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C U T T I N G S
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C U T T I N G S CONTENTS
The Potting Shed
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The Garden Gift Shop
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Remarkable Perennials 8 Summer on the Rocks
IN EVERY ISSUE
New Members 15 Classes 17 Faces of the Garden 26
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
S TA F F
Matt Larkin, Chairman Madeline Hooper, Vice Chairman Michael Beck, Secretary Ellen Greendale, Treasurer
Dorthe Hviid, Interim Executive Director
Jeannene Booher David Carls Mary Copeland Jeanine Coyne Mary Harrison Ian Hooper Tom Ingersoll Janet Laudenslager Wendy Linscott Jo Dare Mitchell Skippy Nixon Linda O’Connell Judie Owens Martha Piper Jack Sprano Ingrid Taylor Cynthia Valles Mark Walker Rob Williams
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Intern Interviews 6 Contributors 12 Horticulture Certificate 16
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Karen Advokaat, Event Manager Christine Caccamo, Head Gardener Elisabeth Cary, Director of Education Brian Cruey, Communications Manager Deborah Dunlap, Membership and Development Dorthe Hviid, Director of Horticulture Donna Kittredge, Gift Shop Associate Manager Will Maston, Buildings and Grounds Manager Erin Morris, Assistant Camp Director Lynne Perry-Urbain, Office Manager Jamie Samowitz, Youth Education Coordinator Mike Snow, Buildings and Grounds Assistant Bill Cummings, Seasonal Gardener Richard Demick, Seasonal Gardener Margo Sharp, Seasonal Gardener Aqsa Butt, Karen Cumberledge, Charlotte Malmbory, Garden Interns Editor Brian Cruey Design Julie Hammill, Hammill Design
BBG Tip:
Don’t forget to deadhead! Remove spent flowers (deadheading) on annuals to keep more abundant flowers for a longer period of time. If annuals are allowed to go to seed they will stop blooming as their life’s work of producing seed for next year’s crop will be completed. •••
Interim Director’s Corner
Dorthe Hviid, Director of Horticulture
by Dorthe Hviid
This year it has been become increasingly clear to me what a fantastic group of local friends the Berkshire Botanical Garden has. The community support for the Garden expresses itself in many different ways. During my time as interim director, I have been touched by everyone who has offered their help and support. I knew that I was going to have my hands full (as I continue to run the horticulture department as well) but the load has been lightened significantly as our staff and friends continue in their efforts to make the Garden the magical place that it is. 2013 has, so far, been an amazing year here at the Garden with the success of our exhibits Rare Earth: Garden Pots as Sculpture and Down to Earth: Architects Redesign the Potting Shed. We also just recently dedicated and reopened the Fitzpatrick Greenhouse and I am thrilled to have Rob Gennari of Glendale Botanicals as our guest gardener to inaugurate the newly renovated space. Rob will be displaying his extensive collection of tropical and succulent plants here through the summer. He is truly a great plants man and stonemason, in addition to being a long-time friend of the Garden. Over the years, the Contained Exuberance show has collectively showcased the superb and varied work of 29 local landscape and floral designers. This year
we add Mary Ellen Eaton, Heather Grimes, Erin Lore, Jenna O’Brien, Claire Ward, Cornelia Webster, Adam Weinberg, and Sandra Zwink to that list as they display their magnificent collection of containers and window boxes throughout the Garden. We will celebrate the designers and their work on Saturday, August 10 to thank them for their generosity. Join us on that day at 10:30 am for a tour to hear the designers talk about their displays and enjoy Contained Exuberance through the remainder of our 2013 season. On Wednesday, November 6, we will be descended upon by yet another group of good friends. An estimated 25 local arborists will climb, prune, cable and chip to improve the Garden’s tree collection on that day. This will mark the 10th anniversary of Arborists’ Day. Since 1993 neighboring arborists have come together yearly either here at the Garden or at another non-profit institution in the Berkshires to donate a day’s work. You are invited to observe and learn from the arborists at work from 8 am – noon here at the Garden. It is through the work of our dedicated volunteers, members, staff, donors, local businesses, fellow garden enthusiasts, designers and friends that our little slice of garden heaven here in the Berkshires continues to thrive. Thank you to all for your terrific support.
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Potting Shed By Bunny Williams
Many people long for a beautiful marble bathroom and a large, well-appointed kitchen with the latest appliances. But for me as a gardener, a sumptuous potting shed is the utmost luxury. Whenever I go on garden tours, I am always drawn to the working areas of the garden — the areas where the utensils, the pots, the fertilizer are all stored. These are the things, used daily, that allow the garden, along with hard work, to look its best. I remember the rows of terra cotta rhubarb forcers lined up along a shed at Cranborne in England. The tools used at Sissinghurst Castle were like jewels to me. Rows and rows of glass cloches lined up ready to protect young seedlings from a frost were like a beautiful sculpture. 2
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Photo: Fritz von der Schulenburg
The
Potting sheds do not have to be large. To have a small structure near your garden that can house all the tools, watering cans, hoses, weeding baskets, fertilizers (organic I hope) will not only save time, but can be a magical focus for the garden. The little buildings in the
wood. It is 36" high with a shelf below. The top has a 14" high back and sides and all this is covered in sheets of zinc. This is perfect for mixing various potting soil combinations. Nearby, in individual lidded zinc canisters, the potting soil, sand and vermiculite live to make the
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AROUND THE GARDEN
Visit the six custom potting sheds (two of which are shown here) designed for “Down to Earth: Architects Redesign the Potting Shed� on display now through the end of the season at the Berkshire Botanical Garden.
corners of George Washington’s garden at Mount Vernon are some of my favorites. But a simple building within the center of a path in a garden works just as well. In my own garden in Connecticut, I actually have two potting spaces. One on the side of a barn, which is adjacent to the garden, has been lined with wooden shelves, where we store all the terra cotta pots, cast stone pots and some old lead containers. They are grouped by size and color, so I can find just the one I want for a special plant. Along another wall is a long bench, with shelves underneath, for more storage. Wooden baskets along another wall hold the larger tools, such as rakes, hoes and shovels. Tall baskets hold bamboo stakes and baskets hang on pegs for collecting flowers and vegetables. Having everything together and organized saves time and it is so easy to put things away at the end of the day, when they have a proper place to live. The center floor space holds the empty wheel barrows, and garden carts that have been filled with weeds or soil during the day. The nearby greenhouse is our other work area. This is where we actually do most of the real potting up. I had a large potting table (about 6' long) made of
perfect soil combination for a new plant. Pots sit on the shelf below, as do old industrial metal baskets that hold twine, small stakes, and labels. Across from the potting table is an old wooden farm table with a comfortable teak chair, where I can sit and make labels for the pots, make planting notes in my garden journal and even have lunch. Somehow, I never mind a rainy day because it allows me time to be in this greenhouse, take some cuttings to be potted up and spend quiet time listening to the rain. Over the years, collecting objects for my potting areas has been a wonderful treasure hunt. Finding a huge box of old English terra cotta pots in a small roadside antique shop in an English village; finding a large collection of square French melon pots in the flea market in Avignon bring back memories every time I use them. I never pass up a hardware store in a foreign country, where I am always looking for an unusual tool, beautiful stakes and spools of twine. I once found this amazing brown stretch plastic cord, which was being used for tying grapes in Italy. I filled a whole duffle bag with spools of this very durable material. Used industrial tables,
metal baskets and hanging racks all make wonderful furnishings for a potting shed. I have found many special pieces from RT Facts in Kent, CT. He has even made me a special table to place my orchids outside in the summer. Every detail is important to me when it comes to my garden. I am not a big fan of the bright orange, commercial, clay pots available in garden centers. I find the color distracting from the flower in the pot. I prefer the soft, rosy color of the old English and French pots. Guy Wolff in CT makes beautiful new ones both in terra cotta and a light grey. Italian terra rosa pots from Seibert and Rice are wonderful and they are also frost proof. Pennoyer and Co. makes amazing cast fiberglass containers that look exactly like the old lead ones. For staking I only like natural bamboo, not the bright green plastic stakes and I use rope twine and raffia as ties. Even using recycled architectural details can add instant character to a new potting shed. An old door, a pair of columns, panels of lattice, all can give a new building a bit of magic. And my best advice if you are considering building a potting shed is to make it big enough to hold all the things you will need to maintain your garden. You will never regret having the space and you will enjoy every moment you are in it and your garden. z
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The Garden
GIFT SHOP
Open every day through Columbus Day, 9am - 5pm
The Garden Gift shop is more than just a place to pick up a memento of your visit to the BBG (though there’s plenty of that too!) – It’s a fantastic place to stop in for gifts, garden tools and educational resources for all experience levels, young and old. 4
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With everything from home goods to jewelry, beeswax to books and our own line of salad dressings and spices made right here at the Garden, it’s the perfect place to shop when you need something special, but don’t know exactly what it is you’re looking for.
