The Garden Club of the Back Bay

Come purchase a wide variety of open pollinated annuals, perennials, herbs and fifteen varieties of heirloom tomatoes.  These are beautiful, hard-to-find varieties that will enhance any border or decorative garden.  You’ll have the chance to confer with Gore Place gardener Scott Clarke.  Scott has a great deal of knowledge about these varieties and he is eager to share his expertise.  The dates are Saturday, May 15, Friday and Saturday, May 21 – 22, and Saturday, May 29, from 9 – 3, but come early, since some of the offerings may be in limited supply.  Gore Place is at 52 Gore Street in Waltham, Massachusetts, and you may email events@goreplace.org for more information, or call Thom Roach at 781-894-2798.

Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger is Sunday, May 2, 2010. The 20-mile route weaving through Boston, Brookline, Newton, and Cambridge will include entertainment and free snacks along the way. On May 2nd, over 40,000 Walkers will step out and raise $4 million to help fund over 400 food pantries, soup kitchens, food banks, and food salvage programs across Massachusetts. Registration is from 7:00 to 9:00 A.M. on Boston Common. For more information, visit www.projectbread.org or call 617-723-5000. If you or someone you know is struggling to put food on the table, please call Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333.

Andy Langley of Conard-Pyle Roses will be in the Russell’s Garden Center rose yard to help you select the perfect rose for your garden. Since its founding in 1897, The Conard-Pyle Co. has evolved from a retail mail order firm specializing in roses, to a wholesale container nursery. Today, they grow an extensive range of perennials, ground covers, grasses, woody ornamental plants and roses (see the Knock Out rose below.)

As one of the pioneer container growers on the East Coast and currently one of the largest and most respected, Conard-Pyle has over 5 million plants growing in its Pennsylvania and Maryland nurseries. In the San Joaquin Valley of California, it grows an equal quantity of Star® Roses.

Over 75 years ago, Robert Pyle laid the foundation that still exists at The Conard-Pyle Co. today. A beautiful garden begins with exceptional plants. By establishing friendships with nurseries and hybridizers all over the world, Pyle expanded its horticultural palette. These friendships have allowed them to work with some of the world’s most innovative nurseries to introduce plants that have passed the ultimate test — the rigorous American climate.  The event is free. For more information, log on to www.russellsgardencenter.com, or call 508-358-2283.

Join the Boston Preservation Alliance for Gala on the Greenway, the 2010 Auction and Living Icons Award night, at Goulston & Storrs, 400 Atlantic Avenue in Boston.  Silent and Live Auctions begin at 6:00.  The Boston Preservation Alliance honors Governor Michael S. Dukakis (below, middle) and Frederick P. Salvucci (below, right), former Secretary of Transportation for the Commonwealth.  The pair will be presented with the Alliance’s first “Living Icons” award for their vision in conceiving Boston’s Central Artery Project, and fortitude in making it a reality. Hors d’oeuvre and cocktails by La Morra, wines by Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.  Tickets $150, of which $115 is deductible.  For more information on the awards and auction items log on to www.bostonpreservation.org.

Seasonal yard waste pick-up is on your recycling day (based on address) and will continue from now through May 28.  The Public Works Department will collect your leaves and yard waste, and use it as natural fertilizer for Boston’s community gardens.  Place leaves and yard debris in large paper leaf bags or open barrels labeled “yard waste.”  Large paper leaf bags are available at any local True Value hardware store, supermarket, or Home Depot.  Yard waste stickers are available by calling 617-635-4500.  Tie branches with string, making sure they are no longer than 3 feet in length.  Please do not put branches in the barrels.  Under no circumstances use plastic bags.  We thank The Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay for this timely reminder.

Now that Easter’s over, we’ll soon be working in our gardens, and what better place to get wonderful new plants and gardening tips for your home or garden than the annual Green Animals Plant Sale, sponsored by The Preservation Society of Newport County! Head on over to Green Animals at 380 Corys Lane, Portsmouth, Rhode Island on Saturday, May 8 for some great deals on Mother’s Day gifts, topiary, bedding plants, hanging baskets, perennials and more. The sale starts at 10 a.m.–get there early for the best selection! For more details, log on to www.newportmansions.org, or call 401-683-1267.

The New England Wild Flower Society plans a five session course with Roland “Boot” Boutwell, beginning June 3, which will be held at Garden in the Woods in Framingham, plus various field sites.  The many species of native New England shrubs display a wide variation in size, shape, color and characteristics of their bark, flowers, and fruits.  This course introduces students to approximately 50 species growing in this region.  Identification will be emphasized, and students will become familiar with family characteristics and historic uses.  Bring a hand lens to each session.  Weekend sessions will be held at off-site locations and directions will be provided at the first class.  The fee is $195 for NEWFS members and $225 for non-members.  To register, log on to www.newfs.org.

