Boston Flora

Tag: Betsy Williams

  • Sunday, October 13, 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm – Fairy House and Garden in a Basket

    Are there fairies at the bottom of your garden? (Even if there aren’t it’s great fun to pretend!) Build a house and little garden that just might entice the wee people to come and play. Begin by planting lacy ferns and trailing ivy to ensure the little people a bit of privacy. Then, using bark, leaves, twigs and other natural materials, create a charming little home that any fairy would be pleased to live in. The construction site is an attractive basket that is easily carried home. Once the house is built, begin landscaping – lay out paths, design a garden, build a twig fence or install a small pond. When finished your Fairy House and Garden can be enjoyed in a secluded, shady spot in your garden or in your home. The October 13 Tower Hill Botanic Garden class includes all materials, plants and decorative accents. Please bring a pair garden/floral scissors with you. This class is geared to adults but teens are welcome. Time is 1:30 – 4, and the cost is $65 for Tower Hill members $79 for nonmembers. Register at www.towerhillbg.org

    Betsy Williams teaches, lectures and writes about living with herbs and flowers. A gardener and herb grower since 1972, Betsy trained as a florist in Boston and England. She combines her floral and gardening skills with an extensive knowledge of history, plant lore and seasonal celebrations. Betsy is the author of several books on the uses and stories of herbs and flowers. She has appeared on the Discovery Channel and greater Boston cable stations as well as local and national radio talk shows. Betsy lectures and teaches locally and nationally.

  • Wednesday, September 25, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm – Garlic and the Flowering Alliums

    Learn how to grow and use garlic, queen of the kitchen, and her strikingly beautiful cousins, the flowering alliums. Fall is garlic planting time for New Englanders, as well as time to plant the bulbs of decorative alliums. Critter resistant and easy to grow, perennial alliums boast lovely, long lasting flowers that add interest and color to the garden from May to September and, in some cases, can be dried for winter use. Learn how to grow and harvest garlic and which alliums to choose for your garden Each student will receive bulb catalogs featuring a wide selection of alliums and garlic and take home cold hardy garlic and allium bulbs to plant. This Tower Hill Botanic Garden class will take place Wednesday, September 25 from 10:30 – 12:30, and is $50 for Tower Hill members, $64 for nonmembers. Register at www.towerhillbg.org. Image below from www.midwestliving.com.

    Betsy Williams teaches, lectures and writes about living with herbs and flowers. A gardener and herb grower since 1972, Betsy trained as a florist in Boston and England. She combines her floral and gardening skills with an extensive knowledge of history, plant lore and seasonal celebrations. Betsy is the author of several books on the uses and stories of herbs and flowers. She has appeared on the Discovery Channel and greater Boston cable stations as well as local and national radio talk shows. Betsy lectures and teaches locally and nationally.

  • Sunday, August 18, 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm – Pesto and Beyond

    Summer is the high season for pestos, the time to gather savory fresh greens and turn them into flavorful sauces for winter enjoyment. A dish of fragrant, pesto-slathered pasta really warms up an icy winter day but, as a sauce, pesto has many other uses in the kitchen.

    Pesto alla Genovese, the classic sauce of Genoa, and pistou, the traditional herb sauce of Provence, are made with basil. However basil is only one of many flavorful greens that can become the heart of a rich, flavorful pesto or sauce.

    A wide variety of flavorful leafy greens—mints, kale, garlic mustard, parsley, spinach, sage, dandelion greens, cilantro, arugula—can be used to make pesto and savory herb sauces and pastes. Pesto and sauces can be with or without cheese, nuts and garlic. Pesto and herbal sauces freeze well and can be used all winter long to add delicious herbal flavor to soups, spreads, meats, salads and vegetables, as well as traditional pasta meals.

    Class members will taste a wide variety of pestos and herbal sauces and discuss the ingredients used. After demonstrating how to make pesto and herb paste, each person will make a pesto or herb paste to take home. Recipe sheets and all supplies are included. This class will take place at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston on August 18 from 1 – 3:30, and is $65 for THBG members, $79 for nonmembers. Register at www.towerhillbg.org.

    Betsy Williams teaches, lectures and writes about living with herbs and flowers. A gardener and herb grower since 1972, Betsy trained as a florist in Boston and England. She combines her floral and gardening skills with an extensive knowledge of history, plant lore and seasonal celebrations. Betsy is the author of several books on the uses and stories of herbs and flowers. She has appeared on the Discovery Channel and greater Boston cable stations as well as local and national radio talk shows. Betsy lectures and teaches locally and nationally.

