Boston Flora

Tag: Tower Hill Botanic Garden

  • Saturday, March 17, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Nature Art in Field and Studio

    This one day Tower Hill Botanic Garden workshop on Saturday, March 17 from 10 – 4 will focus on Barry Van Dusen’s recent residency with the Massachusetts Audubon Society. For the past two years, Barry has been traveling around Massachusetts, creating paintings and drawings at Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries. Barry will show a selection of the more 130 watercolors he has produced for the project and share his residency sketchbooks. You’ll learn about how the artist uses optics in the field, and how he organizes his art materials for efficient fieldwork. He’ll discuss the approaches he uses to create artwork on location and in his studio. Barry will lead students through basic drawing, tone and color exercises to help them get started with creating their own record of outdoor observations.

    PLEASE NOTE: A MATERIALS LIST WILL BE SENT UPON REGISTRATION. $95 for Tower Hill members, $110 for nonmembers. Register online at www.towerhillbg.org.

    Barry W. Van Dusen is an internationally recognized and award-winning wildlife artist living in central Massachusetts. Barry’s illustrations and paintings have appeared in many publications and books. In recent years Barry has been Artist-in-Residence at Fruitlands Museums, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, and Mass Audubon. See more of the artist’s work at www.barryvandusen.com

  • Thursday, March 15, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm – 177th Annual Meeting of the Worcester County Horticultural Society

    The 177th Annual Meeting of the Worcester County Horticultural Society and Tower Hill Botanic Garden will be held at Tower Hill on Thursday, March 15, 4-6pm. Admission is free; pre-registration required. Members are welcome to bring guests. However, only Tower Hill members may vote at the Business Meeting.

    Please register at www.towerhillbg.org or by calling 508.869.6111 x102

    Business Meeting – 4pm – The 177th Annual Meeting of the Worcester County Horticultural Society will include a presentation of the Society’s business over the past year, a vote on candidates for the Board of Trustees, as well as any resolutions proposed. Amendments to the Bylaws will be presented for consideration and vote. Proposed changes may be viewed on the Annual Meeting page of our website  or be requested by calling the telephone number above. The Business Meeting will be followed by a presentation by Rodney Eason.

    Please join us for a reception in the Great Hall immediately following the presentation.

    RODNEY EASON – Rodney is the CEO of the Land & Garden Preserve which stretches from Northeast Harbor to Seal Harbor on Mount Desert Island, Maine. Prior to joining the Preserve in 2015, Rodney was director of horticulture at Coastal Maine Botanical Garden and display division leader at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. Besides gardening and just an overall love of plants, his hobbies include bicycling, reading, and finding different ways to stay warm in the winter (he is a native Southerner). He and his wife, Carrie, feel extremely fortunate to be able to raise their two teens and two “tweens” in and around Acadia National Park.

  • Sundays, March 4 & 11, 12:30 pm – 3:15 pm – Brass Tacks of Landscape Design

    Monique Allen of The Garden Continuum will conduct a two session class at Tower Hill Botanic Garden on March 4 and 11 from 12:30 – 3:15 on landscape design.

    Session one outlines the fundamentals of landscape design theory starting with an overview of garden ecology and a review of the layers: Infrastructure ~ Structure ~ Enhancements. This discussion will go over the permanent year round features of all landscapes (the bones) and review all of the convertible elements that transition through the seasons (the flesh). This discussion will also review the development of the design concept starting with the Needs ~ Wants ~ Wishes exercise (homework for next session).

    Session two will review the hands on elements of a site analysis from data gathering to documentation and interpretation in order to help guide the designer in making sound design choices. We will discuss plant inventory as well as surrounding vegetation (including weeds) to help with analysis. In this discussion we will review the Needs ~ Wants ~ Wishes exercise and review concept planning using bubble diagrams and discuss preliminary layout planning.

    Monique Allen has dedicated 32 years to the landscape industry focusing on land design development, best-practices construction, and fine gardening. She is the founder and creative director at The Garden Continuum, Inc., an award winning, 7-figure landscape firm. She’s developed a unique skill set in low impact and sustainable design practices. Monique is a certified Conservation Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a registered Women Owned Business. Monique is also the founder of TGC Academy, which runs the Landscaper’s Freedom Formula on-line training and offers private coaching to landscape business owners to help them navigate the complexities of growing a successful organization.

    Tower Hill Members – $95; nonmembers $120. Register at www.towerhillbg.org.

  • Thursday, March 1, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm – The Old House Garden

    Have you ever wondered what plants grew outside the door of your old house-and why? Spend the morning of March 1 (11 – 12:30) at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive in Boylston, delving into plant and garden history, and learn the best resources to research and find those plants today. The free with admission program will be led by sleuths Betsy Williams and Tower Hill Librarian Kathy Bell. For more information visit www.towerhillbg.org.

  • Wednesday, February 28, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Winter in a Vase

    Erin Doolittle, Staff Gardener at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, will demonstrate how to make floral arrangements in winter using berries, branches, evergreens and more, on Wednesday, February 28 from 2 – 3. The demonstration is free with admission to the Garden, located at 11 French Drive in Boylston. For more information visit http://towerhillbg.org, or call 508-869-6111, x 124.

