Boston Flora

Tag: annual flowers

  • Friday, May 17 – Sunday, May 19, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm – Gore Farm Plant Sale

    This year, the Gore Farm plant sale will feature vegetable garden transplants with 25 varieties of tomatoes, including hard-to-find heirlooms; culinary herbs; select, annual flower varieties; and beautiful hanging baskets. The sale takes place Friday, May 17 – Sunday, May 19, from 9 – 4, at Gore Place, 52 Gore Street in Waltham. Free admission.

    It’s not just the great plants that make this sale great. It’s also the chance to speak with gardener Scott Clarke. Scott has a great deal of knowledge about these varieties that he’s eager to share with you! For additional information call 781-894-2798.

    http://www.goreplace.org/jpegs/farm-stand-border.jpg

  • Saturday, January 29, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Seed Information Exchange

    Join the horticulture staff at the Berkshire Botanical Garden on Saturday, January 29, from 10 – noon,  for a firsthand look at the wonderful annual flowers and vegetables that will be grown at the Berkshire Botanical Garden in 2011. Instruction will cover sourcing seeds, reading a seed catalog, exploring new annual flowers and vegetables for 2011, and selecting tried and true varieties for the home garden. This program is designed as a roundtable discussion and all questions will be answered. Both annual flower seeds and vegetable seeds will be covered. Tips and techniques for successful sowing and germination will be discussed. Come be inspired and learn how to shop for the best seeds.

    Dorthe Hviid, Director of Horticulture at Berkshire Botanical Garden, and Jess Savory, Senior Gardener in charge of greenhouse management and the vegetable garden, will lead this discussion.  $22 for BBG members, $27 for non members.  To register, log on to www.berkshirebotanical.org, or call 413-298-3926.

  • 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

  • Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24 – Garden Gate Magazine Program at The Sagamore

    This program generated a lot of interest when it was initially scheduled for March 2009. But due to the massive renovations the resort was undertaking, the program was rescheduled for October 23 & 24, 2009. The Sagamore’s multi-million dollar facelift will provide the perfect setting for an unforgettable gardening event. Overnight package and day only rates are available.

    Garden Gate magazine (http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/), the program sponsor, is an outstanding publication that is pure pleasure to read. Features include top plant picks; detailed garden plans; maintenance tricks and techniques; featured gardens used to illustrate design tips; what’s new in garden products and plants; how-to-do or build fun projects; and much more. And there are no advertisements! All program participants will receive a complimentary, one-year subscription to Garden Gate, a $24 value.

    The program kicks off 7:00 p.m. Friday night (October 23rd) with a lively PowerPoint presentation by Lindsay Irish, a history buff and specialist on The Sagamore’s fascinating history. A gourmet dinner in the newly renovated Trillium Restaurant follows. Saturday the fun continues with five lively gardening talks:

    *The Art and Science of the Perennial Landscape. Designing a successful landscape with
    perennials involves both art and science. Horticulturist and avid gardeners, Dr. Leonard Perry will discuss and illustrate through photos of various garden settings the aesthetic considerations and habitat considerations (the “science”) when choosing and placing flowers. Best plant growth with the least maintenance, and fewest problems, is in large part a result of picking the right plant for the right environmental habitat. The common garden habitats, with some representative and choice perennials for each, will be featured.
    *The Art of Shade Gardening – Seeing Your Way Out of the Dark. Kerry Mendez will introduce
    you to some perennials, flowering shrubs, and annuals that steal the show in less than sunny
    areas. Discussion includes design tips and as well how to care for low-maintenance gardens.
    *Some of the Newest and Best Annual Flowers. Dr. Perry has managed the All-America
    Selections Flower display garden in Burlington, Vermont for 25 years. He’ll illustrate some of
    the best of the flowers, as well as some of the best new introductions (including perennials
    disguised as annuals), for outstanding performance in colder climates. Learn some tips on
    combining the many choices available through viewing some eye-catching examples.
    *Garden Thugs in Disguise. As an undercover agent on the lookout for garden thugs being
    promoted as valued perennials, Kerry Mendez will blow the whistle on plants that become
    maintenance nightmares despite what the plant tags tell you. Some of these impersonators
    may surprise you. She’ll also share how to corral the ones already in your gardens and
    give some helpful trade secrets on jump-starting gardens in the spring.
    *Floral Design with Flare! Join Tanya Sawn as she shows you how to make incredible
    floral arrangements for your home as well as unique gifts. Tanya does all of the floral displays
    for The Sagamore’s grandiose hotel and special events. The talk includes a tour of the resort’s
    new floral workshop.

    Dr. Perry

    is the Greenhouse and Nursery Extension Specialist for the University of Vermont. He is a frequent guest on the television show Across the Fence as well as on the radio. Professor Perry, along with graduate students, has an active research program on all aspects of perennial production and overwintering. Communities across the U.S. have met him through his past role as a judge for the America in Bloom program. Dr. Perry is becoming known across North America for his internet web site– Perry’s Perennial Pages (www.perrysperennials.com) which features information, links, news articles, research and more on herbaceous perennials.

    If you’ve never stayed at The Sagamore before, you’re in for a treat. Even if you have, you’re still in for a surprise when you see the completed multi-million dollar renovations. It seems no expense is being spared to create a spectacular resort featuring fine dining, accommodations, health spa, and other amenities.

    The Friday night package includes a presentation on The Sagamore’s history,
    gourmet dinner, room accommodations, Saturday’s breakfast, five gardening talks,
    handouts, garden catalogs, door prizes, and a garden gift. The single rate is $336; a
    double room is $507 ($253.50 per person). Weekend packages include all of the
    above plus Saturday’s dinner and accommodations as well as Sunday’s breakfast. The
    single weekend package is $597; $864 for a double room ($432 per person).     Taxes
    and gratuity are additional for all packages    .     These are incredible package prices
    given the usual one night room rate is $410!     For reservations, please call The
    Sagamore at (866) 385-6221 and ask for the fall gardening package.

    The Saturday day only rate is $89 per person. This includes five garden talks on
    Saturday, morning coffee, handouts, catalogs, door prizes and a garden gift. Registration for
    day only guests is through Perennially Yours. Please visit
    www.pyours.com/gardenclasses.htmlor call me at (518) 885-3471.

  • 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.

  • Saturday, May 9, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Casey Farm Plant Sale & Open House

    Join Historic New England at Casey Farm’s kick-off event for the summer season. A variety of organic plants are available for sale, including unusual and old-fashioned varieties of annual and perennial flowers, heirloom vegetables, and culinary herbs.  Free tours of the grounds will continue throughout the day and the festivities extend through Sunday, May 10 (10-4).  Admission free.  Casey Farm, Saunderstown, Rhode Island.  For more information and directions call 401-295-1030, or log on to www.historicnewengland.org.