FALL/WINTER 2013
C U T T I N G S
C U T T I N G S CONTENTS
Freedom and Responsibility in My Approach to Gardens 2 Forcing Spring
4
Amazing Trees
6
Holding Down the Fort 8 IN EVERY ISSUE
Herb Associates Recipes 10 New Members 12 Classes 13 Faces of the Garden 22
2
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
S TA F F
Matt Larkin, Chairman Madeline Hooper, Vice Chairman Janet Laudenslager, Acting Secretary Ellen Greendale, Treasurer
Michael Beck, Interim Executive Director Dorthe Hviid, Director of Horticulture Elisabeth Cary, Director of Education Brian Cruey, Director of Communications Will Maston, Buildings and Grounds Manager Christine Caccamo, Head Gardener Cynthia Grippaldi, Membership and Volunteer Manager Jamie Samowitz, Youth Education Coordinator Julia Germaine, Office Coordinator Donna Kittredge, Gift Shop Manager Erin Morris, Education Assistant Bill Cummings, Seasonal Gardener Richard Demick, Seasonal Gardener Margo Sharp, Seasonal Gardener Mike Snow, Building and Grounds Assistant
Jeannene Booher David Carls Mary Copeland Jeanine Coyne Mary Harrison Ian Hooper Tom Ingersoll Wendy Linscott Jo Dare Mitchell Skippy Nixon Linda O’Connell Judie Owens Martha Piper Jack Sprano Ingrid Taylor Cynthia Valles Mark Walker Rob Williams CUTTINGS
FALL.WINTER 2013
Editor Brian Cruey Design Julie Hammill, Hammill Design
Interim Director’s Corner by Dorthe Hviid, Interim Director & Director of Horticulture
I am just back from a hike to the top of Laura’s Tower in Stockbridge. It’s a cool, windy and beautiful fall day, and the trees visible on the hills for miles around from the top of the tower were orange and bronze. It drove home for me once again that the growing season is over and winter will be here soon. We are lucky in the Berkshires to have four distinct seasons; they lend variety and new opportunities to our lives. One of the things that I really like about my job at the Botanical Garden is that most of what we do here is on a one-year rotation. We start propagating in February, plant annuals out in May, Harvest Festival preparations take place in September, in November we get bulbs ready for forcing, and so on. Our work moves with the seasons. Each year we do things a little differently, hopefully a little better, but the basic structure is the same. Winter gives us a moment to step back and evaluate the past year. This year has seen a number of changes at the Garden. We have lost some staff members and though we have been sad to see those friends leave, it has opened up our ranks to wonderful new people. People like Julia Germaine, Office Coordinator, Cynthia Grippaldi, our new Membership and Volunteer Manager, and Amy Cotler, who came back as an independent contractor to save the day for the Harvest Festival. When you read this newsletter, Michael Beck will
have taken over as Interim Director from me, while the search continues for a new Executive Director and I focus on the Horticulture Department. Michael has been a member of the Board for almost two years, and a member of the Executive Committee since last April. He lives in Richmond and is a lawyer by profession. We all look forward to working with him. Another new presence at the Garden is the Berkshire Botanical Garden Volunteer Association (BBGVA). The first major task for the BBGVA was to line up 380 volunteers for the Harvest Festival. Ellen Darst, Beverly Igleburger, Susan Keegan, Harriet Vines and Harriet Wetstone accomplished this with great aplomb. I am still baffled at the grace with which they managed this amazing feat. Whether you have volunteered for the Garden for years or are just now entertaining the possibility, I hope you will support the work of the BBGVA by connecting with them and attending one of their meetings. The landscape is dormant, but we are all still here at the Garden through the winter busily teaching classes, renewing memberships, propagating, preparing the next issue of Cuttings, getting ready for the Winter Lecture, the Bulb Show, and the Plant Sale and planning, planning, planning. So don’t be a stranger. Stop in to visit our greenhouses and say “hi”. Hope to see you at Holiday Marketplace.
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
1
FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY
2014 Winter Lecture
in my approach to gardens By Louis Benech
2
CUTTINGS
FALL.WINTER 2013
Both in France and abroad, I have the good fortune to work on a wide variety of sites, including historical and heritage gardens—places almost untouched by the passage of time.
With such sites, both my freedom (to avoid speaking of “creativity”) and an inescapable responsibility to the gardens come into play in equal proportions. For in the end, the gardener must often face his decisions alone. In what context should one breathe life into a new garden? How can one reinstate or develop an old garden to rejuvenate it without betraying its identity, to act as an interpreter of its history, and, above all, to avoid erasing its past? Although I approach every location differently, one principle recurs: through observation of the site, I endeavor to create a suitable idiom without burdening myself with concepts or worrying about fashions or trends. In my view, considerations of maintenance and use must guide the garden designer’s freedom. This happens in a setting whose aesthetic qualities will be accentuated while keeping their context. How will the garden be maintained? Who will use it, and for what purpose? These two parameters steer my work as much as they stimulate it. Moreover while I draw strong inspiration from the signature vegetation of a site and its surroundings, reason also has a role in the selection of certain plants, particularly with concern to phytosanitary problems arising in recent decades. Added to these considerations is the measure of responsibility towards the history of a site. Where historical gardens are concerned, regardless of their present condition, a crucial endeavor for me is to understand them through an indispensable research phase
encompassing all of the site’s archives (illustrations, plans, quotations, etc.). The resulting “expressions” will not necessarily be literal; a botanical species recalling water suggests the outline of a formal medieval moat, or the history of an owning family is referenced by flowers whose colors match the coat of arms. I then concentrate on playing with references to the past by creating markers whereby the mind can re-situate itself in spatial terms to the original project or to a given period, especially if the work is expressive of a particular context or memory. In other cases, especially where heritage sites are concerned, what interests me most is the original design of the garden and grasping how the designer, were he still alive, would address the issues of today. It is a bit like initiating a dialogue with the way I perceive this other creator’s work in contemporary terms—this is the approach to what I’m doing with the Water Theater grove at Versailles, originally designed by André Le Nôtre. Different methods or attitudes may guide my work on gardens steeped in history: restitution, restoration, reimagining, and in a few rare cases, even pure creation. But in the end, I often return to the same belief: there is no rule of approach to a garden, excepting the watchwords of care and humility. z
2014 Winter Lecture
Join us as we welcome Louis Benech to Monument Mountain High School, February 8th at 2pm. Reception and book sale to follow. See page 31 for details.
x LOUIS BENECH
came to gardening through his love of plants. After studying law, he went to work at the famous Hillier Nurseries in England. Captivated by what he learned there, he returned to France to work as a gardener in a private garden in Normandy. In 1985, he began his career as a garden designer and landscape architect. Five years later he was commissioned, with Pascal Cribier and François Roubaud, to redesign the historic part of the Tuileries gardens. Since then, he has designed and carried out some 300 projects, from Korea to Panama, from New Zealand to the United States. While most of his work has been for private individuals, he has also received commissions from large multinational companies such as Hermès, Axa and Novartis. He has also worked on many established historic gardens, such as those at the Elysée Palace, the Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, the gardens of the Archives Nationales in Paris, and the Achilleion in Corfu. He is currently working on the creation of a new garden in the Water Theatre Grove of the Palace of Versailles. In each of his projects, Louis Benech strives to create a genuine harmony between the landscaping design and the architectural or natural environment of the site. Ideally, he would like his work to pass undetected. He pays special attention to finding the most economical way to ensure that his gardens will endure, and their upkeep is one of his key concerns.
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
3
Forcing
Spring by Christine Caccamo
Right now, spring feels a million miles away, and with our unpredictable Berkshire weather, the wait can seem like it goes on forever. However, by forcing spring bulbs indoors, you are guaranteed to have fresh bursts of spring in January, February, and March, regardless of winter’s severity. When we say “forcing” bulbs, we are referring to the idea of getting a plant to flower at a time or under conditions that are not natural to its normal lifecycle. In this case, we are looking to achieve spring color indoors during the winter months. The most common bulbs used in this practice are Narcissus, Tulipa, Hyacinthus, and Crocus. Others we like to add to that list are Galanthus, Iris reticulata, Muscari, and Scilla siberica.
