Boston Flora

Tag: Dan Jaffe

  • Thursday, May 11, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Eastern- Edible Natives for City Landscapes: Live Webinar

    If you’re lucky enough to have a sunny yard with rich soil, you may already have planted a vegetable garden. But what edibles can you plant in other spaces, such as the narrow strip of land along the chain link fence, the shady spot on the north side of the building, or the abandoned lot across the road from the community garden? Join Dan Jaffe Wilder online on Thursday, May 11 from 5 – 6 pm to learn about native edibles that will grow in these areas. $15 for NPT members, $18 for nonmembers.  Register online at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/edible-natives-city-landscapes/

     

  • Saturday, October 22, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm – Rare Species Require Rare Habitats

    Did you know that roughly half of the endangered terrestrial species in our region make their homes in fire-adapted ecosystems; or that bobolink need a minimum of 10 acres of open grass-dominated habitat to nest? Rare species often require more than just the right plants, they require the right ecosystem. Join Dan Jaffe Wilder, Director of Applied Ecology at Norcross Wildlife Foundation in Wales, Massachusetts for a walking tour of the Norcross grounds while he discusses some of the unique habitats that Norcross is working to build, enhance, and restore on its 8000-acre wildlife sanctuary. With an emphasis on landscape maintenance and species composition this walk-and-talk will provide attendees with details about what habitat construction looks like on the large scale as well as what tools can be used on our own home landscapes to accomplish similar goals in our own backyards. The Native Plant Trust field trip costs $30 for NPT members, $38 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/rare-species-require-rare-habitats/

    Spiranthes vernalis

  • Native Plants for New England Gardens Online

    Tower Hill Botanic Garden horticulture director Mark Richardson offers an online, informative, in-depth hour long talk on the importance of native plants in supporting ecosystems and how to choose the right ones for your particular piece of paradise. This free video is available anytime at https://www.towerhillbg.org/2020/04/20/webinar-native-plants-new-england-gardens/

    Prior to joining the staff at Tower Hill, Mark wrote Native Plants for New England Gardens, a guide to over 100 native perennials, trees, shrubs, ferns, grasses and vines with co-author Dan Jaffe.

  • Wednesday, April 8, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm – Adventures with Oddities: Strange and Noteworthy Native Plants Webinar

    On Wednesdays at noon, beginning on April 8th, Ecological Landscape Alliance invites you on A Walk in the Garden, a virtual weekly diversion as we adjust to the restrictions that the COVID-19 virus has forced onto our lives.

    Presented as free webinars to gardeners everywhere, these presentations invite garden and landscape experts to share gardening tips, beautiful images, and inspiration. We hope anyone who is isolating, quarantining, or sheltering-in-place will find comfort and collective strength with a communal walk in the garden.

    On Wednesday, April 8 at noon EDT, join Dan Jaffe for Adventures with Oddities: Strange and Noteworthy Native Plants. Our native flora is full of amazing things! Did you know that big-leaf aster was once known as lumberjack’s toilet paper (now that’s a fact that we all might want to know more about) or that the berries of poison ivy are loved by birds? How about that the berries of chokeberry contain seven times more antioxidants than lowbush blueberries or that Jack in the pulpit can change sexes? From unique flavors to hilarious names to the oddest survival strategies, there are strange and noteworthy plants right outside our back doors if we simply know where to look. Dan offers insights into all of these oddities and more.

