Boston Flora

Tag: garden restoration

  • Landscape Preservation Project: The Percy Cane Garden at Falkland Palace

    One a favored place of retreat and leisure for the Kings and Queens of Scotland, particularly the royal Stewarts, Falkland Palace is a formidable part of Scottish history.  Built in 1501 by King James IV, it is one of only two Renaissance palaces in Scotland and strongly reflect the influence of French architecture.  Mary, Queen of Scots, loved Falkland Palace and often went there to hunt and play tennis on what is today considered the oldest Real Tennis Court in Britain, and possibly the world.

    In 1947, the garden surrounding the Palace underwent a 20th century redesign in the spirit of the past.  Percy Cane, one of Britain’s leading garden designers, was commissioned to undertake this ambitious project.  Faced with a blank canvas resulting from the World War II Dig for Victory campaign, which encouraged people to transform gardens, parks, and sports fields into allotments to grow vegetables, Cane had limited surviving historic evidence to work from.  Nonetheless, he understood the significance of the Palace and its surroundings and laid out a garden that matched the splendor of the historical setting.

    Today, the garden is one of the few remaining examples of Cane’s work in Britain.  The garden is recognized for both its historical value and as a work of art in its own right.  Yet, sadly, the garden has deteriorated and no longer represents Cane’s authentic planting design.  Many plant species have disappeared from the original flower beds, while others have become overgrown.  Weeds and disease have invaded the once fine lawns and there are gaps in borders where trees have blown down.  The National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA urgently needs your help to restore this important landscape.

    An incredibly generous donor has pledged to fund half the project, provided the Trust can raise the balance of $25,000 by January 1, 2016.  Donors 0f $200 or more will receive a special thank you gift of a royal Stewart tartan coin purse made of genuine Scottish-made Lochcarron wool, while supplies last.

    Donations may be made online at www.ntsusa.org/give/donations/, or mailed to The National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA, 45 School Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02108.

  • Wednesday, February 6, 10:00 am – Colonial Gardens of America

    On Wednesday, February 6, 10:00 am, Betsy Grecoe will speak to The Garden Club of the Back Bay on the topic Colonial Gardens of America. The meeting will take place at The College Club, 44 Commonwealth Avenue, in Boston.

    This Colonial Garden program is a PowerPoint presentation with explanation about the early gardens and the gardens of the wealthy and merchant class during the colonial time period, stressing the designs and philosophy behind their choices. Included is a discussion of some of the plants that were chosen at that time. Ms. Grecoe will then discuss naturalistic gardening, a change in gardening brought on in part by the American Revolution and our presidential gardeners, Washington, Adams and Jefferson. She will describe the various forms of garden restoration possible and suggest sources of information for anyone wishing to reproduce a colonial garden. Our speaker was vice-president of the Tewksbury Garden Club and has traveled extensively in the United States, taking thousands of pictures and never missing the chance to see an historic garden.  The meeting is free to Garden Club of the Back Bay and College Club of Boston members, and a $5 donation is requested from the general public.  An optional lunch ($20) will follow the meeting.  If you are a Garden Club member you will receive a written notification.  If you are not a member and wish to attend, email info@bostonflora.com so we may put your name on the list.

  • Friday, June 11, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Glories of the Garden Art and Floral Show Preview Party

    A celebration of the opening night of Glories of the Garden, a summer-long series of programs and events to support the restoration of the gardens at Highfield Hall, will be held Friday, June 11, from 6 – 8:30 pm at Highfield Hall, 56 Highfield Drive in Falmouth.

    The evening’s activities  include hors d’oeuvre by Chef Roland, a complimentary wine and beer bar, and a preview of an art exhibition representing 34 regional artists. Participating artists include Kate Nelson, Ron Fowler, Jan Lhormer, Hilary Osborn, Doug Rugh, Jane Eccles, MaryAlice Eizenberg, Sarah Fielding-Gunn, Suzanne Packer, Christie Velesig, Joyce Zavorskas (whose painting is pictured below,) Susan Anne Hollis, Joan Ledwith, Jane Lincoln, Linda Young, Audrey Forge, Anne Boucher, Diana Lee, Julie Olander, Marisa Repeta, Carol Odell, Tamara Clark, Priscilla Levesque, Mona Podgurski,  Sandra Wakeen, Aleta Steward, Loraine Trenholme, M’Lou Sorrin, Ron Tinney, and Rosalie Nadeau.   There will also be a floral show, silent auction, and raffle.   Tickets, $75 per person, can be purchased online at www.highfieldhall.org/programs_fundraisers.shtml or by calling (508)495-1878, ext. 313.

    http://www.highfieldhall.org/images/Zavorskas%20web.jpg