4
CUTTINGS
FALL.WINTER 2013
Forcing bulbs takes planning and time – we allow 3-4 months. We can break the process down into 4 easy steps: Purchasing and storage, planting, cooling, and forcing into flower. 1. Purchasing and storage: For forcing, we buy spring flowering bulbs, which are available from August through December. Buy bulbs that have strong growing points, and are free from soft or diseased areas. You can store your bulbs for several weeks in the refrigerator if necessary but try to plant them right away. NOTE: If you do store your bulbs in the fridge, make sure that there are no apples stored with them. Apples produce ethylene gas that can cause a bulb to abort its flowers. 2. Planting: To pot your bulbs, fill a potting container about three-quarters full with a general potting mix that consists of two parts peat, three parts sand, and four parts compost or soil. Set the bulbs root side down on top of the soil mix leaving about one finger-width between each bulb. Fill the pot to the rim with additional soil, making sure to fill in between the bulbs. Small bulbs (like crocus) should be covered completely, but it is ok to have the tips of daffodils and tulips showing. Do not fertilize – bulbs have all the food they need stored up inside. Water the bulbs thoroughly, put them into cold storage (see step 3), and check once every two weeks. Soil should be barely moist. TIP: For tulips position the bulbs so that the flat side is facing out towards the edge of the pot. The first leaf grows from this side of the bulb, falling over the side of the pot making the planting look more natural.
Miniature Narcissus
Iris reticulata
Muscari
Chionodaxa
3. Cooling: The amount of cooling time needed depends on the type of bulb – Anemone blanda, Crocus, Leucojum aestivum, and Muscari take 8-10 weeks. Chionodoxa, Galanthus, Iris reticulata, Narcissus and Scilla take 10-12 weeks and tulips take the longest at 14-16 weeks. The easiest way to cool your bulbs is in a refrigerator, however a root cellar or cool corner of the basement will work just fine too. In general, most bulbs will root well if the temperature stays around 40 degrees during the cooling phase. You can also try a cold frame outdoors, but be sure to insulate it with 3-4 inches of straw, loosely packed leaves, or solar blankets. We all know winters here can be unpredictable, and you don’t want your pots to freeze! NOTE: Provide protection from hungry rodents by covering pots with a wire mesh. 4. Forcing bulbs into flower: Usually after about 10 weeks, you will start to see roots coming out of the drainage holes of your pots, and that means your bulbs are ready to start working on their blooms. Bring the pots indoors to a cool room between 50-55 degrees and out of direct sunlight. Once the shoots emerge and start to grow, move them into direct sunlight and warmer conditions. Remember to be sure to check for water as their moisture needs will increase once the plant starts to grow. It’s also a good idea to rotate your pots so that all the leaves get equal light. After about 3-4 weeks flower buds will appear. You’re almost there! Move the plant out of direct sunlight. This will prolong the blooming period as your buds open.
Narcissus
Having a touch of spring on your table in February or March makes all the difference in the world and might be just what you need to get you through to the real deal. If you don’t have the time to force your own bulbs, stop by the Garden in early March and visit our first annual Bulb Show in the Fitzpatrick Greenhouse where we’ll have our collection of forced bulbs on display! z
BBG Tip:
Springtime Prep “Prepare new spring vegetable or flower beds now by cutting back vegetation to the ground and covering the site with plastic or 6-8 layers of newspaper weighted down with woodchips or stone. This will kill or weaken the vegetation under the covering, making it easy for planting when May comes!” ••• Dorthe Hviid, Director of Horticulture
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
5
AMAZING TREES
by Dave Bone
In the summer of 2009, my wife, Anne Bone, was trying to decide what tree she wanted to plant as part of a landscaping project she was planning. We had long turned to the Berkshire Botanical Garden for advice on such matters, so she contacted Director of Horticulture, Dorthe Hviid, and asked if there was a list of trees planted there that she could reference to help her in making her decision. Dorthe said, “No, but we have talked about putting one together. Would you like to help us?” And with that, the “Amazing Trees” project was born, and a four-year mission to gain funding and put together a comprehensive tree brochure for Garden visitors began. Under Dorthe’s direction, Anne, Jack Gillis, and I prepared the information and data needed for a grant from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Urban Forestry Program, which we submitted in 2010. To promote the project, the Garden partnered with the Laurel Hill Association and Tanglewood with support from the Town of Stockbridge. After two years of waiting, in early 2012, the DCR awarded the grant to the BBG to prepare and print the brochure, and work on the project began in earnest. Anne and I prepared write-ups on the trees that Dorthe selected while the garden staff updated existing maps to show the locations of the trees on the Garden grounds. Dorthe, Ron Kujawski, Jack Trowill and Roxanne Gawthrop reviewed and revised the text while, with the help of Jack Sprano, we began to photograph the trees. Early on Kate Hixon of Hixon Design Consultants in Great Barrington agreed to help us design and lay-out the brochure pro-bono. She began putting the pieces together and slowly but surely, our tree brochure began to take shape. Almost five years later, we are happy to announce that the brochure “A Guide to Trees in the Garden” will be available to Garden guests in the Gift Shop for the 2014 season and beyond. This was truly a labor of love for everyone involved and Anne and I would like to thank all of the hard working volunteers and staff at the BBG who helped make it possible. z
Thanks to Dave and Anne for all of their hard work! And in case you were wondering, Anne eventually settled on Acer griseum (Paperbark Maple) for her site based on the research she did for this brochure. 6
CUTTINGS
FALL.WINTER 2013
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
7
1. Acer triflorum, Three-flower Maple 2. Magnolia Stellata, Star Magnolia 3. Quercus alba, White Oak 4. Acer griseum, Paper Bark Maple 5. Carya ovata, Shagbark Hickory 6. Pinus Strobus, Eastern White Pine 7. Pyrus ussuriensis, Ussurian Pear 8. Magnolia virginiana, Sweetbay Magnolia
7
6
8 4
5
1 3
Can you name these trees? Find the answers at the bottom of this page.
TEST YOUR TREE KNOWLEDGE
2
Holding down
THE FORT Interview by Brian Cruey
Up in the woods behind the Lexan Greenhouse are a group of buildings most visitors to the Garden never see. Lovingly called “The Fort,” this is where our hard working maintenance team bases their operations. Here’s where you will find tools, tractors, the repair shop, spare pots and all kinds of treasures from our events throughout the year (and years). Behind it all are Will Maston and Mike Snow. These are the guys that make the garden tick, performing tasks that are often thankless, but never unappreciated. I recently sat down with Will and Mike to get to know them a little better. How long have you been working here at the Garden? MS: This is my first year. About 4 months. WM: I’ve been here for 14 Harvest Festivals. That’s the only way I know how to measure time anymore. That’s a lot of pumpkin tossing. Speaking of events, do you have a favorite? MS: Farm Camp. The kids are great. WM: I like Plant Sale. Everyone is in a good mood because it is spring.
8
CUTTINGS
FALL.WINTER 2013
What’s been your favorite part about working here? MS: Seeing people enjoy the Garden. WM: Meeting some of the very smart and creative people who work and volunteer here. It really does take a village.
I guess so. How about unusual weather? WM: I find it unusual that it always seems to rain at all of our events! MS: I’ve lived in Berkshire County my whole life – long enough to know that “normal” weather here IS unusual.
Is there any chore on your “to do” list that is your least favorite? WM: I would hate to offend any of the other chores by picking just one. MS: I can pick one: Bathrooms!
Very true. OK, last question. What is your favorite spot in the Garden? MS: The Rose Garden. I know it takes a lot of work to get them looking good but it is beautiful and it always smells so nice down there. WM: Anywhere that I am sitting on the John Deere mindlessly mowing the lawns.
Have you had any memorable wildlife experiences here? MS: I once saw a squirrel with so much food in its mouth that it was having trouble walking. It was cute. WM: Once I went into the herb shed and found the head of a rabbit on the floor — just the head — with no sign of the rest of the body anywhere. Wow. I think I prefer Mike’s story about the cute squirrel. WM: There are some very predacious animals roaming the Garden at night.
