Boston Flora

Tag: Trees And Shrubs

  • Saturday, April 3, 9 am – noon – Pruning Basics

    Learn the why’s and how’s of pruning – why to prune, if you even need to prune, when to prune, and what cuts to make.  Wellesley College Botanic Gardens Senior Horticulturist Tricia Diggins teaches you to make cutting edge decisions about nearly every pruning job from house plants to large tres.  She explores with you how these general principles relate to specific plants like flowering shrubs, evergreens, older trees, young plants and fruit trees.  Approximately half the class time will be indoors and the remaiinder will be outside in the Hunnewell Arboretum and Alexandra Botanic Gardens, looking at the pruning needs of a variety of trees and shrubs.  The Wellesley College Hunnewell Arboretum can be damp under foot in early spring.  Please dress appropriately for the weather.  Class number HOR 10 080, WCFH members $20, non members $25.  To register, or for directions, log on to www.wellesley.edu/WCFH, or email horticulture@wellesley.edu.

    Pruning Tools

  • Saturday, March 13, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm – Growing Plants from Seeds

    Jack Alexander, Plant Propagator for the Arnold Arboretum, presents a single session class at the Dana Greenhouses in Jamaica Plain on Saturday, March 13, from 9 am – 1 pm.  There’s nothing more satisfying to a gardener than growing plants from seeds. From annuals and perennials to trees and shrubs, success can be achieved if you understand what triggers germination. Expert propagator Jack Alexander will share techniques and tips for starting various types of plants from seeds. This workshop is for beginners and those who have been frustrated in past attempts to transform seed to seedling. Students will leave class with a selection of seeds raring to grow. Aftercare will be necessary. Fee $45 Arnold Arboretum member, $55 nonmember. To register, log on to www.arboretum.harvard.edu.

  • Mondays, February 8, 22, and March 1, 6:30 – 8:30 pm – Landscaping with Native Plants

    Join Michael Lance, owner and designer with Wild Regeneration, at the Hunnewell Building of the Arnold Arboretum on three Mondays, February 8, February 22, and March 1, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm, for this native plant design class.  Gardeners, smitten by a display of natives at a garden center, erroneously infer all sorts of attributes from the word “native,”such as “hardy,”“resilient,”“tough,”or even “better.”All of these traits may indeed apply to any native plant; however, this is dependent on the conditions in which the plant is grown. For example, a tough native wetland plant won’t be resilient when planted along the hot, dry edge of a driveway. In this class with designer Michael Lance you will learn about native plants that would be most suitable to your garden site. Michael will present some of the plants that he incorporates when designing gardens for clients, with class sessions about native trees, shrubs, and perennials. He’ll emphasize edible and medicinal plants, trees and shrubs that exhibit ornamental characteristics, and perennials that can withstand and thrive in urban and suburban New England conditions. Throughout the class Michael will incorporate organic techniques and his philosophy for developing healthy and beneficial garden habitats.
    Fee $70 Arnold Arboretum member, $85 nonmember. To register, log on to www.arboretum.harvard.edu.

    http://www.newfs.org/images/visit/visit%20crop%20GITW%20spring.jpg/image_preview

  • Saturday, January 30, 9 am – 4 pm – Grafting Techniques for Ornamental Trees

    Join Plant Propagator Jack Alexander at the Dana Greenhouses at the Arnold Arboretum on Saturday, January 30 at 9 am for this day long workshop sponsored by the Arnold Arboretum. Grafting is the technique of joining parts of plants in such a manner that they unite and continue their growth as one plant. It is sometimes the most practical propagation method for the hobbyist, since it does not require special conditions or equipment. This workshop will teach methods of grafting and offer practice in making graft unions from actual plant material. You will graft both deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs. The plants may include two- or five-needled pines and crabapples. (Simple aftercare will be required until planting out in late spring.) If you own pruning shears or a grafting knife, please bring them to class. You must sign an assumption-of-risk-and-release form in order to practice the techniques taught in class (yes, you can cut yourself if you’re not careful!)
    Fee $90  Arboretum member, $110 nonmember.  To register, log on to www.arboretum.harvard.edu.

    http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/images/bud-grafting.jpg

  • Friday, February 19 – Friday, February 26, 2010 – Gardens of the Caribbean

    The National Trust for Historic Preservation will sponsor a one week trip from Barbados to Curacao aboard the Sea Cloud II from Friday, February 19 – Friday, Fecruary 26.  Here is what the National Trust says about this trip:

    With its balmy island breezes and centuries-old tradition of gardening, the Caribbean offers a delightful respite to a northern winter. This exciting new itinerary takes us to the coral islands of the Southern Caribbean, with both desert-like terrain in which aloe vera and other succulent plants grow wild, and luxuriant gardens full of tropical flowering trees and shrubs.

    We are delighted that noted landscape architect Patrick Bowe will travel with us to private plantations and botanical gardens of long standing. Author of Gardens of the Caribbean, Mr. Bowe is a sought-after study leader who has accompanied many previous National Trust garden tours to rave reviews. Also traveling with us will be Williams College Professor of Art Michael Lewis, who will discuss historic architecture and the Caribbean Sea battles of the Napoleonic Wars.