  • Tuesday, May 7, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – The Portable, Potted Herb Garden

    Grow your own culinary herbs, available for snipping from May to November. Nothing enhances meals like the taste of fresh herbs. Create an herb garden that can be moved from place to place to take full advantage of available sunlight. Plant 6 classic culinary herbs in a 14″ container to grow on a sunny porch, patio or doorstep. Please bring an apron and flower scissors to this Massachusetts Horticultural Society class at The Gardens at Elm Bank on May 7 from 1 – 3 if you have them.  

    Instructor Betsy Williams teaches, lectures and writes about living with herbs and flowers. A life long gardener, herb grower and cook, Betsy trained as a florist in Boston and in England. She combines her floral, gardening and cooking skills with an extensive knowledge of history, plant lore and seasonal celebrations. An entertaining lecturer, she weaves stories and legends throughout her informative talks and demonstrations.

    Her gardens, floral work and retail shop have been featured in many books, national magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times, The American Gardener, Victoria, Better Homes and Gardens, Country Living Gardner, Colonial Homes, the Herb Companion, and Traditional Homes.

    $65 for Mass Hort members, $80 general admission. Registration required at www.masshort.org

  • Saturday, February 16, 10:30 am – 12:00 noon – Potpourri: Rotten Pots with a Loving Message

    Potpourri, French for rotten pot, is a fragrant, often beautiful, mix of scented plant material with a long and fascinating history. The Tower Hill Botanic Garden class begins at 10:30 am on February 16 in Tower Hill’s library with a display of books, old and new, on potpourri and stillroom techniques plus a short history of fragrance and the art of using it in the home. Then we will move to the classroom to learn the basics of potpourri making. Each attendee will create a quart of potpourri based on the Language of Flowers to take home and enjoy. It’s Valentine season, what better time to create a beautiful, fragrant blend of rose petals and other sweet smelling herbs that breaths a message of Love? Recipe sheets included. This class is suitable for adults and for families with children 10 years and older. All fragrances used are natural, essential oils. All materials included. $40 for THBG members, $54 for nonmembers. Register at www.towerhillbg.org.

    Betsy Williams teaches, lectures and writes about living with herbs and flowers. A gardener and herb grower since 1972, Betsy trained as a florist in Boston and England. She combines her floral and gardening skills with an extensive knowledge of history, plant lore and seasonal celebrations. Betsy is the author of several books on the uses and stories of herbs and flowers. She has appeared on the Discovery Channel and greater Boston cable sites about living with herbs and flowers. A gardener and herb grower since 1972, Betsy trained as a florist in Boston and England. She combines her floral and gardening skills with an extensive knowledge of history, plant lore and seasonal celebrations. Betsy is the author of several books on the uses and stories of herbs and flowers. She has appeared on the Discovery Channel and greater Boston cable stations as well as local and national radio talk shows. Betsy lectures and teaches locally and nationally.

    Image result for potpourri

  • Saturday, December 15, 11:30 am – 2:00 pm – Holiday Centerpiece

    Design a Williamsburg-inspired centerpiece for your holiday table. This Tower Hill Botanic Garden class on December 15 from 11:30 – 2 with Betsy Williams will sell out fast. Choose from a selection of fragrant fresh greens, fruits, seasonal berries and pinecones to create a beautiful holiday centerpiece in an attractive container. With proper care, your table arrangement will stay fresh and lovely for the entire holiday season. Please bring floral scissors and an apron to class.

    Betsy Williams teaches, lectures and writes about living with herbs and flowers. A gardener and herb grower since 1972, Betsy trained as a florist in Boston and England. She combines her floral and gardening skills with an extensive knowledge of history, plant lore and seasonal celebrations. Betsy is the author of several books on the uses and stories of herbs and flowers. She has appeared on the Discovery Channel and greater Boston cable stations as well as local and national radio talk shows. Betsy lectures and teaches locally and nationally. $80 for THBG members, $90 for nonmembers. Register at www.towerhillbg.org.

    Image result for Williamsburg style holiday centerpiece

  • Saturday, October 13, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm – Apples, Apples, Apples

    It’s fall, time to celebrate all things Apple! Apples are an ancient, mysterious and remarkable fruit. Grown for over 10,000 years, apples appear in myths, legends, songs and folk traditions. Apple trees can live for over 100 years and no two apple seeds will produce the same fruit. Instructor Betsy Williams will hold a food and design class at Tower Hill Botanic Garden on Saturday, October 13 from 10:30 – 1.

