Boston Flora

Tag: Fourth Generation Nursery

  • 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, 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