Who’s Who at the Garden BBG Tip:
JULIA GERMAINE
Office Coordinator
In 1974 my grandparents purchased a small plot of land on a lake in October Mountain in Becket, where they built a modest cottage of my grandfather’s design. Eleven years later, I am born. Every summer since then was
highlighted by trips to the Berkshires, and in May of this year, after stints in Maine, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, my partner Nial and I made what is hopefully our final interstate move back to Massachusetts. The Berkshires has always been my favorite place in the world, and I’m reminded of that every morning on my drive to work. My undergraduate degree focused on ecology, and it was during my college years that I first worked with non-profits, through field work with the Kennebec Land Trust and a summer position as a naturalist and environmental educator with the Islesboro Islands Trust. What was striking about those organizations was the unbounded generosity of their members and dedication of their staff. That exposure instilled in me a clear career goal: to direct a non-profit. In addition
C Y N T H I A G R I P PA L D I
Membership and Volunteer Manager
I am excited to be part of the Berkshire Botanical Garden team! I first moved to the Berkshires in 1980 and have been gardening all my life. Many years ago I completed the Master Gardener’s Program, and spend as much time as possible in my organic vegetable and perennial gardens. Most recently I provided Berkshire area education and outreach for the Center for EcoTechnology in Pittsfield.
Steam Room “I put moisture loving house plants like Ferns, Aloes, African Violets and Spider plants on my bathroom window sill where steam from my morning shower will give them regular doses of humidity.” ••• Julia Germaine, Office Coordinator
to my role as Office Coordinator here at the Garden, I also serve on the Board of Directors for Manna Wellness, a community non-profit founded by my family.
I have a B.S. in Environmental Science and my varied experiences include working in National Parks, managing a remote University Field Station, working with Timber Framing and green building, and co-owning a sailboat charter business in the Caribbean to name just a few! As Membership and Volunteer Manager, I look forward to meeting the many wonderful people who help make the Berkshire Botanical Garden the exceptional place that it is. Feel free to stop by and introduce yourself sometime soon!
Gone Camping Lynne Perry-Urbain, our long-time office manager, decided recently to take some time off and do some travelling, camping, and learning. After 19 years of marriage to her Frenchman, she decided it was time to learn French so she can finally understand what her mother-in-law is saying about her. She’s also going to spend time relearning the piano (it was her first major in college) and dedicate herself to her yoga, her family, and her friends. Good luck Lynne!
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
9
From the Herb Associates
LET’S BAKE! Keep your kitchen warm and your sweet tooth satisfied with some of our favorite baked goods.
Victoria Sandwich
from Iris Bass
A traditional British two-layer sponge cake gets the herbal treatment for the holidays. The pomegranate powder adds a slightly pink shimmer to the sugar topping.
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter or vegan shortening,
at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs, at room temperature 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon very finely minced fresh rosemary 1/4 cup Herb Associates Rosemary Grape Jelly 2 tablespoons pomegranate powder mixed with 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
BBG Tip:
In the kitchen “Once I use the green stalks of scallions for
2. Cream together the butter and granulated sugar, then beat in the eggs.
cooking, I rinse off the bulbs and put them in
3. Sprinkle in in the flour, baking powder, and rosemary.
a glass of water and place it on a sunny spot
4. Divide and spread the batter evenly in each prepared pan.
on my counter. In no time at all, the green onion will grow new stalks. This works over and over and over again.” • • • Brian Cruey, Communications Manager
10
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two 7-inch round straight-sided cake pans, line bottoms with parchment paper.
CUTTINGS
FALL.WINTER 2013
5. Bake for about 25 minutes, reversing the pans midway through. Remove from the oven as soon as the cake is golden and springs back when pressed lightly with a finger. Do not overbake. Turn out onto a wire rack, let cool for about 1 minute, remove the paper liners, and let cool completely. 6. Spread one cooled layer with the jelly, then add the remaining layer, turned bottom up for a smooth top. Place a cake stencil or paper doily on the cake and rub the sugar mixture through a fine strainer to create a pattern on top.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
from Iris Bass
(gluten free; dairy free if vegan shortening is used)
Makes about 3 dozen cookies 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats 1/3 cup unsalted butter or, for a dairy-free version, vegan shortening 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 1 cup gluten-free oat flour 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1/2 cup raisins
Swedish Thimble Cookies
from Elisabeth Cary
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. 2. Pulse the oats in a mini processor to break them into smaller pieces. 3. Cream the butter and sugar together, then beat in the egg. 4. Beat in the pulsed oats, oat flour, baking soda, salt, xanthan gum, cinnamon, and vanilla. 5. Stir in the raisins. 6. Roll into 1-inch balls and place about an inch apart on the prepared pans. Flatten until about 1/8 inch thick. 7. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, until lightly browned and firm. Turn off the heat. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
Makes 3 dozen cookies 1 cup sweet butter
1. Cream together the butter and the brown sugar.
1/2 cup organic brown sugar
2. Beat the 2 eggs yolks in a small bowl, then add to the butter and sugar mixture with the vanilla.
2 cups flour 2 eggs (yolks and whites separated) 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp Baldwin’s vanilla 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam
3. In a separate bowl sift together the flour and the salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the rest of the batter until a dough forms and all ingredients are thoroughly mixed. 4. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and dip them into the egg whites. Roll the balls into the coarsely chopped walnuts. Place on a cookie sheet and press your thumb gently in the center to form a depression, 5. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees or until done. 6. Once cooled, place a small dollop of seedless raspberry jam in the depression
Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
from Anna Smith
Makes 2 1/2 to 3 dozen cookies 1 1/2 cups plus 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour 1 1/4 teaspoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, at room temperature 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup molasses 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons boiling water 7 ounces chocolate chips 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1. Sift together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and cocoa powder 2. In a bowl, beat together the butter and fresh ginger. Beat in the brown sugar, then the molasses. 3. Dissolve the baking soda in the boiling water. Beat half of the flour mixture into the butter, then the baking soda, then the rest of the flour. Mix in the chocolate chips. 4. Refrigerate for 2 hours. 5. Preheat the oven to 325°F and grease baking sheets. 6. While the oven preheats, roll the dough into 1 1/2-inch-diameter balls, place on the prepared baking sheets, and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Roll in the granulated sugar and place back on the baking sheets. 7. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes (when the surfaces crack). Let cool for 5 minutes on the pans before transferring to a wire rack.
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
11
Welcome New Members
Below is a list of new members who have joined since July 1, 2013 and prior to the press deadline for this issue of Cuttings. Randel and Pamela Agrella, Wethersfield, CT Andrea Allen, Chatham, NY John and Annalisa Allen, Austerlitz, NY Rich Ambuske, Albany, NY Marcia Arland, Egremont, MA Laurie and Thomas J. Baldwin, Menands, NY Dallas Bash, Great Barrington, MA William Becker, Tuckahoe, NY Julie Berriault, Sheffield, MA Rosemary Burgher, Selkirk, NY Paula Capps, New York, NY Shari and Dan Carr, Pittsfield, MA Scott and Ellen Cogan, Clifton Park, NY Eileen Cote, Stockbridge, MA Karin and Richard Counts, Easton, MD Perry and Laurie Cousseau, Great Barrington, MA Lara daSilva, Chatham, NY Thomas Davis, Hinsdale, MA Darcy DeLago, Menands, NY Mark and Carin Denat, Palenville, NY Paula Farman, Lee, MA Rita Fassett, Guilderland, NY Robert Fried, Chappaqua, NY Kusum Gaind, Austerlitz, NY Janet and Robert Greenlee, Great Barrington, MA Steve and Avital Hahn, Long Island City, NY Rober and Sandra Hladick, Litchfield, CT James and Sandy Hobbs, Monson, MA Stephanie James, Egremont, MA Kathy and Morgan Kierstead, North Adams, MA Eliza Klose, Sharon, CT Pat Konecky, South Egremont, MA H. Michael Lacker, Lee, MA Thomas and Barbara Larson, Paterson, NJ Perlina Levitin, Swampscott, MA Gerald and Andrea Levy, New York, NY
Angela Lomanto, Niantic, CT Linda Lucas, Williamsburg, VA Susan MacEachron, Norfolk, CT Sherry and Brooke Marino, Wingdale, NY Christina and Scott Marks, Lee, MA Jeffrey and Marcia Marstead, Canton, CT Rita Martin, Pittsfield, MA Katherine Martucci, Ancramdale, NY Pete and Patricia Michaels, Manchester, MA Madelyn Miller, Becket, MA William Muller, Easthampton, MA Kathleen Mulligan-McHenry, Alpha, NJ Susan and Carlos Murawczyk, Cherry Hill, NJ Eric and Karen Newman, Latham, NY Cheryl Parker, Wilton, CT Chris Pepper, Stockbridge, MA Catherine Plakun, Stockbridge, MA Gail Platz, Belchertown, MA Rick and Anita Pollak, Westford, MA Bruce and Mary Prager, Mt. Kisco, NY Bruce Pretty, Housatonic, MA Janet and Robert Robertsson, N. Weymouth, MA Rita Schumacher, Housatonic, MA Stephen and Phyllis Schwartz, Rockville Center, NY Peter and Lynn Shaffer, Lee, MA Lisa Shapiro, Atlanta, GA James Sherriff, Bloomfield, NJ John and Margaret Stevenson, Orange, MA Ellen Sweet, New York, NY Mary Tierney, Pittsfield, MA Connie Tom, Boston, MA Cheri Tracy, Stockbridge, MA Jo and Will Weiss, Copake, NY Laura Wyeth, High Falls, NY
Garden Membership Benefits include: • Unlimited free admission to the Garden • 10% discount at the Garden’s Gift Shop • Early buying privileges and 10% off all purchases at the Garden’s annual Plant Sale • Free subscription to Cuttings, the Garden’s magazine, complete with our education curriculum • Discounts on classes, lectures and workshops
• Free reciprocal admission to more than 250 arboretums, botanical gardens and conservancies throughout the U.S. • Up to 10% off all purchases at dozens of local nurseries, garden centers, and retailers through our business partnership program. • The satisfaction of knowing that without members like you, we wouldn’t be here!
