Melissa Pace

Wednesday, April 23, 10:00 am – Tulipmania

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The Garden Club of the Back Bay’s April program will take place Wednesday, April 23 at The Gardens at Elm Bank in Wellesley. This is a rain or shine event. Join Club members for a visit to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Garden at Elm Bank during their Tulip Festival. We will begin our visit with a lecture from Melissa Pace, who will recount the history of tulips as well as how they are commercially grown and harvested in today’s world. Melissa will share with us how to grow tulips both in containers and in the landscape in New England and where to purchase the best bulbs. Attendees will receive a handout summarizing the talk and the many tips on how to grow and enjoy tulips at home. 

After the talk you have the option of joining Melissa on a spectacular tour of over 65,000 tulips! The trial gardens will be bursting with thousands of blooming tulips of all colors! On the way to the lower tulip cutting fields, we will pass through and discuss some of the other gardens at Elm Bank. Upon reaching the lower fields we will see thousands more tulips in full bloom.

The tour moves at a slow pace and is about 45 minutes. There are seating areas within the garden for individuals that might not want to do the full tour. The path will be paved until we reach the lower field. Sturdy shoes are recommended but the walking is easy. Members will receive cut tulip stems in floral sleeves to take home.

Melissa Pace is a Garden Educator for Massachusetts Horticultural Society. She is a MA licensed teacher and a University of Rhode Island Master Gardener since 2007. As a horticulturalist, she has judged and competed in many garden and flower shows, from Philadelphia Flower Show to the Bolton Fair. She has been a presenter for numerous garden clubs and civic organizations throughout New England since 1995. Melissa has authored articles published in Old Farmer’s Almanac, Yankee Magazine and the Massachusetts Hort blog.

This is a members only event but you may join the Club at https://gardenclubbackbay.org/.

Please note that on Thursday, April 24, the Boston Committee of the GCA will also hold its Spring Meeting at Massachusetts Horticultural Society, which is a separate, ticketed event.

Wednesday, July 17, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Kokedama Workshop

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A Japanese gardening tradition, known as the “poor man’s bonsai.” Kokedama, which translates to “moss ball,” is a centuries-old art form that celebrates the harmony between nature and design. This Massachusetts Horticultural Society workshop on July 17 at 10 am is centered around creating a beautiful living plant arrangement that is both decorative and unique. Led by Garden Educator, Melissa Pace, participants will learn the step-by-step process of shaping and sculpting the moss ball base. We will discuss plant selection, soil composition, and moss manipulation. Each kokedama is not only a living garden but also a captivating conversation piece, feel free to display your piece in a shallow dish or by hanging it! $40 for Mass Hort members, $53 for nonmembers. Register at www.masshort.org

Saturday, May 25, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Terrarium Workshop

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This Massachusetts Horticultural Society workshop at The Gardens at Elm Bank on May 25 led by Garden Educator, Melissa Pace, offers a hands-on opportunity for participants to create their own personalized terrarium. During the workshop, attendees will have the chance to select from a variety of plants and design elements to craft a unique miniature indoor garden.

Melissa will provide guidance on plant selection, arrangement, and care techniques to ensure the long-term health and vitality of the terrariums. Participants will also learn about the importance of proper maintenance, including watering, light requirements, and common problems to look out for. Be sure to bring a box to transport your new creation home in! $40 for Mass Hort members, $53 for nonmembers. Register at www.masshort.org 

Sunday, August 8, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Hypertufa Planters

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Containers made from hypertufa are wonderful for displaying rock-garden plants or succulents. Over time, the hypertufa ages gracefully, collecting a patina of mosses and lichens.

This August 8 Massachusetts Horticulture Society live and in person at The Gardens at Elm Bank class will be led by Garden Educator, Melissa Pace. Participants will learn how to make their own hypertufa pots. Each participant will receive one completed pot ready to be planted along with three succulent plants of their choice. Together, we will discuss best practices and how to’s when creating hypertufa pots, the best soil mix for succulents, the use of top dressing with succulent, and the best places to purchase plants. 

Each participant will plant their own pot to take home. Materials provided will be:

·      One approximately 6 inch hypertufa pot

·      Recipe and instructions on how to make more pots

·      Three succulent plants in approximately 2.5 inch pots

·      Succulent soil mix enough to fill a 6-inch pot     

·      Care instructions

Melissa Pace is an award-winning horticulturalist who competes in numerous garden and flower shows, from Philadelphia Flower Show to the Bolton Fair. She has been a University of Rhode Island Master Gardener since 2003. Melissa has been a presenter for numerous garden clubs and civic organizations throughout New England since 1995. Melissa holds a master’s degree in teaching from Bridgewater University, is an artist and art teacher and is currently employed as a Garden Educator for the Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

The fee is $40/Mass Hort member
$57/general admission. Register at www.masshort.org.

