Boston Flora

Tag: Floral Arranging

  • Saturday, August 24, 11:00 am – 1:30 pm – Arranging Homegrown Flowers

    Learn to create sensational garden-style floral arrangements using locally grown flowers in this Hollister House hands-on workshop on August 24 from 11 – 1:30. Flower farmer Elisabeth Cary will share ideas for growing your own cutting flowers and will discuss tips and techniques for cutting, conditioning, container selection and the mechanics of flower arranging. Then watch as Elisabeth demonstrates basic floral design principles. From low, lush table arrangements to stately vertical focal displays, she will show you imaginative ways to create loose, informal arrangements. In the second part of the workshop, it is your turn to be creative. Using flowers and foliage freshly sourced from Cooper Hill Flower Farm, design and assemble your own dazzling floral arrangement to take home. The cost of flowers is included in the registration fee.  Students should bring their own ceramic or glass container (no plastic or metal) that is maximum of 8-inches in height. Class size limited to 16. Early registration advised.

    Elisabeth Cary is the founder and owner of Cooper Hill Flower Farm, a micro flower farm in Sheffield, Massachusetts. At the farm she grows a variety of annuals and perennials specifically for cutting and making beautiful and natural arrangements. Elisabeth started her business six years ago after a 20-year career as the director of education at Berkshire Botanical Garden. She was elected to the Hollister House Garden Board of Directors in 2022.

    HHG Members $105 Non-members $120. Register at www.hollisterhousegarden.org

  • Saturday, November 19, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Autumn Centerpiece Workshop

    On November 19 from 1 – 3 at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, learn to make a lush autumn floral table centerpiece, using seasonal flowers and foliage.  We’re using chicken wire mechanic in a vase to support the stems (no floral foam).  Your centerpiece will include unusual flowers in rich tones and with textural interest. 

    Mary Beth Hayes is an avid gardener and floral designer who began studying floral design so she could bring the beauty of the garden into her home. She’s taken classes with the Massachusetts Horticultural Society and Cass School of Floral Design in Watertown, MA. She has studied with noted floral designers Francoise Weeks, Holly Chapple and Hitomi Gilliam. Mary Beth loves to share the techniques she’s learned with others so we can all “play with flowers” and create beautiful, natural flower arrangements and more.

    $115 Member Adult; $130 Adult; $140 Adult Pair (Registration includes admission to the Garden) Register at www.nebg.org

    Additional Program Information

    1. If you sign up as a PAIR your will receive ONE SET of supplies. A pair ticket is designed for two people to work together to make ONE PROJECT. 
    2. All materials will be provided. Please bring your own clippers/floral scissors.
  • Friday, February 11, 2:00 pm – Valentine Flowers Design Class with Nancy Cyr, Online

    Friday, February 11, 2:00 pm – Valentine Flowers Design Class with Nancy Cyr, Online

    The Garden Club of the Back Bay is once again pleased to present an online Valentine Flowers design class with member Nancy Cyr on February 11 at 2 pm. Valentine’s Day will be here before we know it.  In this Zoom class, you’ll learn to make a formal arrangement in the Hogarth Curve style as shown in the picture below. This class will take the skills taught in earlier classes a bit further and will include instruction in wiring for those materials that won’t “sit-stay”.   A list of materials will be sent to registrants in advance of the class. Please rsvp by February 7 by clicking HERE.

  • Friday, August 9, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Flower Arranging in the Garden

    This Hollister House Garden workshop on August 9 from 1 – 4 will explore the joys of creating a seasonal floral design foraged from one’s own garden, the fields and woods. Horticulturalist and landscape designer Deborah Munson will begin by introducing you to her work and reviewing the tools of the trade. She will then lead a walk through Hollister House Garden discussing floral design, structure and color. Following your time in the garden the group will return to the barn to create a design on your own.

    Please bring your own glass or ceramic container. All floral material will be provided. This workshop is strictly limited to 15 participants.

    Deborah Munson is a horticulturalist and landscape designer working here in the northwest corner. Deborah combines her passion for garden history and ecological and sustainable design into the projects and properties she designs and oversees. She has co-chaired and consulted on Trade Secrets for many years.

    HHG members $75 Non-members $85 . Register at http://www.hollisterhousegarden.org. Hollister House is located at 300 Nettleton Hollow Road in Washington, Connecticut, in the Berkshires.