Give a gift of membership and help spread the bounty of possibilities the Garden offers. Garden Club and Corporate/Business memberships are also available. Please contact Cynthia Grippaldi at 413-298-3926, ext. 14 for more information, or join online at berkshirebotanical.org.
12
CUTTINGS
FALL.WINTER 2013
JA N UA R Y — M AY 2 0 1 4
C L A S S E S Featured Educational Programs at the Berkshire Botanical Garden 5 West Stockbridge Road, Stockbridge, MA 01262 413-298-3926 www.berkshirebotanical.org
LECTURES, WORKSHOPS & FIELD STUDIES
Small-Space Garden Solutions Saturday, January 11, 10 am – noon Lecture Members $25; Nonmembers $30 All levels (Sign up for both classes on January 11 and receive a 10% discount.)
Beekeeping for Gardeners Saturday, January 4, 10 am – 1 pm Lecture Members $35; Nonmembers $45 New Beekeepers Bees can be ordered from Dan so that participants can start a hive in the spring. Learn how to start a honeybee colony, the seasonal management required to keep a healthy hive of bees and the role of pollinators and their relationship to flowering plants. Novice beekeepers, or those who are considering becoming beekeepers, will get an overview of the beekeeper’s job and learn to make the correct choices when starting a backyard apiary. Equipment and tools used by the beekeeper will be discussed, and step-by-step instructions for starting a new colony of bees will be covered. At the end of the workshop, participants should have a solid understanding of how to successfully begin as a new beekeeper. The final hour of the program will be a Q&A session covering questions, issues and problems, with realistic solutions for a successful beekeeping experience. Dan Conlon owns Warm Colors Apiary in South Deerfield, MA. Warm Colors maintains bee yards in western Massachusetts for honey production and pollination services on area farms. Dan is a full-time beekeeper and President of the Massachusetts Beekeepers Association. He was recognized as the Eastern Apicultural Society’s 2004 Beekeeper of the Year and the Massachusetts 2005 Beekeeper of the Year.
When space and time are limited, you need the best performing plants for your patio, beds and borders. Barb will highlight new varieties of edibles and annuals for containers, as well as some of the must-have, easy-care classics. “Compact” is the buzzword in breeding today for perennials and shrubs. We will highlight the top picks for performance and hardiness. Barbara Pierson is the nursery manager for the prestigious White Flower Farm Nursery in Litchfield, CT. She holds a degree in horticulture from Cornell University and has worked at WFF since 1998. Barbara is a popular speaker at horticultural conferences and has appeared as a guest on TV and radio. She is quoted widely in the print media and was the lead horticultural resource for a 2010 New York Times garden series.
Annuals: Gardening with Color Saturday, January 11, 1 – 3 pm Lecture Members $25; Non-members $30 All levels (Sign up for both classes on January 11 and receive a 10% discount.) The grounds at Mohonk Mountain House are known for colorful gardens during spring, summer and fall. With careful planning, it’s a snap. Join head gardener Andrew Koehn for a talk about tried and true performers and some newcomers that are worth a try on the “annual” list. Andrew is especially fond of daring plant combinations in his extraordinary annual garden at Mohonk. Andrew Koehn has been involved in horticultural endeavors for 45 years, the last 15 at Mohonk Mountain House. His current plant love affairs include delphinium, tuberous begonias and orchids. A class with Andrew is never dull and is full of helpful information.
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
13
C L A S S E S
JA N UA R Y – M AY 2 0 1 4
Passion for Plants—Study Group Wednesdays, January 15, 22 & 29, 10 am – noon Series: Members $65; Nonmembers $75 Individual classes $25 Beginner/novice Join a study group at the Berkshire Botanical Garden to consider plant groups of particular interest to the staff. Look first at new and unusual spring and early summer perennials. The following week will investigate conifers for small garden settings. The final class will focus on garden-worthy summer and fall bulbs. Elisabeth Cary is the Director of Education at the Berkshire Botanical Garden and has been gardening for over 25 years. She specializes in perennial, vegetable and mixedborder gardens.
Botanical Painting with Watercolor Master Class with Carol Woodin Friday, Saturday & Sunday, January, 17, 18, & 19, 10 am – 4 pm Painting workshop Members $320; Nonmembers $360 All levels Bring a bag lunch. Materials list is available at www.berkshirebotancial.org. Gain confidence and comfort in this class devoted to techniques of botanical painting in watercolor. Using pomegranates as subjects, students will learn to capture the vitality and drama of these luscious fruits. After creating a base watercolor layer for guidance, artists will add a series of dry-brush layers, gradually increasing color intensity and form. Through demonstration and individualized attention, the instructor will guide students through mixing believable reds and maintaining color clarity. By the end of the class, each student will have a painting either finished or nearly so. Carol Woodin has been painting botanicals in watercolor for over 20 years. Her focus is orchids, rare plants and heirlooms. Her work is included in collections around the world, including those of the Smithsonian Institution, Shirley Sherwood Collection and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK. As Director of Exhibitions for the American Society of Botanical Artists, she has organized exhibitions of botanical art throughout the US.
Extending the Season’s Harvest Growing Vegetables for Four Seasons Saturday, January 25 10 am – 2 pm Lecture Members $40; Nonmembers $50 All levels Bring a bag lunch.
14
CUTTINGS
FALL.WINTER 2013
Wednesday, January 15 Perennial Spring Uprising Consider spring and early summer cutting-edge perennials with a focus on garden worthiness. Although this is a survey class, there will be ample coverage of specific plant genera, including Paeonia, Digitalis, Iris, Papaver and Primula, along with more unusual genera, including Acanthus, Baptisia and many more. Wednesday, January 22 Small, Green and Beautiful: Conifers for Small Gardens Investigate the petite side of evergreens with an in-depth look at those conifers that can manage in the small garden. Look at a survey of Thuja, Tsuga, Juniperus, Picea, Abies, Pinus and more that add yearround interest in shape, color, texture and growth habit. Wednesday January 29 Beyond Lilies: Summer and Fall Bulbs Often forgotten, the bulbs of summer make their appearance in July, August and beyond. This program will give gardeners a toolbox of color beyond lilies and will include late flowering Allium, Dahlia, Crocosmia, Gladiolus and more. This program will survey a wide variety of selections with a focus on the unusual.
Learn how to extend the season’s harvest to enjoy your own garden greens throughout the late fall and early spring months. Consider growing under cover in an unheated greenhouse, cold frame or high/low poly tunnels and learn techniques needed to achieve a true four-season harvest. Investigate a variety of structures, and learn the pros and cons of each. Crop selection, soil preparation, timing, planting, cultivation and harvesting will be covered, with a focus on early and late season production. Peter Salinetti owns Woven Roots Farm, a small family farm and CSA that grows vegetables and culinary herbs using traditional farming practices. For over ten years he has grown local produce for Berkshire County families. His vegetables are grown using environmentally sustainable gardening practices, and he produces top-quality, delicious produce. Peter is committed to raising awareness about the importance of the local food supply, along with teaching technical information on how to do so. He lectures on growing food for both NOFA and other regional organizations.
