Historic New England will sponsor a class in Beginning Orchid Growing at the Lyman Estate Greenhouses in Waltham on Saturday, November 12, from 10 – noon. $20 for HNE members, $25 for nonmembers. Registration is required – call 617-994-5913. No experience necessary – winter is a great time to explore the wonderful world of indoor plants.
Volunteer at the Lyman Estate, 185 Lyman Street in Waltham alongside Historic New England’s staff experts and members on Wednesday October 5 from 10 – noon to care for and learn about historic gardens and landscapes. Work includes seasonally appropriate tasks, such as weeding of the gardens and paths, dividing plants, planting new materials, invasives removal, and other clean-up activities. Weeding Wednesdays takes place at four different properties each month. Drop-ins welcome. Meet at the Peach Wall behind the Mansion. Please call 617-994-5912 for more information. To sign up visit the Massachusetts Master Gardeners Association website.
Celebrate orchid-blooming season Friday, October 23 – Sunday, October 25, from 9:30 – 4 each day, at the Lyman Estate Greenhouses, 185 Lyman Street in Waltham. Hundreds of orchid plants are for sale, including many hard-to-find varieties. Visit the greenhouses and enjoy gorgeous floral colors, shapes, and scents. Among the many varieties on display and for sale are cattleyas, laelias, oncidiums, Paphiopedilums, and Phalaenopsis. Their long-lasting blooms make orchids a dramatic addition to any indoor environment. This adaptable species can grow in a variety of home conditions. Staff are on hand to offer expert advice. Free admission. Historic New England members enjoy 10% off all purchases. In honor of the sale, the greenhouses will be open for tours on Saturday from 10 – 1, on the hour, with the last tour at noon. For more information, call 781-891-1985, or visit www.historicnewengland.org. Image from www.anthuriums.us.
The American Begonia Society’s 2015 Annual Convention will take place at The Verve Crowne Plaza Boston-Natick, 1360 Worcester Road in Natick, Wednesday, July 29 – Sunday, August 12. A variety of tours will be available to participants. On Wednesday, see the Harvard Glass Flowers and Marine Life Collection at the Harvard Museum of Natural History and the greenhouses of the Lyman Estate in Waltham. Thursday, travel to Logee’s Greenhouses in Danielson, Connecticut and the Roger Williams Botanical Center in Providence. Friday features a tour of Tower Hill Botanic Garden. In addition to travels, hear Mike Flaherty speak on Begonias of the Rich & Famous, Drew Norris on Growing Begonias Like African Violets, Randy Montes Kerr on Species Begonias for Every Home, Pablo Jourdan on Germplasm Research Update, Mark Tebbitt on Begonias of Andean South America, and Lloyd Traven on How to Bring Begonias to Market. Of course there will be a Judged Plant Show, a Boutique, and Plant Sales in addition to Luncheons and a Seafood Bake. Complete information on registration and programs is available at http://www.begonias.org/events/2015%20Buxton/ABS_2015.pdf.Â
If you wish to stay at the hotel, there are special room rates ($115 per night, plus taxes) if you book by June 29.
New Englanders have been growing decorative plants for centuries. Many large estates in the Boston area featured large glass greenhouses and significant collections of camellia trees. Discover the rich history of camellia cultivation from the late 1700s through the 1900s at this illustrated lecture by Lyman Estate Greenhouse Manager Lynn Ackerman. The event will take place Saturday, March 7 beginning at 2 pm. Afterwards, visit the 1804 Lyman Estate Greenhouses and enjoy the large camellia collection in bloom.  $5 for the public, free to Historic New England members. Registration required by calling 617-994-5912. Program will take place at the Lyman Estate mansion, 185 Lyman Street in Waltham. This lecture is part of the camellia blooming season and sale, running through March 15, Wednesdays through Sundays, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm.
You don’t need a greenhouse to grow orchids. On Saturday, November 8, learn the essentials to achieve success on your windowsill. The Beginning Orchid Growing Workshop will be held at the Lyman Estate Greenhouses, 185 Lyman Street in Waltham, from 10 – 12, and the fee to participate is $25. Registration is required at 781-891-1985, or visit www.historicnewengland.org. Greenhouse Manager Lynn Ackerman teaches the best methods for lighting, watering, fertilization, repotting, and selection. Picture from www.orchidcarelady.com.
Celebrate orchid-blooming season at the Lyman Estate Greenhouses, 185 Lyman Street, Waltham, Friday through Sunday, October 24 – 26. Hundreds of orchid plants are for sale, including many hard-to-find varieties. Visit the greenhouses and enjoy gorgeous floral colors, shapes, and scents. Among the many varieties on display and for sale are cattleyas, laelias, oncidiums, Paphiopedilums, and Phalaenopsis. Their long-lasting blooms make orchids a dramatic addition to any indoor environment. This adaptable species can grow in a variety of home conditions. Photo of Phalaenopsis orchid from www.photo-dictionary.com.
Staff are on hand to offer expert advice. Free admission. For more information call 781-891-1985, or visit www.historicnewengland.org.
The World of Gesneriads is very diverse. These African violet relatives are often brightly colored, long flowering, and fun to grow.
Explore this family of exotic houseplants with Lyman Estate Greenhouse Manager Lynn Ackerman, as she introduces you to Kohleria, Streptocarpus, Petrocosmea, Chirtia, and Columnea, at the Greenhouses at 185 Lyman Street in Waltham on Saturday, October 4 from 10 – 2. Image below of Kohleria ‘Longwood’ from www.garden-share.com.
Fee $20. Registration is required. Call 781-891-1985, or visit www.historicnewengland.org.
Hundreds of varieties of perennials, both new to the market and old-time favorites, are for sale and thousands of hostas are available in creams, golds, blues, and mixes, at the annual Perennial and Hosta Sale at the Lyman Estate Greenhouses, 185 Lyman Street in Waltham. Choose from large-specimen and small plants, along with many new and hard-to-find varieties at the Lyman Estate Greenhouses. Let our experts help you choose the right plants for your garden. The sale, sponsored by Historic New England, will take place Friday through Sunday, May 30 – June 1, from 9:30 – 4 each day. Free admission. For more information call 781-891-1985. Image from www.eminencemeadows.com.
Enjoy Historic New England’s selection of hundreds of orchid plants, including cattleyas, laelias, paphiopedilums, and phalaenopsis, at the Spring Orchid Sale at the Lyman Estate Greenhouses, 185 Lyman Street, Waltham, on Friday through Sunday, April 4 – 6, from 9:30 am – 4 pm. Species and hybrid plants that are budded and blooming are available. Let their gardening experts help you choose the right plants for your home. Free admission. Image from www.orchidboard.com. For more information visit www.historicnewengland.org.
