Boston Flora

Tag: Berkshire Botanical Gardens

  • Friday, August 22, 11:00 am – The Fabulous Snakes of Berkshire County

    This Berkshire Botanical Gardens program on Friday, August 22 at 11 am is designed for all ages and highlights some of the least known and most fascinating animals of our backyard. The illustrated talk will include methods of identifying snakes, a bit about their biology, interesting tidbits about their behaviors and the methods that snakes use to protect themselves and reproduce. Professor Tom Tyning will encourage families to get to know these shy and retiring animals. A live snake or two will be on hand to greet visitors. Pictured below is a milksnake, courtesy of www.westernmassnaturalist.org.

    Tom Tyning is Professor of Environmental Science at Berkshire Community College. He specializes in reptiles and amphibians in his research and actively researches local rattlesnake populations. Free for members and children under 12, free for nonmembers with admission to garden.

    http://westernmassnaturalist.org/_Media/milksnake-neonate-coiled-1_med_hr.jpeg

  • Thursday and Friday, August 21 and 22, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Botanical Watercolor Painting with Carol Woodin

    Gain confidence and comfort in this two day Berkshire Botanical Garden class devoted to techniques of botanical painting in watercolor. Using flowers as subjects, students will learn to capture the vitality and drama of these flowers. After creating a base watercolor layer for guidance, artists will add a series of dry-brush layers, gradually increasing color intensity and form. Through demonstration and individualized attention, the instructor will guide students through mixing believable greens and maintaining color clarity. By the end of the class, each student will have a painting either finished or nearly so. The class will be taught by Carol Woodin on August 21 and 22 from 10 – 4, and the cost is $260 for BBG members, $290 for nonmembers. Registration and a materials list may be found at http://www.berkshirebotanical.org/ai1ec_event/botanical-watercolor-painting-with-carol-woodin/?instance_id=2605.

    Carol Woodin has been painting botanicals in watercolor for over 20 years. Her focus is orchids, rare plants and heirlooms. Her work is included in collections around the world, including those of the Smithsonian Institution, Shirley Sherwood Collection and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK. Director of Exhibitions for the American Society of Botanical Artists, she has organized exhibitions of botanical art throughout the US.

    http://d2918aghi3b457.cloudfront.net//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/tam_may10_floral4.jpg

  • Friday, August 15, 11:00 am – Birds of Prey: Tom Ricardi, Wildlife Rehabilitator

    Join wildlife rehabilitator Tom Ricardi at the Berkshire Botanical Gardens in West Stockbridge on Friday, August 15 at 11 am for his ever popular presentation on birds of prey. This program is designed for all ages. Tom will share the natural history of these magnificent birds, demonstrate some of their unique behaviors and inspire children of all ages to appreciate, respect and conserve these important members of our wild kingdom.

    Tom Ricardi is a licensed rehabilitator and wildlife biologist. He runs Massachusetts Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Center in Conway, MA, and is now retired after 40 years of service as a Massachusetts Environmental Conservation police officer. Free for members and children under 12, free for nonmembers with admission to the Gardens.  For directions, visit www.berkshirebotanical.org.

    http://www.berkshirebotanical.org/press/images/pr/jun/birds-prey-TomRicardi.jpg

  • Tuesday, August 16 – Thursday, August 18, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Botanical Illustration with Colored Pencil

    This Berkshire Botanical Garden three day intensive workshop, from 10 – 4 on  Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, August 16, 17 and 18 will focus on colored pencil techniques for botanical illustration. Learn ways to create textured backgrounds with the brilliant hues of colored pencils. This versatile color medium can create colors smooth as glass and rough as sandpaper and by changing technique mimic an oil painting, pastel or watercolor. Discover which colors glow together and others that harmonize in a composition. Explore a full range of techniques for creating both bold and subtle effects that will bring a botanical drawing alive. Participants should bring a pear and other fruits or flowers to include in their illustrations.  Bring a bag lunch and enjoy your meal in and around the garden.

    Carol Ann Morley is an illustrator and dedicated teacher of botanical illustration working in Dover, NH. She founded the Botanical Art Illustration Certificate Program at the New York Botanical Garden and teaches illustration there and for other botanical gardens. This is Ms. Morley’s only workshop at the Berkshire Botanical Garden for 2011.  To register on line ($195 for BBG members, $225 for nonmembers) log on to www.berkshirebotanical.org, or call 413-298-3926.

     

  • Tuesday, June 15, 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm – Garden Photography Workshop

    Massachusetts Horticultural Society is pleased to offer a one-day workshop featuring the talented garden photographer and instructor (and April Garden Club of the Back Bay speaker) Rich Pomerantz.  This workshop, on Tuesday, June 15 from noon – 5, will help participants use cameras to see gardens in new ways and bring their garden photography to a higher level.  Instruction will cover basic camera functions and digital basics in easy-to-understand concepts and then apply them to the unique challenges of photographing a garden

    Participants will spend time outdoor photographing the beautiful gardens at Elm Bank.  Following the shooting session, reviews and critiques will be made.

    Camera: Any camera is suitable, even a fully automatic point-and-shoot, but you should be familiar with it’s use, and you absolutely should bring the manual to class with the camera. However, the better your tools, the more you will be able to accomplish, so here is the recommended equipment:

    A 35mm SLR (single lens reflex) camera (this is the type of camera that allows you to change lenses). Please be familiar with its operation.

    Lenses: The best lens will have a macro feature, but a regular short telephoto lens (in the 85 to 135mm range) will do fine. Other good lenses (though optional) are a wide angle (24 or 35mm) or a longer telephoto lens.

    A sturdy tripod. This can be a lifesaver. Rich will explain the reasons for using a tripod early in the workshop. If the tripod has a detachable head upon which to mount your camera, you will find it much easier to work, especially if it is a type known as a ball head.