    Dan Jaffe is a photographer and author. He earned a degree in botany from the University of Maine, Orono, an advanced certificate in Native Plant Horticulture and Design from Native Plant Trust (formally New England Wild Flower Society), and has years of nursery management and plant sales experience. He is passionate about ecological horticulture, building both sustainability and wildlife value into every landscape, and the foraging and cultivation of wild edible plants. He is the Horticulturalist and Propagator for Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary and the staff photographer. Dan is the co-author of Native Plants for New England Gardens and has contributed photographs to many more horticulture books. Register (FREE) at www.ecolandscaping.org

  • Thursday, March 12, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Design-less Gardening: A Natural Approach

    Traditional gardening methods can result in lovely landscapes but come with a high price in terms of maintenance. In this March 12 Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts Horticulture Morning , Dan Jaffe invites us to rethink the old rules of gardening so we can spend less time working and more time enjoying our gardens. The class will take place at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, 900 Washington Street, Wellesley, beginning at 10 am

    How many inches of bark mulch is needed between plants? Are there alternatives to bark mulch? Should weeds be pulled or are there other management strategies? Is it necessary to clean the garden every fall or are there habitat benefits to skipping some of the cleanup? Some gardening rules make sense; and others do not.

    Join Dan for an exploration of the rules of gardening and learn how to build beautiful, resilient, and ecologically viable gardens without the services of a full-time gardener. Dan Jaffe earned a degree in botany from the University of Maine and an advanced certificate in Native Plant Horticulture and Design from NEWFS (now the Native Plant Trust). After interning at Garden in the Woods, Dan worked for a year as Plant Sales Coordinator at the Garden. Suggested donation: $5 at the door. Rsvp to mistyfloral@yahoo.com

    Image result for Butchart Gardens

  • Thursday, November 7, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm – ELA Season’s End Summit 2019


    The Ecological Landscape Alliance will hold it’s 2019 Season’s End Summit on November 7 from 8:30 – 4:30 at the Community Harvest Project Barn, 37 Wheeler Road in North Grafton. The topic is Taking Landscapes to the Next Level: Stepping Back and Thinking Big. Tickets are $139 and may be purchased at https://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/conference-ela-seasons-end-summit-2019/

    Regenerative landscapes consider the ecology of a site, draw upon the wisdom of natural systems, and enhance the surrounding environment for the benefit of humans and all other life in the ecosystem.

    With guidance from natural systems, designers can create thriving landscapes that protect our waters and soil, conserve resources, and provide healthy habitat. The resulting landscapes can be resilient, whole, and beautiful.

    As we reflect on the past landscape season and look for inspiration for our next designs, ELA’s Season’s End Summit invites you to take a fresh look at some design fundamentals that may surprise you – and inspire your next designs. Talks include Designing with Plant Communities: The Synergy of Plants in Partnership with Dan Jaffe, Thinking Ahead: Master Plans That Matter with Toby Wolf, Plant Partners: Reliable and Rewarding Plants for Challenging Sites with Heather McCargo, and Sculpting Plant Communities: Designing with Elegant and Edible Elements with Karen Bussolini.

    copyright Thomas Berger

  • Sunday, November 10, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm – Rooted in Place: Annual Ecological Gardening Symposium

    Berkshire Botanical Garden’s 4th annual ecological gardening symposium on November 10 at the Berkshire School in Sheffield, Massachusetts from 9 – 5 challenges gardeners to think what can we do to welcome wildlife and plant diversity in our gardens, rather than working to keep undesired pests out. Invasives are harmful, we do not want them. Pests can be detrimental so we need to look out for the health of our plants. That all holds true, but in these times of ever-present studies showing what can do harm, our symposium speakers will look on the bright side: what steps we can take to encourage beneficial insects, birds, and inspiring plants — all with a goal of creating unique and resilient landscapes.

    Speakers include Doug Tallamy on Helping Migrants Justify Their Migration, Bethany Bradley on Ecological Gardening with Climate Change to Prevent Future Invasions and Assist Native Migrations, Dan Jaffe on How to Make Your Life Easier with Native Plants, and Amy Nyman on Native Plants with True Grit. Registration includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day.

