Boston Flora

Tag: Ferguson Greenhouses

  • Monday, January 19 and Saturday, February 28, 11:00 am – Global Flora: The Transformation of the Ferguson Greenhouses’ Permanent Collection

    Wellesley College will soon be reconstructing the five major houses of the Ferguson Greenhouses.  On Monday, January 19 and Saturday, February 28, at 11 am, hear their plans for Global Flora, the transforming of the 1920’s facility into a showcase of living beauty, highlighting plant form.  Global Flora will become a new node for interdisciplinary science research and teaching at the College, as well as an innovative example of sustainable design.  Free and open to the public. Call 781-283-3094 for more information.

  • Tuesday, September 23, 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm – Tour of Research Gardens and Global Flora

    Explore the exciting opportunities for engaging in plant science at Wellesley College.  Botanic Gardens Director Kristina Jones leads a tour of new gardens with a science education and research focus: the Creighton Educational Garden, Climate Change Monitoring Garden, Edible Ecosystem Teaching Garden, and Farm in a Box, on Tuesday, September 23 from 3 – 4:30.  After the garden tour, Kristina presents plans for Global Flora: transforming the five major houses of the Ferguson Greenhouse complex into an innovative display of plants from around the world, incorporating aesthetics, sustainable design, and new areas for plant study.  Co-sponsored by Wellesley College Alumnae of Boston and the Wellesley College Botanic Garden Friends.  Free for WCAB and WCBG members, non-members $15.  Register by calling 781-283-3094, or email wcbgfriends@wellesley.edu.

  • Tuesday, February 21, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Fabulous Ferns!

    The Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture will sponsor a great day of sketching on Tuesday, February 21, from 10 – 4, at the greenhouses at the Wellesley College Botanic Garden. Go on a fern foray with Elizabeth Farnsworth, illustrator and co-author of the Peterson Field Guide to the Ferns of Northeastern North America. Using the diverse fern collections of the Ferguson Greenhouses, explore fern anatomy, architecture, life cycle, ecology, and microscopic characteristics. See the features to look for when identifying ferns in the wild. There will be plenty of time for sketching ferns and their diagnostic characters, plus question-and-answer time about these amazing plants.  Bring your lunch along with sketchbook and pencils or pens (whichever is your preferred medium for sketching), and colored pencils for recording various anatomical structures.  Snow date will be Wednesday, February 22.  WCFH members $75, non-members $95.  Register on line at www.wellesley.edu/WCFH.

  • Friday, March 12, 10 am – 4 pm – It’s a Small World: Macro-Digital Photography

    Take photos within inches of your subject.  Discover how to create stunning close-ups of flowers and other plant features in this one-day workshop with photographer David Kahn.  Begin the day with a discussion of equipment, preparation, composition, lighting, tips and tricks, as well as see examples of what can be achieved.  Then practice macro techniques using a variety of settings in the Ferguson Greenhouses and Visitor Center of the Wellesley College Botanic Garden.  This hands-on workshop is ideal for photographers who want to explore their own creative vision as well as artists who want to record small details as a reference for future artwork.

    Requirements: a digital camera and a good working knowledge of how to use it.  A more complete list of requirements and options will be available online, at www.wellesley.edu/SCFH.  You may email horticulture@wellesley.edu if your are unsure if your equipment or experience are sufficient.  Course Number DIG 10 101.  Cost: WCFH members $75, non-members $95.  Snow date Friday, March 19.

  • Wednesdays, October 21 & 28, 7 – 9 pm – Greening Up Your House: A Guide to Growing Indoor Plants

    Not sure your thumb is green enough?  Wellesley College Botanic Garden Senior Greenhouse Horticulturist Tony Antonucci helps dispel any black thumb self-images.  Tony oversaw the Ferguson Greenhouses “greening” and shares how your houseplants can be grown more safely without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers.  In the first session, he will show you the basics and special Greenhouse tips for houseplant care: light, water, pruning, and feeding.  Trouble shooting and pest control will also be covered.  Session two will be a hands-on workshop using the same plants the Greenhouse staff grows for the New Student Plant Give Away.  You will get your hands dirty and discover proper techniques for repotting, dividing, and pruning pot bound plants with their masses of tangled roots.  Take home your newly potted plants and watch them grow.

    As a special topic, Tony will cover Indoor Kitchen Gardens.  Apply green methods of growing indoor plants to indoor herbs, lettuce, and other food plants.  Tony explains the particular needs of an indoor kitchen garden and discusses the various methods you can use to successfully create one of your own.  Course Number HOR 10 040.  WCFH members $36, non-members $45.  To register, or for more information, log on to www.wellesley.edu/WCFH, or email horticulture@wellesley.edu.

    beautiful houseplant by katiescrapbooklady.