Boston Flora

Tag: Native Plant Trust

  • Friday, July 26, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, and Saturday, July 27, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Grasses of the Northeast

    Friday, July 26, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, and Saturday, July 27, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Grasses of the Northeast

    This Native Plant Trust comprehensive survey covers more than 40 common and representative genera of grasses. The first day of this two-day workshop includes a talk and discussion, microscopic examination of specimens, and observation of dried plants; the second day is devoted to field studies. The class will be taught by Dennis Magee at Garden in the Woods, and is $132 for NPT members, $160 for nonmembers. Cosponsored by the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions. Register at www.nativeplanttrust.org.

  • Thursday, July 25, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – What to Propagate and How to Do It

    While many plants are difficult to propagate, others are extremely easy. Sow 100 seeds of spotted wintergreen and a single seedling may emerge; sow 100 seeds of spotted bee balm (below) and somehow up pop 150 seedlings! On July 25 at 10 am at Garden in the Woods in Framingham, join Dan Jaffe to learn not only how to propagate, but what to propagate to maximize your plantings. The Native Plant Trust class is $26 for NPT members, $32 for nonmembers. Register at www.nativeplanttrust.org.

  • Tuesday, July 30, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Wildflowers of Rock Meadow

    During the summer, Belmont, Massachusetts’ Rock Meadow’s meadows, woods and wetlands are ablaze with colorful wildflowers. Discover plants that can be used to cure poison ivy, plants that attract monarch butterflies and their caterpillars, and plants that, according to ancient lore, were used to calm unruly oxen. Bring a bag lunch and a hand lens if you have one. This Native Plant Trust field trip is co-sponsored with the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions, and is led by Roland “Boot” Boutwell. $38 for NPT members, $46 for nonmembers. Register at www.nativeplanttrust.org.

  • Mondays, July 22 and August 26, 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm – Native Herbaceous Plant Materials

    Discover numerous native perennials suitable for New England gardens in this two session Native Plant Trust class on July 22 and August 26 from 1 – 3:30 at Garden in the Woods in Framingham. This course covers native herbaceous plants that bloom in late summer and fall, focusing on their characteristics and environmental preferences as well as their uses in landscapes and gardens. Be prepared to walk in the Garden each day. This class is appropriate for landscape professionals and avid home gardeners. Taught by Leslie Duthie, the fee is $77 for NPT members, $91 for nonmembers. Register at www.nativeplanttrust.org.

  • Saturday, July 20, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm – Establishing a Meadow

    Meadows are now one of the more popular native garden types for homeowner landscapes, yet many people remain baffled by how to create one with long-lasting beauty that won’t quickly become overrun by weeds. Using the Old Meadow at Garden in the Woods as an example, Anna Fialkoff, staff Horticulturalist, discusses the first three years of establishing a meadow including design concepts, plant selection, installation, management, pitfalls, and surprising insights gained along the way. The class will be held Saturday, July 20 from 10:30 – 12:30 and is co-sponsored by the Native Plant Trust and the Ecological Landscape Alliance. $26 for members of sponsoring organizations, $32 for nonmembers. Register at www.nativeplanttrust.org.

    Photo by Dan Jaffe

  • Friday, July 12, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Lawn Alternatives

    While many American homeowners cling to the nostalgia of lawn, the high maintenance requirements and low ecological value should make non-native monocultures the last choice on your list! Join Dan Jaffe, photographer and author of Native Plants for New England Gardens, on July 12 at 1 pm at Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Road in Framingham, to learn about the various options available to replace your turf, from well-known plants to brand new introductions. Dan will share tips on transforming large areas of lawn into lush groundcover plantings. Dan will discuss native plant options and will provide an overview of plant spacing and techniques for getting the groundcover layer established.
    Co-sponsored by the Ecological Landscape Alliance and The Native Plant Trust.

  • Thursday, July 11, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm – Growing Ferns from Spore

    Join the Ecological Landscape Alliance and the Native Plant Trust at 10 am on July 11 at Nasami Farm in Whately and learn easy methods for growing ferns from spores for your home! This class covers the morphology, life cycle, and vegetative propagation of ferns. You will also learn spore collection and storage techniques, and tips on how to identify when spores are ripe. Before you know it, you’ll have your own sporophytes! $33 for sponsor members, $40 for nonmembers. Register at www.ecolandscaping.org.

    Leslie Duthie is a horticulturalist at Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary. She has dedicated her career to learning about, gardening with, and propagating native plants. A life-long gardener, Leslie’s devotion to ferns began the first time she grew a fern from spore. The gardens of Norcross are full of plants that she has raised and her knowledge of the ferns is extensive. Leslie has a BS in Plant Science and has experience in greenhouse growing of both landscape plants and native plants. She works with the local Land Trust and Conservation Commission to preserve land for both our native plants and wildlife as well as for people to enjoy.

  • Tuesday, July 2, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Native Wildflowers Through the Seasons Webinar

    Whether you are new to the study of native plants or have been in the field for years, changing seasons always provide something new to notice about the region’s wildflowers. Join The Native Plant Trust on July 2 from 1 – 2 to learn about flowers for different times of year, the pollinators that support them, and the habitats to which they contribute. This webinar gives you an overview of how to make the most of your time outdoors and help conserve the native wonders of New England. $10 for NPT members, $13 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/native-wildflowers-through-seasons/

  • Wednesdays, July 10 – 24, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Introduction to Plant Families

    To really know a plant, you must understand its family. In this Native Plant Trust three session class, we use microscopic and field investigations to decipher the clues to familial relationships and classifications of the region’s wild plants. Learn the basic formulas for plant structure and practice and apply them to various families. Bring a bag lunch and a hand lens. The class will be held at Garden in the Woods in Framingham on Wednesdays, July 10, 17, and 24, from 10 – 2, and is $184 for NPT members, $218 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/introduction-plant-families/

    Image of elderberry courtesy of http://www.betterfarm.org

  • Friday, June 28, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Low Maintenance Design

    Learn how to design unique garden spaces that strengthen your connection to our wonderfully varied New England landscape. Discover important functional and aesthetic qualities of native plants that can provide the building blocks for creating easy-to-care-for, sustainable gardens. Using strategies based on the observation and emulation of naturally existing plant communities, landscape designer Owen Wormser offers key techniques for creating enjoyable, low-maintenance garden spaces. In this interactive format, you are encouraged to bring your ideas, along with photographs, plans, or sketches of your own property. The Native Plant Trust class ($40 for members, $48 for nonmembers) will take place at Nasami Farm in Whately on June 28 from 1 – 4. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/low-maintenance-design/