B E R K S H I R E B OTA N I C A L . O R G
(4 1 3 ) 2 9 8 - 3 9 2 6
Grow More with Less Saturday, February 1, 10 am – noon Lecture, book sale and signing Members $25; Nonmembers $30 (Sign up for both programs on February 1 and receive a 10% discount.) All levels
Working with Wood: Build Your Own Double Paddle Canoe Friday, January 24, 4 - 6 pm; Saturday & Sunday, January 25 & 26, 9 am – 5 pm and Friday, January 31, 4 - 6 pm; Saturday & Sunday, February 1 & 2, 9 am – 5 pm Two-weekend, hands-on workshop Members $500; Nonmembers $600 (couples wishing to build one tandem canoe $900) Materials fee: $500 (solo canoe); $650 (tandem canoe) paid directly to the instructor All levels For more information visit www.berkshireboatbuildingschool.org. In this course you will build and take home your own ultralight double paddle canoe. These boats are perfect for flat-water paddling, and they are light enough to easily car-top or carry from car to water or from pond to pond. Over the course, participants will steam and install ribs, lash the stringers (longitudinal pieces) to the ribs, install the inwales and complete the frame, skin the boat with a tough polyester cloth and waterproof the skin. Students can build either an 11 ½-foot solo boat, or a 13-foot tandem/solo version. Hilary Russell for the past ten years has helped teenagers and adults build more than one hundred canoes, kayaks, coracles and umiaks. He formerly chaired the English Department at the Berkshire School, where he also taught boat building and led outing programs. Currently, he teaches creative writing at Berkshire Community College and directs the Berkshire Boat Building School.
Join Director of Planting Fields Arboretum, Vincent Simeone, for an in-depth look at gardening for the future. Sustainable gardening is not a dirty word; it’s good for the environment as well as the gardener. Save your knees and back and keep your bargain with nature. This program offers detailed, strategic timelines for both short- and long-term gardening techniques. Consider how to make the best plant selections possible, manage invasive species, make the most of your lawn (regardless of its size), use IPM (integrated pest management) and conserve water with proper irrigation, rain barrels and cisterns. With effective, time-proven recommendations, field-tested in a large botanical garden and adapted for home use, Vincent Simeone will share his complete step-by-step personal roadmap for green gardening.
New and Exciting Trees and Shrubs for the Forward-Thinking Gardener Saturday, February 1, 12:30 – 2 pm Lecture Members $25; Nonmembers $30 (Sign up for both programs on February 1 and receive a 10% discount.) All levels In this afternoon lecture, Vincent Simeone will share his thoughts on what he knows best—woody plants! Each year, hundreds of new species, varieties and cultivars of plants are introduced into commerce. Many are great while others remain lacking. Learn how to identify choice plants that offer superior flowers, foliage, fruit, superior vigor and cultural adaptability. This lecture will focus on the newest and most promising selections of trees and shrubs for the garden with a true appreciation for the best and brightest plants available. Vincent Simeone for the past 22 years has worked in public horticulture at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park in New York, where he is the Director. He has written and contributed to various gardening articles for magazines and newspapers and has published five books: Great Flowering Landscape Shrubs, Great Flowering Landscape Trees, Great Landscape Evergreens, The Wonders of the Winter Landscape and Grow More with Less: Sustainable Garden Methods. He teaches horticulture classes at New York Botanical Garden and Hofstra University. Over the last 14 years, Vincent has assisted Allan Armitage with garden tours through Southern England, Northern France, Southern Germany, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Sweden.
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
15
C L A S S E S
JA N UA R Y – M AY 2 0 1 4
Permaculture Thursdays, February 6 – 27 6 – 9 pm Course Cost: $185 Co-enrolled with Horticulture Certificate Program All levels Permaculture is multi-disciplinary approach to designing and maintaining productive, regenerative human ecosystems. In this class, students will gain the framework and information to design, build and maintain permaculture landscapes with a specific focus on food systems such as gardens, orchards and edible forest gardens, water systems, strategies on steep slopes, soil building, productive conservation and restoration, as well as urban and broad-scale applications. This course exposes students to current thinking and strategies in permaculture design. Jono Neiger, M.A. synthesizes his diverse expertise in permaculture design, conservation biology and restoration ecology to create productive and integrated landscapes. He is principal at Regenerative Design Group (www.regenerativedesigngroup.com), faculty at the Conway School of Landscape Design (www.csld.edu), board president of the Permaculture Institute of the Northeast and stewards his homestead, Hickory Garden, as well as Brook’s Bend Farm, in Massachusetts.
Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life Sunday, March 2, 1 pm Lecture, book sale and singing Members $20; Nonmembers $25 This lecture is not just for gardeners but for those who know and cherish Beatrix Potter and her classic tales. Her characters exist in a charmed world filled with flowers and gardens, a world born of Potter’s own passion for nature. In this engaging and delightfully illustrated talk, Marta McDowell takes participants on a personal journey. She traces the development and eventual blossoming of Beatrix Potter’s life as a gardener, from her childhood interest in plants, through her realization as an artist and author, to her final years as an estate farmer and naturalist. This richly illustrated lecture includes quotations from her books, letters and journals. A book sale and signing of Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life will follow the talk. Marta McDowell consults for public gardens and private clients, writes and lectures on gardening topics, and teaches landscape history and horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden, where she studied landscape design. Her first book, Emily Dickinson’s Gardens: A Celebration of a Poet and Gardener, was published in 2005. She is an active member of The Beatrix Potter Society.
Organic Vegetable Gardening Ginkgo, The Tree That Time Forgot Saturday, February 22, 11 am Lecture Members $30; Nonmembers $35 All levels Join Sir Peter Crane for a discussion of his latest book, Ginkgo: The Tree That Time Forgot. He will share insights on the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, the important role of botanic gardens and his great love of trees. Inspired by the historic ginkgo that has thrived in London’s Kew Gardens since the 1760s, he explores the history of the ginkgo from its mysterious origin through its proliferation, drastic decline and ultimate resurgence. Crane also highlights the cultural and social significance of the ginkgo: its medicinal and nutritional uses, its power as a source of artistic and religious inspiration and its importance as one of the world’s most popular street trees. Sir Peter Crane is the Carl W. Knobloch, Jr. Dean and Professor of Botany at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. His work focuses on the diversity of plant life: its origin and fossil history, current status, and conservation and use. From 1992 to 1999, he was director of the Field Museum in Chicago, with overall responsibility for the museum’s scientific programs. From 1999 to 2006, he was director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, U.K. Crane was elected to the Royal Society (the U.K. academy of sciences) in 1998. He currently serves on the Boards of the Field Museum, the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas and the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. He is a Distinguished Counsellor to the Board of the New York Botanical Garden.
16
CUTTINGS
FALL.WINTER 2013
Mondays, March 3 – 31, 6 -9 pm Course Cost: $230 Co-enrolled with Horticulture Certificate Program All levels Designed for those starting or caring for a vegetable garden, this course will include discussion of soil and nutrient management, seed selection, crop rotation schemes, seeding and planting, pest management and specific plant cultivation, all in the context of the different vegetable groups. Each week, students will investigate a different vegetable family to insure all questions are answered about cultivation of these important food groups, including Fabaceae (peas/beans/other legumes), greens (lettuce/mustards/ arugula/mache and more), herbs (perennial and annual), perennial vegetables (asparagus/rhubarb/horseradish), Chenopodiaceae (beet/chard family), Brassicaceae (cabbage/cauliflower/kale/ brussels sprout family), Cucurbitaceae (squash/pumpkin/ cucumber/melon family), Poeaceae (corn family), Allioideae (onion/garlic/leek/shallot family) and Solanaceae (tomato/potato/ eggplant/pepper family). Peter Salinetti owns Woven Roots Farm, a small family farm and CSA that grows vegetables and culinary herbs using traditional farming practices. For over ten years he has grown local produce for Berkshire County families. His vegetables are grown using environmentally sustainable gardening practices, and he produces top-quality, delicious produce. Peter is committed to raising awareness about the importance of the local food supply, along with teaching technical information on how to do so. He lectures on growing food for both NOFA and other regional organizations.
B E R K S H I R E B OTA N I C A L . O R G
(4 1 3 ) 2 9 8 - 3 9 2 6
The Plant Experts:
The Wonderful World of Maples Saturday, March 8 10 am – noon Lecture Members $25; Nonmembers $30 All levels (Sign up for both classes on March 8 and receive a 10% discount.) Join horticulturalist Kevin Wilcox for an in-depth look at maples, genus Acer. He will focus on small ornamental maples. This program will cover Acer palmatum, commonly known as the Japanese Maple, but will explore many other lesser known species that make outstanding additions to the New England garden. Sorting out this enormous group of plants is a challenge, and Kevin will help participants identify the best of the bunch, with special consideration for hardiness in Zone 5. Kevin Wilcox is an expert in the field of woody ornamental plants. He has worked in horticulture for 28 years and owns and operates Silver Spring Nursery in Bloomfield, CT. He is an active member of the Connecticut Horticulture Society and teaches widely throughout New England.