OK, we know we’re obsessed with sheep shearing, but Kate Pokorny made converts out of the Garden Club of the Back Bay members.  So celebrate spring at this annual program on Saturday, May 8, from noon – 4, at Watson Farm in Jamestown, Rhode Island.  Watch the farm flock be shorn by local shearers and visit with the baby lambs.  View the farm’s herd of heritage Red Devon Cattle and enjoy a scenic hike around the farm, located on Narragansett Bay.  Free to Historic New England members, $10 per car for nonmembers.   For more information, call 401-423-0005, or log on to www.historicnewengland.org.

While we’re still on the topic of sheep shearing, come to the Spencer-Peirce Little Farm in Newbury, Massachusetts on Saturday, May 8, from 11 – 4, if you’re not already headed down to Rhode Island to Watson Farm, and watch teams of draft horses and mules from throughout New England participate in plowing demonstrations as part of this annual event.  learn how horses are harnessed, hitched, and cared for.  Watch the – you guessed it – sheep shearing and see how the wool is washed, carded, and spun into yarn.  Enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, farm animals, blacksmithing demonstrations, children’s crafts and games.  Listen to fiddle music from E. J. Ouelette and watch a puppet show by Martha Dana.  Free to Historic New England members, $6 nonmember adults, $4 children.  Call 978-462-2634, or log on to www.historicnewengland.org.

A number of local Garden Clubs will hold plant sales in early May, to benefit their community projects.  We encourage you to attend and spend, since neighborhood beautification benefits everyone.  For complete, up to date listings, log on to www.gcfm.org and check the Calendar page.  Here are some highlights:

May 7, 9:00 – 2:00 - Open Gate GC of Chelmsford Plant Sale at the Unitarian-Universalist Church, Chelmsford Center.  Contact sharon8@rubinfamily.com.

May 8, 9:00 – 1:00 – Bridgewater Garden Club Spring Plant Sale at the Cole Yeaton Senior Center, Bridgewater.

May 8, 9:00 – 12:00 – Hanson Garden Club Plant Sale at Thomas Mill, Route 58, Hanson.  Contact gparros@comcast.net.

May 8, 8:30 – 12:00 – Groton Garden Club Plant Sale at Groton Town Hall. Contact Kimniles@hotmail.com.

May 8, 9:00 – 1:00 – Country Gardeners of Georgetown Plant Sale at the corner of Park and East Main Streets, Georgetown. Contact amlacey@verizon.net.

May 8, 8:00 – 12:00 – Greenleaf Garden Club of Milford Plant Sale, at Louisa Lake, Milford. Contact tblackbetty1@comcast.net.

May 8, 9:00 – 12:00 – Arlington Garden Club Spring Plant Sale, on the lawns of the Jason Russell House, corner of Mass. Ave. and Jason Street. Contact Kathy Leva at 781-646-6814.

May 8, 8:00 – 12:00 – Southborough Gardeners Plant Sale, at Community House, Southborough.

May 8, 9:00 – 12:00 – Ashland Garden Club Plant Sale, at Montenegro Square in Ashland Center. Contact Diane Roberts at 508-881-8165.

May 15, 9:00 – 1:00 – Reading Garden Club Geraniums and More Plant and Bake Sale, at the Reading Public Library. Contact Diane Chapin at 781-944-8152.

May 15, 9:00 – 1:00 – Acton Garden Club Plant Sale at the Acton Center Common. Contact Gail Davidson at 508-993-8701, or email gd1@comcast.net

May 15, 9:00 – 11L00 – Mansfield Garden Club Gardening on the Green Sale, at Town Hall, Mansfield.

May 15, 9:00 – 12:00 - Garden Club of Buzzard’s Bay Plant Sale at St. Mary’s Church Parish Center, South Dartmouth.

May 15, 9:00 – 1:00 – Framingham Garden Club Plant Sale at Cushing Maintenance Building near Keefe Tech School in Framingham. Contact Chris McGuire at 505-405-1113.

May 16, 10:00 – 2:00 – North Andover Garden Club Plant Sale at Stevens Memorial Library.  For more information, log on to www.northandovergardenclub.com

May 19, 10:00 – 4:00 - Lexington Field & Garden Club Plant Sale at the National Heritage Museum.

June 5, 9:00 – 1:00 – Rockport Garden Club Plant and Garden Shed Sale at Spiran Lodge, 19 Broadway, Rockport. For more information, log on to www.rockportgardenclub.org.

