Boston Flora

Tag: begonias

  • Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21 – Buxton Branch of the American Begonia Society Sale & Demonstration

    Begonias are known primarily for their colorful foliage, while gesneriads are known for their brightly colored flowers. At this exciting event, enjoy a fantastic display of begonias and gesneriads presented by the Buxton Branch of the American Begonia Society and the New England Chapter of the Gesneriad Society. Discover the amazing variety and beauty of begonias and gesneriads in this diverse show and learn tips from expert growers for caring for these well-loved houseplants. “Pop-up” demonstrations on begonia propagation methods, as well as a hands-on workshop where children can create their own magical garden to bring home (ages 5+, children must be accompanied by an adult), make this event perfect for plant lovers of all ages. Many unusual and rare begonias and gesneriads will also be available for sale.

    Have a begonia or gesneriad you’re proud of? Members of the public are encouraged to enter their own plants into the exhibition. Plant society members will be available to help with plant entry and identification. If interested in participating, please contact the Begonia Society. Free with admission to the Gardens. For complete information visit www.nebg.org

  • From the Archives: Buying Speakers

    The Garden Club of the Back Bay has welcomed an impressive roster of guest speakers to our meetings since we began. The usual process is to identify a topic of interest to our members, and then search for an appropriate person to deliver the information. In 1983, however, late members Stella Trafford and Susan Davis attended an auction held for the benefit of the Arnold Arboretum, which was held at the Case Estates in Weston. They made successful bids on two distinguished speakers – Corliss Engle, who promised to talk on the topic of Begonias, and Lily Rice, whose subject was Daffodils. Each high bid was $25. Additionally, Stella and Susan purchased two spring garden tours: the Haffenreffer garden in Chestnut Hill ($40), and Uplands in Manchester ($70).  Corliss Engle, whose contributions to the Begonia Society led to the naming of Begonia ‘Corliss Engle’ in her honor. gave her presentation on November 10, 1983, and Ms. Rice spoke on March 15, 1984.  We have not yet found mention in our records of taking the two tours purchased.  To see the array of programs presented over the years, we encourage you to visit https://bostonflora.com/history/, and if any recent speaker is of interest, email info@bostonflora.com and we can try to put you in touch.  Photo of a begonia cross of ‘Corliss Engle’ below is by Guy Savard.

  • Saturday, January 21, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – The Begonia Winter Survival Guide

    Winter is way too long for gardeners, so why not turn to begonias? Is there another group of plants with equal diversity, definition, and intrigue? On Saturday, January 21 at 1 pm, garden writer and self-described plant-obsessive Tovah Martin will share her passion for these delightful houseplants. Featuring colorful leaves in just about every shape imaginable topped by spikes of adorable little flowers and an unflappable personality, begonias turn attention inside when the weather is yucky outdoors. Begonias can easily become the best cold-season companions, but there are a few tricks for keeping them happy and healthy. That’s what this begonia intensive is all about. Come with questions and courage, and leave as a die-hard begonia fan. Tovah will also demonstrate how to make more begonias to share with friends and converts and there will be some cuttings for students to bring home. This Berkshire Botanical Garden lecture will take place in the Education Center in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and is $25 for BBG members, $30 for nonmembers. Register online at www.berkshirebotanical.org.

    Tovah Martin is an avid (verging on obsessed) gardener indoors and outside. She is the author of many gardening books—most recently The Indestructible Houseplant, which follows the success of The Unexpected Houseplant and The New Terrarium, as well as the popular Tasha Tudor’s Garden.

  • Saturday, September 24, 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm, and Sunday, September 25, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Begonia and Gesneriad Shows

    Discover splendid examples of a huge variety of Begonias and Gesneriads sporting a range of color, leaf texture, and patterns in this judged show. Enter your own plants for the exhibition. Get tips for growing these favorite houseplants, and select from a wide variety of plants for sale.  Presented by the Buxton Branch of the American Begonia Society and the New England Gesneriad Society on Saturday, September 24 and Sunday, September 25 at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive in Boylston. Free with Admission. For more information visit www.towerhillbg.org.

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  • Wednesday, July 29 – Sunday, August 2 – Begonia Revolution New England 2015

    The American Begonia Society’s 2015 Annual Convention will take place at The Verve Crowne Plaza Boston-Natick, 1360 Worcester Road in Natick, Wednesday, July 29 – Sunday, August 12.  A variety of tours will be available to participants. On Wednesday, see the Harvard Glass Flowers and Marine Life Collection at the Harvard Museum of Natural History and the greenhouses of the Lyman Estate in Waltham. Thursday, travel to Logee’s Greenhouses in Danielson, Connecticut and the Roger Williams Botanical Center in Providence.  Friday features a tour of Tower Hill Botanic Garden.  In addition to travels, hear Mike Flaherty speak on Begonias of the Rich & Famous, Drew Norris on Growing Begonias Like African Violets, Randy Montes Kerr on Species Begonias for Every Home, Pablo Jourdan on Germplasm Research Update, Mark Tebbitt on Begonias of Andean South America, and Lloyd Traven on How to Bring Begonias to Market. Of course there will be a Judged Plant Show, a Boutique, and Plant Sales in addition to Luncheons and a Seafood Bake.  Complete information on registration and programs is available at http://www.begonias.org/events/2015%20Buxton/ABS_2015.pdf. 