Thursday, July 15, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Big Beautiful Summer Arrangement Workshop

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Melissa Pace is an award-winning horticulturalist who competes in numerous garden and flower shows, from Philadelphia Flower Show to the Bolton Fair. She has been a University of Rhode Island Master Gardener since 2003. Melissa has been a presenter for numerous garden clubs and civic organizations throughout New England since 1995. Melissa holds a master’s degree in teaching from Bridgewater University, is an artist and art teacher. On July 15 at 7 pm, Melissa will conduct a flower arranging workshop at The Gardens at Elm Bank. Do you throw away prunings from your woody trees and shrubs? Learn how to put them to work in bold indoor and outdoor arrangements! Participants will leave with their own beautiful, seasonal arrangement. Materials provided will be a decorative pot or container, fresh greens, interesting woody materials, seasonal accent materials such as berries, foliage, etc., a list of ideal woody arrangement materials, and a pruning trimmer, although feel free to bring your own if you have one. $48 for Mass Hort members, $70 for nonmembers. Register at www.masshort.org

Thursday, October 10, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Growing and Using Herbs Year Round

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Herbs have been employed by all cultures, throughout human history, in variety of ways including culinary, medicinal, and spiritual usage. On Thursday, October 10 at 6:30 at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, we will look at how herbs have been utilized in the past, and apply their use into today’s world. Together we will smell, taste and plant a variety of herbs. Come learn why it is best to grow your own herbs – then learn how to best grow, preserve, and use these incredibly useful plants. Go home with a small pot planted with seeds of easy-to-grow herbs to get off to a good start. $26 for Tower Hill members, $29 for nonmembers. Register at www.towerhillbg.org.

Melissa Pace is an award-winning horticulturalist who competes in numerous garden and flower shows, from Philadelphia Flower Show to the Bolton Fair. She has been a University of Rhode Island Master Gardener since 2003. Melissa has been a presenter for numerous garden clubs and civic organizations throughout New England since 1995. Melissa holds a master’s degree in teaching from Bridgewater University, is an artist and art teacher and is currently employed as a Youth Educator for the Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Thursday, December 13, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Digital Photography: Capturing Botanic Images

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Melissa Pace, garden educator, artist and photographer, will lead a Massachusetts Horticultural Society workshop that will give you an understanding of the elements of photography; line, texture, shape, space and color to add “wow” to your garden photography. This program is ideal for novice photographers using tablets, phones and simple cameras. Learn key elements in the classroom and take a few walks to practice in the gardens. The class takes place Thursday, December 13 from 10 – 4 in the Parkman Room at The Gardens at Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street in Wellesley. Mass Hort Member Cost: $75; General Admission Cost $110. Register at www.masshort.org.

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Wednesday, January 24, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Digital Photography: Capturing Botanic Images

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Melissa Pace, garden educator, artist and photographer, will lead a Massachusetts Horticultural Society workshop on Wednesday, January 24 from 10 – 4 that will give you an understanding of the elements of photography; line, texture, shape, space and color to add “wow” to your garden photography. This program is ideal for novice photographers using tablets, phones and simple cameras.Mass Hort Member Cost: $75; General Admission Cost $110 Register online at http://www.masshort.org/eventdetail/496/digital-photography-capturing-botanic-images?filter_reset=1

Tuesday, January 24, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Digital Photography: Capturing Botanic Images

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The Massachusetts Horticultural Society welcomes Melissa Pace, garden educator, artist and photographer, to Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street, Wellesley, on Tuesday, January 24 from 10 – 4 for a workshop on Digital Photography: Capturing Botanical Images.  Melissa will held you manage important elements of photography: line, texture, shape, space, and color.  Understanding how to use them will add “wow” to your garden photography.  The program is ideal for novice photographers as they use tablets, phones, and basic cameras.  $75 for Mass Hort members, $120 for nonmembers.  Register at www.masshort.org.

Saturday, July 11 – Sunday, July 12, 1:30 – 5 pm – New England Lily Society Golden Anniversary Lily Show

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See gorgeous displays of lilies and arrangements featuring lilies, with botanical art of lilies by members of the New England Society of Botanical Artists, at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Massachusetts.  On Saturday at 3 pm, hear a lecture by lily expert David Chase on “Beetle Resistant Lilies”, and on Sunday at 2 pm Master Gardener Melissa Pace will speak on “Amending Soil for Success – Soil Preparation for Planting,”  Saturday hours are 1:30 – 5, Sunday hours are 10 – 5.  For directions, log on to www.towerhillbg.org.