Boston Flora

Tag: Ecological Landscape Alliance

  • Monday, September 25, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm – The Liberated Landscape: Letting Nature Do the Work Webinar

    Over thousands of years plants have evolved to reproduce and proliferate on their own, yet we often go to great effort and expense to carefully place every plant in our designed landscapes. How can we capitalize on the reproductive abilities of plants and actively encourage planted as well as existing species to colonize our landscapes? In this lecture, well-known landscape designer Larry Weaner will discuss principles and protocols for creating dynamic, ecologically rich landscapes where nature does much of the planting.

    This Ecological Landscape Alliance September 25 webinar from 4 – 5 pm will include detailed case studies that demonstrate how practical plant proliferation strategies can be applied at diverse scales, from the intimate garden to large multi-acre landscapes. Larry Weaner has been creating landscapes focusing on native plants since 1977. His firm Larry Weaner Landscape Associates has a national reputation for combining ecological restoration with the traditions of garden design. The firm’s work has received numerous awards, been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Garden Design, and Landscape Architecture Magazine, among other publications, and been included on tours with The Garden Conservancy, The Cultural Landscape Foundation, and the American Horticultural Society. Larry lectures throughout the U.S., and in 1990, he founded New Directions in the American Landscape, a conference series with a national following. He recently coauthored Garden Revolution: How Our Landscapes Can Be a Source of Environmental Change.

    Free for ELA members, $10 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/webinar-liberated-landscape-letting-nature-work/

  • Tuesday, September 12, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm – Kill Your Lawn – And Opt for More Biodiversity Webinar

    Lawns are a soul-crushing time suck. Just read the headline of a recent article on washingtonpost.com. According to NASA, in the United States more surface area is covered by lawn than by any other single irrigated crop. Lawns are resource-heavy, requiring irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticides to thrive in our climate and most of us would be better off reducing or eliminating them altogether. Learn how to replace your lawn with native plant alternatives that functional, beautiful, and environmentally friendly. This webinar is sponsored by the Ecological Landscape Alliance on Tuesday, September 12 at 12:30 pm, and is led by Mark Richardson of the New England Wild Flower Society. Mark Richardson oversees the New England Wildflower Society’s botanic garden, Garden in the Woods, and its native plant nursery operation, Nasami Farm in Whately, Massachusetts. He studied ornamental horticulture at University of Rhode Island and helped run a mid-sized ornamental plant nursery before finding his true passion in public horticulture. He led undergraduate programs at Longwood Gardens, overhauled the curriculum of the Professional Gardener Program, and oversaw adult education at Brookside Gardens. In 2013, Mr. Richardson assisted with the development of the first comprehensive master plan for Garden in the Woods. He holds a MS from the University of Delaware’s Longwood Graduate Program. Free for ELA members, $10 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/webinar-kill-lawn-opt-biodiversity/

  • Wednesdays, August 30 and September 13, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm, and Wednesday, September 6, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm – Native Woody Plant Materials

    Native Woody Plant Materials is a three-part class sponsored by the Ecological Landscape Alliance.

    * Wednesday, August 30, 2017, 10:00am – 2:30pm
    * Wednesday, September 6, 2017, 11:00am – 1:00pm
    * Wednesday, September 13, 2017, 10:00am – 2:30pm

    Explore the huge variety of native trees, shrubs, and woody vines. Learn which species grow well in shade, which support local wildlife, and how you should stagger your plantings for continuous bloom, fruit production, and fall color. We’ll discuss growth characteristics, cultural requirements, and best horticultural uses. The course will include lectures and walks in the Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Road in Framingham, as well as a field trip to The Arnold Arboretum. Bring a bag lunch. $170 for ELA members, $200 for nonmembers. Register online at http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/native-woody-plant-materials/

    Dan Jaffe is the propagator and stock bed grower at New England Wild Flower Society (NEWFS) in Framingham, Massachusetts. He earned a degree in botany from the University of Maine and an advanced certificate in Native Plant Horticulture and Design from NEWFS. After interning at Garden in the Woods, Dan worked for a year as Plant Sales Coordinator at the Garden. Native red maple branch photo from www.bowerandbranch.com.