Pictured: 1. Bracelets and earrings by local artist Lapis and Lime Studio 2. Wooden salad bowl and fruit candles 3. Jan Johnson’s local honey and beeswax candles 4. Printed tea towels 5. Framed mirror containing natural objects by CATA Direct 6. Tools and garden books galore 7. Our very own Herb Associates’ dressings and spices 8. Mini terrariums 9. Educational gifts for kids 10. Large selection of stationery and home goods
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Meet the
INTERNS Interview by Brian Cruey
Charlotte Malmborg, Aqsa Butt and Karen Cumberledge
Summer brings us a lot of wonderful things: lazy afternoons, BBQ, kayaking on the lake and the smell of freshly mowed grass just to name a few. Here at the Garden, summer also means that we welcome a fresh batch of interns to our horticulture team. Recently, I sat down with the interns we chose for the 2013 season, Karen Cumberledge, Aqsa Butt and Charlotte Malmborg, to try to get to know them a little bit better. Where are you from and where are you going to school? AB: Northampon, MA – UMASS
Amherst KC: Cranberry Township, PA – Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan CM: Bennington, VT – Lehigh University, Pennsylvania
What has surprised you most about working at the Garden? KC: The amount of planning and
What do you plan on doing after this? How about as a career? AB: I want to work somewhere that is
preparation that goes into planting the beds: drawing up the plans, ordering seed, transplanting, etc. I had no idea! CM: You all use pine needles as mulch – I had never seen that before!
going to help me achieve my goals in becoming a responsible and committed landscape architect. CM: I still have one year of undergrad left. After that…it’s still a little unclear. KC: I’ve gotten really interested in sustainable/organic agriculture, and I hope to do an apprenticeship or internship in that. As a career? Who knows. Definitely something involving plants!
What is your least favorite chore you have to do here at the Garden? CM: Weeding, ugh. AB: Weeding! KC: Hmmm, I guess it would have to
be weeding.
Why did you want to work at the Garden this summer as an intern? KC: I’m a horticulture major so this gives
If you could take one plant with you from any of the gardens here at BBG, which would it be? CM: I would probably take the large,
me great experience. Plus, I love the mission of the Botanical Garden. AB: To broaden and develop skills in historic landscapes, planning and education.
red poppies growing in the Martha Stewart Garden. KC: The Daphne growing by the Solar Greenhouse because of its amazing smell.
Where is your favorite spot to garden here? AB: The Children’s Garden. CM: The Vegetable Garden. I love seeing
the seeds we planted start to grow and all the plants are edible. Who is your favorite person working here? AB: Everyone! KC: Yeah, I really like working
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with everyone.
R ARE EARTH Garden Pots as Sculpture The Work of Mark Hewitt Charlotte watering the annuals in the Carol Clark Tatkon Entry Garden
That was a trick question - you were supposed to say me. CM: Sorry. No. OK, fair enough. How about sharing one gardening tip you learned here that you think everyone should know about before I let you get back to work? CM: Sure! I would say that the most important thing I learned was how
Exhibit on display now through September 15. Free with Garden Admission
important it is to take location into account before planting. Know how much sun and water a place gets and what the soil is like. KC: From now on, I’ll always use black plastic over raised beds to heat up the soil faster for earlier planting. A big thanks to Karen, Charlotte and Aqsa for all of their help this summer and being so much fun to work with. Best of luck in the coming school year and all of your future horticulture pursuits! z
BBG Tip:
Long lasting blooms I always add a tablespoon of sugar and a half teaspoon of bleach to the water of cut flowers — it provides food and helps to kill bacteria and fungi, making the flowers last longer. Want to really spice things up? Use vodka instead of bleach! • • • Brian Cruey, Director of Communications
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Remarkable
Perennials by Dorthe Hviid
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Every year a few new plants catch my eye. They may have a distinct shape, great foliage, beautiful flowers or some other feature that provides longseason interest. Here are several perennials that I have fallen in love with over the last few years. They have all proven to be hardy and garden-worthy through several years of trials at the Botanical Garden. The first one is Acanthus hungaricus (Bear’s Breeches). It has magnificent 3’ tall flower spikes with vertical rows of smoky-lilac blooms. The flowers appear at the end of June, and last for about three weeks. Even as they wither the beauty of the blossoms persist. The flower spikes have strong stems and need not be staked. Acanthus is a large, architectural plant with deeply cut, glossy-green foliage. The first and second year a handful of leaves is all you are likely to see, but your patience will be well rewarded. By the fourth year each plant will be quite large and produce 6-8 sturdy flower spikes, which can be spotted from far away. This is the hardiest species of the Acanthus. At the Botanical Garden we have grown Acanthus hungaricus for many years in part shade in the Procter Garden and in full sun in the de Gersdorff Perennial Garden. It has flourished in both locations. Acanthus was brought to England 2000 years ago by the Romans from the Mediterranean regions, where it grows wild. The leaves of Acanthus can be seen portrayed on the capitals of Corinthian columns and Byzantine friezes.
We are currently testing Acanthus spinosus, which has more delicate, darkgreen and spiky leaves with similar flowers. It came through last winter fine with no snow cover. I’m very excited to see if we can establish it in de Gersdorff, where we have planted it. Ageratina altissima ‘Chocolate’ is a wonderful foliage plant for light to medium shade. We have been growing it at the Botanical Garden for many years, testing it both in full sun and light shade, and have found that it performs best in moist soil and shade. When it is happy it forms vigorous 2' tall plants. The leaves are somewhat reminiscent of nettles, and of a beautiful shade of eggplant, which graduates towards green near the stalk. The stems and leaf veins are black. Formerly named Eupatorium rugosum ‘Chocolate’ and still often found in nurseries under that name, Ageratina altissima ‘Chocolate’ is now placed in a different branch of the Aster family, prompting the name change. It blooms in August, but the white flowers are not showy due to their small size. At the Garden you will find it in the deGersdorff Perennial Garden and the Frelinghuysen Garden. A native to the mountains of Turkey and Syria, Phlomis russeliana or Hardy Jerusalem Sage loves a well-drained, sunny site in the garden, but will tolerate light shade. The 2-3' tall solid stems consist of prominent whorls of butteryellow hooded blossoms, giving this perennial an architectural boldness. Blooming in June, Phlomis russeliana maintains a persistent beauty until covered by snow. The flower stalks look equally striking whether fresh or dried, as they rise above large yellow-green leaves. The large, fuzzy leaves are scented and develop into a 2’ wide low-growing ground cover. Phlomis russeliana is hardy to zone 4 and is easy to grow. It is not particular as to pH or soil type, as long as the soil is well-drained. This plant was awarded the Royal
Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in 1993. If you have the space plant a group of Phlomis russeliana, and give them a few years to mature. Then watch this plant become one of your favorite perennials too. We have several established clumps of it in the New Wave Garden. A list of my favorite perennials would not be complete without at least one ornamental grass. Grasses bring movement and grace to the garden. Schizachyrium scoparium ‘The Blues’ or Little Bluestem has narrow 2-3’ tall steel blue leaves that literally shimmer with purple, red and copper colors as the summer progresses. I often feel that I cannot tire of looking at it. Schizachyrium scoparium is native to most of the United States. Plant little bluestem in full sun to part shade. It tolerates poor, dry soil, and is deer resistant. It is a floppy grass that becomes hard to control as the season progresses, but it’s worth the trouble. You can see how we manage our little bluestem in the deGersdorff Perennial Garden. Having a few unusual plants can make your whole garden appear more interesting, and make you see your garden in a new light. Come to the Botanical Garden and get to know some of our unusual perennials. They may just be what your garden needs. z f
BBG Tip:
Household Weed Killer “When I see weeds popping up in my sidewalk and driveway,
Above, from top: Ageratina altissima, Acanthus hungaricus, Phlomis russeliana
I head straight for white vinegar. It’s an organic and safe way to have them gone in no time.” ••• Lynne Perry-Urbain Administration
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From the Herb Associates
SUMMER ON THE ROCKS
BBG Tip:
A Better Bloody Mary Ditch the celery stick stirrer in vegetable juice–based drinks, in favor of fresh lovage stalks. Unlike celery, lovage stalks are hollow and make a great straw in addition to having a celery-like flavor. ••• Iris Bass
Hot summer days call for icy cold drinks.
Who better to ask than the BBG Herb Associates to give us some tried and true recipes for a tasty take on some traditional beverages.
From Theresa Terry:
From Anna Smith:
Basil Bloody Marys: Combine 1 quart of V8 juice, 1 tablespoon of lemon or lime juice, and 3 dashes each of Angostura bitters and Tabasco sauce. Mince 16 medium-size basil leaves finely and add to the juice mixture. Refrigerate to chill and blend the flavors. To serve add vodka to taste, stir, and garnish each glass with a basil sprig. Makes 6 servings.
Lemongrass and green tea: Place 1 tablespoon of dried lemongrass and 1 tablespoon of gunpowder or other green tea in a teapot and add 4 cups of boiling water. Steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Strain before pouring if you did not use a tea ball. Add honey to taste, let cool and serve over ice. Can also be served hot. Makes 4 servings.
From Marcia Brolli:
Lavender Wine: Chill a 750 ml bottle of light white wine. Pour into a pitcher. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of fresh [or dried culinarygrade] lavender buds and stir. Serve with herbed biscotti. Makes about 5 servings. 10
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From Shirley Miller:
Mint Julep:
Mull mint leaves and powdered sugar to taste in a short glass, fill the glass with crushed ice, pour a shot of Kentucky Bourbon over all, and stir. Makes 1 serving.