    BBG Members: $95; Non-Members: $110 Full descriptions of lectures and registration information may be found at https://www.berkshirebotanical.org/events/rooted-place-annual-ecological-gardening-symposium

  • Sunday, October 20, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Going Native: How to Transition Your Garden

    One question frequently arises as gardeners are inspired to transition away from traditional gardens filled with non-native plants and lawn: where do I start? On Sunday, October 20 at 1 pm in Jennison Hall at Bentley University, 175 Forest Street in Waltham, horticulturist Dan Jaffe will help us explore a range of strategies for making a landscape more ecologically beneficial, given the size of the site and the resources available. Dan will delve deeply into plant selection, from choosing species with high value to biodiversity, to finding ones that thrive in challenging spots. He will also discuss key changes to landscaping practices that are just as important as shifting to a native plant palette. Whether you are an experienced gardener looking for a fresh approach, or a novice looking for the best way to begin, this program will give you the tools to create a beautiful and biodiverse landscape. The program is $42 for Grow Native Mass members, $52 for nonmembers. Register at www.grownativemass.org

    Dan Jaffe is the horticulturist and staff photographer at Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary. He served as the plant propagator at Native Plant Trust for nine years, and is passionate about ecological horticulture, and building wildlife value into every landscape. He is the co-author of Native Plants for New England Gardens, which was published in the spring of 2018.

  • Tuesday, August 27, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm – Perennial Plant Symposium

    Presented by Massachusetts Horticultural Society & the Perennial Plant Association, the regional PPA symposium on August 27 from 9 – 3 at The Gardens at Elm Bank is open to all levels of gardeners and professionals. This year’s symposium includes four presentations led by some of the perennial industry’s best. Pre-registration required by visiting www.masshort.org. Early Bird: $99. After August 18: $125

    Presenters Mike & Angelina Chute (they have spoken to The Garden Club of the Back Bay) will speak on Selecting Sustainable Roses. Sustainable roses are sturdy, attractive plants that can hold their own in a pesticide-free landscape. This program features modern, recently-introduced varieties as well as old favorites that are disease-resistant, winter hardy, easy to grow and bloom all season. Selecting Sustainable Roses delves into the core of sustainability, explains the different grades and types of roses, their growth habits and how to select the best varieties for your garden. We use the experience gained in our own sustainable rose garden as a practical model to share tips on sustainable and basic rose gardening. Be amazed at the wide choices of color, size, and fragrance that are available and will fit into any New England garden. 

    Stephanie Cohen, author, gardener and Perennial Diva, entitles her talk Cutting Edge Perennials: No Bandages Provided! The Diva loves new plants and will show you new in non-natives and natives. The word “new” does not necessarily mean better. It should just mean different flower size, color of flower or  leaf, immunity to pests and diseases, and even lower maintenance. Some good plants slip through the cracks and others are worthy candidates for the compost pile. Be prepared as the Diva does not mince words  and the dirt will fly during this presentation

    Executive Director of the Morris Arboretum William Cullina’s lecture is Beyond Black-eyed Susans and Border Phlox: Exceptional Native Perennials for Creative Gardening. Though gardening with native plants has truly come of age in this country, the nursery industry has barely begun to tap the amazing diversity within our flora. You don’t need to travel to Tibet to find plants that will thrill the eye and feed the soul. In this program, Bill Cullina will profile some of the outstanding native perennials yet to be discovered by the gardening public.

    Finally, Dan Jaffe, photographer and landscape consultant, will offer For Us and Them, Perennial Edible Plants for Pollinators and Ourselves.

  • Thursday, August 8, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – The Best Weeds

    Thursday, August 8, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – The Best Weeds

    What are weeds? Why do they exist and how can we make use of them? What roles do these plants play in our ecosystems? There is a vast difference between Japanese knotweed and a native violet or goldenrod. Join Dan Jaffe, photographer and author of Native Plants for New England Gardens, at Garden in the Woods on August 8 from 1 – 3 for a fascinating discussion about which weeds to love and how to avoid the rest. $26 for NPT members, $32 for nonmembers. Register at www.nativeplanttrust.org.