  • Thursday, August 10, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Organically Treating for Garden Pests: Integrated Pest Management

    This Massachusetts Horticultural Society August 10 outdoor workshop (from 7 – 8:30 at Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street, Wellesley) will review the common practices used for identifying insect and disease problems on common garden plants with suggested IPM and organic controls. Instructor Bruce Wenning will focus will be on insect pests. We will search for pests and pest damage in the garden.

    Bruce Wenning is the horticulturist at The Country Club, Brookline, and has been have been serving on the Board of Directors for the Ecological Landscaping Alliance since 2003. He specializes in plant pest diagnostics, insect taxonomy and iecological landscaping consultation.

    MHS Members: $12; General Admission: $20. Register at www.masshort.org.

  • Thursday, July 20, 9:30 am – 11:30 am – Phyto Filtration: The Power of Plants

    Nature uses vegetated depressions, wetlands, marshes, etc. to clean stormwater runoff by removing sediments, turbidity, heavy metals, and other pollutants. Some pollutants are removed by vegetation uptake, some by slowing the flow down enough for sedimentation to occur, and some by biota consumption and ionic attraction around the roots. In the built environment, stormwater best management practices include vegetative removal of pollutants through the use of raingardens, bioswales, vegetative buffers, and constructed wetlands. And common to all of these is the vegetation component.

    Join Rip Sokol on Thursday, July 20 at  52 Bates Street in Mendon at 11:30 am for this behind-the-scenes tour of Fourth Generation Nursery to learn about Vegetative (Phyto) Filtration. Rip will discuss several vegetative filter types in the nursery area as well as review the “dry” set-up of multiple configurations. Vertical and horizontal flow patterns will be compared along with common types of “mechanical” filtration. Pros and cons of installation mechanics and resultant maintenance requirements will be discussed and demonstrated. Both hardy and tropical plant communities can be assembled and compared for short and long term efficacy.

    Fourth Generation Nursery is the largest stocking distributor of products for the construction and maintenance of water features east of the Poconos. They are also the oldest and largest wholesale grower of aquatic plants north of New Jersey, focusing on established ornamental & functional plants for ponds and streams. They propagate about 98% of the plants they sell right in Mendon and have introduced a select few hybrids into the trade, most notably the Hardy Waterlily (Nymphaea) ‘Cliff Tiffany’ chosen as the 2009 Best New Hardy Lily.

    Bring your camera! $10 for Ecological Landscape Alliance members, $20 for nonmembers.

    R. P. “Rip” Sokol has worked in the horticulture industry for over 50 years, has been growing plants since the age of five, and created his first water garden at age He has been a Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist since 1986 and belongs to multiple nursery associations. Rip is the co-owner of Fourth Generation Nursery, a wholesale nursery and supplier in Mendon, MA. The Sokol family has been engaged in horticulture for over 100 years, and began Fourth Generation Nursery in 1989. See more and register at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/phyto-filtration-power-plants/#sthash.rEks9jo1.dpuf

  • Tuesday, July 11, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Eco-Tour: Irrigation Tools and Techniques at The Greenway and Seaport Parks

    Landscapes and recreational facilities are the green space that provide ecosystem services and aesthetics that enhance our quality of life in urban settings. With the growing variability of weather, maintaining these landscapes relies on well-designed irrigation systems to conserve water and the energy to deliver it.

    Join The Ecological Landscape Alliance on Tuesday, July 11 at 10 am for a tour to two urban sites in downtown Boston that demonstrate a variety of irrigation types and practices to help save water.

    First stop on the tour is the Rose Kennedy Greenway, to learn about the Conservancy’s approach to sustainable and frugal water management practices. The Conservancy takes advantage of Boston’s natural rainfall and supplements it with automated irrigation as needed. Appropriate irrigation system elements in conjunction with weather and plant monitoring inform the Conservancy adjustments to irrigation run times and frequency. The irrigation controllers have rain sensors which stop scheduled irrigation after a preset amount of rainfall has occurred. The Conservancy also employs hand watering for containers and newly planted materials. To further reduce the Greenway’s water consumption, the Conservancy regularly conducts audits of the irrigation system functionality and water usage to allow for quick detection and repair of leaks and malfunctions.

