Boston Flora

Tag: Tower Hill Botanic Garden

  • Saturday, August 11, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Beecology Basics

    Native pollinator diversity is declining at an alarming rate in many areas of Massachusetts at for unknown reasons. The New England Beecology project aims to fill this critical knowledge gap by training ‘beecologists’ from across the state on how to use our newly developed iPhone and Android phone apps to collect ecological data on different bumblebee species and then send it to our central database where it can be used to identify key factors driving species decline. This workshop will cover the major issues associated with wild pollinator decline, provide training on how to use our smartphone technology, and give you information on how to incorporate ecological pollinator conservation strategies in your own backyard. The August 11 Tower Hill Botanic Garden presentation at 10 – 12 will be followed by a walk in the gardens to look for bumblebees and practice using the app. Free with admission to Tower Hill. To register, visit www.towerhillbg.org.

    Dr. Robert J. Gegear is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biology and Biotechnology at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Director of the New England Beecology Project.

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  • Sunday, August 5, 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm – Natural Dye Workshop

    In this Tower Hill Botanic Garden Natural Dye Workshop class on Sunday, August 5 from 1 – 3:30 you will:

    -Learn about what colors have been used throughout the world/history to make beautiful naturally dyed yarns and fabric.

    -Create a color palette with natural dyes: indigo or woad, cochineal, coreopsis, weld, goldenrod and logwood using alum as a mordant.

    -See how these colors can by overdyed and modified by a second “bath” in another color or mordant- specifically iron, which saddens and copper that greens. Students will help create the dye baths.

    -Create a silk scarf using eco printing techniques using plant material provided by the instructor and/ or fresh plant material you have brought from home.

    -Complete a sample book with the dye colors used and the “recipes” to achieve each color.

    -Discuss what you can grow, find and purchase to continue personal experiments in natural dyeing.

    A list of online resources and a bibliography of helpful Natural Dye books will be given to each participant. All materials are included.

    Instructor Laura Hacker has a BFA in Fiber Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has been working with natural dyes for 15 years. She recently exhibited in the Strands and Stems exhibit at Tower Hill. $45 for Tower Hill members, $55 for nonmembers. Register at www.towerhillbg.org.

    Image result for natural dye workshop Laura Hacker

  • Sunday, August 5, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Native Bees and Native Plants: You May Be Missing Half the Equation

    When you plant native plants you indirectly invite their pollinators. We know that, but how much do you really know about them? Do you know that a well planted garden can support over 100 species? Do you know that they are nothing like honey bees? No allergic reactions. Single moms putting their nests throughout your lawn. Some specialized species only using the pollen from one of your plants. Do you know that you can identify them using butterfly binoculars? That your yard is part of the solution to pollinator decline? Well, if you know all these things, then very good, but if not, come to Tower Hill Botanic Garden on August 5 from 1 – 2 and see Sam Droege illuminate these and other facts about the secret bee garden you have or will create with the up close pictures his lab crafts.

    Sam Droege is a wildlife biologist at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, part of the US Geological Survey. He is widely published in journals and has been the editor of numerous government publications on birds and insects. His work cataloging and photographing native bees has been featured by NPR, The Weather Channel, and the National Wildlife Federation, as well as in numerous publications including Wired, the Wall Street Journal, and Popular Science. Currently he is developing an inventory and monitoring program for native bees, online identification guides for North American bees at http://www.discoverlife.org, and with Jessica Zelt reviving the North American Bird Phenology Program. His group maintains high resolution photographs of insects and other macro natural history objects at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/usgsbiml/ Fee is $10 for Tower Hill members, $20 for nonmembers. Register at www.towerhillbg.org.