And let’s not forget where we came from: BBG founding member Irene Botsford Hoffmann’s The Book of Herbal Cookery, published in 1940, includes the following recipe. It’s still going strong (as is her beloved Herb Garden) almost 75 years later!
Fresh Mint Punch: A refreshing summer drink using mint:
Place 3 to 4 leaves of fresh spearmint in the bottom of a short, wide 16-ounce glass, add 2 ounces of light or dark rum, muddle the mint in the rum, add ice, and pour tonic water to fill the glass. Makes 1 serving.
Crush 12 mint sprigs of mint [in a mixing bowl], squeeze the juice of 6 oranges and 3 lemons over them, and add 3/4 cup of sugar. Stir well, then place a lump of ice in a punchbowl, pour the mint mixture over the ice, and add 1 pint of cider and 3 pints of ginger ale. Makes about fourteen 6-ounce servings.
79th Annual
Harvest Festival October 5-6, 2013, 10am-5pm both days
Around the world harvest festivals are celebrations for families and communities to celebrate a good year and a good harvest. These festivals are characterized world wide by an indulgence in food, contests, music, and general merriment.
The Book Tent is back! After a one-year absence, the used book tent is back! Look for it behind the Education Center.
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E V E N T D E TA I L S
Join us this year for the 79th Annual Harvest Festival where we continue the community tradition to gather for some good old-fashioned fun. Highlights include live music on the stage, a farmers market, silent auction, craft vendors, plant sale, tag sale and book sale, and lots of fun activities for all ages.
October 5-6, 2013
The Harvest Festival is the Garden’s major fundraising event of the year and all proceeds support the educational programming at the Garden.
On the grounds at the intersection
10am-5pm both days Admission: $5 (children under 12 free) Parking is FREE in the BBG fields of Routes 102 and 183 Questions? Call 413-298-3926
DONATIOns and volunteering To Volunteer Contact Deb Dunlap, ddunlap@berkshirebotanical.org, 413-298-3926 Donations Welcome (after August 7) Books: Please bring your good condition (only!) books to the dedicated container BEHIND the Education Center.
Tag Sale: Please bring your good condition household items, clothing, children’s clothes & toys, and jewelry to the dedicated container BEHIND the Education Center.
REMINDER: We DO NOT accept air conditioners, computers, large furniture, mattresses, microwaves, refrigerators, televisions, encyclopedias, magazines, or textbooks. berkshire botanical garden
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C O N T R I B U T O R S The following constituents made contributions during the Garden’s 2012 fiscal year, from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. This list reflects our loyal friends who have made contributions, including donations to designated funds, provided grants and sponsorships, matched employee gifts or made unrestricted contributions to the Garden’s Annual Fund to help support operating costs. Membership to the Berkshire Botanical Garden is open enrollment and valid for one year upon received revenue.
Thank you very much to all of the Members, Students, and Friends who keep our Garden a wonderful community! Fence Club Benefactors $2,500 to $9,999 Elizabeth & Wynn Sayman Fence Club $1,000 to $2,499 Michael Beck & Beau Buffier Jeannene Booher Elizabeth & Blake Cabot Maria & David Carls Mary Copeland & Jose A. Gonzalez, Jr. Jeanine & Herbert Coyne Ellen & Christopher Greendale Matthew Larkin & Elaine Grant Mary W. Harrison Madeline & Ian Hooper Janet Laudenslager & Max Aflalo Wendy Linscott & James Lamme III Betsey McKearnan Jo Dare & Robert Mitchell Skippy & Vaughn Nixon Linda P. O’Connell Honey Sharp & David Lippman Carol & Robert Williams Patron Members $500 to $999 Janet & Gary Cookson Elise & Carl Hartman Lucy Holland & Charles Schulze Allen & Gail Meisel Wendy Philbrick & Edward Baptiste Stephanie & Richard Solar Friends $250 to $499 Lauri Aibel & Tim Sleeper Laura & Richard Allen Jytte & John Brooks Nathan Castro & Terri Chegwidden Diana Felber & Stephen Glick M. G. H. Gilliam Carol & Alfred Maynard Mary Mott & Gordon Simmering Adele P. Rodbell Pat & Sanford Ross Roberta & Robert Silman Supporters $150 to $249 Judith E. Burke Charlotte Cagan Phyllis & Joseph Cohen Joan & Robert Comeau David & Diane Dalton Susan & Edmund Dana Helen & John Davies Anita & Nick Diller Constance Eagan Paulette & Martin Feit Susan & Henry Flint Mary Gendler & Everett Gendler
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Susan Ginns Jane & William Havemeyer Maureen & Paul Hickey Colta Ives Marianne & Richard Jaffe Jane & Roy Karlin Matthew King & Brian Cruey Robert E. Koch Nina & Tim Lannan Paul Leyden & Paul Murphy Sharon & Ben Liptzin Jeanette Mall & Stuart Fischer Robert D. Montgomery & Jane Iredale Susan M. Morris Judy Moss Jane & Richard Perin Alice Platt Sandra & Edward Rappaport Barbara & Paul Robinson Eileen Shapiro & Raymond Levin Jane & Terrance Shea Michele & Thomas Sirois Marion & Ronald Stein Reginald T. Taylor Sheila & Randy Thunfors Harriet & Elliott Vines Diane & William Vogt Harriet Wetstone Garden Club Supporters $150 and Above Berkshire Garden Club Fort Orange Garden Club Great Barrington Garden Club The Academy Garden Club of Lenox The Lenox Garden Club Corporate Supporters $150 to $499 Africa Tours, Inc. Blue Q Wheeler & Taylor Insurance, Inc. Sandra Zwink Corporate Sponsors Guido’s Fresh Marketplace 2012 Farm Camp Ed Herrington, Inc. 2012 Holiday Market Hunter Boot USA, LLC 2012 Winter Lecture Greylock Federal Credit Union 2012 Fête des Fleurs Designated Contributions Michael Beck & Beau Buffier Berkshire Garden Club Black Barn Farm Topiary
Jeannene Booher Jerri & Daniel Buehler Maria & David Carls Janet & Gary Cookson Mary Copeland & Jose A. Gonzalez, Jr. Countryside Landscape Terry Cruikshank & Keith Bader Ellen & Christopher Greendale Elizabeth Hamilton & Peter Fasano Mary W. Harrison Maria Nation & Roberto Flores North American Rock Garden Society Rodney Pleasants & Steve Godwin The Lenox Garden Club Gay Tucker Western Massachusetts Master Gardeners Whalen Nursery, Inc. Carol & Robert Williams Cynthia Valles & George Hebard Matching Gift Companies Community Health Systems GE Foundation Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts Program Fête des Fleurs Donations Katherine & Leopold Abraham II Marleen & Martin Brody Diane & Richard Brown Elizabeth & Blake Cabot Joan & Robert Comeau Diane & David Dalton Susan & Edmund Dana Janet & John Egelhofer Virginia & Rodney Frelinghuysen Barbara & Robert Friedman Thomas Gardner & Marion Godfrey Virginia & James Giddens Maureen & Paul Hickey Matthew King & Brian Cruey Janet Laudenslager & Max Aflalo Cynthia McCollum & John Spellman Jo Dare & Robert Mitchell Skippy & Vaughn Nixon Linda P. O’Connell Beatrice & Alan Sagner Stephanie & Richard Solar The Lenox Garden Club Adele R. Wailand Fête des Fleurs Sponsors Jeannene Booher Diane & Richard Brown Maria & David Carls Mary Copeland & Jose A. Gonzalez, Jr. Diane & David Dalton Jane P. Fitzpatrick Mary W. Harrison
C O N T R I B U T O R S Madeline & Ian Hooper Jo Dare & Robert Mitchell Skippy & Vaughn Nixon Wendy Philbrick & Edward Baptiste Mary Ann & Bruno Quinson Georgeanne & Jean Rousseau Elizabeth & Wynn Sayman Honey Sharp & David Lippman Reginald T. Taylor Carol & Robert Williams Holiday Marketplace Sponsors Sandra & Edward Rappaport Annual Fund $1,000 and Above Helen & John Davies Thomas Gardner & Marian Godfrey The William & Mary Greve Foundation, Inc. Annual Fund $500 to $999 Elisabeth Atkin & Tony Kiser Beatrice & Theodora van Roijen
Nina & Carl Pancaldo Governor & Mrs. Deval L. Patrick Ellen & Eric Petersen Janet Robertson Lucia & James Scala Sally Schoenknecht Rebecca & John Schreiber Leslie & Stephen Shatz Michele & Thomas Sirois Anna Owens Smith & Starbuck Smith Alison Sneider Katharine Stell Katie & James Stewart Lorna & David Strassler Theresa Michney Terry Judith Uman & Michael Goodman Harriet & Elliott Vines Linda A.H. Wagner Geri Walsh & Judy Nardacci Harriet Wetstone Suzanne Yale Dee & Steve Zimmer
Annual Fund $200 to $499 Susan & Duncan Brown Robert Koch Licia & Michael Conforti Judith Fetterley Jo Anne & Christopher Magee Wendy McCain Gail & Allen Meisel Marie & Wayne Weatherhead
Special Gifts Campaign Maria & David Carls Mary Copeland & Jose A. Gonzalez, Jr. Jeanine & Herbert Coyne Madeline & Ian Hooper