    The shape, flavor and fragrance of apples play starring roles in fall and winter celebrations. We’ll discuss apple history and traditions, learn how to use apples decoratively for the upcoming holidays and enjoy an apple tasting. The class will sample apple cider syrup, nibble dried apple slices, enjoy a sip of apple infused vodka, try a savory apple soup and classic apple salad then make a small table arrangement to celebrate Autumn with apples, greens, berries and other seasonal touches. Recipe handouts included. All materials included.

    Betsy Williams teaches, lectures and writes about living with herbs and flowers. A gardener and herb grower since 1972, Betsy trained as a florist in Boston and England. She combines her floral and gardening skills with an extensive knowledge of history, plant lore and seasonal celebrations. Betsy is the author of several books on the uses and stories of herbs and flowers. She has appeared on the Discovery Channel and greater Boston cable stations as well as local and national radio talk shows. Betsy lectures and teaches locally and nationally. $70 for Tower Hill members, $80 for nonmembers. Register online at www.towerhillbg.org.

    Image result for savory apple soup

  • Sunday, June 3, 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm – A Hummingbird Garden in a Container

    Experience the magic of watching a tiny, whirring hummingbird feed on flowers blooming close by! Plant a container for your patio or garden the hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators will love. Fill a 14″ container with 6 summer flowering plants that attract, and feed, pollinators. Bee balms, petunias, larkspurs, nicotianas, verbena, morning glories, salvias and many other long blooming, spilling, twining plants support our important pollinators. With proper care, your Hummingbird Garden will bloom all summer. All materials are supplied: plants, container, soil and a bamboo frame for climbing vines. Image below from http://whiteflowerfarm.com.

    Betsy Williams teaches, lectures and writes about living with herbs and flowers. A gardener and herb grower since 1972, Betsy trained as a florist in Boston and England. She combines her floral and gardening skills with an extensive knowledge of history, plant lore and seasonal celebrations. Betsy is the author of several books on the uses and stories of herbs and flowers. She has appeared on the Discovery Channel and greater Boston cable stations as well as local and national radio talk shows. Betsy lectures and teaches locally and nationally. The class takes place at Tower Hill Botanic Garden on Sunday, June 3 from 12:30 – 2:30. $80 for THBG members, $90 for nonmembers. Register at https://towerhillbg.thankyou4caring.org/pages/event-registration-form—a-hummingbird-garden-in-a-container

    Image result for hummingbird container garden

  • Thursday, March 1, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm – The Old House Garden

    Have you ever wondered what plants grew outside the door of your old house-and why? Spend the morning of March 1 (11 – 12:30) at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive in Boylston, delving into plant and garden history, and learn the best resources to research and find those plants today. The free with admission program will be led by sleuths Betsy Williams and Tower Hill Librarian Kathy Bell. For more information visit www.towerhillbg.org.

  • Saturday, April 7, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm – Celebrating Herbs!

    The Herb Society of America, New England Unit, will sponsor Celebrating Herbs!, a symposium to be held Saturday, April 7, from 8:30 – 3 at the Hunnewell Carriage House, The Gardens at Elm Bank, in Wellesley. Speakers will include Kelly Orzel, Judith Sumner, and Betsy Williams.

    Betsy Williams will present Herbal Weddings: Old Traditions, Modern Uses. An herbal wedding is the essence of romance! The perfumed air, the delightful colors and the ancient symbolism of the plants blend to create a truly magical day. The program includes the stories and traditions of wedding herbs and the language of flowers, cultural directions for growing the herbs, garden design suggestions and how to use herbs and herbal flowers creatively in wedding flowers, food and drink. Image below from www.weddingwindow.com.

    Judith Sumner is a botanist and popular lecturer at the Arnold Arboretum, Garden in the Woods, and Assumption College. She is the author of American Household Botany, a History of Useful Plants, 1620 – 1900, and The Natural History of Medicinal Plants.

    Kelly Orzel, of Bowery Beach Farm at Cape Elizabeth, Maine, specializes in culinary and scented plants including 50 varieties of scented pelargoniums. The Backyard Gardener is her recent book.

    The early bird fee for Herb Society members is $85, $90 for non-HSA members, postmarked on or before March 10. All registrations after March 24 are $105, and registration closes March 28. No walk-ins. Registration includes coffee/tea and morning refreshments, plus a catered herbal lunch. The New England Unit of The Herb Society of America, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) educational organization. Proceeds from this fund-raising event will be used to help support educational projects. For more information visit http://www.neuhsa.org/2018Symposium.html