B E R K S H I R E B OTA N I C A L G A R D E N
SUMMER/FALL 2019
SUMMER/FALL 2019
Back to School: Our Outdoor Classrooms Await You!
OCT
19 Cynthia Wick / The Shape of Color Featuring abstracted landscapes and bouquets in a combination of oil, acrylic and painted paper collage (through Dec 1). Opening reception October 18, 5 - 8 pm
AUG 22
AUG 23
OCT 11
OCT 12–13
Annual Volunteer Recognition Party
Family Fridays
Harvest Festival Member’s Silent Auction Preview Party
Harvest Festival
Featuring merriment, awards, and the legendary Viennese dessert room!
Amphibians of Berkshire County: Frogs and Salamanders
Skip the crowds and bid on hundreds of Harvest Festival Silent Auction lots at this festive gathering.
An iconic Berkshire event in its 85th year, now expanded to 20 acres.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Matt Larkin, Chairman Madeline Hooper, Vice Chairman Janet Laudenslager, Secretary John Spellman, Treasurer David Carls Joanne Leonhardt Cassullo Mary Copeland Adaline Frelinghuysen Lauretta Harris Ian Hooper Tom Ingersoll Daniel Kasper
Wendy Philbrick Ramelle Pulitzer Elizabeth Roberts Mark Walker Rob Williams Suzanne Yale KK Zutter
Evening light falls on the Vista Garden, its paperbark maple, (Acer griseum), Sargent’s weeping hemlock, (Tsuga canadensis ‘Sargentii’) and Japanese umbrella pine (Sciadopitys verticillata).
Photo by Robin Parow
S TA F F Dana Audia Director of Special Events
Melvin Jenkins Camp Director
Michael Beck Executive Director
Christopher Kupernik Buildings and Grounds Manager
Amy Butterworth Membership and Development Coordinator
Dan Mullen Buildings and Grounds Assistant
Christine Caccamo Senior Gardener
Robin Parow Director of Marketing Communications
Duke Douillet Senior Gardener
John Ryan Seasonal Gardener
Katarina Goldenberg Seasonal Gardener
Bridgette Stone Education Coordinator
Deborah Helmke Gardener
Elizabeth Veraldi Office Manager
Dorthe Hviid Director of Horticulture
Chris Wellens Director of Education
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On the cover: BBG’s Incredible Edibles program teaches children about food sources and gardening at the Lenox Library.
Robin Parow, Editor Julie Hammill, Hammill Design, Design
Photo: Stephanie Zollshan / The Berkshire Eagle. Used with permission.
NOV 10
DEC 6
DEC 7–8
Rooted in Place
Holiday Marketplace Members Preview Party
Holiday Marketplace
Annual ecological gardening symposium focused on creating gardens that respond to the local landscape.
Save the date for this festive, magical event and first dibs on one-of-a-kind designer wreaths and more!
Featuring the legendary gift and garden market, local artisan vendors, and our spectacular Gallery of Wreaths. BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
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Cuttings For advertising opportunities, please call 413-298-3926.