    The second stop on the tour is the Seaport District parks, to explore ways to irrigate urban street scapes and small pocket parks. Brian Vinchesi will be discussing the sustainability features of drip irrigation and tree irrigation for a diverse group of landscapes. He will also explain irrigation infrastructure, the smart controllers necessary to manage the system.

    The tour will review the irrigation technologies, design, and operational strategies being used to help save water while managing healthy landscapes. Brian will also explain how older systems might be improved to be more sustainable.

    Brian Vinchesi, who holds a degree in agricultural (irrigation) engineering, is President of Irrigation Consulting, a national irrigation design and consulting firm. Irrigation Consulting performs irrigation consulting services throughout the United States and overseas. Vinchesi has 34 years of irrigation design experience in the turf, landscape and golf sectors. He is responsible for field evaluation, construction administration and project management. He is a past president of the Irrigation Association and the American Society of Irrigation Consultants. He serves on many Irrigation Association committees including being chair or the Smart Water Applications Technology initiative as well as the IA Standards and Codes Committee. He is a LEED-AP, the 2015 Irrigation Association Industry Achievement Award Winner and the 2009 EPA WaterSense Irrigation Partner of the Year.

    $23 for ELA members, $33 for nonmembers. Register and see more at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/eco-tour-irrigation-tools-techniques-greenway-seaport-parks/#sthash.Z1AWE4QF.dpuf

  • Sunday, July 9, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Tried and True Natives

    Ask any veteran gardener, landscape designer, ecologist, or botanist what their favorite plant is and they’ll berate you for limiting their selection to just one – but you can be sure each one of them has a list of favorites. Perhaps they are tasty, good for pollinators, or just downright beautiful but either way they are the plants they know they can count on.

    Join Dan Jaffe on Sunday, July 9 at 10 am at Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Street in Framingham, to learn about those tried and true native species that will never let you down.

    Dan Jaffe is the propagator and stock bed grower at New England Wild Flower Society (NEWFS) in Framingham, Massachusetts. He earned a degree in botany from the University of Maine and an advanced certificate in Native Plant Horticulture and Design from NEWFS. After interning at Garden in the Woods, Dan worked for a year as Plant Sales Coordinator at the Garden. $26 for Ecological Landscape Alliance Members, $32 for nonmembers. Register and see more at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/tried-true-natives/#sthash.Aft1kyEk.dpuf

  • Tuesday, June 27, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm – The Role of Plants in an Aquatic Ecosystem

    Aquatic plants are an essential part of all natural lakes, ponds, and streams – providing food and shelter for fish and other wildlife, improving water clarity, and in many cases absorbing pollutants. But the benefit that is most obvious is the visual appeal of aquatic plants. The interest in water features in the built landscape continues to grow, with good reason. Waterscapes including rain gardens, constructed wetlands, streams, waterfalls, and ponds are restorative and beautiful in addition to the habitat value that they bring into the landscape.

    Join Rip Sokol on Tuesday, June 27 at 10 am for this behind-the-scenes tour of Fourth Generation Nursery in Mendon to learn about the oldest and largest wholesale grower of aquatic plants north of New Jersey. This Ecological Landscape Alliance tour will feature demonstration water gardens and nursery production areas while discussing the role of plants in an aquatic ecosystem. Submerged and emergent plants will be presented for both function and esthetics. Soil & nutrient requirements will be discussed as well as appropriate planting strategies for both newly constructed ponds & streams or for introduction into existing water features.

    Natives, “nativars”, well behaved introductions and noxious invasives will be addressed. Fourth Generation Nursery does not recommend introduction of ANY plants into any natural water body unless it is recognized as in need of remedial replanting and then only with an approved plan. Bring your camera!

