Instructor Bruce Lucier of Homebrew Emporium in West Boylston will introduce you to the history, cultural significance and biochemistry of beer, while providing the hands-on experience of making your own, in this two session class at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive in Boylston, on Wednesdays, October 13 and 27, from 7 – 9 pm. THBG members will pay $20, and non-members $25. To register, log on to www.towerhillbg.org. Painting by Morgen Chandomba.
In this two session workshop at Tower Hill Botanic Garden on Wednesdays, October 6 and 13, from 7 – 8:30, artist/designer Sandra Reardon will teach you how to capture the beauty of leaves using the process and technique of sand casting. All tools and materials will be provided. The cost for THBG members is $50, and $55 for non-members. To register, log on to www.towerhillbg.org.
Visit Tower Hill Botanic Gardens in Boylston, Massachusetts on Saturday, September 25 or Sunday, September 26 for the annual plant show sponsored by the Buxton Begonia Society and the New England Gesneriad Society.  The Gesneriad family consists of over 3,000 species and over 133 genera. It was named after 16th century Swiss naturalist Konrad von Gesner. Most Gesneriads are from tropical parts of the world. Some of the most common plants in this genera are the Cupid’s Bower (Achimenes), Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus), Flame Violet (Episcia), Goldfish Plant (Nematanthus), African Violet (Saintpaulia), Florist Gloxinia (Sinningia – below), and Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus). See beautiful displays of rare and unusual houseplants, take a guided tour of the show, hear lectures on begonia and gesneriad care, and visit vendors selling an incredible selection of begonias and gesneriads.. For more information, directions, and hours, log on to www.towerhillbg.org.
Join Joe Biagioni of Arbor Alliance for a hands on workshop that explains and demonstrates the technical aspects of landscape lighting in a way that is easily understood. The class will be held at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive in Boylston, on Wednesday, October 6, from 6 – 9, and there is a $35 fee for members of THBG and $40 for non-members. Register at www.towerhillbg.org.
This class in Photography and Fine Art, to be held at Tower Hill Botanic Garden on Wednesdays, 9:30 am – 12 noon beginning September 22 through November 10, will draw on classical and modern masters for inspiration. The class, led by instructor Robert Moll, will try to emulate the composition and technique of these artists to create photographic works of art. THBG members $120, non-members $135. To register, or for more information, log on to www.towerhillbg.org. One of Mr. Moll’s photographs is shown below.
Sogetsu Ikebana is an internationally recognized school of Japanese flower arranging. In these classes, to be held at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Massachusetts, you will learn the essentials of this venerable art from Garden Club of the Back Bay member Kaye Vosburgh. Kaye has, for many years, exhibited and taught Sogetsu Ikebana in Massachusetts, New York, several other states, and three foreign countries. Kaye provides flowers for each class and will have supplies and equipment for purchase by students who wish them. Sign up for any or all of these sessions, most of which cover two lessons in the course’s inexpensive text, which is available from the instructor for $20. Each session costs $29.50 (Tower Hill members) or $32 (non-members). Register online at www.towerhillbg.org.
The Cactus and Succulent Society of Massachusetts will hold a show and sale at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Massachusetts on Saturday, September 18, from 12 – 5 pm, and on Sunday, September 19, from 10 – 4. Since the founding of the group in 1991, the CSSM has participated in the New England Spring Flower Show several times, winning ribbons and other awards. You will be able to purchase plants as well as learn about care and propagation. This judged show contains 100 categories of cactus and succulents. There will be guided tours of the show twice daily, a plant auction of special varieties, and specialty vendors selling both beginning and collector plants. Also, you will enjoy the kids planting station. For more information log on to www.ccsma.org or www.towerhillbg.org.
Growing, Giving, Growing, An Evening to Support Tower Hill, will take place Saturday, September 11, from 6 – 9 at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive, Boylston, Massachusetts. Enjoy the open bar, hors d’oeuvre, summer buffet, and take an active role in the success of Tower Hill by underwriting daily operations, tasks and programs at the Garden. Steve Fletcher, famed auctioneer and Vice President of Skinner Auctioneers and Appraisers in Marlborough, Massachusetts will be Master of Ceremonies. He will invite sponsors to keep “Bambi at Bay” with deer repellent, help a child attend the Youth Gardening Program, forge new trails on the garden grounds, move the Camellia collection outdoors, or prune 100 ornamental trees, to mention just a few sponsor opportunities. Individual tickets are $90 per person, sponsor tickets are $125 per person, and you are asked to respond by September 3, 2010 to Wendy Cehon at 508-869-6111, x 136. You may also pay securely online at www.towerhillbg.org.
Visit two private gardens on Sunday, August 22, from 10 – 3, with Tower Hill Botanic Garden. Brigham Hill Farm in North Grafton is the home of Shirley and Peter Williams. The spectacular new vegetable garden will be lush with summer crops, and the water garden will provide a sense of coolness during the month of august. Lush lawns, enormous shade trees, and many flowery nooks and crannies complete the scene. At Green Hill in Boylston, the home of Sarah and Allen Berry, you will find an extraordinary collection of rare and unusual trees and shrubs. The great expanse of fields should be in the peak of summer bloom. Share in the infectious enthusiasm of the owner and creator. $15 for Tower Hill members, $20 for nonmembers. To register, log on to www.towerhillbg.org.
The Bonsai West collection is one of the oldest historic collections of bonsai in the country. Michael Levin, owner and founder of Bonsai West, will talk about these trees – several over one hundred years old – and the original artists who created them. The stories of Mr. Levin’s 28 years of growing bonsai and creating this beautiful nursery, and his experiences with the original artists and the history and culture of this ancient art coalesce during this fascinating tour, sponsored by Tower Hill Botanic Garden. Levin also discusses basic bonsai care techniques and growing your own bonsai. $15 for Tower Hill members, $20 for nonmembers. You may register at www.towerhillbg.org.