  • Wednesday, November 14, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Couture-Style French Floral Design

    The Village Garden Club of Dennis presents Yvette Viard on Couture-Style French Floral Design. The demonstration and lecture will take place Wednesday, November 14 from 1 – 4 at Our Lady of the Cape Church Hall, 468 Stony Brook Road in Brewster.  Ms. Viard studied floral design in France and has traveled the world to synthesize European influences to create elegant designs with a devoted attention to detail. She was the head designer at Winston Flowers in Chestnut Hill before opening Charlotte Design. Her creations can be seen at the MFA, Ritz-Carlton, the Four Seasons and many other fine hotels and museums in Boston. Yvette will present a short demonstration on Ikebana techniques and create 3 additional arrangements. Ms. Viard is the founder and master floral designer of Charlotte Design, and there will be drawings to benefit VGC of Dennis Scholarship and Educational Outreach Programs. $10 suggested donation. Open to the public.

  • Sunday, November 18, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Native Arrangements

    This New England Wild Flower Society session at Nasami Farm in Whately on November 18 from 1 – 4 uses native plant material gathered from Nasami Farm to create a beautiful arrangement for the home or a centerpiece for the Thanksgiving table. Participants walk the farm and learn the best practices for collecting plant materials, then create a unique display piece in the classroom. Bring pruners and a container or vase. Led by Kate Stafford, the fee is $40 for NEWFS members, $48 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.newenglandwild.org/learn/our-programs/native-arrangements-1

    Image result for thanksgiving new england fall flower arrangement

  • 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

  • Saturday, July 21, 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm – Native Arrangements

    On Saturday, July 21 from 1 – 3:30 pm at Garden in the Woods in Framingham, join Anna Fialkoff in using plant materials gathered from Garden in the Woods to create a beautiful arrangement for your home. First we will hike into the Garden to learn best practices for collecting plant materials, and then we’ll head back to the classroom to create a unique display piece. Bring pruners and a container or vase for your arrangement. This New England Wild Flower Society class is $33 for NEWFS members, $40 for nonmembers. Register online at http://www.newenglandwild.org/learn/our-programs/native-arrangements

    Image result for wildflower arrangements

  • Wednesday, July 11, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Flower Arranging

    Discover the essential elements and principles of floral design while creating three different styles of arrangements. You will learn how to achieve long-lasting freshness and select the perfect containers and flowers for the look you want to achieve. Seasonal flowers, foliage, and themes will be emphasized. A materials fee of $45 (cash or check only) is payable at the first class. The Cambridge Center for Adult Education class on Wednesday, July 11 at 2 will be held at the Cass School of Floral Design, 531 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown. $100. Register online at http://learn.ccae.org/modules/shop/index.html?action=courseBrowse&TagID=254

    Image result for Cass School of floral design arrangement

  • Tuesday, May 1, 9:00 am – Hands-On Flower Arranging Workshop with Francine Thomas

    Francine Thomas, from Tauranga in the North Island of New Zealand, will conduct a hands-on workshop on May 1 at 9 am at Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Street in Needham. Francine’s passion for flowers and Floral Art has taken her to many different heights. In 2010 Francine decided to start her own business called “A Floral Affair by Francine.” She joined the Tauranga Floral Art Group and became a qualified Teacher, Judge, Demonstrator, and Lecturer for the Floral Art Society and Consultant for florists. Since joining Floral Art, Francine has been Stage Hand for many well known designers; Irene Brockwell of Australia, Rob Platel from Holland, Gregor Lersch from Germany, Mark Pampling from Australia, Tomoki and Suri from Japan and many others.

    In 2016 Francine won New Zealand National Floral Art Designer of the Year, and was the National Demonstrator representing New Zealand at the WAFA World Show in Dublin, Ireland in 2014. She was Designer of the Year in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 Bay of Plenty Art Festival. Francine has the Floral Art Society of New Zealand (FASNZ) diploma in Teaching, Judging and Demonstrating from the New Zealand Professional Florist Inc. (NZPF). Francine has an energetic sense of humor which can be contagious and which is evident in her shows. She is inspired by what she sees and feels inside, to come up with her ideas. She loves sharing those ideas to inspire other people to do the same.

    Registration deadline is April 1. Contact Helga Frazzette at 508-255-6664 (frazz@comcast.net) or Sue Kaplan at 781-444-6085 (suekflowers@yahoo.com) for prices and information.

    Image result for francine thomas floral art