Gloucester designer Kim Smith will present the necessary elements for making your garden welcoming to birds, bees, butterflies, and other wildlife.  She will help you assess your existing garden to create a more life-sustaining ecosystem.  Students should research a specific habitat that is of interest and bring photos and sketches of an outdoor space to class, for comment and discussion.  You will gain a deeper understanding of the interconnected world that we human beings share with plants and wildlife, and learn how to translate that information to your own garden.  Copies of Kim’s book, Oh Garden of Fresh Possibilities!, will be available for sale.  The dates are Tuesdays, May 11, 18, 25, and June 1, from 6:30 – 8:30 in the Hunnewell Building of the Arnold Arboretum.  Arboretum members $85, non-members $100. To register, log on to www.arboretum.harvard.edu.

The Russell’s Garden Center Herb Ladies will talk about growing and cooking with culinary herbs.  Bring in your favorite herbal recipes and traditions to share with everyone.  Admission free.  For more information and directions to Russell’s Garden Center, 397 Boston Post Road, Wayland, log on to www.russellsgardencenter.com, or call 508-358-2283.

In celebration of spring, The Trustees of Reservations invite you to the 2nd Annual, FREE Spring Open House at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate to enjoy a day of fun. Plant a seedling and help them recover some of the hundreds of trees lost in the recent nor’easter. Pack a picnic and they’ll provide lawn games such as croquet and bocce ball, a Maypole dance, self-guided tours of the Great House and grounds, refreshments, and more. Please feel free to bring friends and family, but leave furry friends at home.

The Open House thanks the public for its support of The Trustees’ ongoing restoration of the Castle Hill grounds, which in recent years has included historic plantings and restorations of the Italian Garden and the Great House forecourt. This February, The Trustees began the first phase of a 3-year renovation plan of the Grand Allee, the one-half mile long, undulating, grassy lawn framed by classical sculptures, Norway spruce, and pine hedgerows. Phase One of the project includes the removal of approximately 150 trees and the planting of 65 7-foot Norway spruce and White Pines.

The Allee Restoration was disrupted by the late February nor’easter that wreaked havoc on the North Shore. Castle Hill was hit particularly hard, with more than 300 trees coming down in the storm. Crews worked tirelessly to clean up the property and make it safe for the public. Much work, including replanting trees and stabilizing stripped embankments, remains. The Trustees invite the public to help by planting seedlings in celebration of spring at the May 2nd Open House.

Location:
The Crane Estate
290 Argilla Rd.
Ipswich , MA 01938

Sponsor: The Crane Estate
Time(s): Noon – 6 pm Saturday; Noon – 4 pm Sunday
Phone: 978.356.4351 x4015
Fax: 978.356.2143
Email: membership@ttor.org
http://www.craneestate.org

Come to the Clarendon Street Playground on the corner of Clarendon and Commonwealth Avenue on Saturday, May 8.  There will be food, drinks, games, face painting, a balloon artist, entertainment, a juggling show with magic, prizes, and fun for all.  Pizza and drinks will be available for purchase, and an ice cream truck will visit during the event. The playground is in need of new toys – please bring a new, fun, weatherproof toy to leave that day.  Suggestions include sand shovels and pails, soft balls and bats, trucks, and push/riding toys.  Please, no jump ropes, skateboards, hard balls, or anything dangerous!  To make the day a success, the Playground Committee of the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay needs volunteers.  Contact playground@nabbonline.com, or call NABB at 617-247-3961.

The New England Wild Flower Society has scheduled a tour of two gardens,  led by Pam Durrant and Jessie Panek, on Wednesday, May 26, from 10 – 1, in Harvard, Massachusetts.

A 1915 English Tudor style house in Harvard is the setting for the Panek garden, where a continuous sequence of flowers in bloom is enhanced with carefully chosen textures of leaves, fruits and bark. A formal yew hedge encloses a sunny English style border, facing a pool. Additional mixed borders are anchored by mature 15’ tall native azaleas, mountain laurel, rhododendron, dogwood, and magnolias. A wide variety of unusual small trees and shrubs form a naturalistic transition to the surrounding woods.  Other features include a butterfly garden, a meadow, a recently discovered ‘secret’ garden, woodland paths, and a vegetable garden.

You then tour the Croyle garden, situated around a dramatic contemporary home with a collection of outdoor sculpture.   This garden began as a woodland garden designed by Neil Jorgensen and has continued to evolve over the years.   A series of winding gravel paths travel through the garden, crossing seasonal streams via stone bridges.  A river of Primula japonica flowing through the garden is especially colorful in May. A wide variety of trees and shrubs provide the setting for an extensive collection of perennials including trilliums and epimediums. Specimen Japanese maples,  yellowwood,  American and Chinese fringetrees, sweet gum, tri-color and weeping purple beech are just a few of the mature specimens that have recently been added to the garden to enhance interest. In contrast to the woodland garden, the entry terrace is treated in a contemporary design vernacular with a sculpture court, mature paperbark maples and concolor firs.