    Our voyage begins in Barbados, where we embark Sea Cloud II for the “Spice Island” of Grenada.  Visit several private homes and gardens, then dance under the stars to the music of one of the Caribbean’s best steel bands. Following a relaxing day at sea we arrive at the limestone island of La Blanquilla, off the coast of Venezuela, for swimming and snorkeling. Sail on to the Netherlands Antilles. In Bonaire, admire the island’s diverse flora and fauna and see a 14th-century Spanish village. Then view the impressive Dutch colonial architecture in Curaçao, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fort Amsterdam.

    Exclusively chartered for this voyage, the elegant sailing yacht Sea Cloud II combines comfort and a casual atmosphere with fine service. Tasteful surroundings and five-star dining complement the heady experience of traveling under wind-lofted sails. We will be joined by members of The Royal Oak Foundation and alumni from Williams College.

    An optional prelude is also arranged in colorful Barbados, featuring private access to beautifully maintained botanical gardens and National Trust properties.

    Complete information may be found at www.preservationnation.org.  A deposit of $1,500 will reserve your spot – the total cost varies by room size, but this isn’t an inexpensive trip.  However, think about February in New England!

    http://farm1.static.flickr.com/39/88634462_0592d8fbdc.jpg?v=0

  • Saturday, November 28, 10:00 am – 12 noon – Doyle Reservation Tree Tour

    Join a self-proclaimed lover of trees (and forester) on a guided tour of the grounds at the Doyle Estate and Pierce Park on Saturday, November 28, from 10:00 am – 12 noon.  You will be introduced to the over fifty species of trees which call the estate home.  This is a free event, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations, and you may sign up by calling 978-840-4446, x 1900, or emailing central@ttor.org.  Driving directions to Leominster are available at www.thetrustees.org.

    At the turn of the 20th century, Harry W. Pierce assembled a grand estate featuring a 29-room stucco mansion, stable, horse paddocks, a pond, and an extensive system of bridle paths. Today, this estate is the Doyle Reservation, with Pierce Park and the Doyle Conservation Center at its heart.

    Pierce Park is made up of 10 of the original landscaped grounds from the estate (most of the trees and shrubs are from the estate’s original design and plantings). Doyle Conservation Center, a LEED Gold-Certified “green” building, serves as one of The Trustees of Reservations’ regional offices.  Pierce Park is a link in the Monoosnoc Trail. More trails are planned.

    http://www.mikesjournal.com/November%202007/Maple%20Tree.jpg

  • Thursday, November 5, 7:00 – 9:00 pm – Pruning: When, Why, and How

    Confused about when and how to prune your trees and shrubs?  Chuck Sherzi, Certified Arborist and Horticulturist, will help you sort that out.  Chuck will cover pruning practices, tools, and techniques.  He has taught classes and workshops at the Landscape Institute and the Arnold Arboretum.  This program, on Thursday, November 5, beginning at 7 pm, will take place at the Medford Public Library, 111 High Street, Medford, Massachusetts, and is sponsored by the Medford Garden Club.  The program is free and open to the public.  For more information, email sbcummer@msn.com.

    http://huntertreeremoval.com/images/pruning.jpg

  • Saturday, October 31, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Barking Mad!

    Michael Dosmann, Curator of Living Collections, Arnold Arboretum, will speak on Saturday, Oct 31 , 1:00–2:30pm, at the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain.
    As the weather changes and leaves drop, focus your attention on bark, an often-overlooked ornamental feature of woody plants. The Curator of Living Collections is mad for bark! Join him on a stroll to find trees and shrubs with beautiful, colorful, textural bark. Free.  Advance registration requested.  Log on to www.arboretum.harvard.edu for directions and registration.

    http://www.1920-1200-wallpapers.com/1920x1200%20Images/Abstract/bark.jpg

  • Thursday, October 8, 6 – 8 pm – Introduction to Fruiting Trees and Shrubs

    The Boston Gardeners’ Council will hold a workshop on Thursday, October 8, from 6 – 8 pm, at the Southwest Corridor Community Farm, Lamartine St. and Hoffman Street in Jamaica Plain.  Ben Crouch, former director of Earthworks City Fruit program, leads this workshop on planning, planting, tending, and harvesting urban orchards.  Free, but registration is required.  Call Boston Natural Areas Network at 617-542-7696, or email info@bostonnatural.org.

    http://newtownpippin.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/newtownpippin-monticello2.jpg

  • Saturdays, October 3 & 24, 9 am – 4 pm – Propagating Trees and Shrubs from Cuttings and Seeds

    Need to nurture?  Then join longtime Arnold Arboretum propagator Jack Alexander to learn basic information and techniques for propagating most woody plants.  Session One includes a lecture and workshop on seed propagation and construction of a propagation case.  Session Two will be a lecture and workshop on hardwood cuttings.  You will leave class with numerous cuttings and seeds to cherish and grow.  To participate, you must sign an assumption-of-risk-and-release form in order to practice the techniques taught in class.  Bring a lunch and a beverage.  If you own hand pruners, bring them to the second class.  A sharp knife and an apron may also be helpful.  You will be collecting propagules from the Arboretum grounds on both afternoons regardless of weather, so dress accordingly and wear comfortable shoes.  The classes will take place at the Dana Greenhouses, Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain.  For directions, and to register, log on to www.arboretum.harvard.edu, or www.wellesley.edu/WCFH.  You may also email horticulture@wellesley.edu.  Course Number HOR 10 010, WCFH and Arboretum member price $180, Non-Members $215.

    Tree Branches 4 by LynGi.