    If you wish to stay at the hotel, there are special room rates ($115 per night, plus taxes) if you book by June 29.

  • Monday, February 25, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Bring the Rainforest Indoors: Terrariums

    The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts will sponsor a Horticulture Morning on Monday, February 25, from 10 – noon at South Church, 41 Central Street in Andover.  The speaker is Wanda Macnair, past president of the Buxton Branch of the American Begonia Society, on the subject Bring the Rainforest Indoors: Terrariums.  Ms. Macnair is active also in the New England Chapter of The Gesneriad Society. She is a member of the Nomenclature Committee, and the Amateur Horticulture Committee of the New England Spring Flower Show. She writes a column entitled “A Passion for Plants,” for the Lincoln County News, Damariscotta, ME. For complete information call 781-237-0336 – office hours are 9 – 2, Tuesday through Thursday, or email gcfm@verizon.net.

  • Saturday, February 2, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Houseplant Smackdown

    Seduced by begonias? Join the crowd. Are you crazy about cacti, spines and all? How about orchids? You must have killed at least one. Have a thing for air plants? There is always room for one in the bathroom.  On Saturday, February 2, from 10 – 2, join three mad gardeners—Tovah Martin, Rob Genneri and David Burdick—and learn how to successfully cram more plants into your house in a hands-on session with houseplants. The event takes place at the Berkshire Botanical Garden, 5 West Stockbridge Road in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Bring a plant to repot or be evaluated. Consider the different growing mixes and learn how to take cuttings and divisions and, finally, how to keep them all happy inside your house until spring. Join the fun with our favorite plant experts for a houseplant smackdown and learn their secrets. You’re guaranteed to go home with more than you came with.

    Tovah Martin is a horticulturist, writer and garden personality living in northwestern Connecticut. She writes for many horticultural publications and has authored several books. Her popular book on terrarium gardens, The New Terrarium, was published in 2009, and The Unexpected Houseplant was published in August of 2012. Rob Gennari is a garden designer and owner of Glendale Botanicals, a specialty tropical nursery located in Berkshire County. He uses tropical plants in his design work and has in-depth experience with propagating, growing and maintaining them. David Burdick is owner of Daffodils and More, a retail bulb and plant nursery located in Dalton, MA. He is a plants man extraordinaire and is well versed in a diverse range of plant groups. He has instructed for the Berkshire Botanical Garden for many years.  BBG member price $75, non-members $85, and you may register on line at www.berkshirebotanical.org.

  • Wednesday, November 14, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Growing and Care of Begonias

    On Wednesday, November 14, from 7 – 9, Wanda McNair, horticulturist, columnist and educator, will discuss the different types of Begonias, and demonstrate the propagation of such along with discussing and demonstrating the growing of high humidity plants in enclosed containers. She will bring live material to the meeting for her demo. The free program is sponsored by the Somerville Garden Club and will be held at the Tufts Administration Building, 167 Holland Street in Somerville.  For information on the Somerville Garden Club, visit www.somervillegardenclub.org.

  • Saturday, February 11, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Begonia Workshop

    Seduced by begonias? Join the crowd. And who can blame you? Not only are begonias outrageously glam, but they are a cinch as houseplants – if you know the ropes. Join Tovah Martin, curator of the begonia collection at Logee’s Greenhouses for 25 years and lifelong begonia addict, at Berkshire Botanical Garden on Saturday, February 11 from 10 – 12 for a begonia workshop. She’ll spill the goods on which begonias make the best houseplants as well as revealing which begonias to avoid. She’ll recommend begonias that make a smooth transition from indoors to outside. In fact, she’ll introduce you to the entire begonia family with scenic detours to show you her favorite real live plants. Care, maintenance, watering, pruning, repotting, and propagating will be demonstrated with plenty of hands-on interaction. Best of all: Bring home several begonia cuttings in a mini-greenhouse to grow on! Bring hand pruners and a cardboard box to transport plants home. BBG member price $37, non-members $45, and you may register on line at www.berkshirebotanical.org.

    Tovah Martin is a horticulturist, writer and garden personality living in Northwest CT. She writes for many horticultural publications and her latest book is The New Terrarium, published in 2009.  Photo below of begonia ‘Chocolate Cream’ from Logee’s Greenhouses 1999.

  • Sunday, September 25, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Propagation of Begonias and Gesneriads

    Wanda Macnair will give a presentation of methods to grow the various species and cultivars of the two families–Begoniaceae and Gesneriaceae, at Tower Hill Botanic Garden on Sunday, September 25, from 1 – 2. Growing medium and different methods of propagating these plants will be discussed. Reproducing terrarium plants will also be covered. Everyone in attendance will go home with a starter or two from Wanda’s extensive collection. Free with admission to Tower Hill. For more information, visit www.towerhillbg.org, or call 508-869-6111, x 124. Image from www.houseplantsguru.com.