  • Sunday, February 18, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Botanical Studies in Graphite

    Join Tower Hill Botanic Garden and Helen Byers in this one-day workshop on Sunday, February 18 from 10 – 4 to refine your drawing skills. Choose a subject from Helen’s collection of “treasures”-maybe a bit of bark or lichen, a dry leaf or seedpod, a small cone-and draw it in detail. We’ll explore the exciting possibilities of using graphite to render a full range of neutral tones and textures. Individualized instruction will include demos and helpful tips. A list of recommended supplies will be sent to registrants. To see galleries of Helen’s work and slideshows from her courses, visit helenbyers.com.

    Helen Byers is an artist, writer, editor, and educator with a background in literary and educational publishing. Her drawings and paintings have been exhibited in solo and group shows in the West and East and are held in various private collections. Her illustration credits include six children’s books and six literary book covers. Her teaching of art has included courses and workshops in botanical drawing and painting, watercolor painting, figure sketching, still-life drawing, and field sketching / journaling.

    Helen’s work is included in 2 prestigious recent exhibitions: The19th Annual International Juried Exhibition of the American Society of Botanical Artists & the New York Horticultural Society, Nov. 1 – Dec. 30, 2016 in NYC; and “Woody Plants of New England,” an exhibit of the New England Society of Botanical Artists at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, July 8 – Sept 11, 2016.  $80 for THGB members, $90 for nonmembers. Register online at https://towerhillbg.thankyou4caring.org/pages/event-registration-form—botanical-studies-in-graphite

  • Thursday, February 15 and Friday, March 16, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Forest Bathing in the Conservatories

    Reset the stress button and experience the grandeur of the Tower Hill Botanic Garden conservatories in a whole new way with the practice of Forest Bathing. We will use our senses to meet and develop a connection with the living residents (the plants) of this special space as we explore with our senses their flowers and fragrance, outstanding foliage and enticing fruit. This simple yet profound practice draws from mindfulness, sensory awareness and nature. You’ll engage all your senses through a series of invitations to bring you to the present moment. We will conclude with a tea ceremony and a snack next to the conservatory.

    Nadine Mazzola is a Certified Forest Therapy Guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs. Her training includes special knowledge in guiding people of all ages in Shinrin Yoku, “Forest Bathing,” Walks and the body of scientific knowledge demonstrating the benefits of spending time in nature as a wellness practice and an effective way to manage stress. As a cancer survivor, practicing good self-care is Nadine’s most important guiding principle for herself. She has come to know the healing and support that nature can offer us through her own personal wellness journey. A Massachusetts native who loves spending time wandering and exploring in nature, she is joyous to be sharing Forest Bathing with the community and creating environments for Forest Therapy. Image from www.greenbiz.com.

    Each session is $20 for THBG members, $30 for nonmembers. Register at https://towerhillbg.thankyou4caring.org/pages/event-registration-form—forest-bathing-in-the-conservatories-winter-2018

  • Sunday, February 11, 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm – Plant Combinations for a Long Season of Bloom

    You can enjoy colorful and fragrant flowers even in January, long before the vernal equinox and have blooms celebrate all of the other seasons – spring, summer and fall! This is not a fanciful ideal and you don’t need a heated greenhouse or conservatory. Landscape Horticulturist Warren Leach will introduce plants and planting combination to extend your garden enjoyment in a free (with admission to the garden) lecture at Tower Hill Botanic Garden on Sunday, February 11 from 2:30 – 3:30.

    Warren Leach is co-owner of Tranquil Lake Nursery in Rehoboth MA, a specialty nursery that is a prominent grower of daylilies, iris and distinctive perennials and woody plants. Warren is a passionate plant collector and landscape horticulturist with a depth of knowledge of all garden plants – both perennial and woody plants and tropical and temperate. He is also a distinguished and award-winning garden designer. Warren enjoys sharing his horticultural and garden design knowledge with others through garden lectures, mentoring and through the gardens that he designs. For more information visit https://towerhillbg.thankyou4caring.org/pages/event-registration-form—plant-combinations-for-a-long-season-of-bloom

  • Sunday, February 11, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Pot-et-Fleur

    Plant a lovely winter garden at Tower Hill Botanic Garden on Sunday, February 11 from 1 – 3 with Betsy Williams. Garden indoors while you are waiting for the garden to return outdoors. A Pot-et-Fleur combines potted plants with fresh flowers in a decorative container. Flowering and tropical plants accented with lacy ferns, trailing ivies and fresh cut flowers become an enchanting table garden. With proper care, the plants will last for many months and the fresh flowers may be replaced when desired. Please bring floral scissors and an apron to class. Plants, flowers, container and mechanics will be supplied by the instructor. $80 for THBG members, $95 for nonmembers. Register online at https://towerhillbg.thankyou4caring.org/pages/event-registration-form—pot-et-fleur-2018

    Betsy Williams teaches, lectures and writes about living with herbs and flowers. A gardener and herb grower since 1972, Betsy trained as a florist in Boston and England. She combines her floral and gardening skills with an extensive knowledge of history, plant lore and seasonal celebrations. Betsy is the author of several books on the uses and stories of herbs and flowers. She has appeared on the Discovery Channel and greater Boston cable stations as well as local and national radio talk shows. Betsy lectures and teaches locally and nationally.

  • 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.