Boston Flora

Tag: Maggie Redfern

  • Thursday, June 9, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Eco-Tour: The Native Plants at Connecticut College Arboretum

    The Connecticut College Arboretum is located in southeastern Connecticut, about 5 miles inland from Long Island Sound. Established in 1931 on 60 acres, today the Arboretum’s diverse 770 acres include the landscaped grounds of the College campus as well as the surrounding plant collections, natural areas and managed landscapes. The forests include a wide range of native trees including oaks, huckleberry, maples, tulip tree, ash, beech, and black birch. Located on the coast, within the Arboretum there are many wetland types, including forested wetlands, bogs and tidal marshes.

    From the outset, 60 acres was aside to create the Connecticut College Arboretum. Twenty acres of the original allotment were dedicated as the Native Plant Collection. Expanding over time, the Native Plant Collection now includes 30 acres of woody plants and wildflowers indigenous to eastern North America, demonstrating the long-standing commitment to native plants at the Arboretum.

    The Native Plant Collection contains 1,021 trees, 1,255 shrubs and 22 woody vines native to eastern North America and hardy in southeastern Connecticut. Accessioned plants are from both wild and cultivated origins. The various species take turns displaying their beauty throughout all the seasons: shadbush in April; dogwood and azaleas in May; mountain laurel in June; giant rhododendron, sourwood and sweet pepperbush in July; brilliant autumn foliage in October; evergreens and conifers year-round.

    Some of the points of interest include:

    The Laurel Walk, a long, sloping trail lined with mountain laurel.
    An oak and hemlock-forested Bolleswood natural area.
    The grassy outdoor theater overlooking the Arboretum Pond.
    Plant collections including: holly, viburnum and azalea.

    The Native Plant Checklist provides more information about the native plants on display.

    The Ecological Landscape Alliance will sponsor a tour on Thursday, June 9 from 10 – noon. Maggie Redfern is the Arboretum Assistant Director, responsible for coordinating the design and implementation of education programs for the College and community. Maggie brings several years of experience in the field of visitor services from the Arnold Arboretum to this position. She also managed a successful grant application and traveling exhibition entitled Palaces for the People: Guastavino and the Art of Structural Tile. Maggie received a certificate in landscape preservation from the Landscape Institute of the Boston Architectural College and a bachelor of architecture from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

    $23 for ELA members, $33 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/eco-tour-spring-splendor-the-native-plants-at-connecticut-college-arboretum/#sthash.GebEKzMM.dpuf

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  • Sunday, May 19, 2:00 pm – Learning from Leaves Guided Tour

    Landscape architect David Valbracht turned to botanical illustration to develop a better method for identifying trees. A guest researcher at the Arboretum, David gathers plant samples from his studies in the collections and arranges them in his studio as they grew in life. These “tree portraits” emphasize drawing as a method to develop observation and identification skills, and at the same allow for personal expression. Now through June 9 at the Arnold Arboretum Hunnewell Building lecture hall at 125 Arborway is his exhibition Learning from Leaves.  The exhibition  centerpiece is a thirty-foot mural illustrating over 100 species of trees, grouped according to the Arboretum’s landscape plan. Valbracht studied landscape architecture at Harvard University, botanical art at the Wellesley College Botanical Garden, and is currently attending the Academy of Realist Art, Boston.  He and Maggie Redfern, Visitor Education Assistant, will lead a guided tour of the landscape on Sunday, May 19, beginning at 2 pm.  The activity is free, but in case of inclement weather, call 617-384-5209.

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  • Through October 23 – Artists in the Arboretum 2011

    In conjunction with Jamaica Plain Open Studios, The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is proud to present a juried exhibition of works inspired by the collections and landscape of the Arnold Arboretum, featuring the work of Susan Johnson Bergin, Kurtis Brown, Alexander Budnitz, Jennifer Burnham, Deb Coolidge, John Diehl, Bob Evans, Susan CB Hampton, Susan Hardy Brown, Betsey Henkels, Alexander Korman, John Maciejowski, John Merrill, Candice Amber Milionis, John Nunziato, Maggie Redfern, William H. Scully, Rebecca Skinner, Regina Valluzzi (her painting seen below),  Maureen Vezina and Christine Wirth.  The show is on view through October 23 in the Hunnewell Building lecture hall at 125 Arborway.  For more information, visit www.arboretum.harvard.edu, or call 617-384-5209.

  • Tuesday, October 19, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – The Edible Landscape

    Birds love the Arboretum’s many fall fruiting trees and shrubs, but how about us folks? Come and identify trees and shrubs with edible fruits, suitable for growing and harvesting at home. Maggie Redfern, Visitor Education Assistant at the Arnold Arboretum, will lead the walk on Tuesday, October 19, beginning at 10 am. Meet at the Hunnewell Building. Free. No registration required.