  That sale attracted nearly 400 visitors – pretty astonishing for the first sale at the brand new headquarters of the Worcester County Horticultural Society. At its peak, the sale has attracted as many as 3,100 visitors, expanding to become one of Tower Hill’s largest fundraisers.

    Because of the construction  at the core of the property, this year’s sale will be held in the grassy overflow parking field adjacent to the paved lots.  Some details remain the same: one of the many benefits of Tower Hill’s Plant Sale is the ability to select from the specialty offerings of more than a dozen participating Plant Societies, including Bamboo, Cactus & Succulent, Conifer, Daylily, Epimedium, Fern, Heather, Hosta, Indoor Gardeners, Lilac, Magnolia, Miniature Plants, Orchid, Rhododendron, and Rose.  These ardent devotees are wild about their specific plant interests and can offer great tips on care and growing.  Please note that a Tower Hill member discount card does not apply to sales in the plant society area, and most of the societies are able to accept only cash or checks.

    More than 12,000 plants will be available for sale:  unusual perennials, herbs and everlastings, shrubs and trees, including Cary Award Winners, natives, annuals, incredible edibles, and Tower Hill “Best Buy” plants – donated divisions from beautiful plants grown by members. Special Plant Sale T-shirts to commemorate the 25th anniversary will be sold, and there will be Plant Giveaways to our early arriving members.  Two silent auctions on the day of the Plant Sale feature a variety of choice, hard to find, specimen plants and garden ornaments.  Register first and enjoy the challenge of competing with other plant enthusiasts for the plants that spark your interest.  Tower Hill members enjoy the benefit of early admission at 9 a.m.  For more information, call 508-869-6111, or log on to www.towerhillbg.org.

    http://www.soonerplantfarm.com/_ccLib/image/plants/DETA-835.jpg

  • Saturday, May 22, 10:00 am -4:00 pm – Mass Hort and Society Row Plant Sale at Elm Bank

    On Saturday, May 22, from 10 – 4,  the Massachusetts Horticultural Society will hold the Mass Hort and Society Row Plant Sale, featuring thousands of perennials, two dozen local plant societies, children’s activities, garden tours, plant demo stage and the Master Gardener Help Desk.  The public really can “Ask the Experts” and add to their collections of rare and unusual plants sold by the growers themselves, and purchase items from a number of specially selected vendors.   Browse the historic beauty of the Chaney-Baltzell mansion, while enjoying the beautiful rhododendron show,  This is a free event.  For more information, log on to www.masshort.org. Parking – $5 suggested donation.  Mass Hort members may arrive for a special members only shopping hour at 9:00 am.

    http://education.uncc.edu/droyster/gardens/R_catawbiense.jpg

  • Saturday, November 21, 10:30 – 12:30 pm – Specialty Perennials: Five Genera for the Shade

    Many excellent perennials thrive in the shade. A continuation of bloom with outstanding foliage is the dream of many gardeners. Exciting new cultivars will be featured including many rare forms of Polygonatum, Astilbe, Anemonella (below), Primula sieboldii and hardy Arisaema. This lecture at the Berkshire Botanical Garden in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts will focus on specialty perennials for the shade border. Learn from an expert propagator. Leo Blanchette is the owner and propagator of Blanchette Gardens in Carlisle, Massachusetts a nursery specializing in perennials. It features numerous rare and unusual varieties. He lectures through out the United States as well as in Canada and Japan. He was awarded the Silver Medal from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, the Bronze Medal from the American Rhododendron Society and he has been featured in national gardening magazines.  The lecture will take place Saturday, November 21 beginning at 10:30 am, and will cost $20 for BBG members and $25 for non-members.  For more information, log on to www.berkshirebotanical.org.

    http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/image_files/showreport/sizedAnemonella%20thalictroides%20-%20Ian%20Leslie1420.jpg

  • Sunday, November 15, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – American Rhododendron Society Massachusetts Branch Founder’s Day Brunch

    The American Rhododendron Society Massachusetts Branch will hold its Annual Founder’s Day Brunch and Seed Exchange on Sunday, November 15, from 10 – 2, at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive, Boylston, Massachusetts.   The American Rhododendron Society Massachusetts Chapter is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to encourage interest in and to disseminate information about the genus Rhododendron focusing on Rhododendrons compatible with the climate in New England. Members’ experience ranges from novice to expert. Society activities include chapter meetings, flower and foliage shows, plant sales, garden tours, seed and cutting exchanges, and communication through printed and online publications.For information and registration, log on to www.rosebay.org.

    http://en.stervinou.fr/usermedia/photo_632763084146250000_1.jpg

  • Saturday, May 30, 11-4 – 24th Annual Tower Hill Plant Sale

    One of the many benefits of Tower Hill’s Plant Sale is the ability to select from the specialty offerings of more than a dozen participating Plant Societies, including Bamboo, Cactus & Succulent, Conifer, Daylily, Epimedium, Fern, Heather, Hosta, Indoor Gardeners, Lilac, Magnolia, Miniature Plants, Orchid, Rhododendron, and Rose.  These ardent devotees are wild about their specific plant interests and can offer great tips on care and growing.  Please note that a Tower Hill member discount card does not apply to sales in the plant society area, and most of the societies are able to accept only cash or checks.  More than 12,000 plants will be available for sale:  unusual perennials, herbs and everlastings, shrubs and trees, including Cary Award Winners, natives, annuals, incredible edibles, and Tower Hill “Best Buy” plants – donated divisions from beautiful plants grown by members.  Two silent auctions on the day of the Plant Sale feature a variety of choice, hard to find, specimen plants and garden ornaments.  Register first and enjoy the challenge of competing with other plant enthusiasts for the plants that spark your interest.  Tower Hill members enjoy the benefit of early admission at 9 a.m.  Free Admission all day, and $1 parking fee.  For more information, call 508-869-6111, or log on to www.towerhillbg.org.

  • Sunday, May 17, 10-4 – Mass Hort and Society Row Plant Sale at Elm Bank

    On May 17 the Massachusetts Horticultural Society will hold the Mass Hort and Society Row Plant Sale, featuring thousands of perennials, fifteen local plant societies, children’s activities, garden tours, plant demo stage and the Master Gardener Help Desk.  The public really can “Ask the Experts” and add to their collections of rare and unusual plants sold by the growers themselves.  Also included is the American Rhododendron Society Sale & Truss Show in the Manor House.  Browse the historic beauty of the Chaney-Baltzell mansion, while enjoying the beautiful rhododendron show,  This is a free event.  For more information, log on to www.masshort.org. Parking – $5 suggested donation.