Boston Flora

Tag: Wellesley College Botanic Garden

  • Saturday, February 6, 10 am – 2:30 pm – Winter Tree Observations: Deciduous Trees

    You may already have taken Carol Govan’s evergreen tree identification class – now move on to deciduous trees.  On Saturday, February 6, from 10 – 2:30, Carol will present a workshop at the Wellesley College Botanic Garden in this program co-sponsored by the Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture and the Arnold Arboretum.  Winter is a great time to identify trees based on their overall structure and twig and bud characteristics. Close observation can also reveal clues to the adaptive strategies of various tree species. You will begin indoors at the Wellesley College Greenhouse Visitor Center, carefully looking at twigs and other tree parts, discovering family and genus similarities, and examining indicators of the growth cycles of deciduous trees. After lunch Carol will lead you through the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens to identify trees, observing both large- and small-scale details. Bring a lunch and hand lens and dress for cold weather. (Snow date: February 13)
    Fee $50 WCFH or Arnold Arboretum member, $65 nonmember.  To register, log on to www.arboretum.harvard.edu.

    http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/5500733/2/istockphoto_5500733-oak-tree-winter-silhouette.jpg

  • Saturday, January 30, 10 am – 2:30 pm – Winter Tree Observations: Evergreens

    Carol Govan has been a popular speaker with The Garden Club of the Back Bay.  Join her on Saturday, January 30 at the Wellesley College Botanic Garden for this one session class beginning at 10 am.  Winter is a great time to identify trees based on their overall structure and twig and bud characteristics. Close observation can also reveal clues to the adaptive strategies of various tree species. You will begin indoors at the Wellesley College Greenhouse Visitor Center, carefully looking at twigs and other tree parts, discovering family and genus similarities, and examining indicators of the growth cycles of evergreens. After lunch Carol will lead you through the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens to identify trees, observing both large- and small-scale details. Bring a lunch and hand lens and dress for cold weather. (Snow date: February 13) Fee $50 Arnold Arboretum or Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture member, $65 nonmember.  To register, or for more information, log on to www.arboretum.harvard.edu.

    Evergreen Needles and Snow by ...Rachel J....

  • Tuesdays & Thursdays, January 5,7,12 & 14, 9:30 – 2:30 – Where in the World?

    Where in the world are all those exotic fruits, vegetables and spices grown?  In this four-day seminar at the Wellesley College Botanic Garden, learn about exotic produce in their native lands and see up close those growing in the Ferguson greenhouses.  Observe, research and record them in drybrush watercolor.  Sarah Roche’s expert instruction will give you the skills to capture textures and tones and the vibrant colors of fruits and vegetables – your paintings will look good enough to eat.  Snow date Tuesday, January 19, should a session be canceled.  Course number BAC 10 148.  WCFH members $200, non-members $250.  To register, or for more information, log on to www.wellesley.edu/WCFH, or email horticulture@wellesley.edu.

    Tropical fruits in the Philippines by Roberto Verzo.

  • Monday, October 26, 9:30 am – noon – Volunteer Training at the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens

    The Wellesley College Botanic Gardens depends on its many Friends of Horticulture volunteers to assist the WCBG  in gardening tasks, host campus events, lead tours, work on special research projects, and share their enthusiasm with other plant lovers.  Volunteer meetings are the third Monday of the month, and the first volunteer training session of 2009/2010 will be held at the Greenhouses on October 26, with additional training dates of November 2, 9, 16, and February 1 and 8, 2010.  Training for the Arboretum begins March 20, 2010.  Additional information can be found at www.wellesley.edu/WCFH, or by emailing horticulture@wellesley.edu, or calling 781-283-3094.  Sometimes you just want to hang out in the Greenhouses!

    http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1197/529668793_ae69fe7466.jpg?v=0

  • Saturday, October 10 – Monday, October 12, 9:00 am – noon – An Introduction to Plant Ecology

    When we see a flower or tree in our garden, we are often unaware of the myriad ways in which that plant’s growth and form is affected by other organisms and its environment.  This three consecutive morning course will explore key concepts in plant ecology with environmental scientist Katie Alt Griffith.  Each session will start with a lecture in the Wellesley College Botanic Garden Visitor Center and then move outdoors into the botanic gardens for observational studies and other structured activities in the field.  Please bring a notebook or journal and pencil, as well as a hand lens (available at Staples) and a field guide, if you have them.  Dress appropriately for going outdoors, rain or shine.  The botanic gardens contain stairs and uneven surfaces.  This course is co-sponsored with Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University.  WCFH members $75, non-members $90.  For more information, or to register for course number HOR 10 020, log on to www.wellesley.edu/WCFH, or email horticulture@wellesley.edu.

    Leaf-footed bug on Adam's needle by Ken-ichi.

  • Tuesday, September 1 – Thursday, September 3, 9:30 – 3:30 – Fern Morphology: Beyond the Fronds

    Spend three days at the Wellesley College Botanic Garden (September 1 – 3, 9:30 – 3:30) with Dick Rauh looking at and drawing ferns.  Learn to appreciate the variety of forms and the subtlety of color and texture that characterize them.  Study the fern life cycle, dissections, diagnostic characters and fern vocabulary.  With Dick’s guidance, compose these elements: a drawing of a frond or habit, details of pinna form, sori and scales into a scientific illustration in graphite or pen and ink.  Members of Friends of Wellesley Botanic Garden – $250, Non-Members $300.  Print a reservation form from the web site, www.wellesley.edu/WCFH, or send a check made payable to Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture and mail it to Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture, 106 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 02481-8203.

  • Monday, July 20 – Friday, July 24, 9:30 – 12:30 – Luscious Leaves

    Spend a week at the Wellesley College Botanic Garden.  Start with basic leaf botany and color mixing for Sarah Roche’s favorite leaf colors.  Then rev up your dry brush watercolors skills and watch as luscious leaves come alive on your paper.  Advanced beginner watercolor skills required.  Members of the Friends of Wellesley Botanic Garden, $225, non-members $275.  For more information, and for a printable registration form, log on to www.wellesley.edu/WCFH, or send a check made out to Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture to them at 106 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 02481-8203.

  • Sunday, June 7, 2:00 pm – Gardens of the Arts and Crafts Movement

    We enjoyed author and noted garden historian Judith Tankard at our March meeting at the Wellesley College Botanic Garden, and we have the opportunity to hear her again on Sunday, June 7 at 2 pm, when she will give an illustrated lecture on The Gardens of the Arts and Crafts Movement, followed by a tea party and birthday cake celebrating Beatrix Farrand’s birthday.  Judith will also be available to sign her books, and attendees will enjoy a plant sale and garden boutique.  The lecture will be given at The Henry A. Wallace Visitor Center at the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt Historic Site and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, 4097 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, New York. There will be limited seating, so advance purchase of tickets is strongly recommended.  For more information contact Anne Symmes: info@beatrixfarrandgarden.org, or call 845-229-9115, ext. 26.  To learn more about Beatrix Farrand Garden Association visit www.beatrixfarrandgarden.org. Tickets are $25 ($20 for BFGA members).