Annual Fund Up to $199 Laura & Richard Allen Janet B. Ansbro Alison & Jeffrey Atlas Cheryl Barrett George Bazinet & Jean Malone Greta Berkson Blue Q Jytte & John Brooks Patty & Timothy Burch Kathleen & Neil Chrisman Elizabeth Colhoun & Herb Abelow Phyllis Cohen & Jeffrey Lazarus Diane & David Dalton Sharon & Ronald Faanes Brian Fawcett Lucy Ferriss & J. Donald Moon Steven Finley & Linda Stillman Elizabeth Gall M.G.H. Gilliam Susan M. Ginns Robert & Stephanie Gittleman Virginia & James Giddens Rebecca Greer Elizabeth Hamilton & Peter Fasano James Keating & Ryan McMenamy Connie Kindahl Mary Lou Lamb Ann M. Larkin Robert B. Lee & Rebecca Pugh Gretchen Long & Joseph Cooper Nina & Tim Lannan Richard Miskinis Amal Moamar Sara McCain Margaret Poutasse
In Honor of Judith Korostoff Judith Moss
Honorarium In Honor Of Betsey & David McKearnan Judith Moss
In Honor of Gail Chorney Judith Moss
In Honor of Joan Comeau Ellen Greendale – The Lenox Garden Club In Honor of Lucy Cooper Mary Copeland & Jose A. Gonzalez, Jr. In Honor of Ruth Dillow Susan M. Morris In Honor of David Harrington Colin McKnight In Honor of Ellen Hochberger Judith Owens In Honor of Madeline Hooper Amy Barr Elizabeth Gramkow In Honor of Madeline and Ian Hooper Jeffrey Solomon In Honor of Jan Johnson Cynthia Valles & George Hebard In Honor of Harvey Klein Wayne Smith, Community Health Systems In Honor of Matthew Larkin Chip Allen & Keith O’Brien In Honor of Allen Meisel Roy Kaplan, Pfizer Foundation In Honor of Jo Dare and Robert Mitchell Sydelle & Lee Blatt
In Honor of Dorian Held Judith Moss
In Honor of Georgeanne and Jean Rousseau Joanne & Charles Owen Sue & William Moore Mary Ann & Bruno Quinson
In Honor of Linda Ladd Judith Moss
In Honor of David Silverstein Emily & Phil Cohen
In Honor of Barbara Stuhlman Judith Moss
In Honor of Jack Staub Rodney Pleasants & Steve Godwin
In Honor of Bruce & Hope Hazen Judith Moss
In Honor of Elizabeth Stell Katharine Stell
In Honor of Marti Mindlin Judith Moss
In Honor of Koch Weatherhead Robert Corcoran, GE Foundation
In Honor of Helanie Rose Judith Moss
Memorial Contributions In Memory of Larry Kusik Arline Jacobsen
In Honor of Dorthe Hviid Fredda Ecker & Benton Bernstein Maureen & Paul Hickey
In Memory of Carl Beling Stephanie Beling
In Honor of Lenox Garden Club Mary W. Harrison
In Memory of Richard S. Berkson Greta Berkson
In Honor of Mark Fadding Elizabeth & Wynn A. Sayman
In Memory of Linda Jo Boan Joyce Hovey
In Honor of David Carls Laurie Paro & Jonathan Carls
In Memory of Jon Collins Barbara S. Johnson berkshire botanical garden
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C O N T R I B U T O R S In Memory of Audrey and Don Cruikshank Terry Cruikshank & Keith Bader Keith Badar Sally & Chris Gaarn In Memory of Joan Forman Mandy & Ray Pieczarka
Pittsfield Cooperative Bank Nancy Roux Patricia Trzcinka Michael Polchlopek Rosalie Teichert Thelma Venturini Francine Williams In Memory of Marie Morris Susan M. Morris
In Memory of Maria Harty Christina & Paul Del Balso In Memory of Lillian Lesser Anne B. Lesser & Thom Lipiczky
In Memory of Guy Quesnel Beth Griffin
In Memory of Rose Marchetti Lawrence Brothers, Jr. Mario Cimini Linda & Robert Croze Enrico Giardin Elaine Lapierre William Marlowe Jeanne Mosca D.M. Brower Barbara & Robert Conway Barbara & Raymond Ferrarin Rita Kane Antoinette Mele Judith Moynihan
In Memory of Ruth H. Slaminsky Holly & William Schur 2012 Vegetable Garden Sponsors Stephanie Beling Lee & Sydelle Blatt Jytte & John H. Brooks David & Maria Carls Elizabeth & Blake Cabot Licia & Michael Conforti Mary Copeland & Jose A. Gonzalez, Jr. Jeanine & Herbert Coyne Liz Ann & Adrian Doherty
Audrey & Ralph Friedner Ellen & Chris Greendale Anne & David Griffin Elizabeth Hamilton & Peter Fasano Mary Harrison Elise & Carl Hartman Maureen & Paul Hickey Madeline & Ian Hooper Barbara S. Johnson Janet Johnson Tanny & R. Courtney Jones Phyliss & Harvey Klein Matthew Larkin & Elaine Grant Janet Laudenslager & Max Aflalo Lenox Garden Club Wendy Linscott & James Lamme III Barbara & Christopher May David & Betsey McKearnan Susan M. Morris Skippy & Vaughn Nixon Judy Owens Rodney Pleasants & Steve Godwin Elizabeth & Wynn Sayman Honey Sharp & David Lippman Jack & Maureen Sprano John & Heather Veague Rob & Carol Williams
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W O H S W O R G
saturday 12:30-5 pm
August 10
and
sUNday 10 am -5 pm
August 11
At the Education Center at the
Berkshire Botanical Garden Show off your green thumb! Open to the public. Show admission is included with Garden admission (check in at the Gift Shop when you arrive). The Grow Show will feature judged divisions in Horticulture and Photography. Everyone is welcome to participate in the judged shows! For more information visit berkshirebotanical.org or contact the Garden to request a program schedule and entry forms. 14
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Welcome New Members
Below is a list of new members who have joined since February 1, 2013 and prior to the press deadline for this issue of Cuttings. Mary Anne and Paul Allen, Latham, NY Robin Ambrosino, Saratoga Springs, NY Alison Ash, Chicago, IL Jed Baumwell, Boston, MA Edward and Peggy Bell, Wellesley, MA David and Cindy Berger, Lenox, MA Gail Beaudain, Boston, MA Paul Bokinz, Lee, MA Joseph and Mary Bolton, New Hartford, NY Robert Braine, Athens, NY Daniel and Christine Breton, New York, NY Bernadette Brusco, Old Chatham, NY Kathi Cafiero, Lenox, MA Ann Canning, Great Barrington, MA Eric and Lisa Chamberlain, Stockbridge, MA Gina Chaplain, Amherst, MA Michael Charles, Lenox, MA Debi Chowdhury, Loudenville, NY Christine Colley, Latham, NY Theresa Conte, Chatham, NY Rosemary Contompasis, Clifton Park, NY Michael Cosby, New York, NY Countryside Landscape, Williamstown, MA Sue Coxon, West Stockbridge, MA Nora Cummings, Altamont, NY Margaret Cusick, Norfolk, VA James and Cathy Daily, Stockbridge, MA Janet and John De Piero, Stockbridge, MA Hilary Somers Deely, Stockbridge, MA Kathleen Dore, Lenox, MA Denise Dunne, Spencertown, NY Susan Egan, Beverly, MA Harvey and Janine Engel, Lenox, MA Scott Evans, Bay Harbor, FL Richard Faber, Lee, MA Amy Faut, Greenfield, MA David Filip, Lee, MA Heather Flynn, Lenox, MA Denise and Trevor Forbes, Housatonic, MA Neil Fox, South Egremont, MA Nancy Frisbee, Becket, MA Marc Fromm, Goshen, MA Generoso Gallo, Lee, MA Catherine Gamberoni, Richmond, MA Lisa Gamsu, Millbrook, NY
Berkshire Botanical Garden members enjoy a host of benefits all year round, including:
Thom and Eva Gentle, North Bennington, VT Andy and Karen Goldman, Alford, MA Elizabeth Goodman, Mill River, MA Steve Godwin, New York, NY Christine Grabowski, New York, NY Deborah Hanson Greene, Great Barrington, MA Steve and Avital Hahn, Long Island City, NY Margaret Hallowell, Boston, MA Randie Hammerschlag, Stockbridge, MA Scott Harrington, Lenox, MA April Harris, Red Hook, NY Paul and Jouithe Hasse, Hillsdale, NY Larry Henrickson, Winsted, CT Grace Angela Henry, Hyde Park, NY Neil and Deborah Hurd, Chicopee, MA Ellen Jabbur, Albany, NY Donna Jacobs, Great Barrington, MA Parker Jacquier, Glastonbury, CT David Jenkins, Middlefield, MA Rita Jordan, Loudenville, NY Susan Junta, Great Barrington, MA Regina Kelley, Pittsfield, MA Holly Knott, Lee, MA Julie Koppenheffer, Lenox, MA Susan Lasker, Clifton Park, NY Barbara Lewis, New York, NY Ellen Manning, Albany, NY Julie Margolies, New York, NY Sally Markham, Great Barrington, MA Dawn Martin, Cheshire, MA Susan May, Lenox, MA Willian McDonough, Beverly, MA Laurie McLeod, Stockbridge, MA Michael McManmon, Lee, MA Lisa Melas-Kyriazi, Chestnut Hill, MA Madelyn Miller, W. Springfield, MA Veronica Mitchell, Ancram, NY Robert and Leslie Murray, Lenox, MA P. Diane Nichols, Lenox, MA Anne O’Dwyer, Housatonic, MA Peter and Danielle Palleschi, Chatham, NY Susan Pardoe, Williamstown, MA Lisa A. Pegoraro, W. Springfield, MA Mary Jane Piazza, Richmond, MA Rodney Pleasants, New York, NY