$30 for NEWFS members, $36 for nonmembers, and you may register on line at www.newfs.org, or by calling 508-877-7630.  Directions will be provided.

The New England Wild Flower Society and Roland “Boot” Boutwell will once again take you on an adventure, this time in Saco, Maine, on Saturday, May 22, from 10 – 2.  This outstanding botanical site is perhaps the southernmost example of a raised bog in North America, dating back 12,000 years when glacial activity created adjacent water-filled kettle holes. Saco Heath formed when these ponds filled with decaying plant matter called peat. With each year’s plant growth adding to the peat accumulation, the two peatlands eventually grew together above the water table to form a raised, coalesced bog. The Rhodora (Rhododendron canadense) should be in glorious bloom. The flora we should encounter includes, tamarack, black gum, labrador tea, leatherleaf, pitcher plant, cotton grass, and Atlantic white cedar.  Bring lunch and a hand lens if you have one.  $32 for NEWFS members, $36 for nonmembers.  Register at www.newfs.org.

Come to UMass Amherst’s Cape Cod Lounge in the Student Union on Wednesday, May 5 at 3:30 pm to hear Michael Singer speak on Regenerative Design in the Public Realm.  Free lecture is open to the public.

Michael Singer’s perspective is that of an artist, a creative thinker and problem solver whose work has evolved around questioning assumptions and constantly looking at why things are the way they are and how they might benefit from different points of view. Michael Singer’s Studio uses an integrative design process as a way to recognize the systems of a place, respond specifically to that place, and gather information and direction from naturalists, biologists, engineers, scientists, social anthropologists, historians, economists, other professionals and communities about how a project can innovatively address environmental, social, political, and economic concerns, as well as provide solutions that promote regenerative outcomes.

For the past twenty years Michael Singer has worked on large-scale infrastructure projects, parks and gardens, architectural design, urban planning and public art commissions. In 2007 Singer co-authored “Infrastructure and Community: How Can We Live With What Sustains Us” published by Environmental Defense, an advocacy organization. This booklet presents case studies from the Michael Singer Studio offering insight on how public officials, communities and developers can plan infrastructure that promotes environmental justice, generates ecological renewal, inspires civic responsibility and enhances quality of life without sacrificing function or economic viability.

The Friends of the Public Garden, in partnership with The City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department, presents the 30th Annual Duckling Day Parade on Sunday, May 9, beginning at noon on Boston Common.  Registration begins at 10:30 am, inside the Boston Common, across from the State House. Parade participation requires a $25 donation per family.  This donation includes snacks, entertainment, and a toy for each child. Registration is available in advance on line using the “For Kids” tab  at www.friendsofthepublicgarden.org.  Based on the book Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, children and their families will retrace the steps of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their family of eight ducklings. Led by the Harvard University Marching Band, children relive the adventures of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard dressed as one of their favorite characters from the book, or echoing its themes.  The Friends of the Public Garden is a non-profit organization dedicated to the care and protection of the Boston Common, the Public Garden and the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. For additional information call 617-723-8144.  Duckling Day happens rain or shine because ducks love water.

See beautiful displays of daffodils and primroses of every kind imaginable, including lovely flower arrangements, presented by The New England Chapter of the American Primrose Society and the Seven State Daffodil Society on Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2.  Welcome spring with these two colorful and simultaneous displays of popular plants. Participate in tours of the shows, as well as lectures and discussions on daffodils and primroses.  Vendors will be selling choice primrose, woodland and alpine plants.  If you are interested in exhibiting your own daffodils, contact show organizer Mary Ann Streeter at 978-468-2262, or Nancy Mott at 203-661-6142.  For more information, log on to www.towerhillbg.org.

Hancock Shaker Village presents a Root Cellar Workshop over two weekends, the first on Saturday and Sunday, May 15 – 16, and the second on Saturday and Sunday, October 2 – 3, from 10 am – 5 pm.  Registrants must participate in both weekends.  Students will learn the basics of food storage, tour existing root cellars, see presentations on innovative design options, assess and plan their own crop storage needs, examine energy and monetary savings, and explore planting guidelines while seeding a garden.  Participants will take home their own food security action plan, a design for a space of their own, planting and storage guideline charts, as well as a copy of the Bubels’ book on root cellaring.  Come ready for two intensive weekends and learn how to make hard work into simple living!  Tuition is $450 for HSV members, and $500 for non-members.  To register, and for more information, log on to www.hancockshakervillage.org, or call 413-443-1088, x 213.