    R. P. “Rip” Sokol has worked in the horticulture industry for over 50 years, has been growing plants since the age of five, and created his first water garden at age 11. He has been a Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist since 1986 and belongs to multiple nursery associations. Rip is the co-owner of Fourth Generation Nursery, a wholesale nursery and supplier in Mendon, MA. The Sokol family has been engaged in horticulture for over 100 years, and began Fourth Generation Nursery in 1989. $10 for ELA members, $20 for nonmembers. See more at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/role-plants-aquatic-ecosystem/#sthash.BKYHRRLJ.dpuf

  • Saturday, June 24 and Saturday, August 12, 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm – Celebrate Native Plants Tour

    From paths, to ponds, to pocket gardens – from borders, to backyards, to botanical gardens, native plant gardens are a growing trend! Join the Ecological Landscape Alliance (ELA) as we Celebrate Native Plants at designer-guided, homeowner-guided, or self-guided tours of private and public gardens that celebrate the beauty and ecosystem value of native plants and ecological practices.

    These two ELA Eco-tours (June 24 and August 12, from noon – 4) will:

    Feature gardens designed entirely or primarily with native plants.
    Educate attendees about the increasing options and applications for native plants.
    Demonstrate that native plant gardens can be beautiful as well as functional.
    Share insights into native plant combinations and gardening techniques.
    Discuss strategies for transforming sections of lawn into a biodiverse landscape.
    Promote native plant gardens as a safe haven for birds, butterflies, and native pollinators.
    Answer questions about native plants and habitat restoration.

    Thanks to generous homeowners, landscape designers, and area organizations, ELA invites you to join us for inspiration and education on these special tours to native plant gardens. The tours are free, but pre-registration to each garden is required. Some gardens have limited access, so register early. Free. For details on the gardens, which are located in Dennis, Andover, Newton, Framingham, Melrose, Concord, Lincoln, Wayland, Amesbury, Needham, Boston and more, and to register, go to http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/celebrating-native-plants/2017-06-24/#sthash.yBiKt21P.dpuf

  • Saturday, June 17, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Lush, Lovely, and Lawn-Free Gardens

    There is an exciting new trend in ecological landscape design that goes by many names lawn-free, no-mow, or lawn-alternative gardens. The incentives are many: lower maintenance, water conservation, reduced fertilizer/chemical use, increased biodiversity/habitat, and the greatest incentive – the stunning diversity of gardens!

    Carol Spitzer has been designing lawn-free gardens for many years and invites you to join her on Saturday, June 17 from 5 – 7 on a unique walking tour in Brookline Village. On this tour, we will walk through three different front yards where the existing lawns were removed and replaced with shrubs, perennials, groundcovers, and walkways. In all three projects, there were existing trees and plants that were incorporated into the new landscape.

    Each lawn-free project is different and comes with its own unique set of challenges. One of Carol’s projects included side-by-side condos whose owners had differing opinions about plant materials. A second project required a more welcoming landing and front steps, as well as a new walking path to the driveway. In addition to these three gardens designed by Carol, we will walk down an adjacent street, to view several other examples of lawn-free front yards.

    Lawn-free gardens require a fraction of the maintenance time of traditional lawns; provide a rich palette of color; introduce contrasting textures and fragrance; and increase curb appeal. Join us to explore lawn-alternative gardens and consider the rich tapestry that awaits in your own yard makeover.

    If you toured these gardens with Carol a couple of seasons ago, join us again to view the changes taking place as these landscapes continue to grow and thrive. Registrations are limited, reserve your space today! Ecological Landscape Alliance members $20, nonmembers $30.

    Carol Spitzer has been designing residential gardens in Brookline, Newton and greater Boston since 2002. She is a graduate of the Landscape Institute and has a commitment to use ecological design approaches and native plants whenever possible. Carol recently shared her landscape expertise in the ELA Newsletter article: Small Urban Gardens: Big Challenges, Greater Rewards. She may be reached at Carol Spitzer Landscape Design.

    See more at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/lush-lovely-lawn-free-gardens-2/#sthash.LlUTIbXP.dpuf