Kathleen Plungis, Great Barrington, MA Kathy Pomainville, Newington, CT Stephen Poovey, Vero Beach, FL Sara and Todd Poses, Miami Beach, FL Jeff Pringle, Lenox, MA Leslie Reed, Athens, NY Patrick Reeve, CT Joyce Reisman, Sheffield, MA Annie Rolland, Millbrook, NY Jeffery and Tricia Rosen, Canaan, NY Michael Rosow, Santa Fe, NM Fred Ruhe, New Lebanon, NY Stephen and Rosemary Sant Andrea, Woodbury, CT Vicki Santolin, Pittsfield, MA Paula Schutzmann, Lee, MA Warren Scoggins, Glendale, MA Nancy Seng, New York, NY Veronica Setzersiegel, Delmar, NY Joan and Sickler, Santa Fe, NM Wolfson and Vicky Sideropoulos, Lenox, MA Arthur Siegel, Delmar, NY Ed Skorupski, Greenfield, MA Mark Sladkus, New York, NY Judith and Larry Slezak, Ashfield, MA Tom and Keri Soules, Lee, MA Beth Sperry, Goshen, MA Lewis and Margery Steinberg, Lenox, MA Donald and Ann Steven, Stockbridge, MA Carol Stidger, Pittsfield, MA Joel and Soshannah Sutherland, Housatonic, MA Reginald T. Taylor, New York, NY Michelle Teillone, Glendale, MA Laurie Thomsen, Williamstown, MA Deborah Tymkowiche, South Deerfield, MA Karen Wallace, Lenox, MA Geraldine L. Walter, Chester, MA Alexandra Walters, Feeding Hills, MA Elizabeth Wang, New York, NY Peter Watson, New York, NY Mary Wilcox, Richmond, MA Jay and Terry Wise, Stockbridge, MA Nancy Wright, Mt Washington, MA Jeanne Xanthos, Sharon, CT
• Unlimited free admission to the Garden • 10% discount at the Garden’s Gift Shop • 10% off all BBG plant purchases at the Garden’s annual Plant Sale with early buying privileges • Free subscription to Cuttings, the Garden’s magazine, complete with class listings • Discounts on classes, lectures and workshops • Receive free, reciprocal membership to other botanical gardens throughout the U.S. • Save on all purchases at dozens of local shops and businesses with our business partnership program.
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 Deborah Dunlap at 413-298-3926, ex. 14 for more information, or join online at berkshirebotanical.org. berkshire botanical garden
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Education at the Garden
THE HORTICULTURE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM This fall we start another year of our popular Horticulture Certificate Program. Whether you are a landscape professional, home gardener or simply a plant enthusiast, the Hort. Certificate program is an excellent opportunity to continue your education and make connections. Here is what some of our past students had to say: “The BBG has given me the classroom and volunteering opportunities to rigorously pursue gardening in a professional and structured way. The Horticulture Certificate Program provides the fertilizer for my brain and the Garden is an excellent lab! The two go hand-in-hand.” Eric Federer Volunteer, Berkshire Botanical Garden
“I knew it was time to lead the life I loved— to commit to deepening my understanding and love for plants.” Scott Harrington Owner, Scott Harrington Landscape Services
“The BBG Horticulture Certificate program brought me a long way in my career as a horticulturist and garden designer. I’ve been through all 3 levels and would happily go again. The education dept at the garden is always growing, offering learning opportunities for anyone passionate about the earth.” Jenna O’Brien Owner, Viridissima Horticulture and Design
“Berkshire Botanical Garden’s certificate program has given me the opportunity to find a way in my busy schedule to realize this dream. I am slowly building my business armed with rich experiences and lasting friendships.” Robin Mooring Studio Manager, Cristina Studio
“The most unexpected aspect [of the Hort. Program] was the great camaraderie that was forged between all of us taking the classes together. Everyone was so willing to share their knowledge, experiences, and trade secrets. The variety of courses and the professionalism and enthusiasm of the professors was such a positive aspect of the program.” Jeannie Xanthos Assistant Manager, Beardsley Gardens
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REGISTER TODAY!
For more information, visit www.berkshirebotanical.org or call Elisabeth Cary at 413-298-3926
L ate S ummer – W I N T E R 2 0 1 3
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
Seed-Saving in Your New England Garden Thursday August 22, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Members $25; Nonmembers $30 All levels Join expert seed-saver Randel Agrella of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds for a talk and walk at Berkshire Botanical Garden with emphasis on saving seed for future gardens. This program will focus on correct planting, harvesting, extracting and storing of seeds. Although the instructor will focus on heirloom fruits and vegetables, many of the techniques covered are also applicable to ornamental heirloom flowers. Participants will take away the knowledge to save heirloom seeds, as well as favorite seeds of the Botanical Garden staff. Randel Agrella is general manger of New England’s premier heirloom seed company, ComstockFerre, in Wethersfield, CT, and manager of rare seed grow-outs for Baker Creek Seeds in Mansfield, MO, since 2005. He has been an heirloom grower and seed saver since 1982 and has written articles for Heirloom Gardener magazine, Natural Awakenings of SW Virginia and Small Farm Today. He runs his own website business, Abundant Acres, www.abundantacres. net, which sells tomato, eggplant, pepper and herb plants throughout most of the US.
Botanical Painting with Watercolor
Master Class with Carol Woodin Thursday & Friday, August 22 & 23, 10 am – 4 pm Workshop Members $260; Nonmembers $290 All levels Bring a bag lunch. Materials list available at www.berkshirebotancial.org. Gain confidence and comfort in this class devoted to techniques of botanical painting in watercolor. Using anemones as subjects, students will learn to capture the vitality and drama of these flowers. 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 greens 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. Director of Exhibitions for the American Society of Botanical Artists, she has organized exhibitions of botanical art throughout the US.
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Passion for Plants—Study Group Wednesdays, September 11, 18 & 25, 10 am – noon Series: Members $60; Nonmembers $70 Individual classes $25 All levels Join a study group taught by staff at the Berkshire Botanical Garden to consider plant groups of particular interest to the staff. Look first at the late summer/early fall perennials that go the distance in the autumn garden. The following week will investigate the important role that grasses play in the garden. The final class will focus on woody plants that brighten the late summer garden with beautiful fall foliage. Minor Bulbs for Spring Beauty–September 11 Longing for a crocus lawn or a field of spring beauties? Learn about the versatile group of minor bulbs. This group of subtle beauties adds a sequence of bloom from earliest spring right through into early summer. This program covers varieties, cultural requirements, sourcing and tips on how to design with bulbs. This is a survey class and will include the instructor’s favorites in addition to a well rounded selection of the best of the bunch.
Invasive Plant Control for Homeowners Saturday, September 14, 10 am - noon Lecture/discussion Members $22; Nonmembers $27 All levels Invasive plants are becoming an increasing threat to the environment as bittersweet, garlic mustard and multiflora rose sweep rampant throughout the landscape. This discussion centers on what homeowners can do to eliminate or control the spread of these pest plants. Learn how to identify them, their natural history and the mechanical, chemical and biological control techniques currently available. Participate in a candid discussion of herbicide use. Jack Sprano is a Master Gardener and long-time garden enthusiast. He has cleared a sixacre property full of invasive plants and has developed multiple strategies for controlling them. He is currently a board member of the Berkshire Botanical Garden.
Grasses in the Garden – September 18 The stature, movement and rustling of grasses make these tough plants unique in the perennial border. Join Elisabeth Cary and discover reasons for using grasses and how to place and select the right plant for any garden. Explore the beautiful grasses—some known and others relatively unknown—for every habitat from a dry sunny location to wet shady spots. This program is designed for gardeners new to grasses. Woody Plants of Merit With Great Fall Foliage – September 25 Consider shrubs and small trees that add structure, color and texture to the fall gardening season. Elisabeth Cary will take students on a comprehensive tour of woodies worth their weight in gold for their fabulous fall colors. Each selection will be discussed for garden-worthiness, growth habit, aesthetic consideration, siting, planting, cultivation and maintenance. Tips on how to integrate these beauties into the mixed border, woodland setting and as a focal point will be covered. 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 mixed-border gardens.
