Boston Flora

Tag: New Zealand

  • Saturday, February 5 – Sunday, February 27 – Gardens, Wine & Wilderness: A Tour of New Zealand

    From soaring peaks to lush rainforest, from gorgeous vineyards to carefully cultivated gardens, The American Horticultural Society is thrilled to once again offer the opportunity to experience the wonders of New Zealand. Please join us, as we visit some of the most spectacular places on earth while experiencing this special country’s unique culture and history, February 5 – 27, 2022. Updated brochure and reservation form (includes pricing information)are now available.

    Featuring a unique blend of destinations and culinary delights, this tour achieves a perfect balance between invigoration and relaxation and its Southern Hemisphere summer is a treat for winter-weary visitors.

    Our AHS Host for the trip will be Rachel Muir, an environmental scientist and ecologist who over the course of a 40 year career worked for a variety of private firms and Federal agencies. Now retired, she spends her time writing, traveling, gardening, and teaching at the North Carolina Arboretum. Our Tour Leader is Richard Lyon a native Kiwi who practices landscape architecture in southeastern Pennsylvania. Tour highlights include:

    • Brilliant gardens that reflect the unique flora of this amazing country, ranging from large, impressive botanic gardens to romantic and intimate gardens.
    • Insight into native New Zealand history and culture through museum visits.
    • Pristine nature, experienced through environments ranging from glacial lakes to rugged landscapes to rich coastal plains.
    • Adventurous activities that include a visit to Mount Cook, the highest peak in New Zealand; bungee jumping (as a spectator or, for the more daring, as a participant); and opportunities for helicopter rides, zip-lining, or jet boating.
    • An introduction to New Zealand’s wine culture through visits to several vineyards.
    • Delightful cities: Christchurch, called the Garden City; Auckland, blessed with beautiful parks and a lively waterfront; Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, with a wonderful cosmopolitan vibe; Queenstown, an alpine city with much to see and do.
    • Serene sailings that include a cruise of Doubtful Sound aboard the Fiordland Navigator and ferry sailings, including an unforgettable experience as the sun sets behind the Auckland skyline.
    C:\DCIM\100GOPRO\GOPR2574.GPR

  • Tuesday, March 26 – Saturday, April 6 – Awe Inspiring New Zealand Scenery

    Explore breathtaking New Zealand next spring, March 26 – April 6, with Hidden Treasures Tours. Tour extravagant gardens, delve into the beauty of the fjords, and enjoy decadent food and local wine while enjoying the company of your fellow travelers. This tour is perfect for the novice or experienced New Zealand traveler. Tour highlights include Ayrlies Garden in Auckland, one of the most celebrated private gardens in New Zealand, Totara Waters Garden, the private garden of Jocelyn Coyle, and the Auckland Botanic Garden. Then, travel to the South Island to the Dunedin Botanic Garden, Larnach Castle, and a wildlife tour on the Otago Peninsula where you will see the world’s rarest penguins, fur seals, and Stewart Island Shags. Wylde Willows Garden in Dunedin and an optional excursion to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves are next, then enjoy an overnight cruise of Doubtful Sound deep in Fjordland National Park. In Queenstown, you will visit the private home and gardens of celebrated artist DaVella Gore, The Stoneridge Chapel and Water Garden, and historic Arrowtown. There will be a stop at Gibbston Vallery Winery and an evening cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the steamer TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station to dine at the Colonel’s Homestead. Traveling north over Lindis Pass into Mackenzie Country, you will pass along the shores of Lake Pukaki to Mt. Cook Village in the heart of the South Alps, home to New Zealand’s tallest peak – Aoraki Mt. Cook. Lastly, two nights in Christchurch include a visit to Ohinetahi, the famous private garden of Sir Miles Warren, and the Giants House in Akaroa. There is actually much more, all of which may be found at https://hiddentreasurestours.com//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/New-Zealand-2019-1.pdf. $5,999 per person based on double occupancy, $1,550 single supplement.

    Image result for ayrlies garden auckland

  • Tuesday, April 24, 10:00 am – A Floral Journey From Afar

    The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts  Ruth A Wallack Fund presents A Floral Journey from Afar with Francine Thomas, award winning designer and teacher, on Tuesday, April 24 at 10 am at the Regis College Fine Arts Center in Weston.  Tickets are $20. Send a stamped, self-addressed envelope and check made out to GCFM to Patti Jenkins, 241 Elm Street, Walpole, MA 02081, or email Diane Bullock at dbull29441@aol.com, or Sue Kaplan at suekflowers@yahoo.com.

    Francine Thomas, from Tauranga in the North Island of New Zealand, is the Featured Designer at the 2018 lecture. Francine’s passion for flowers and Floral Art has taken her to many different heights. In 2010 Francine decided to start her own business called “A Floral Affair by Francine.” She joined the Tauranga Floral Art Group and became a qualified Teacher, Judge, Demonstrator, and Lecturer for the Floral Art Society and Consultant for florists. Since joining Floral Art, Francine has been Stage Hand for many well known designers; Irene Brockwell of Australia, Rob Platel from Holland, Gregor Lersch from Germany, Mark Pampling from Australia, Tomoki and Suri from Japan and many others.

    In 2016 Francine won New Zealand National Floral Art Designer of the Year, and was the National Demonstrator representing New Zealand at the WAFA World Show in Dublin, Ireland in 2014. She was Designer of the Year in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 Bay of Plenty Art Festival. Francine has the Floral Art Society of New Zealand (FASNZ) diploma in Teaching, Judging and Demonstrating from the New Zealand Professional Florist Inc. (NZPF). Francine has an energetic sense of humor which can be contagious and which is evident in her shows. She is inspired by what she sees and feels inside, to come up with her ideas. She loves sharing those ideas to inspire other people to do the same.

