Boston Flora

Tag: Joseph Bruso

  • Sunday, June 20, 10:30 am – 12:00 noon – Caring for Rhododendrons and Azaleas

    This Tower Hill Botanic Garden live course on June 20 at 10:30 am will teach you how to select, site, plant and care for rhododendrons and azaleas so that they perform well, are a pleasure to view and add 3 season interest to your landscape. The course will begin with an illustrated presentation on the huge diversity of hardy plants in this genus, of which people are mostly unaware. Tips will be given on how to select plants that will perform well for you. You will learn where and how they should be planted, and how to care for them after planting. The relatively few problems they are subject to, and how to address them, will be covered. Live plant material will be provided for hands-on viewing of some of the diversity discussed. Each person will leave with a potted native azalea.

    Joseph Bruso is a hybridizer, propagator and grower of rhododendron species and unusual hybrids, with a focus on attractive foliage as well as flowers. Joe maintains a 3 acre woodland display garden in Hopkinton, MA containing all the hardy species, including the natives, and many hybrids of own creation. Joe is the current President of the Mass Chapter American Rhododendron Society.

    $40 Member Adult; $55 Adult (Registration includes admission to the Garden) Register at www.towerhillbg.org

    1. All participants will be given a plant to take home.
    2. Please note, there is currently construction happening at Tower Hill, which may result in altered or obstructed walkways, parking lots, or parking spaces, in addition to some noise.
  • Saturday, February 10, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Rhododendron Diversity

    Saturday, February 10, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Rhododendron Diversity

    This free (with admission) talk at Tower Hill Botanic Garden on Saturday, February 10 at 2 pm will provide an introduction to, and overview of, the very diverse genus Rhododendron. You will learn about the main rhododendron types using both native and exotic species as examples. Both species and hybrids that perform well in New England will be highlighted. You will see examples of the diversity in flower color and shape. You will be shown another, less often appreciated aspect of rhododendrons – the magnificent foliage found on some hardy species and their hybrids. This will include learning new terms to describe foliage characteristics. Live material will be used to demonstrate some of the features discussed.

    Joseph Bruso is a hybridizer and propagator of rhododendron species and unusual hybrids, with a focus on attractive foliage as well as flowers. He maintains a three acre woodland garden in Hopkinton MA containing all the hardy species, including the natives, and many hybrids of his own creation. Bruso is a member of the Board of Directors of the Mass. Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society.