Stalking Wild Mushrooms in the Berkshires Saturday, September 14, 1 – 3 pm Lecture/field study Members $22; Nonmembers $27 All levels Dress for outdoors; participants will carpool to a short walk. Learn all about fungi with a focus on those commonly called mushrooms. This enormous and diverse group of plants is found in the wild during the fall months. The most common poisonous and edible mushrooms will be illustrated and described. A variety of fungi will be on display, supplemented with slides of other commonly found mushrooms. Participants will explore a nearby woodland and hunt for mushrooms. This class is not sufficient for learning how to identify wild edible mushrooms. John Wheeler is current president of the Berkshire Mycological Society. He has taught mycology at Bard College at Simon’s Rock and has been an avid mycologist for over 20 years.
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The High Line
The High Line & Battery Park City Garden Designers Showcase Thursday, September 19, 7:30 am - 6:30 pm Field trip Members $100; Nonmembers $120 Co-enrolled with Horticulture Certificate Program Dress for the weather, rain or shine and bring a bagged lunch. Bus will depart from Berkshire Botanical Garden promptly at 7:30 am. Join the staff of the Berkshire Botanical Garden for a late summer visit to Battery Park City, located at the tip of Manhattan. We will tour this extensive landscape—perhaps one of the most concentrated parklands in America— with the colorful David Dew Bruner, who will focus on design. We will visit areas of the park including Michael Van Valkenberg’s Teardrop Park, Oehme van Sweden’s Rockefeller Park, two gardens designed by Lynden Miller and landscapes by Olin Partnership and other exceptional designers. In addition to these amazing gardens, there is abundant public art to view, including the Irish Hunger Memorial designed by Brian Tolle, the magnificent “Ice Wall” by Ann Hamilton and Michael Mercii and sculptures by Jim Dine, Louise Bougeois and many more. From Battery City Park we will travel north to the cutting-edge gardens of the High Line, New York City’s newest park, built on an elevated 1930s freight rail structure on Manhattan’s West Side. Tour the newly completed section of the High Line with native-plant specialist Drew Monthie and learn about the imaginative plant combinations of this naturalistic planting. These extensive gardens echo the wild, self-seeded landscape that grew up on the structure after the trains stopped running. Enjoy a stimulating day in the city with some gardening friends. A morning snack and late-afternoon refreshments will be provided, compliments of the staff of Berkshire Botanical Garden.
The High Line
Extending the Season’s Harvest Growing Vegetables for Four Seasons Saturday, September 21, 10 am – 3 pm Lecture/ Field Study Members $40; Nonmembers $50 All levels 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 they have grown local produce for Berkshire County families. Their vegetables are grown using environmentally sustainable gardening practices, and they produce amazing top-quality, delicious produce. Both Peter and his wife Jen are committed to raising awareness about the importance of the local food supply, along with teaching technical information on how to do so. They have lectured on growing food for both NOFA and other regional organizations.
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Mohonk Mountain House
The Fruit Garden of Lee Reich and Garden Tour at Mohonk Mountain House Thursday, September 26, 9 am – 4:30 pm Members $50; Nonmembers $60 Off-site Field Trip/ Car pool Participants can choose to carpool or drive separately to New Paltz, NY. Those joining the carpool should meet in the parking lot at Berkshire Botanical Garden at 9 am (approximate travel time from BBG to first site estimated 1 hour:45 minutes) Participants should bring a bagged lunch. This is a field trip to the garden of well known author and vegetable and fruit gardener Lee Reich, followed by a garden tour and picnic lunch at Mohonk Mountain House. A writer once proclaimed Lee’s garden to be very much a “man’s garden” and perhaps it is. The emphasis is on fruits and vegetables, but the whole works is woven into plantings of flowers and ornamental shrubs supported by rustic fencing and gates. He grows a year ‘round supply of pretty much every kind of vegetable except rhubarb and Jerusalem artichokes. Fruits include many varieties of dwarf apples, pears and grapes, as well as uncommon fruits such as pawpaws, persimmons, gooseberries (20 or so varieties), juneberries and medlars. September in his “farmden” brings to ripening a number of fruits, common and uncommon. Pawpaw, hardy kiwifruits, grapes and American persimmons should be available for tasting. From here, travel to historic Mohonk Mountain House and picnic on the grounds. Head Gardener Andrew Koehn will then lead a tour of the grounds and gardens of this famous historic resort. Lee Reich is an avid “farmdener” (more than a garden, less than a farm) who turned from plant and soil research with the USDA and Cornell University to writing, lecturing and consulting. His books include A Northeast Gardener’s Year, The Pruning Book, Weedless Gardening, Uncommon Fruits for Every Garden, Landscaping with Fruit and Grow Fruit Naturally. He writes regularly for the Associated Press, Fine Gardening and Horticulture. His garden has been featured in The New York Times and Martha Stewart Living, has won awards from National Gardening and Organic Gardening and has been included in “Open Days” tours of the Garden Conservancy. Andrew Koehn is head gardener for Mohonk Mountain House. He manages the extensive gardens and grounds for this estate. His garden blog Gardening at Mohonk is full of horticultural information and lively garden chat.
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The Garden of Lee Reich
Fall and Winter Bloom in the Solar Greenhouse, Unheated Glassed-In Porch or Spare Bedroom Saturday, September 28, 1 – 3 pm Members $22; Nonmembers $27 All Levels Do you want the sights and smells of flowers in winter, but rising fuel costs seem to put a greenhouse out of reach? The solution—the subject of this class—is to go solar! You will learn the basic elements of a solar greenhouse, how to optimize greenhouse performance, how to operate month by month in response to the weather and how to choose plants that are growable and rewarding. James Jones is a lifelong gardener and a member of many horticultural societies, with a particular interest in the North American Rock Garden Society, where he has been national president and chapter chair, as well as director of the Seed Exchange. He has recently published a book on his experiences using solar energy, Fall and Winter Bloom in the Solar Greenhouse. He often judges at the Boston Flower Show.
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Garden Wrap-Up (Free Class for Members) Thursday, October 10, 10 am – noon Lecture/workshop Free for members; Nonmembers $27 Beginners Dress for outdoors. Assess the year’s gardening successes and failures, review the gardening events of the spring and summer and begin planning for next season. Consider winter interest in the garden and understand when to prune perennials. Learn how to prepare gardens for the coming winter season, including soil amendment, mulching, cutting back, and fall division of perennials. Seed saving for the coming spring, division of plants that require fall planting, and bulb-planting techniques will be covered. Take home a variety of seeds, cuttings and perennials for next season’s garden. 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 mixed border gardens. She will share some favorite perennials from her own garden.
Sissinghurst: Portrait of a Garden Saturday, October 19, 10 am – noon Members $30; Nonmembers $35 Lecture/presentation Join former Sissinghurst head gardener Alexa Datta for a firsthand look at the gardening year at Britain’s fabled garden at Sissinghurst castle in Kent, England. Designed by writer Vita Sackville-West and her diplomat husband Harold Nicolson, this iconic garden is one of the most renowned gardens in the world. Portrait of a Garden gives a short history of Sissinghurst Castle, the gardens, the creators, the philosophy and a visual feast of this famous garden. The garden at Sissinghurst has evolved over the years since its inception in 1930 and, though being conserved, it is currently being gardened in a dynamic way. Get the down and dirty on gardening from a woman with her hands in the dirt at this classic English garden. Alexa Datta has been a professional gardener for over 40 years and spent 22 of them gardening at Sissinghurst. She studied gardening at horticultural college in England, and gardened at several private and public gardens. In 1983 she joined the National Trust, which cares for many of Britain’s leading gardens, and she arrived at Sissinghurst in 1991.
Growing Garlic Saturday, October 12, 10 am – noon Members $22; Nonmembers $27 All levels This lecture on growing garlic by “garden guru” Ron Kujawski—held just in time to plant your garlic—will inspire, inform and give you the information needed to grow the best garlic in town. Each student will go home with a selection of cloves of Ron’s favorite picks for Berkshire County and the surrounding area. Ron will cover selecting varieties, growing conditions, planting and cultivation of this great crop, as well as curing and storage. Consideration will be given to other allium groups, including shallots, leeks and onions. Ron Kujawski 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.
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Pruning Shrubs and Small Ornamental Trees
Landscape Design Clinic with Walt Cudnohufsky
Saturday, October 26, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm Demonstration/workshop $30 Members; Nonmembers $35 Beginner/intermediate Wear waterproof outerwear and boots; bring pruners.
Saturday, November 2, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm Workshop/traveling field study Cost: $125 All levels (Co-enrolled with Horticulture Certificate Program) (To have your project considered, call 413-298-3926, ext. 15 for details) This fast-paced, information-saturated clinic will introduce design students, homeowners and others to opportunities to problemsolve the design process. It will lead to the basic conceptual elements of a landscape master plan. All attendees will participate in the process of observing and designing and will come away with coherent examples of how design happens. An active discussion format will focus on common design principles. A step-by-step PowerPoint presentation will focus the discussion later in the afternoon. The field trip will be held rain or shine.