Native Habitat Restoration Returning Balance to Nature
Wetlands Woodlands Meadows Fields Invasive Plant Control
(organic options)
Pollinator Habitats Field Clearing Forestry Mowing Wetland Restoration
(413) 358-7400 NativeHabitatRestoration.weebly.com Licensed in MA . CT . NY . VT
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DIRECTOR’S CORNER MICHAEL BECK
On Hating Beets and Loving a Good Challenge “I hate beets.” The statement, made with declarative certainty, hung in the air and left little room for doubt that the ten year old boy who made it, meant it. I am standing in a kitchen classroom at Monument Valley Middle School, on a hot weekday in July. Class has not been in session for several weeks, and yet a group of about sixteen students are there, supervised by BBG’s Youth Educator Bridgette Stone, as they will be for three days a week over seven weeks. This is a collaboration between the school district and the Botanical Garden, now in its third summer, offering a structured-yet-fun setting of recess learning to students from disadvantaged homes. In today’s program, the kids and Bridgette have already watered and weeded several raised vegetable beds, met in a story circle, harvested for the school food bank, and worked on the details of their service-learning project. Now it was time for the challenge of the day, modeled on cooking game shows on TV like Chopped. Teams of two students are given a few ingredients each, are asked to make a plan for a delicious finger sandwich, and then given twenty minutes to complete their creation. Some teams start clapping and shouting with excitement as they uncover secret ingredients like cucumber, squash, eggs, and different types of bread. But the beet-hating ten year old and his team mate hesitate to pick up the gnarly, unpeeled red root vegetable. I instinctively hold my breath and imagine the two running from the room in protest, throwing the beet on the floor in disgust, or both. But then something unexpected happens. Bridgette comes over and shows the two a vegetable grater, asks what they would use it for. And all of a sudden the excitement felt by the other teams carries over to Team Beet, and the two begin huddling and scheming. When time is called, all of the teams present paper plates with their beautiful edible creations, full of healthy raw vegetables and adorned with colorful herbs and other edible bits and pieces. The sandwiches are cut to size and everyone samples each other’s creation. Constructive criticism is welcomed, but mostly the kids are full of genuine praise for other teams. The best recipes will be used to make sandwiches for a nearby senior center that is the focus of this summer’s program, a concrete way the kids can feel a part of the broader community while learning about nature’s abundance and the thrill of growing your own food. Our ten year old’s creation ended up using finely shredded beet to make a strikingly red cream cheese spread that may not have won top honors in the taste test but still left its creators with a sense of pride and accomplishment. I left the classroom that day impressed by how Bridgette’s easy way with kids created focus among her charges, and proud of the part BBG is playing to give this next, post-millennial generation tools to navigate the challenges of our modern world. What better way to provide “information, education, and inspiration” about the natural world to our local community, as BBG’s mission instructs us to do. Summer will soon be a memory, with thousands of students headed back to school. For BBG, that means the approaching end of our busy and exciting visitor season, and a return to our own classrooms, both indoor and out, where we will welcome back adult and youth learners for the beginning of another teaching season. Beet-haters are welcome!
HORTICULTURE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM:
Advanced Education at Year 24 BBG’s Horticulture Certificate Program is a bridge between current knowledge and advanced training in gardening, horticulture, and landscape design.
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
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The Garden’s popular Horticulture Certificate Program is now entering its 24th season, offering enrichment programs designed for professionals, aspiring professionals, and serious home gardeners. First concieved in 1995, the Horticulture Certificate Program has evolved to include not only a curriculum addressing core topics but also new trends as the ecology of our world changes. What began as a modest program designed to fulfil the needs of a niche population has now grown to include 22 classes and workshops every year. This translates into 288 teaching hours involving 244 students and 16 instructors teaching 5 unique certificate programs. BBG Director of Education Chris Wellens continuously strives to raise the bar on the ever-growing Program and recently sat down with BBG’s Communications Director Robin Parow to discuss his observations.
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ROBIN PAROW: Who would you say is the primary audience for the Program?
RP: What are the most frequently asked questions about the Program?
CHRIS WELLENS: Current
CW: Potential students ask about
professionals or aspiring professionals. Some are looking to make a change in their lives and become professionals; others have practiced horticulture for ten to twenty years and are interested in advancing their skill set. We also see dedicated homeowners who want to better manage or be more self sufficient with propagation management of their properties.
the registration process (it’s directly through the Garden and accessible on the BBG website or by calling the education office); what time period does the program span? (September through May); are you expected to do the program all in one year? (it’s better to do it in one year but it’s also possible to spread it out over a preestablished time period); who else will be enrolled in the program? (it varies from students taking the full Certificate Program to individuals taking just one class as part of our adult community education program.)
RP: How do first time visitors who are inquiring about the program react to the curriculum? CW: The 20-acre Garden itself is our
biggest asset; it’s our primary classroom. Recently a potential student came for a tour, expecting more of a college setting. Her interest increased as she realized that the value of utilizing the Garden would allow her to be actively involved through pruning, planting, and other hands-on training. She was excited about the student/instructor ratio, and valued the aspect of building connections with instructors and students.
RP: Do the dynamics of the group
change when individuals outside of the Certificate Program participate? CW: Yes, in a good way. It adds a
different layer of dynamic which everyone appreciates. Each student brings something to the richness of each class.