    Image result for francine thomas floral art

  • Tuesday, May 1, 9:00 am – Hands-On Flower Arranging Workshop with Francine Thomas

    Francine Thomas, from Tauranga in the North Island of New Zealand, will conduct a hands-on workshop on May 1 at 9 am at Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Street in Needham. Francine’s passion for flowers and Floral Art has taken her to many different heights. In 2010 Francine decided to start her own business called “A Floral Affair by Francine.” She joined the Tauranga Floral Art Group and became a qualified Teacher, Judge, Demonstrator, and Lecturer for the Floral Art Society and Consultant for florists. Since joining Floral Art, Francine has been Stage Hand for many well known designers; Irene Brockwell of Australia, Rob Platel from Holland, Gregor Lersch from Germany, Mark Pampling from Australia, Tomoki and Suri from Japan and many others.

    In 2016 Francine won New Zealand National Floral Art Designer of the Year, and was the National Demonstrator representing New Zealand at the WAFA World Show in Dublin, Ireland in 2014. She was Designer of the Year in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 Bay of Plenty Art Festival. Francine has the Floral Art Society of New Zealand (FASNZ) diploma in Teaching, Judging and Demonstrating from the New Zealand Professional Florist Inc. (NZPF). Francine has an energetic sense of humor which can be contagious and which is evident in her shows. She is inspired by what she sees and feels inside, to come up with her ideas. She loves sharing those ideas to inspire other people to do the same.

    Registration deadline is April 1. Contact Helga Frazzette at 508-255-6664 (frazz@comcast.net) or Sue Kaplan at 781-444-6085 (suekflowers@yahoo.com) for prices and information.

    Image result for francine thomas floral art

  • Wednesday, March 8 – Sunday, March 19 – Scenery of New Zealand

    Explore breathtaking New Zealand! Tour extravagant gardens, delve into the beauty of the fjords, and enjoy decadent food and local wine while enjoying the company of your fellow travelers. This March 8 – March 19, 2017 Hidden Treasures tour is perfect for the novice or experienced New Zealand traveler. The itinerary will include:

    March 8 Welcome to New Zealand

    Meet and greet upon arrival and transfer to the hotel.
    Ayrlies Garden
    Welcome dinner

    March 9 Auckland

    Totara Waters Garden, the private garden of Jocelyn Coyle
    Auckland Botanic Gardens
    Sightseeing tour through central Auckland
    Evening at leisure

    March 10 Auckland to Dunedin

    Move to the South Island of New Zealand, commence with the “Edinburgh, Scotland of the South”, Dunedin.
    Early morning flight to Dunedin
    Dunedin Botanic Garden (pictured below)
    City tour of Dunedin

    March 11 Dunedin

    Self-guided tour of Larnach Castle
    Guided tour of the Castle’s gardens and grounds
    Drive out to Taiaroa Heads on the Otago Peninsula to join Natures Wonders for a Wildlife Tour
    Haggis presentation and dinner in the hotel

    March 12 Dunedin to Te Anau

    Wylde Willows Garden
    Leisure time in Te Anau
    Optional excursion to view the Te Anau Glowworm Caves

    March 13 Te Anau to Doubtful Sound

    Leisure time to explore Te Anau
    Overnight cruise of Doubtful Sound deep in Fiordland National Park

    March 14 Doubtful Sound to Queenstown

    Morning in Fiordland National Park
    Depart for Queenstown
    Afternoon at leisure in Queenstown

    March 15 Queenstown

    Private home and gardens of celebrated artist, DaVella Gore, The Stoneridge Chapel and Water Garden.
    Historic Arrowtown
    Gibbston Valley Winery, famous for New Zealand’s largest and most innovative wine cave
    Cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station to dine at the Colonel’s Homestead

    March 16 Queenstown to Mt. Cook

    Travel north over Lindis Pass into the Mackenzie Country
    Pass along the shores of Lake Pukaki to Mt Cook Village in the heart of the South Alps
    Leisure time to walk or enjoy the scenery

    March 17 Mt. Cook to Christchurch

    Mt. Cook National Park
    Stop at Lake Tekapo and visit to the Church of the Good Shepherd and the statue of the Collie dog
    Trott’s Garden
    Akaunui, the delightful garden of Diana and Ian Mackenzie
    Travel north to Christchurch stopping en route to visit Suzette Gardens in Rakaia.
    Evening at leisure

    March 18 Christchurch

    Ohinetahi, the famous private garden of Sir Miles Warren
    Giants House, an historic Akaroa house with terraced gardens
    French settlement of Akaroa
    Christchurch Botanic Gardens
    Farewell dinner at Curators House in the Botanic Garden

    March 19 Departure

    The trip is priced from $5,435. Complete details and registration form may be found at www.hiddentreasurestour.com.

    Save

  • Saturday, January 10 – Sunday, February 1 – Gardens, Wine & Wilderness: A Tour of New Zealand

    New Zealand is a land of immense beauty. The American Horticutural Society is thrilled to once again offer the opportunity to experience the gardens, wine, and wilderness of this special place. Please join us, as we visit some of the most spectacular places on earth while experiencing New Zealand’s unique culture and history. Featuring a unique blend of destinations and culinary delights, this tour achieves a perfect balance between invigoration and relaxation. New Zealand’s culture of gardening is sophisticated, their wines and seafood are exceptional, and their Southern Hemisphere summer is a treat for winter-weary visitors. Peaks, fjords carved by glaciers and surrounded by ancient temperate rainforests, waterfalls, and a historic suspension bridge, are among the diverse New Zealand landscapes we will experience.

    More details to come. Visit www.ahs.org for complete information.