Boston Flora

Tag: Mark Richardson

  • Monday, April 23, 7:00 pm – Native Plants for New England Gardens

    Porter Square Books, 25 White Street in Cambridge, will host Mark Richardson and Dan Jaffe on Monday, April 23 at 7 pm for a talk and book signing. This is the essential gardener’s guide to growing native in New England. Plants native to New England evolved to thrive in local conditions and survive harsh seasons. Native Plants for New England Gardens culls the expertise of the New England Wild Flower Society to help anyone create lovely, hardy gardens that will tolerate drought, resist disease and encourage biodiversity. This handy guide to 100 great native flowers, ground covers, shrubs, ferns, and grasses that will thrive in New England gardens features practical information accompanied by beautiful color photography. Find and nurture the native plants that your garden is missing–the planet will thank you.

    New England Wild Flower Society Director of the Botanic Garden Mark Richardson studied ornamental horticulture at the University of Rhode Island and holds a master’s degree from the University of Delaware’s Longwood Graduate Program. Native Plants for New England Gardens is a product of his passion for public horticulture. Photographer and author Dan Jaffe earned a degree in botany from the University of Maine, Orono, and has years of nursery and plant sales experience. He is the official propagator and stock bed grower of the New England Wild Flower Society.

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  • Saturday, April 7, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm – Native Plants for New England Gardens

    Mark Richardson continues to make the rounds with his new book Native Plants for New England Gardens, co-authored with Dan Jaffe, and on April 7 you will have the chance to hear him and to acquire a signed copy of his book at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive in Boylston. Native Plants for New England Gardens is a handy guide to more than 100 great native perennials, trees, shrubs, ferns, grasses, and vines. The book features practical information accompanied by beautiful color photography.

    Join co-author Mark Richardson for this informative discussion about native plants and all their garden uses – from plants to use in place of mulch to those that attract and support pollinators. $5 for THBG members, $15 for nonmembers.

    New England Wild Flower Society Director of the Botanic Garden Mark Richardson studied ornamental horticulture at the University of Rhode Island and holds a master’s degree from the University of Delaware’s Longwood Graduate Program. Native Plants for New England Gardens is a product of his passion for public horticulture.

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  • Wednesdays, February 7 – February 21, 10:00 am – 1:30 pm – Understanding and Managing Soils

    Whether you are an experienced gardener or a novice, this New England Wild Flower Society class at Garden in the Woods will help you develop a better understanding of the importance of soil to your garden. Learn how to evaluate and improve your garden’s soil, how to choose the right plants for your soil conditions, and how to maintain soil health and fertility through organic practices. Bring a bag lunch. Mark Richardson leads this three session event, on Wednesdays, February 7, 14 and 21 from 10 – 1:30. $138 for NEWFS members, $163 for nonmembers. Image from www.ofrf.org. Register at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/understanding-and-managing-soils

  • Native Plants for New England Gardens

    Native Plants for New England Gardens, by New England Wild Flower Society horticulture gurus Mark Richardson and Dan Jaffe, will help anyone create lovely, hardy gardens that will tolerate drought, resist disease, and strengthen biodiversity. This handy, gorgeously illustrated guide selects 100 great native garden plants–flowers, ground covers, shrubs, ferns, and grasses–that will thrive in this region’s gardens because they evolved in our local conditions. The authors share their deep knowledge and broad experience about the best place to plant each species and how to care for it.

    Slated for March 2018 release from the Society and Globe Pequot Press, Native Plants for New England Gardens will be out in time for spring gardening. But you can reserve your copy now, at a discount! Though priced at $19.95 for standard retailers, NEWFS is selling it at just $18.50 for nonmembers and $16.50 for members! Pre-order your discounted copies now through the Garden Shop: 508-877-7630 x3601; or email gardennatives@newenglandwild.org.