Autumn is a great time to assess your woody plants for shape and structure. This demonstration/workshop will focus on pruning, including when, why and how to shape, renovate, train or rejuvenate your woody plants. Learn about pruning tools, timing and specific techniques available to the home gardener. Pruning techniques for both evergreen and deciduous hedges will be covered. 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. He lectures widely on a variety of topics including forest health, pruning and arboriculture.
Walter Cudnohufsky is owner of Walter Cudnohufsky Associates Landscape Architects, Land and Community Planners, Ashfield, MA. He is the founder and for 20 years was the director of the Conway School of Landscape Design.
Why Grow That When You Can Grow This? Timber Press Author, Andrew Keys Saturday, November 9, 10 am - noon Lecture/Book sale and signing Members $25; Nonmembers $35 All levels
Hedgerows and Windbreaks for Farm, Garden & Home Landscapes Saturday, October 26, 10 am – noon Members $22; Nonmembers $27 Lecture, Field Study All Levels Dress for weather. Field, garden and farm edges are often overlooked and considered a management headache. However, at the edges there are many opportunities. Well designed hedgerows are important multifunctional spaces. We will focus on hedgerow design and function, species selection for productive edges, specialty crop management at the edges, incorporating habitat elements, windbreaks and hedgerows in urban and suburban settings. Jono Neiger synthesizes his diverse expertise in permaculture design, conservation biology and restoration ecology to create productive and integrated landscapes. Working as collaborator, teacher and guide, Jono empowers individuals, communities and organizations to understand and steward their land and landscape through design. 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.
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Much like high school, the garden is a popularity contest, and as gardeners, we tend to be as sentimental about plants as we are about our school days. What to do when the prom queen of yesterday’s garden grows up to be a pampered mess and a constant source of maintenance? The answer lies in all-star plant problem-solvers. Author Andrew Keys talks about why we go to such lengths to grow problem plants, and counters with new favorites that prove to be sexier and more sustainable in every way. Andrew Keys is a writer, designer and lifelong gardener. He is Garden Confidential podcaster at Fine Gardening magazine and author of Why Grow That When You Can Grow This?: 255 Extraordinary Alternatives to Everyday Problem Plants (Timber Press). Andrew’s feature articles have appeared in Fine Gardening, he’s written for Leaf Magazine and Coastal Home and he divides his time between plants and his work as web manager for the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston.
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Bring Nature into the Garden Saturday, November 16, 9 am – 1 pm Lecture Members $40; Nonmembers $50 All levels Join landscape designer Bridghe McCracken for a detailed program on how to create a biodiverse garden habitat for birds, bees, butterflies, bats and dragonflies—good for both the garden and the gardener. This program will give participants practical knowledge for how to plan and provide for wildlife based on ecological principles. Learn about the plants and plans needed to design a garden full of life for the property. Bridghe McCracken has been designing biologically vibrant landscapes for over ten years. Her design and building company, Helia Land Design, specializes in ecological landscape design, land stewardship, ecosystem restoration and designing food systems. She is a certified Organic Landcare Professional from the Northeast Organic Farmers Association. In 2006 she began a partnership with Project Native as their Chief Landscape Designer, which allows her to stay abreast of the latest available native plants. She teaches permaculture as an adjunct professor at Bard College at Simon’s Rock.
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Wreaths from the Wild Wednesday, December 4, 1 – 3 pm Workshop Members $40; Nonmembers $50 Materials included in cost of class Beginners Bring pruners and gloves. Create a beautiful evergreen wreath for the holidays using the bounty of the fields and forests of the Berkshires. Learn about the natural history of common and not-so-common plants that can be used to create interesting holiday decorations. Consider a wide selection of plant material, including evergreen boughs, berries, seedpods, fern fronds and moss. Construct and take home a simple evergreen wreath and the skill to create wreaths for holidays to come. Elisabeth Cary is the Director of Education at the Berkshire Botanical Garden and has been collecting plant materials from the wild and creating wreaths for over 15 years.
Tiny Gardens: Build a Terrarium Wednesday, December 11, 1 - 3 pm Workshop Members $50; Nonmembers $60 Materials fee $15 All levels Although not new to gardening, terrariums are enjoying renewed interest. Learn about gardening under glass—a way to bring nature indoors year ‘round. When enclosed in glass, plants thrive with almost no help from outside of their little world. This hands-on workshop will address the aesthetics and technical aspects of terrarium building, including plants, soil preparation, planting, container selection, design and maintenance. Participants will build a tiny garden gem in glass using a unique selection of plants.
Construct a Fairy House or Gnome Home! Saturday, November 16, 2 - 4 pm Workshop Members $50; Nonmembers $60 All levels All materials included in cost of workshop. Bring a plug-in hot glue gun with glue sticks (instructor will provide if needed).
Elisabeth Cary is Director of Education at the Berkshire Botanical Garden and has been making terrariums for many years. She is a home gardener and specializes in woody plants, mixed borders and vegetable gardening.
Join floral artist and perennial-garden guru Barb May to learn how she creates charmingly wonderful, magical fairy houses and gnome homes. Designed for permanence, these tiny constructions appeal to old and young alike. This workshop will acquaint participants with ways to collect and prepare natural material from fields and forests and then demonstrate how to manipulate these found objects to create unique and charming structures. Participants will build a structure to take home using found natural material collected at the Berkshire Botanical Garden. Barbara May is a professional gardener, prize-winning floral arranger, past president of the Lenox Garden Club and an accomplished teacher.
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C L A S S E S
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Bark and Buds: Winter Identification of Trees and Shrubs Saturday, December 14, 10 am - 2 pm Field study (held indoors) Members $30; Nonmembers $35 All levels Bring bagged lunch. Dress for limited outdoor fieldwork. Discover the many plants that lend bark, buds, fruit and structural interest to the garden in fall and winter. Develop or enhance your ability to identify winter trees by twig and bud anatomy, bark features and plant architecture. Students will practice their skills with winter tree dichotomous keys. Participants should have The Illustrated Book of Trees by William Carey Grimm ISBN 0-81172220-1. Must be 1983 edition. Three copies will be available to share. Class enrollment is limited. Brad Roeller is a private landscape garden supervisor for Altamont Estate in New York. He is the former Garden Manager for the New York Botanical Garden and has spent his entire career in horticulture with a focus in sustainable gardening. He lectures extensively and instructs at the New York Botanical Garden, Berkshire Botanical Garden and New England Grows.
BBG Tip:
Don’t be a sucker “Make sure you cut the suckers from grafted woody plants. If you don’t, the root stock will eventually overgrow the grafted cultivar.” • • • Elisabeth Cary, Education Director
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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
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AROUND THE GARDEN
Contained Exuberance Local designers Mary Ellen Eaton, Heather Grimes, Erin Lore, Jenna O’Brien, Claire Ward, Cornelia Webster, Adam Weinberg, Sandra Zwink and BBG’s own Chris Caccamo display their individual container garden creations in this year’s Contained Exuberance exhibit. For a master class on container gardening, join us on August 10 at 10:30 when the designers will walk us through the Garden and explain the design concepts behind their creations.
WALKING TOUR A U G U S T 1 0 AT 1 0 : 3 0 A M
save the date
holiday marketplace DECEMBER 7 & 8, 2013
W I T H E A R LY B U Y I N G cocktail PA R T Y O N D E C ember 6
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Faces of the Garden FêTE DES FLEURS
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On July 20th, friends of the Garden gathered at the gardens of Rockland Farm, home of Madeline and Ian Hooper, to celebrate our annual Fête des Fleurs with the Alice in Wonderland theme “Down the Rabbit Hole.” This year we honored the life of David McKearnan. His wife Betsey, our honored guest at the Fête, sits in the driver’s seat of his signature MG in the photo below.
b e r k s h i r e b o ta n i c a l g a r d e n
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Faces of the Garden
COCKTAILS IN GREAT GARDENS
1815 N. Main St., Rte. 7, Sheffield, MA 413-528-1857 Shop and garden open daily Shop online at campodefiori.com
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Each year we choose four, local, extraordinary, private gardens to host our Cocktails in Great Gardens series. Below are photos from our first two gardens, Black Barn Farm on May 17th and the home of Susan Rothschild and Don Freedman on June 21st.
DASHANDALBERT.COM
PINECONEHILL.COM
PINECONEHILLOUTLET.COM
FRESHAMERICAN.COM
Faces of the Garden
DOWN TO EARTH
For our 2013 theme “Down to Earth” we invited six designers to rethink the potting shed and come up with six unique structures to display throughout the Garden. On May 4th, we celebrated with an opening reception for the exhibit “Down to Earth: Architects Redesign the Potting Shed” on display through September 15th.