Woodland Treasures Saturday, March 8, 1 – 3 pm Lecture and plant sale Members $25; Nonmembers $30 All levels (Sign up for both classes on March 8 and receive a 10% discount.) Learn about the beautiful woodland plants grown by John Lonsdale from Edgewood Gardens, his family’s 1.7-acre garden in southeastern Pennsylvania. He will showcase plants that are Zone 5 hardy, including large and small species of bulbs, tubers, rhizomes, herbaceous perennials and small trees and shrubs suitable for a variety of site conditions. Primary flowering periods are February through July and September through November. At its peak in April and May, the woodland garden at Edgewood provides spectacular color as well as the more subdued greens and silvers of the “quieter” but no less valuable plants. The presentation will focus on methods for successful cultivation and propagation by division or seed. Genera discussed include Trillium, Helleborus, Hepatica, Erythronium, Cypripedium, Epimedium, Cyclamen, Corydalis, Asarum, Anemonella, Arisaema and Phlox.
The Garden at Night: A Photographic Journey… Saturday, March 15, 1 – 3 pm Lecture Members $30; Nonmembers $35 All levels Join the fascinating world of Linda Rutenburg, Canadian photographer and gardener, as she shares her five-year project in the US, Canada and England, documenting botanical gardens after the sun goes down. This program is not just for the avid photographer but also for lovers of flowers, nature, gardens and beauty. Learn how this project began and enjoy Linda’s extraordinary images from over 35 botanical gardens and arboreta. She will explain her techniques for photographing flowers and is sure to inspire both gardeners and photographers to get into the garden after dark. Linda Rutenberg is a Canadian-born photographer. She produces work, teaches, lectures and gives workshops all over the world. The Garden at Night is a nocturnal garden series done in Canada, the US and England. In addition to her photographs, Linda has produced many books. Her award-winning Mont Royal: A World Apart reveals one year’s exploration of the Frederic Law Olmstead Park in the heart of Montreal, Quebec. She has also produced 11 books in a series with ECW Press on 13 North American cities. Her latest books, The Garden at Night (2007), After Midnight (2008) and The English Garden at Night (2009) take us on a journey through the most beautiful botanical gardens at night.
John Lonsdale grew up in Sheffield, England and moved to the U.S. in 1995. He has developed a remarkable garden and plant collection in the genera listed above. He has been active as a participant and lecturer in many horticultural organizations, including the Alpine Garden Society, the Daphne Society, the Cyclamen Society and the North American Rock Garden Society. Lonsdale holds a Ph.D. in microbiology and works in the pharmaceutical industry to discover novel antibiotics. He lives in Exton, PA, with his wife and three daughters.
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
17
C L A S S E S
JA N UA R Y – M AY 2 0 1 4
Ready, Set, Grow! An Expert’s Guide to Growing Vegetables and Annuals
Botanicals with Quill Pen and Ink Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, March 19, 20 & 21, 10 am – 4 pm Members $275; Nonmembers $300 All levels Bring a bag lunch. Materials list available at www.berkshirebotanical.org. Learn the art of beautiful pen-and-ink rendering for botanical drawing. The quill pen is an expressive medium, rich in flowing lines and sparkling textures. Pen and ink has a long tradition throughout art history, favored by artists for illustration and calligraphy, with the original quill pen being a bird’s flight feather. Students will be working with the modern metal crow-quill, well known and liked for the ability to produce fine details. Begin the class trying out the nibs, learning how to hold the pen for different strokes and creating textures to achieve tonal values for shading. Have fun applying these techniques to your own ink drawings of botanical subjects. This workshop is suitable for beginners or those with previous ink experience. Carol Ann Morley is a professional artist and dedicated teacher working in Milton, NH. She founded the Botanical Art and Illustration Certificate Program at the New York Botanical Garden and teaches botanical art and drawing at The New York Botanical Garden, The Wellesley College Botanic Garden and Sanctuary Arts in Eliot, Maine, in addition to the Berkshire Botanical Garden.
Pruning for Fruit Production Pome and Stone Fruit Trees Saturday, March 29 (snow date March 30), 10 am – 3 pm Demonstration/offsite workshop Members $75; Nonmembers $85 All levels Participants should dress warmly and bring pruners and a bag lunch. Directions available at www.berkshirebotanical.org. This demonstration/workshop will focus on the specifics of pruning stone and pome fruit trees and some small fruits, including cane fruits and ribes. Unlike ornamental woody plants, pruning for fruit is a special science that is designed to maximize fruit production. Learn the principles of pruning for shape, size and, most importantly, fruit production. Watch a structural pruning demonstration on newly planted fruit trees. Semi-dwarf orchard trees, including mature and newly planted trees, will be available for pruning. Steve McKay is the former Grape and Small Fruit Specialist for Cornell Cooperative Extension in eastern New York State. He has a B.S. in entomology from U.C. Davis and a M.S. in pomology. He own Micosta, a fruit nursery located in Hudson, NY. He specializes in traditional and unusual fruit tree and small fruits.
18
CUTTINGS
FALL.WINTER 2013
Saturday, April 5, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm (program time at Left Field Farm, Middlefield, MA) Offsite study tour Participants can choose to carpool or drive separately. Those joining the carpool should meet in the parking lot at Berkshire Botanical Garden for a 9 am departure. Carpool will return at approximately 2 pm. Members $30; Nonmembers $35 All levels Learn from experts how to start seedlings, both vegetables and annual flowers, indoors for the coming growing season. Expert growers Maureen Sullivan and Mitch Feldmesser will lead a tour of their growing operations and explain how they select ornamental varieties for their plant vigor, flower form, fragrance and color. They also do extensive growing of herb and vegetable plants, selecting for flavor as well as garden performance and productiveness. Learn about growing techniques necessary to give garden plants a good start, and garner growing tips from these professionals. In addition to the tour, practice sowing and transplanting, and take home a few special plants to grow on. Maureen Sullivan and Mitch Feldmesser own Left Field Farm, a certified organic farm located in Middlefield, MA. They grow hundreds of carefully selected varieties of heirloom and hybrid ornamental, herb and vegetable plants from their certified organic greenhouses.
Private Gardens of the Hudson Valley Saturday, April 5, 4 pm Lecture, book sale and signing Members $25; Nonmembers $30 All levels This presentation features gardens that emphasize the majestic landscape that borders New York State’s Hudson River. Based on her latest book, Private Gardens of the Hudson Valley, Jane Garmey will discuss the development of 26 private gardens chosen to give a sense of place and convey the romance of the landscape. The location of these gardens plays a vital role in the making of each one. Learn how the owners deal with the transitions between the cultivated garden and its natural surroundings. The gardens include those of Gregory Long, director of the New York Botanical Garden, and Amy Goldman, doyenne of heirloom vegetables. A book signing and sale will follow the lecture. Jane Garmey is the author of Private Gardens of Connecticut (Monacelli/Random House), the editor of The Writer in the Garden (Algonquin Books) and the author of Great British Cooking: A WellKept Secret (Random House) and Great New British Cooking (Simon & Schuster). Her latest book, Private Gardens of the Hudson Valley, is the subject of this lecture. She writes about gardens and interior design for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Elle Decor. For many years she was the garden correspondent for Town & Country.
B E R K S H I R E B OTA N I C A L . O R G
Northeast Wildflowers to Brighten Your Spring Garden Saturday, April 12, 10 am – noon Lecture, book sale and signing Members $25; Nonmembers $30 All levels Learn about the importance of native wildflowers and how to bring them into the garden setting. Wildflowers brighten the New England woodlands in spring and are more than just a delight for the eye and a lift for the winter-weary spirit. Each has a role in the environment and often has interesting interactions with pollinators and seed dispersers. Learn about the fascinating life histories of some favorite spring wildflowers. Topics include adaptations for early blooming, medicinal and other uses, the origin of wildflower names, pollination and seed dispersal. A book sale and signing of Carol’s beautiful newly published Spring Wildflowers of the Northeast: A Natural History will follow the talk. Carol Gracie is a naturalist and photographer with a degree in plant studies from Lehman College of the City University of New York. She is retired from The New York Botanical Garden, where she headed the Children’s Education Program and the Foreign Tour program and taught in the Continuing Education Program. In 2006 she co-authored (with Steve Clemants) Wildflowers in the Field and Forest: A Field Guide to the Northeastern United States. Her latest book, Spring Wildflowers of the Northeast: A Natural History, was published in March of 2012.
