Boston Flora

Tag: Native Plant Trust

  • Thursday, November 7, 11:00 am – 12:00 noon, Eastern – Digging Deeper Into Ecological Horticulture, Online

    There is no better time to become a Conservation Circle, Sustainer, or Supporter Member of the Native Plant Trust. These lucky people are invited to a Zoom talk, Digging Deeper Into Ecological Horticulture by Uli Lorimer, Director of Horticulture of the Native Plant Trust, and The Boston Globe’s Ask the Gardener columnist. For gardeners seeking a more harmonious approach to their efforts, ecological horticulture is the answer. It is an evolving framework for building and maintaining beautiful, functional gardens—based on the assumptions that genetic diversity, local provenance, and adaptability are achieved using regional native species. Yet the research fails to fully support those assumptions, effective messaging is challenging, and gardens are often created based on what is available in the nursery trade. Uli will navigate these thought-provoking issues while reflecting on how this framework is applied at Garden in the Woods. If you wish to join, visit http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/. If you are already a supporter, rsvp 774-519-5553 or to specialevents@NativePlantTrust.org

  • Sunday, August 11, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Introduction to Sedges

    Environmental consultant and plant taxonomist Lisa Standley will teach a Native Plant Trust workshop on Sunday, August 11  from 10 – 3 focusing on understanding the diversity of the genus Carex, The non-Carex sedges are important ecological indicators and dominants in many wetland systems. The group includes 11 genera—recognizable by macro characteristics—and 80 species. Join us for a basic review of their identification features to build confidence in your own abilities to recognize species in the field. The workshop will include a lecture and discussion, keying practice, and field identification. Bring a lunch. $85 for NPT members, $100 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/introduction-sedges-non-carex-genera/

  • Wednesday, August 7, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, & Friday, August 9, 9:00 am – 11:30 am – Introduction to Wetland Plant Identification

    This Native Plant Trust two part class with Ted Elliman will cover a variety of wetland habitats and discuss the particular plants that grow in each of them. The class presentation will present an overview of common wetland habitats and their representative trees, shrubs, wildflowers, ferns, grasses, sedges, and rushes. The field session at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, MA on August 9 will provide a close look at many wetland plants, their identification features, and their habitat preferences in a very large wetland complex. The August 7 class will take place at Garden in the Woods in Framingham. $77 for NPT members, $90 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/introduction-wetland-plant-identification/

  • Thursday, June 27, 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm – Heart of the Habitat: Fascinating Fireflies – An Evening Adventure

    There has never been a better time to join the Native Plant Trust’s Conservation Circle as a Sustainer Member. On Thursday, June 27, these folks will join Dr. Avalon C.S. Owens, Owens Laboratory and Fellow, Rowland Institute at Harvard, for a program entitled Fascinating Fireflies: An Evening Adventure, at Garden in the Woods. The firefly displays that amaze us are constellations of flying males, each patrolling a patch of habitat while producing chains of species-specific flash patterns that act as courtship advertisements. Sedentary females, concealed in the plants below, flash back at males that spark their interest. This dialog continues until the male finds the female, or the female loses interest and goes dark. Join The Native Plant Trust for a brief introduction to a few firefly species common to New England, followed by an adventurous moonlit trail walk to look for fireflies. Refreshments will be provided but space is limited. RSVP by Thursday, June 20 to specialevents@nativeplanttrust.org, or call 774-519-5553. Membership has its privileges!

  • Thursday, June 6, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm Eastern – New England Roses, Online

    Our native New England roses have charming fragrant blossoms that attract a wide range of pollinators, while their spiny thickets provide important wildlife habitat. These hardy shrubs grow in a wide range of habitats and are great additions to flower gardens. Learn to identify Virginia rose (Rosa virginiana) pictured below, Carolina rose (R. carolina), swamp rose (R. palustris), bristly rose (R. acicularis), and shining rose (R. nitida), several non-native species, and the invasive multiflora rose (R. multiflora). Dubbed “the queen of flowers,” roses are perhaps the most recognizable of blooms. Several rose species are native to New England. Many more are introduced and naturalized and have become a familiar part of our landscape. Their beautiful scented blossoms are popular with pollinators, spiny thickets provide important habitat for wildlife, and hardy shrubs and ramblers are prized by gardeners. Learn to distinguish native species, common naturalized species, and the invasive multiflora rose, and become familiar with their habitats.This Native Plant Trust class takes place June 6 at 5:30 pm with instructor Neela de Zoysa, online. NPT members $51, nonmembers $60. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/new-england-roses/

  • Thursday, June 13, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Eastern – Native Hydrangeas, Online

    Hydrangeas are one of the most loved plants in the landscape. Yet many gardeners are unaware of the beauty, sustainability, and benefits of our native hydrangeas. Instead of being disappointed by plants that aren’t suited to our climate, we’ll look at the hydrangea choices available for the enjoyment of both people and pollinators. This online course by Native Plant Trust will take place June 13 at 6 pm with Cheryl Salatino, and is $17 for NPT members, $20 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/native-hydrangeas/

  • Wednesdays, June 5 – June 19, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Eastern – Native New England Shrubs, Online

    Shrubs vary widely in size,shape, color, bark, flower,and fruit. This Native Plant Trust course led by Brian Colleran will introduce you to almost 50 native New England shrub species, emphasizing plant identification, family characteristics, and historical plant uses. Classes will be held Wednesdays, June 5 – 19 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 online. $ 120 for NPT members, $144 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/native-new-england-shrubs-online/

  • Friday, May 17, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Twilight Trilliums

    Stroll the Garden in the Woods in Framingham after hours during Trillium Week and enjoy the sight of gorgeous ephemerals like great wakerobin (Trillium grandiflorum) and sweet wakerobin (Trillium vaseyi) on a beautiful spring evening. Garden admission and light refreshments included with registration. $34 for Native Plant Trust members, $40 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/twilight-trilliums/

  • Thursday, April 18, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Eastern – Native Edibles for Cities, Online

    Whether you’re interested in your health, sustainability, or simple pleasure, growing native edibles is a skill worth cultivating. Native edibles can feed you (and the rest of the ecosystem) regardless of your available space, and can be planted in shady corners, container gardens, and other small spaces. Join Dan Jaffe Wilder online on April 18 at 6 pm Eastern to learn about species of native edibles that can be grown wherever you can find (or put) soil. Native Plant Trust members $17, nonmembers $20. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/native-edibles-cities/ Image courtesy of Forager Chef.

    Please note: We do not make video or audio recordings of classes or programs available after the fact, because we believe education is interactive, with instructors and students building a community and culture of learning. Some programs may be recorded strictly for instructor-training purposes. Please visit this page to review this and other FAQs about our policies.

  • Monday, April 8, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern – Riparian Communities, Online

    River shores and stream banks have unique riparian vegetation that is adapted to changing water levels. In this Native Plants Trust virtual program on April 8 from 1 – 3, we will follow the Sudbury and Assabet rivers from the watershed’s headwaters in Westborough to its junction with the Merrimac River in Lowell with Neela de Zoysa. Along the way, we will encounter Atlantic cedar swamps, floodplain forests, shrub swamps, emergent marshes, and oxbow lakes as well as the species that characterize them. We will also learn about threats posed by dams, clearing, and pollution.

    Please note: We do not make video or audio recordings of classes or programs available after the fact, because we believe education is interactive, with instructors and students building a community and culture of learning. Some programs may be recorded strictly for instructor-training purposes.

    $30 for NPT members, $36 for nonmembers. Register at www.nativeplanttrust.org

    US Fish & Wildlife Service – photo Jay Beeler