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  • Sunday, August 5, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Bee Safari

    On Sunday, August 5 from 10 – 11:30 am, join native bee expert Sam Droege on an expedition through Tower Hill Botanic Garden’s gardens and meadows to discover the diversity of bees that live there. Bring close focusing binoculars if you have them and load this on your smartphone: http://bio2.elmira.edu/fieldbio/beesofmarylandbookversion1.pdf

    Sam Droege is a wildlife biologist at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, part of the US Geological Survey. He is widely published in journals and has been the editor of numerous government publications on birds and insects. His work cataloging and photographing native bees has been featured by NPR, The Weather Channel, and the National Wildlife Federation, as well as in numerous publications including Wired, the Wall Street Journal, and Popular Science. Currently he is developing an inventory and monitoring program for native bees, online identification guides for North American bees at http://www.discoverlife.org, and with Jessica Zelt reviving the North American Bird Phenology Program. His group maintains high resolution photographs of insects and other macro natural history objects at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/usgsbiml/

    The session fee is $10 for Tower Hill members, $20 for nonmembers. Register at www.towerhillbg.org.

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  • Saturday, August 4, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Floral Jewelry

    Saturday, August 4, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Floral Jewelry

    Learn techniques to create your own distinctive, beautiful bracelets, earrings, necklaces and floral “tattoos” using fresh flowers. Mary Beth Hayes will conduct a Tower Hill Botanic Garden workshop on Floral Jewelry on Saturday, August 4 from 1 – 2:30. We’ll use seasonal flowers from local flower farmers. All supplies will be provided, including blank jewelry. Registrants are encouraged to bring their own clippers, and can also bring their own jewelry to decorate. Come and create some beauty to wear!

    Mary Beth (MB) Hayes is a freelance floral designer in Chelmsford, MA, who focuses on seasonal, nature-based design. She has studied with notable floral designers including Francoise Weeks, Hitomi Gilliam and Holly Heider Chapple. MB enjoys working with groups of people and playing with flowers to create things of ephemeral beauty. $45 for Tower Hill members, $55 for non-members. Register at www.towerhillbg.org.

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  • Saturday, July 21, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm, and Sunday, July 22, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Lily Show

    The Lily Show on July 21 and 22 at Tower Hill Botanic Garden is presented by the New England Lily Society. Enjoy hundreds of lily flowers at the annual Lily Show. Find new hybrids and maybe discover a favorite variety among those on display. Encounter the wonderful fragrances and delight in the vibrant colors that abound in the genus Lilium. Free with admission to Tower Hill.

    Programs (all free with admission, registration encouraged at http://towerhillbg.org):

    Criteria for Judging Lilies, with Robin Van Liew, Saturday, July 21, 2-3pm. Ever wonder why that flower won first prize? Factors considered by accredited lily judges are explained simply and clearly as we circulate around the show floor, discussing lilies in various classes. Remember, the biggest lily doesn’t always win! Robin Van Liew is President of New England Lily Society and an accredited lily judge since 2013. She grows lilies and other flowers & vegetables on two acres in Holden MA.

    Growing Lilies Without Chemicals, with Jim Daniel, Saturday, July 21, 3-4pm. How can we grow lilies without chemical agents to combat the red lily beetle, fungus and other lily problems? Jim Daniel explains how he grows prize-winning lilies on three acres in Worcester without the use of chemicals. Jim Daniel is an engineer with a passion for growing lilies. He is past president of New England Lily Society, a board member of North America Lily Society and an accredited lily judge.

    Flower Arranging with Lilies, with Robin Van Liew, Sunday, July 22, 12-1pm. Now that I’ve grown these lilies what do I do with them? Robin Van Liew eschews the complicated armature and tricks of flower arranging to demonstrate several types of easy and simple flower arrangements using lilies, greenery, and vines for dramatic effect. Robin Van Liew is a student of Ohara school of ikebana, a form of Japanese flower arranging.

    Criteria for Judging Lilies, with Robin Van Liew, Sunday, July 22, 2-3pm (see description above.)