(4 1 3 ) 2 9 8 - 3 9 2 6
Rejuvenating Shrubs— Lilacs, Weigela, Forsythia and More... Saturday, April 19, 10 am – noon Hands-on workshop Offsite location Members $35; Nonmembers $40 All levels Participants should bring hand pruners and work gloves and dress for the weather. Is that old lilac refusing to flower? Spring is a great time to assess your woody shrubs for shape and structure. This hands-on workshop will focus on when, why and how to renovate or rejuvenate your woody plants. Learn about tools, timing and specific techniques available to the home gardener. Following a lecture and several pruning demonstrations, participants will learn by doing. Ron Yaple, A.A.S. Forestry, MCA/CLA, owner of Race Mountain Tree Services, has developed a regional reputation as one of the premier arborists. His company serves the tri-state region and is a full-service company. He is a dedicated and knowledgeable teacher of arboriculture.
Tomato Basics Saturday, April 12, 1 – 3 pm Lecture/workshop Members $30; Nonmembers $35 All levels This presentation is designed to help you understand the various types of tomatoes, the best time to start them from seed and when to set them out. The pros and cons of different methods of growing will be discussed. In-season care, including mulching and pruning along with pest and disease control, will be described, as will harvesting and methods of preservation. Students will learn proper handling and transplanting of tomato seedlings via hands-on activities. Ron Kujawski, Ph.D. is the former Landscape and Nursery Specialist for UMass Cooperative Extension. He is a garden writer, educator and researcher in IPM, plant nutrition and soil science. He teaches for the horticultural industry throughout New England.
Transplanting Shrubs and Planting Small Ornamental Trees Saturday, April 26, 9 am – noon Hands-on workshop Members $35; Nonmembers $40 All levels Bring work gloves and dress for the weather. Learn by doing in this hands-on shrub and tree planting/transplanting workshop. All aspects of successful planting will be demonstrated, and participants will assist in transplanting a multi-stem shrub and planting a small tree. Learn how to successfully transplant shrubs by correct timing and placement and techniques designed to create minimal disturbance and ensure smooth transition to a new site. Consider the differences between bare-root, container-grown or balledand-burlapped trees and understand the importance of siting. Ken Gooch is the Forest Health Program Director for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Additionally, he is a Massachusetts Certified Arborist and teaches arboriculture at the Garden.
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
19
C L A S S E S
JA N UA R Y – M AY 2 0 1 4
Setting up a Beehive Saturday, April 26, 2 – 4 pm Demonstration, Offsite location Members $25; Nonmembers $35 New Beekeepers This program is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 26 at 2 pm. These dates are subject to weather conditions and bee delivery. Once you sign up for the workshop, we will keep you posted about the actual day the workshop will occur. It will take place on a weekend. A list of suggested safety equipment is listed below although these items are not mandatory.
Drifts of Daffodils Saturday, April 26, 10:30 am – 1 pm (program time in Sheffield, MA) Offsite field study Participants can choose to carpool or drive separately. Those joining the carpool should meet in the parking lot at Berkshire Botanical Garden for a 9:45 am departure. Carpool will return at approximately 1:30 pm. Members $25; Nonmembers $30 All levels Join well known gardener Jeffrey Steele for an in-depth program on naturalizing daffodils at visits to two private gardens. Each garden demonstrates extensive plantings using contrasting methods for naturalizing daffodils. Timed for the height of the bloom, this program will cover the planning, varietal selection, planting and cultivation to enable participants to successfully create daffodil meadows or woodlands. A short history of daffodils will be included in the program. Jeffrey A. Steele is owner of Ashley Falls Nursery, a landscape and garden design and consultation firm with a special interest in historic gardens. He was previously with the Atlanta Botanical Garden and Wilcox Park (a Victorian strolling park restoration in Rhode Island) and was a past director of BBG. The daffodil is his favorite flower, and he has been building a collection for the last 15 years.
Join beekeeper Jan Johnson for step-by-step instruction and demonstration on setting up a beehive, beginning indoors with a close-up look at how bees arrive for installation. Safety equipment, how to stay protected, structural components, assembly and siting of the hive will be discussed. Jan will then demonstrate how to introduce bees into a new hive. Participants will be able to observe from a safe distance. Protective gear should include a hat and face veil, long-sleeved shirt and pants (or bee suit) and protective boots. Gloves are helpful. Following the demonstration, Jan will be on hand to answer questions. Jan Johnson is a beekeeper and owner of Berkshire Wildflower Honey, an apiary located in Great Barrington, MA. She practices natural beekeeping and produces and sells raw honey, beeswax skin-care products and beeswax candles. She is certified through Cornell’s Master Beekeeping Program and studied with Nick Calderone, professor of entomology and head of Cornell’s Dyce Laboratory for Honeybee Studies.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION Advance registration is required for all classes, workshops and field trips. We recommend registering early to ensure a place in the desired class.
HOW TO REGISTER: Online: berkshirebotanical.org Phone: 413-298-3926 Fax: 413-298-4897 In person: at our office in the Euston Visitor’s Center Monday through Friday, 9am to 4:30pm. Confirmation and cancellation policies can be found online at berkshirebotanical.org
20
CUTTINGS
FALL.WINTER 2013
Annual Spring Trip
Down and Dirty in Rhode Island Thursday, May 22, 7:30 am – 6:30 pm (coach bus leaves Berkshire Botanical Garden promptly) Field Study Members $100; Nonmembers $120 Dress for the weather, bring a bag lunch and wear comfortable, sturdy footwear. Those wishing to order the take-out meal of fish ‘n’ chips will be charged an additional $20. Join the Berkshire Botanical Garden staff for a day-long adventure to the southeast coast of Rhode Island to explore an extraordinary garden, nurseries and more. Sakonnet Garden, in Little Compton, RI, will be the featured visit of the day. This “exceptional American garden” (as quoted by Marco Polo Stufano, former Director of Wave Hill, and John Trexler, former Director of Tower Hill Botanic Garden) is a garden full of inspiration. Sakonnet is a secret garden embedded within a native coastal fields landscape. At the diminutive scale of a cottage garden, it is conceived of as an intimate place to explore, with multiple paths leading one onward to unexpected experiences. Owners John Gywnne and Mikal Folcarelli will lead a tour of their property. First, consider a restored meadow managed for endangered bobolinks. Learn about the ecological theory behind the meadow’s management and hopefully spot one of these wonderful upland meadow birds. Then, explore the small walled garden, designed as a series of small garden rooms. Following the tour, Ed Bowen from Opus Nursery of Little Compton, RI, will be on hand to sell some of his great Zone 5 plants.
The Especially Fragrant Garden of Page Dickey: Shrub Roses and More… Wednesday, June 4 10:30 am – 3:30 pm (program time in North Salem, NY) Participants can choose to carpool or drive separately. Those joining the carpool should meet in the parking lot at Berkshire Botanical Garden for an 8:30 am departure. Carpool will return at apx. 3:30 pm. Offsite study tour Members $50; Nonmembers $60 All levels
Enjoy a picnic lunch on the lawn—or wait—for the next stop! As we leave the coast, we will stop at the head of the Sakonnet River for a take-out order of fish ‘n’ chips (optional, of course). Enjoy this Rhode Island tradition at well known Evelyn’s Clam Shack (as seen on the Food Channel: Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, hosted by Guy Fieri). The coastal scenery, including boats in the harbor, will be a special treat for us upland creatures. On the return trip we will detour into western Connecticut for a tour of the fabled greenhouses of Logee’s. In business since 1892, this series of five connected greenhouses holds an extensive collection of tropical, semi-tropical and tender perennial plants, as well as orchids, begonias, scented geraniums, citrus and so much more. The staff of Logee’s will give an introduction to the group, and participants can roam the greenhouses and purchase special plants to take home. Enjoy the hosting skills of the BBG staff, including a mid-morning snack and afternoon wine and cheese.