  • Thursdays, January 11 – February 1, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Landscape for Life

    This intensive four session introductory course will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and understanding to create a great-looking garden that is healthier for you, your family, and the environment. This class is based on the principles of the Sustainable Sites Initiative, the nation’s first rating system for sustainable landscapes. The comprehensive curriculum covers a range of topics, including soils, water, plants, and landscape materials. The class is co-sponsored by The New England Wild Life Society and by the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, and will be taught by Mark Richardson, NEWFS Botanic Garden Director, at the Arboretum on Thursdays, January 11, 18, 25, and February 25 from 1 – 4 pm. $185 for members of sponsoring organizations, $218 for nonmembers. Register online at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/landscape-for-life

  • Wednesday, November 8, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Choosing Native Trees for Your Landscape Webinar

    Planting a tree on your property is a lifetime commitment. Choose wisely and you—and the tree—will be happy for decades. Choose poorly and you both may be miserable. Learn how to identify the best native trees for your landscape and gain some practical tips for selecting healthy trees at the nursery. This New England Wild Flower Society live webinar on Wednesday, November 8 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm will be taught by Mark Richardson, and is $10 for NEWFS members, $13 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/live-webinar-choosing-native-trees-for-your-landscape

  • Wednesday, September 20, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Seasonal Inspiration for the Fall Garden

    Sometimes the best way to think about your own garden is to visit someone else’s for inspiration. On Wednesday, September 20 from 5:30 – 7:30, enjoy a walk around Garden in the Woods in Framingham with New England Wild Flower Society Botanic Garden Director Mark Richardson to learn about some of his favorite plants for the fall garden. $18 for NEWFS  or co-sponsor Ecological Landscape Alliance members, $21 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/seasonal-inspiration-for-the-fall-garden

  • Tuesday, September 12, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm – Kill Your Lawn – And Opt for More Biodiversity Webinar

    Lawns are a soul-crushing time suck. Just read the headline of a recent article on washingtonpost.com. According to NASA, in the United States more surface area is covered by lawn than by any other single irrigated crop. Lawns are resource-heavy, requiring irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticides to thrive in our climate and most of us would be better off reducing or eliminating them altogether. Learn how to replace your lawn with native plant alternatives that functional, beautiful, and environmentally friendly. This webinar is sponsored by the Ecological Landscape Alliance on Tuesday, September 12 at 12:30 pm, and is led by Mark Richardson of the New England Wild Flower Society. Mark Richardson oversees the New England Wildflower Society’s botanic garden, Garden in the Woods, and its native plant nursery operation, Nasami Farm in Whately, Massachusetts. He studied ornamental horticulture at University of Rhode Island and helped run a mid-sized ornamental plant nursery before finding his true passion in public horticulture. He led undergraduate programs at Longwood Gardens, overhauled the curriculum of the Professional Gardener Program, and oversaw adult education at Brookside Gardens. In 2013, Mr. Richardson assisted with the development of the first comprehensive master plan for Garden in the Woods. He holds a MS from the University of Delaware’s Longwood Graduate Program. Free for ELA members, $10 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/webinar-kill-lawn-opt-biodiversity/

  • Tuesday, July 11, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Best Natives for the Summer Garden

    In contrast to the frenzy of the spring garden, the summer garden celebrates splashes of color, long-lasting foliage that withstands heat and drought, and the buzzing of pollinators and other wildlife. Learn which plants to choose to create a relaxing summer garden that highlights the beauty of our native flora. The New England Wild Life Society class, led by Mark Richardson, will take place at Garden in the Woods in Framingham on Tuesday, July 11 from 6 – 8. $26 for NEWFS members, $32 for nonmembers. Register online at www.newfs.org.

  • Thursday, May 18, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Best Natives for the Spring Garden

    Native plants are often bursting with color in spring. From unfurling foliage to fleeting blossoms, spring is a refreshingly colorful season after the long gray winter. Learn which plants to choose for various site conditions to create a long-lasting spring display. Take advantage of striking color combinations that will make your garden sing in spring. Mark Richardson will lead this New England Wild Flower Society class on Thursday, May 18 from 6 – 8 at Garden in the Woods in Framingham. $26 for NEWFS members, $32 for nonmembers.  Photo by Betty Truax. Register online at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/best-natives-for-the-spring-garden