The Massachusetts Orchid Society presents its Annual Show and Sale Orchids in Wonderland at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive, Boylston, on Friday, November 1 through Sunday, November 3. Hours are Friday 1 – 5, Saturday 9 – 5, and Sunday 9 – 4. You will see exhibits of blooming orchids, potting demonstrations, educational sessions, hourly plant raffles, and sales of orchids and supplies. For more information visit www.towerhillbg.org, or www.massorchid.org.
Celebrate orchid-blooming season Friday, October 18 – Sunday, October 20 at the Lyman Estate Greenhouse, 185 Lyman Street in Waltham. Hundreds of orchid plants are for sale, including many hard-to-find varieties. Visit the greenhouses and enjoy gorgeous floral colors, shapes, and scents. Among the many varieties on display and for sale are cattleyas, laelias, oncidiums, Paphiopedilums, and Phalaenopsis. Their long-lasting blooms make orchids a dramatic addition to any indoor environment. This adaptable species can grow in a variety of home conditions. Staff are on hand to offer expert advice. Historic New England Garden and Landscape members receive a 15% discount on purchases at the greenhouses. Free admission. Please call 781-891-1985 for more information. Image from www.flowerpicturegallery.com.
Seduced by begonias? Join the crowd. Are you crazy about cacti, spines and all? How about orchids? You must have killed at least one. Have a thing for air plants? There is always room for one in the bathroom. On Saturday, February 2, from 10 – 2, join three mad gardeners—Tovah Martin, Rob Genneri and David Burdick—and learn how to successfully cram more plants into your house in a hands-on session with houseplants. The event takes place at the Berkshire Botanical Garden, 5 West Stockbridge Road in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Bring a plant to repot or be evaluated. Consider the different growing mixes and learn how to take cuttings and divisions and, finally, how to keep them all happy inside your house until spring. Join the fun with our favorite plant experts for a houseplant smackdown and learn their secrets. You’re guaranteed to go home with more than you came with.
Tovah Martin is a horticulturist, writer and garden personality living in northwestern Connecticut. She writes for many horticultural publications and has authored several books. Her popular book on terrarium gardens, The New Terrarium, was published in 2009, and The Unexpected Houseplant was published in August of 2012. Rob Gennari is a garden designer and owner of Glendale Botanicals, a specialty tropical nursery located in Berkshire County. He uses tropical plants in his design work and has in-depth experience with propagating, growing and maintaining them. David Burdick is owner of Daffodils and More, a retail bulb and plant nursery located in Dalton, MA. He is a plants man extraordinaire and is well versed in a diverse range of plant groups. He has instructed for the Berkshire Botanical Garden for many years. BBG member price $75, non-members $85, and you may register on line at www.berkshirebotanical.org.
You don’t need a greenhouse to grow orchids. Achieve success on your own windowsills. Lyman Estate horticulturist Lynn Ackerman teaches the essentials of growing orchids: media, light, water, temperature, fertilization, selection, on Saturday, November 10 from 10 – noon at the Lyman Estate Greenhouses, 185 Lyman Street in Waltham. Registration is required at www.historicnewengland.org, or by calling 781-891-1985. $25 fee.
The Massachusetts Orchid Society will present An Orchid Jubilee at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Massachusetts on Friday, November 2 (1 – 5), Saturday, November 3 (9 – 5) and Sunday, November 4 (9 – 4). Admission to the 60th Anniversary Show is included with regular paid admission to the Garden, and is free to tower Hill members and MOS members. Be dazzled by incredible displays of blooming orchids created by hobbyists and commercial exhibitors, including floral arrangements, vignettes, and original artwork and crafts featuring orchids, throughout Tower Hill’s Stoddard Education & Visitor Center. The Orchid Jubilee is a competitive event sanctioned by the American Orchid Society, who will judge the show entries. Participate in educational programs and demonstrations, show and garden tours, a silent auction, and instant raffles throughout the weekend, and a large sales area where celebrants can stock up on orchid plants, supplies and orchid related art. For more information and directions visit www.towerhillbg.org.
Hundreds of orchid plants will be for sale at the Lyman Estates Greenhouses in Waltham on Friday, April 13 through Sunday, April 15, from 9:30 am – 4:00 pm. Proceeds benefit Historic New England. For more information, log on to www.historicnewengland.org.
Investigate the trend of gardening with plants from around the world, in a demonstration/workshop to be held at Berkshire Botanical Garden on Saturday, February 25, from 1 – 3. Consider agaves and other succulents as low maintenance patio plants that double as houseplants for the winter months. Learn about orchids and how to care for these exotic beauties. Practical information on selection, cultivation, maintenance and overwintering will be covered, with a focus on keeping plants beautiful and healthy. Students will practice dividing and repotting a variety of specimen plants and take home divisions to grow on. Materials are included in the cost of the workshop (BBG members $37, non-members $45), but please bring gloves, pruners, and a cardboard box to transport your plants home. Additional plants will be for sale following the class. To register, visit www.berkshirebotanical.org.
Rob Gennari is a garden designer and owner of Glendale Botanicals, a specialty tropical nursery located in Berkshire County. He uses tropical plants in his design work and has in-depth experience with propagating, growing, and maintaining these plants.
You don’t need a greenhouse to grow orchids. Success can be achieved on your windowsill. Learn the essentials of growing orchids: media, light, water, temperature, fertilization, selection and repotting are taught by Lyman Estate Greenhouse Manager and horticulturist, Lynn Ackerman. This workshop will take place Saturday, November 19, from 10 – 12 at the Greenhouses, located at 185 Lyman Street in Waltham. $30 for Historic New England members, $35 for non-members. To register, call 781-891-1985.
Friday, November 4 – Sunday, November 6 will be the time to visit Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive in Boylston, Massachusetts (not that it isn’t a good idea to visit anytime, but this weekend is very special.) An exciting orchid extravaganza, featuring gorgeous displays of blooming orchids with more than 12 commercial growers selling orchid plants and supplies, will take place Friday from 1 – 5, Saturday from 9 – 5, and Sunday from 9 – 4. Clinics on basic orchid care, and tours of the show; schedule will be posted at entrance to the Show. The public is invited to enter orchids for exhibit: contact MOSOrchidShow@comcast.net for details. For more details on the show, visit www.massorchid.org/show. Admission to Tower Hill is $10 for adults, $7 seniors, $5 youth, and children under 6 and members, free.
Celebrate orchid blooming season on Friday, November 4 – Sunday, November 6, from 10 – 4 at the Lyman Estate Greenhouses, 185 Lyman Street in Waltham, sponsored by Historic New England. Hundreds of orchid plants are for sale, including many hard-to-find varieties. Visit the greenhouses and enjoy gorgeous floral colors, shapes, and scents. Among the many varieties on display and for sale are cattleyas, laelias, oncidiums, Paphiopedilum, and Phalaenopsis. Their long-lasting and showy blooms make orchids a dramatic addition to any indoor environment and this adaptable species can be grown in a variety of home conditions. Free admission. For more information, call 781-891-1985, or visit www.historicnewengland.org.