Join well known gardener and author Page Dickey for a private study tour of her garden at the height of the shrub rose bloom. Page will share her insights into gardening and will discuss the use of fragrant shrubs, with a focus on her favorite shrub roses. Learn about how she selects, designs and cultivates these fragrant beauties. This tour will inspire even the most casual gardeners to get down on their knees and plant shrubs. Following the tour, Page invites participants to picnic on the lawn. On the return trip we will stop at one of Page’s favorite local nurseries, Claire’s Garden Center, in Patterson, NY. Page Dickey is a gardener and garden writer living and gardening at Duck Hill in North Salem, NY. Her books include Embroidered Ground, Gardens in the Spirit of Place, the award-winning Breaking Ground: Portraits of Ten Garden Designers, Duck Hill Journal: A Year in a Country Garden, Dogs in Their Gardens and Cats in Their Gardens. A contributor to numerous magazines over the years, she lectures across the country and is one of the founders of the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program. She lives and gardens with her husband in the company of assorted dogs, cats, and chickens.
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
21
Faces of the Garden HARVEST FESTIVAL
22
CUTTINGS
FALL.WINTER 2013
Harvest Festival has become a right of passage for fall here in the Berkshires. This year marked our 79th Harvest Festival and the traditions of food, crafts, music and merriment continued to bring people together and create memories of hay jumps and pumpkin tossing for a new generation.
BBG Fact:
Wow! With over 8,000 visitors and 380 volunteers at Harvest Festival this year, we composted over 2,000 lbs. of garbage – at the end of the weekend we only had 6 bags of actual garbage!
Spruce Ridge Alpaca Farm Fine Alpaca Apparel Yarn, Rugs, Toys and more A family owned company committed to making quality, naturally handcrafted herbal gifts that are free of artificial preservatives and colors. www.airmeithnaturals.com 413.532.0900
On the Farm 434 County Route 13 Old Chatham, NY Sat - Sun 10-4
For the holiday season 255 Warren Street Hudson, NY Wed - Sun
spruceridgefarm.com 518-330-6294 BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
23
Faces of the Garden
ARBORISTS’ DAY
24
CUTTINGS
FALL.WINTER 2013
A big thank you to Barrett Tree Service, Berkshire Horticultural Services, Ingersoll Land Care, John W. Field Tree Service, Konkapot Property Services, Marconica, Inc., The Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation, Treecology, Trees New England, Whalen Nursery and all of the tree professionals who volunteered their time at the Garden on November 6th to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Arborists’ Day. It was a beautiful day spent working, sharing trade secrets and showing off skills. After a morning of tree work, our volunteers were treated to a potluck lunch by the Garden staff and a class on chainsaw safety given by the amazing Dan Tilton from the Tilton Equipment Company in Rye, New Hampshire.
Faces of the Garden
FAMILY FRIDAYS
Fun for kids and adults alike, our free Family Fridays program has become a summer favorite. This year we welcomed feathered friends, a variety of reptiles and Atka the wolf to teach us all a little bit more about the ecology of the Berkshires and the importance of preserving our environment.
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
25
Faces of the Garden
COCKTAILS IN GREAT GARDENS
Our last Cocktails in Great Gardens was held at the beautiful home and grounds of Douglas and Wilmer Thomas Cool drinks, good food and views for days welcomed guests for a glimpse at this truly amazing private garden.
WINDY HILL FARM NURSERY • ORCHARD • GARDEN SHOP
Christmas at Windy hill
Fresh-cut & live trees • wreaths • roping • greenery fresh-cut winterberry • made-to-order holiday decorations boxwood trees • kissing balls • mantelpieces • garlands amaryllis • paperwhites • unique ornaments • ribbons gifts for the garden & the gardener • well-stocked garden shop Open Daily 9 – 5 ClOsing DeCember 24, reOpening april 1, 2014 686 stockbridge road, Great Barrington, ma 01230 www.windyhillfarminc.com (413) 298-3217 Fax (413) 298-3167 26
CUTTINGS
FALL.WINTER 2013
We understand the earth
design landscape horticulture 413-229-8124
sheffield, Ma
websterlandscapes.com
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
27
Faces of the Garden
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DINNER On August 29th we celebrated one of the Garden’s most important assets – our amazing, incredible, generous and unstoppable group of dedicated volunteers. The staff and trustees dusted off their recipe books and put together a feast to say “thank you” for another successful year. Without our volunteers, there simply wouldn’t be a Berkshire Botanical Garden! To learn about becoming a volunteer, contact Cynthia Grippaldi at cgrippaldi@ berkshirebotanical.org.
28
CUTTINGS
FALL.WINTER 2013
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
29
29
1/
1 rts
on
as
Se
Let Elegant Music Set the Tone
Sta
ZEMA’S NURSERY, INC. Choose & Cut
Christmas Trees
in a Beautiful Scenic Setting Weekend Hayrides Weather Permitting Wreaths • Stands • Garden Gifts
Flute – Violin – Piano 413-442-9172
www. b f v. c o m / s p a r ep a r t s
154 Presbyterian Hill Road, Stephentown, NY (518) 733-5868 • www.zemasnursery.com
“I use a wood burning stove to heat my house, so my indoor plants get dusty. A few times each winter, I round them all up, put them all in the shower and give them a good rinsing off.” ••• Donna Kittredge, Gift Shop Manager FALL.WINTER 2013
Where Gardeners Grow
Ward’s Nursery & Garden Center
600 S. Main St - Gt. Barrington - Open Daily
DASHANDALBERT.COM
BBG Tip:
CUTTINGS
Ward’s 8am-5:30pm to Dec. 28; 9-5 Jan. & Feb. 413-528-0166 www.wardsnursery.com
1815 N. Main St., Rte. 7, Sheffield, MA 413-528-1857 Shop and garden open daily Shop online at campodefiori.com
30
Visit our Website for Winter eVents
PINECONEHILL.COM
PINECONEHILLOUTLET.COM
FRESHAMERICAN.COM
2014 Winter Lecture
LOUIS BENECH:
Freedom and Responsibility In My Approach to Gardens Join us as we welcome celebrated international landscape designer Louis Benech, who will share his methods and attitudes when approaching gardens for restoration and new creation. Benech will also present his current work, a contemporary reinterpretation of a garden from one of France’s greatest periods of history: the Bosquet du Theâtre d’Eau, one-and-a-half hectares at the foot of the Chateau of Versailles, originally designed by André Le Nôtre for Louis the XIVth and since ruined. A rare glimpse into the creative process of one of the world’s master designers that you won’t want to miss!
FEBRUARY 8, 2014 at 2 pm
at Monument Mountain High School Reception and book sale to follow.
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
31
Use Your BBG Membership to get 10% off!
Congratulations to Emma Haswell and Kira Nickerson who successfully guessed the weight of the giant pumpkin at this year’s Harvest Festival! The actual weight of the pumpkin? 1048 lbs!
Berkshire Botanical Garden
SEED-A-THON Spend the afternoon with our Horticulture Team as they go through the best of the 2014 seed catalogues and offer their help as you consider plants for your own Garden. Bring seeds to swap or your own catalogues to share and discuss.
FEBRUARY 12 from 2pm – 3:30pm Free to Garden Members
Be social...
connect with the Garden!
32
CUTTINGS
FALL.WINTER 2013
SAVE THE DATES! Special Garden Dates and Events for 2014 WINTER LECTURE
Louis Benech: Freedoms and Responsibilities in My Approach to Gardens February 8th Roy Boutard Day May 4th Plant Sale May 9th and 10th Cocktails in Great Gardens May 16, June 20, July 11, August 15 Fête des Fleurs July 19th The Grow Show August 9th and 10th Harvest Festival October 11th and 12th
New!
THE BULB SHOW Beginning the first week of March 2014
New to the Garden this year is our first ever Bulb Show. Free to the public, we welcome you to stop by the Fitzpatrick Greenhouse to see our Horticultural Team’s selection of forced spring bulbs.
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Qualprint 5 West Stockbridge Road Stockbridge, MA 01262 413-298-3926 • berkshirebotanical.org Change Service Requested
2013
Holiday
MARKETPLACE at
Berkshire Botanical Garden
Join us as the Garden’s Exhibit Hall is transformed into a twinkling market sure to delight the senses and inspire the holiday spirit! SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 10am–5pm
and
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 10am–4pm Legendary gallery of wreaths • Unique and wonderful seasonal decorations • Seasonal plants and blooms • Fresh decorative swags, bundled greens and boxwood kits • Regional and local vendors • Garden Shop • Light refreshments