    Optional equipment:
    cable release
    reflectors
    warming and polarizing filters
    closeup attachments

    Rich has conducted garden and flower photography classes at the NY Botanical Gardens, The Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Tower Hill and Berkshire Botanical Gardens. Rich’s first book, Wild Horses of the Dunes, about the wild horses of Assateague Island, was published in 2004 by Running Press and is in its second printing. Rich’s second book, Great Gardens of the Berkshires, was published in October, 2008 by Down East Books. His third book, Hudson River Valley Farms, about organic and sustainable agriculture in the Hudson Valley, was published by Globe Pequot in September, 2009.  Rich’s images have appeared in periodicals including Garden Design, Traditional Home, Horticulture and Fine Gardening.

    The cost of this workshop is $95 for members and $125 for non-members. There is also an option for a $10 lunch.  To register, log on to www.masshort.org, or call 617-933-4995.  This workshop is limited to twenty participants, so please register before June 10 to guarantee a spot.  In case of severe rain, the workshop will be held on June 17.

    http://apldnj.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/15-23-adams-8987.jpg

  • Saturday, April 17, 10:30 am – 12:00 noon – Honeysuckle Sipping Children’s Plant Lore

    Learn about how children play with plants, then and now, and what parents can do to instill a sense of wonderment and appreciation of the natural world in them. For centuries children have played outdoors with leaves, roots, flowers, stems and fruits. Only recently have children become “too busy” for unstructured play outdoors. Consider how to sip honeysuckle, make pine needle dolls, flower chains, cattail ducks, and tulip tree leaf baskets.
    Jeanné  Chesanow is a Master Gardener, author of Gardening in CT, former anthropology instructor,  Cheshire Land Trust director, and Chairman of the Cheshire CT Historic District Commission. She is the author of Honeysuckle Sipping: The Plant Lore of Childhood , a book devoted to the history and traditions of children’s fascination with plants.

    The lecture will be held at the Berkshire Botanical Gardens on Saturday, April 17, from 10:30 – noon, and will cost $16 if you are a member of BBG, and $21 if you are not a member.  For directions, log on to www.berkshirebotanical.org.

    Honeysuckle Sipping: The Plant Lore of Childhood

  • Saturday, March 13, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Extreme Pumpkin Growing

    Oh, boy, you’ve been waiting for this!  Join woody plant guru and plant geek Adam Wheeler of Broken Arrow Nursery for a fun and informative look into the world of competitive pumpkin growing.  Learn how to grow plants in the cucurbita family into the biggest and best fruits possible.  Ones you will never be able to lift yourself.  Although the lecture will focus on how to grow extra large pumpkins, it will also inform gardeners about improving growing conditions for other pumpkin relatives, including melons, squash, and cucumbers.  Adam will share his special pumpkin seeds for the upcoming growing season (he’s that confident!).  The lecture will take place at Berkshire Botanical Gardens, and costs $18 for BBG members, $24 for non members.  Log on to www.berkshirebotanical.org for more information and directions.

  • Saturday – Sunday, October 3 – 4, 10 am – 5 pm – Berkshire Harvest Festival

    The Berkshires’ longest running and best-known community event will take place during the first weekend in October, October 3 – 4, from 10 – 5, at the Berkshire Botanical Gardens. An old fashioned, family-oriented community festival with something for everyone, including rides, games, food, music, crafts, giant tag sale, and lots more. Parking fee includes admission.  For directions and more information, log on to www.berkshirebotanical.org.

  • Saturday, September 26, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Pruning Shrubs and Small Trees

    Autumn is a great time to assess your woody plants for shape and structure. This demonstration/workshop, to be held at the Berkshire Botanical Gardens in Stockbridge, Massachusetts on Saturday, September 26, from 10 am – 1 pm, will focus on pruning, including: when, why and how to shape, renovate, train or rejuvenate your woody plants. Learn about pruning tools, timing, and specific techniques available to the home gardener. Participants will learn the basics of pruning, including rejuvenating an old lilac and shaping a small flowering tree. Pruning techniques specifically for hedges both evergreen and deciduous will be covered. Ken Gooch, Massachusetts Certified Arborist, is the Department of Environmental Management’s Forest Health Specialist for Berkshire County. He is an educator and lectures widely on a variety of topics including forest health, pruning, and arboriculture.  Cost of workshop is $20 for BBG members, $25 for non-members.  For directions and more information, log on to www.berkshirebotanical.org.  Wear waterproof outerwear and footwear and bring pruners.

    http://www.tlcfortrees.info/images/Pruners.jpg

  • Saturday, September 26, 1 – 3 pm – Bring Nature into the Home: Build a Terrarium Garden

    Come to the Berkshire Botanical Garden in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts on Saturday, September 26, beginning at 1 pm, for this workshop, lecture and book signing with Tovah Martin. Learn about the whimsical yet practical world of gardening under glass – a way to bring nature indoors year round. When encased in glass, plants thrive with almost no help from out side their little enclosed world. This hands-on workshop will address the aesthetics and technical aspects of terrarium building. Plants, soil preparation, planting, container selection, design and maintenance will be covered. Participants will practice planting a glass terrarium with a selection of unique plants. A book signing of Tovah’s latest book The New Terrarium will follow the workshop. Tovah Martin is a horticulturist, writer and garden personality living in Northwest Ct. She writes for many horticultural publications and latest book is The New Terrarium published in 2009. She serves as editorial producer for the PBS television gardening series “Cultivating Life”.  Cost for BBG members is $45, non members $50, plus a materials fee of $25 paid to the instructor.  To register, or for more information, log on to www.berkshirebotanical.org.

    http://blog.craftzine.com/bookcover_thenewterrarium.jpg