Spirit of Place Gardens
Cricket Hill Garden
Growers of Rare and Unusual Peonies
Fall is the time to plant peonies. Select tree, herbaceous and ‘Itoh’ peonies available at the nursery or for bareroot shipping. www.treepeony.com 860.283.1042 670 Walnut Hill Rd. Thomaston, CT 06787
Stewardship
Fine Gardens Native Landscapes Maintain Install Design in partnership with Nature Organic
Biodynamic Practices
Your Home is part of the Earth
Re ya de Castro
860.601.1751 Sheffield, MA b e r k s h i r e b o ta n i c a l g a r d e n
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Faces of the Garden
RARE EARTH
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We continued our “Down to Earth” theme with the opening reception of “Rare Earth: Garden Pots as Sculpture” on May 25th. Rare Earth features the work of renowned potter Mark Hewitt and will be on display through September 15th.
Faces of the Garden
AMAZING TREES
On June 6th, Massachusetts State Certified Arborist Ken Gooch led the public on a free tour and lecture of the amazing trees both here at the Berkshire Botanical Garden and the grounds of Tanglewood.
HORTICULTURE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM GRADUATION
May 5th was Roy Boutard Day at the Garden and part of the festivities included the graduation of our Horticulture Certificate students. The Horticulture Certificate is offered each year to anyone interested in furthering their understanding of plants. For a complete list of this year’s upcoming classes visit www.berkshirebotanical.org.
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PROJECT NATIVE Native Butterfly House
educational adventures for all ages
A non-profit native plant nursery, education center, trails & wildlife sanctuary in Housatonic, MA. Open Mon-Sat 9:30-5:00 • Sun 10:30-5:00 www.projectnative.org • 413-274-3433
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Faces of the Garden
PLANT SALE
It wouldn’t be spring without Plant Sale! May 10th – 11th brought plant enthusiasts from all across the region to the Garden to see what horticulture offerings they could find for their own gardens.
WINDY HILL FARM NURSERY • ORCHARD • GARDEN SHOP
Tree fruits • small fruits • nut trees • flowering trees & shrubs espaliered apples, pears & Asian pears • rare & hardy rhododendron & mountain laurel • shade & specimen trees • vines • interesting dwarf & unusual conifers • choice perennials • well-stocked garden shop landscape design, consultation & installation From our orchard Fresh-picked or pick- your-own apples o ur own Fresh-pressed all- natural sweet cider blend O pen Daily 9–5 686 S tOckbriDge rOaD, great barringtOn, Ma 01230 www . winDyhillfarMinc . cOM (413) 298-3217 fax (413) 298-3167 32
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Faces of the Garden
FARM CAMP
ANDREW
Z E M A ’ S
Farm Camp has quickly become one of our most favorite programs. Beginning in July, we have five, 1-week, day camp sessions where children ages 5-10 descend upon the Garden to learn about animals, food, and how to respect the balance of nature.
LANDSCAPING
Landscape installation: foundation planting, perennial gardens, shade trees, privacy hedges ■ Water features: ponds, water falls, streams ■ Masonry: patios, stone walls, stone stairs
www.andrewzema.com azemaslandscaping@yahoo.com WORK 518 359 6002 CELL 413 329 5207 ■
Gardens of the Goddess
Pat Parkins Fine Gardening
gardensofthegoddess@gmail.com
413.623.6495 b e r k s h i r e b o ta n i c a l g a r d e n
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Faces of the Garden
FENCE CLUB
Fence Club celebrates our friends who donate $1000 or more to the Garden each year. June 28th was our chance to say thank you as we held a reception not only for these generous donors, but also to celebrate the grand re-opening of the Fitzpatrick Greenhouse made possible by a donation from the Jane and Jack Fitzpatrick Trust. It also marked the opening of our guest gardener exhibit by Rob Gennari who is displaying his unique collection of succulents and tropical plants in the newly renovated space.
TOMICH LANDSCAPE DESIGN & CONTRUCTION INC. P.O. Box 369 (413) 229-2945 Fax 229-2340 tomichlandscape@gmail.com 34
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JACOB’S PILLOW D A N C E FESTIVAL 2013 June 19-August 25
clarkart.edu
“ the dance center of the nation ” – The New York Times
Tickets start at $22!
Becket, MA 20 minutes from Stockbridge
Rachel Meyer of Ballet BC; photo Michael Slobodian
Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute Williamstown Massachusetts
350 events • 50 dance companies • free talks & performances • onsite dining
413.243.0745 • jacobspillow.org
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413.997.4444 www.BerkshireTheatreGroup.org
August 8–August 18
at The Colonial Theatre
111 South Street, Pittsfield
JUST SO STORIES by Rudyard Kipling adapted & directed by E. Gray Simons III
7/18–8/10 The Neil Ellenoff Stage
SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR
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reen olph G d Ad ne den an ty ty Com nd Jule S arrie et B , a h M. B n Leig rk Charlap a James Caroly by M the play by G. Daly lyrics by music vis on ra do d T se fr n by io id cal ba directed by Mark G a musi rectio music di
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by Bernard Slade directed by Kyle Fabel featuring Corinna May and David Adkins
7/25–8/10 The Fitzpatrick Main Stage
THE CAT AND THE CANARY by John Willard directed by Ethan Heard
8/01–8/24 The Unicorn Theatre
ANNA CHRISTIE
by Eugene O’Neill directed by David Auburn featuring Rebecca Brooksher
8/20–8/31 The Fitzpatrick Main Stage
FOR FULL EVENT LISTING GO TO www.BerkshireTheatreGroup.org
barringtonstagecompany AWARD-WINNING THEATRE IN DOWNTOWN PITTSFIELD
Boyd~Quinson Mainstage 30 UNION STREET, PITTSFIELD
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Much Ado clybourne About N othing PARK
Adapted by Aaron Posner and Chaim Potok From the novel by Chaim Potok Directed by Aaron Posner
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The much-beloved story of two boys, two fathers, and two very different Jewish communities in Brooklyn during World War II.
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A provocative and wickedly funny play about race, real estate and American values.
The Battle of the Sexes has never been more fun!
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Single Tickets Now On Sale! Call the Box Office at 413-236-8888 or visit us at 30 Union Street! 36
By Bruce Norris Directed by Giovanna Sardelli
By William Shakespeare Directed by Julianne Boyd
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Visit our website for our complete 2013 season including the St. Germain Stage, Mr. Finn’s Cabaret + special events! Mainstage Season Passes start at just $60
barringtonstageco.org
Rob Gennari’s talents on display in the Fitzpatrick Greenhouse.
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Guest Gardener:
Rob Gennari This year we welcome Rob Gennari of Glendale Botanicals as our 2013 Guest Gardener. Rob’s participation this year is particularly sweet as his exhibit of tropical plants and exotic succulents is on display in our newly renovated Fitzpatrick Greenhouse. Through a generous donation from the Jane and Jack Fitzpatrick Trust given to the Garden in 2012, we were able to refurbish the Greenhouse, restoring it to working order and construct a new head house to welcome visitors to the new space. Rob Gennari’s collection of unique succulents and tropicals is not one to be missed.
GARDEN TO-DO LIST
Mid to Late August This is a great time to evaluate your border and see what is working and what isn’t. Are some plants being crowded out by others? Is it time to divide some perennials? Think about what you want to transplant now or in the spring. Order bulbs. Spring bulbs extend the season of bloom in your garden. Consider planting some hardy summer flowering bulbs as well.
September Seed saving – annuals are starting to go to seed at this time. Harvest seeds after they are ripe but before they fall to the ground. Label the seeds and store in an airtight container in the fridge for next spring. Did you plant any tropicals outside you need to over-winter? Now is the time to bring them in before first frost. Look for off-shoots and seedlings and replant them in separate pots. Don’t have room on your windowsill for new plants? Donate them to the Harvest Festival Plant Sale!
Late September to early October
BBG Tip:
No more mildew “Control mildew on roses with a solution of 1 tablespoon of baking soda to 1 gallon of water. Apply with a spray bottle and kiss that mildew goodbye!” • • • Richard Demmick, Seasonal Gardener
This is a good time to transplant perennials and plant trees and shrubs. It’s also a great time to look for fall sales at your local garden center or nursery! Sow lettuce and place containers in a cold frame for a late crop of summer greens. Continue to harvest vegetables but leave some carrots, parsnips and turnips in the ground and cover with 18 inches of dry leaves or straw. You can harvest these vegetables for a special treat in mid winter. Plant all of those bulbs that you ordered!
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Qualprint 5 West Stockbridge Road Stockbridge, MA 01262 413-298-3926 • berkshirebotanical.org Change Service Requested
Family Fridays at the Garden
Meet Atka, Ambassador Wolf Friday, August 16, 10:30 am
Wolf Conservation Center Lecture/Demonstration Free with admission to the Garden
Join some animal friends this August and meet the feathered, furry and scaly creatures that live near and far. Family Friday programs are for children and adults, open to all, and free with paid admission to the garden. Designed to develop an appreciation of the natural world, these programs will inform and delight participants of all ages. These popular programs meet in the Education Center at 10:30 am.
Snakes and Frogs
Friday, August 23, 10:30 am
Birds of Prey
Friday, August 9, 10:30 am Tom Ricardi Wildlife Rehabilitator Lecture/Demonstration Free with admission to the Garden
Tom Tyning, Reptile Expert Lecture/Demonstration Free with admission to the Garden