Boston Flora

Tag: Rhododendrons

  • Sunday, July 10, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm – Harvey Butler Rhododendron Sanctuary

    Explore a five-acre stand of great laurel (Rhododendron maximum), the largest and northernmost stand known in the region, owned by Native Plant Trust. We will discover a multitude of other native plant gems on the rest of the 30-acre property, from yellow blue-bead lily (Clintonia borealis) to painted trillium (Trillium undulatum), hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), and northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis). The Native Plant Trust tour will be held July 10 from 10 – 12:30 at the Harvey Butler Rhododendron Sanctuary in Springvale, Maine, and is led by Heather McCargo. $38 for NPT members, $45 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/harvey-butler-rhododendron-sanctuary/ The Sanctuary is about an hour and 45 minutes from Boston up Route 95.

  • New Gardening Video: The History of Wentworth Castle Gardens

    In this video, discover the history of Wentworth Castle Gardens and how the National Trust cares for this special place in partnership with Barnsley Council and Northern College. Wentworth Castle Gardens in South Yorkshire is best known for its collection of rhododendron blooms whose flowers brighten up borders and pathways each spring. This landscape garden is home to the National Plant Collection of Rhododendron Species. Rhododendrons were introduced here in the 1870s when the estate was owned by Thomas Wentworth. Subsequent owners and gardeners have since added new varieties of these hardy plants, which thrive in the area’s acidic soil.  Watch this five minute video with Rachel Parkin on YouTube by clicking HERE.

  • Sunday, June 20, 10:30 am – 12:00 noon – Caring for Rhododendrons and Azaleas

    This Tower Hill Botanic Garden live course on June 20 at 10:30 am will teach you how to select, site, plant and care for rhododendrons and azaleas so that they perform well, are a pleasure to view and add 3 season interest to your landscape. The course will begin with an illustrated presentation on the huge diversity of hardy plants in this genus, of which people are mostly unaware. Tips will be given on how to select plants that will perform well for you. You will learn where and how they should be planted, and how to care for them after planting. The relatively few problems they are subject to, and how to address them, will be covered. Live plant material will be provided for hands-on viewing of some of the diversity discussed. Each person will leave with a potted native azalea.

    Joseph Bruso is a hybridizer, propagator and grower of rhododendron species and unusual hybrids, with a focus on attractive foliage as well as flowers. Joe maintains a 3 acre woodland display garden in Hopkinton, MA containing all the hardy species, including the natives, and many hybrids of own creation. Joe is the current President of the Mass Chapter American Rhododendron Society.

    $40 Member Adult; $55 Adult (Registration includes admission to the Garden) Register at www.towerhillbg.org

    1. All participants will be given a plant to take home.
    2. Please note, there is currently construction happening at Tower Hill, which may result in altered or obstructed walkways, parking lots, or parking spaces, in addition to some noise.

  • Tuesday, June 8, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Rhododendrons Walk & Talk

    Join PHA Grounds Manager/Arborist Ian Jochems on June 8 at 2 pm for a Looking Together tour with a focus on beautiful Rhododendron blooms! On this tour, Ian will highlight colorful Rhododendron blooms around the Arboretum. He’ll share tips on growing Rhododendron and stories of some of Polly Hill’s favorites.  Looking Together tours run the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, May through September, 2-3pm. Tour sizes are limited to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, and allow for social distancing. Registration is required. Tours are free with $5 admission/free for members.

    Learn more about the Arboretum and its plant collections on guided walks led by knowledgeable staff and docents. These specialized tours are designed to offer an in-depth experience, each focusing on a different aspect of the Arboretum. Meet at the Visitor Center.

    Sign up: http://bit.ly/PHA-Special-Tours

  • Saturday, February 10, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Rhododendron Diversity

    Saturday, February 10, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Rhododendron Diversity

    This free (with admission) talk at Tower Hill Botanic Garden on Saturday, February 10 at 2 pm will provide an introduction to, and overview of, the very diverse genus Rhododendron. You will learn about the main rhododendron types using both native and exotic species as examples. Both species and hybrids that perform well in New England will be highlighted. You will see examples of the diversity in flower color and shape. You will be shown another, less often appreciated aspect of rhododendrons – the magnificent foliage found on some hardy species and their hybrids. This will include learning new terms to describe foliage characteristics. Live material will be used to demonstrate some of the features discussed.

    Joseph Bruso is a hybridizer and propagator of rhododendron species and unusual hybrids, with a focus on attractive foliage as well as flowers. He maintains a three acre woodland garden in Hopkinton MA containing all the hardy species, including the natives, and many hybrids of his own creation. Bruso is a member of the Board of Directors of the Mass. Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society.

  • Saturday, May 17 – Sunday, May 25, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – Heritage Museum & Gardens Rhododendron Festival

    Thousands of acclaimed rhododendrons in over 100 varieties in a profusion of colors will envelop the grounds at Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich, MA, during a week-long festival May 17 – 25 that celebrates the bountiful blooms.

    Visitors can enjoy a peaceful walk surrounded by walls of flowers, learn more about the plants from horticultural experts and participate in other family activities related to this signature plant. Museum guests are also welcome to take home a piece of Heritage’s rhododendron legacy by purchasing a rhododendron at a special plant sale. More information is posted at heritagemuseumsandgardens.org.

  • Tuesday, June 18, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm – Ericaceae Family Focus

    Many different members of the Ericaceae, or heath family, thrive in New England’s acidic soils. This Arnold Arboretum class, offered with the New England Wild Flower Society and taking place at Garden in the Woods in Framingham on Tuesday, June 18, 9:30 – 12:30, begins with images and a description of the attributes of this family, including a demonstration of Go Botany to see the various genera. Along with botanist instructor Carol Govan, you will then walk outdoors to visit Garden in the Wood’s collection of azaleas, rhododendrons, blueberries, cranberries, leatherleaf, dog hobble, and more, also looking for evidence of nectar thieves and buzz pollination. Fee is $40 for Arboretum and NEWFS members, $48 for nonmembers. Register on line at www.my.arboretum.harvard.edu. Crowberries below courtesy of www.digitalnaturalhistory.com.

    http://www.digitalnaturalhistory.com/empetrum.jpg

  • Sunday, October 18, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Fall Clean Up of Olmsted’s Historic Grounds

    The weeds and vines are entangling Olmsted’s rhododendrons and encroaching views at Stonehurst, The Robert Treat Paine Estate in Waltham, Massachusetts, on Sunday, October 18, from 10 – 1.  Help restore these historic grounds and get some exercise to boot.  Please bring work or gardening gloves and any pruning tools you have handy.  Following the clean-up operation, the house will be open to the public from 12 noon until 3 pm, with a guided tour offered at 1 pm.  Light refreshments will be provided.  For directions to 100 Robert Treat Paine Drive please call 781-314-3290, or log on to www.stonehurstwaltham.org.

    http://www.winchesterhistoricalsociety.org/paine2.jpg