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  • Saturday & Sunday, July 28 & 29, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Summer Blooms: Botanical Studies in Watercolor

    Join botanical artist Helen Byers on July 28 and 29 from 10 – 4 in this two-day Tower Hill Botanic Garden workshop to celebrate summer flowers. Analyzing the forms of selected blooms from life and under magnification, we will create detailed watercolor studies of their botanical features and “personalities.” Helen’s demos, tips, and personalized instruction will guide students in the practice of painting in layers, using wet-into-wet, dry-brush, and masking techniques to achieve luminous color, challenging textures, and fine details.

    A supplies list will be sent to registrants. $150 for Tower Hill members, $165 for nonmembers. Register online at www.towerhillbg.org.

    Helen Byers is an award-winning artist and educator whose botanical drawings and paintings have been internationally exhibited, published, and held in private collections. In recent years she has taught often at Tower Hill, as well as at Concord Center for the Visual Arts, Fruitlands Museums, Tin Mountain Conservation Center (NH), and Ghost Ranch Education & Retreat Center (NM). To learn more about her work, visit the artist’s website at helenbyers.com.

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  • Thursday, July 19, 10:30 am – 11:30 am – Mixed Container Tour

    Join Tower Hill Botanic Garden conservatory staff member Jessie Blum on July 19 at 10:30 am for an exploration of container gardening. Learn how to design using textures, colors, and growth habits, and get ideas for next year’s garden!

    Jessie Blum, Conservatory Horticulturist, has been at the Garden for three years. She graduated from Smith College in 2015, where she majored in Environmental Science and Policy, and minored in Biology with a plant focus. While at Smith, she worked at the botanic garden under the chief arborist. Free with admission to the Garden. For more information visit www.towerhillbg.org.

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  • Sunday, July 15, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm – Encaustics Painting Workshop

    In this one day Tower Hill Botanic Garden workshop on July 15 from 11 – 3, we will cover the basic techniques for creating an art piece using encaustic paint (pigmented beeswax). Create a series of small artworks with collaged paper, found objects, photographs, image transfer, incised and carved line drawings and fusing techniques. Supplies are included, but please bring any papers, photographs, photocopies or other objects you would like to use in your artwork. Beginners welcome.

    Instructor Suzanne Hauerstein (a piece of her encaustic art is pictured below) is a studio artist and art instructor based in Central Massachusetts. She began working with encaustics in 2005 after a decade long career as a ceramic artist. Her works have been included in museum and gallery exhibitions in Texas and throughout the east coast, including Brooklyn, New York, Mystic, Connecticut and multiple locations throughout Rhode Island and Central Massachusetts and the Greater Boston area. $75 for Tower Hill members, $85 for nonmembers. Register at www.towerhillbg.org.

    Image result for encaustic painting Suzanne Hauerstein

  • Saturday, July 14, 11:00 am – 1:30 pm – Daylilies and Their Friends, and Saturday, July 14, 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm – Daylily Show

    On Saturday, July 14, from 11 – 1:30, Debbie Carpenter will give a free with admission presentation entitled Daylilies and their Friends, showing perennials that make good companions in a daylily landscape. The beginning of the presentation will discuss general daylily information. Following the presentation Debbie will give the ever-popular demonstration on dividing a daylily clump. Immediately following the demonstration there will be a FREE raffle of the divisions from the demonstration to those in attendance. The event takes place at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive in Boylston, Massachusetts, and more information may be found at www.towerhillbg.org.

    Debbie Carpenter is a retired high school biology and horticulture teacher, NH master gardener, and life-long home gardener. Her undergraduate degree is from UNH, where she also took post graduate work in horticulture. Since retiring, she has discovered the nearly perfect perennial, the modern hybrid daylily.

    The class will be followed immediately by the Daylily Show presented by the New England Daylily Society from 1:30 – 4. The New England Daylily Society presents an exhibition of the most extraordinary, best-groomed daylilies grown by daylily enthusiasts from all over the region. Image from www.growingwithplants.com.

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