Tag: Federated Garden Clubs

  • Wreath of the Day, From the Archives – Invasives

    In November, the Garden Club of the Back Bay enjoyed a very informative online lecture by Bud Sechler of Native Plant Trust on the topic of invasives. Member Kaye Vosburgh noted that the use of invasive plants in flower arrangements is now expressly forbidden by the Garden Club Federation and the Garden Club of America, and while still allowable in ikebana, seed disposal protocols are strictly followed. This brought to mind our own Wreath Week foraging and how often we may have been guilty of using inappropriate plants, berries, or grasses over the years. A case in point, from ten years ago, is the wreath below with Japanese wisteria pods attached as part of the decoration. Be assured that in the future we will be very careful in our choices of materials. We have, by the way, always been careful not to use anything that is on any endangered list.

    We thank Lois Kunian and Gibson/Sotheby’s for their generosity in sponsoring today’s Wreath of the Day post.

  • Wednesday, April 4, 10:00 am – Ikebana Demonstration with Kaye Vosburgh

    See the art of Ikebana, Japanese floral design, utilizing spring plant materials. Ikebana Instructor of the Sogetsu School Kaye Vosburgh will explain the technique to both novice and experienced students in this linear form of flower arranging. This Garden Club of the Back Bay meeting will be held at The College Club, 44 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, on Wednesday, April 4, beginning at 10 am, and will be followed by an optional lunch. Members will receive written notice of the program. Non-members may contact info@bostonflora.com if interested in attending.

    Ms. Vosburgh, a member of The Garden Club of the Back Bay as well as Noannet Garden Club, has studied, exhibited and taught in Massachusetts, New York, Japan and Ecuador. She is also a Master Judge in the Federated Garden Clubs and a First Grade Ikebana Teacher in the Sogetsu School. A frequent speaker at flower shows and with garden clubs, Kaye and has earned numerous awards for her designs including the two top awards in the 2008 Boston Flower Show’s Molten Lava category.