RP: How are assignments handled? CW: Everything is project based
and there are no tests. Students prove their level of competency by the quality of their work. This is judged on a very individual basis, based on where a student is in their experience level. A student who is new to horticulture will reflect that, while a seasoned professional will be expected to reflect their experience as well. All students receive direct feedback from the instructors, a great attribute of the Program. RP: What are some of the classes,
and how are BBG spaces utilized for classes and assignments? CW: It depends on a student’s level
in the program. There is a Level I Certificate Program in horticulture and four Advanced Level programs: horticulture, landscape design, sustainable land stewardship, and native plant landscapes. Depending on the program, topics include herbaceous plants, drafting for garden design, ornamental woody plants, New England plant communities, rendering, and landscape design, among others. The Garden’s outdoor
classroom provides excellent references just steps from the Education Center for students to study. Some projects involve traveling to each other’s properties to evaluate and recommend design approaches appropriate for their spaces. RP: What trends are you seeing among students who register for the Horticulture and Advanced Certificate Programs? CW: We are definitely seeing more
professionals who have a moderate to high level of horticulture experience. Enrolling in the Horticulture Certificate Program elevates a professional’s knowledge and potentially their career opportunities down the road. RP: Can our region sustain an influx of new horticulturists/designers? CW: Yes. There is a need for well-
trained horticulturists, whether they go into business for themselves or join an established business. Business owners value the quality of education offered at BBG, and contact us to promote job opportunities. Students can choose to be involved in the alumni network to hear about these positions.
RP: In closing, what questions
should a potential student consider before enrolling in the Horticulture Certificate Program? CW: After studying the curriculum on
our website they should consider what amount of time they have to commit to the program. Generally, students devote a minimum of three hours each week for readings and assignments in addition to attending weekly classes at BBG. Secondly, potential students should be open to new ideas and approaches. Professionals are pushed to explore the instructors’ perspective which is perhaps something they’ve never considered before, ultimately enriching their knowledge and experience. Lastly, students should be aware that enrolling in this Program is more than getting a certificate. Students form a small community, learn together, share their ideas, and ultimately enjoy the gratifying experience of becoming proficient in their chosen field. Together, these elements make the Horticulture Certificate Program an excellent choice for anyone interested in taking the next step in their knowledge of gardening, horticulture, and landscape design.
The 2019-2020 Horticulture Certificate Program begins in September. Visit berkshirebotanical.org or contact Chris Wellens at cwellens@berkshirebotanical.org for additional information.
Greenwalls & Custom Growing Systems
BBG Director of Horticulture Dorthe Hviid and Mark Prescott from AgroSci set the plants in the newly installed living and walls.see what makes Come visit
Bay State special!
www.AgroSci.com • Info@AgroSci.com
Incorporating Nature in your Environment BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
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Lucy ’s Garden
BBG’s Newest Destination
This season, thousands of visitors have set foot into Lucy’s Garden, BBG’s newest plant collection featuring 22 whimsical topiary animals and other ‘live’ sculptures, all located on a previously undeveloped site between the Martha Stewart Cottage Garden and the Pond Garden. Donated by Lucy and Nat Day of Greenwich, Connecticut, the collection began its journey last autumn in an unprecedented relocation project requiring hand digging by a landscaping crew, a massive crane to lift the mature topiary onto flatbed trucks for the 100 mile relocation, and customized pallets specially created to accommodate their heft — the largest root ball weighing upwards of four tons. “Topiary gardens of this scope are quite rare, and to pick one up and move it is unheard of,” said topiarist and BBG Board Chairman Matt Larkin, who helped in the creation of the Day’s collection back in 2001. “Once delivered and replanted, we readied them for winter, never expecting what a challenging season it would be,” said Larkin. Unfortunately, spring’s unveiling of
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the carefully wrapped collection revealed damage to some of the plants, a result of extreme cold paired with unusual temperature fluctuation and minimal snow cover, which normally acts as a natural insulator. Not one to be deterred, Matt and the team at BBG created a triage strategy, repairing, replacing and remodeling where needed to prepare for the official opening of the garden at BBG’s annual gala, Fête des Fleurs, in early June. As guests arrived for its grand opening, Lucy’s Garden indeed looked grand with its freshly laid sod, new gazebo with flagstone floor, and the lovingly tended collection vastly improved and definitely commanding the awe factor. At the gala, Lucy Day commented on the sense of pride she felt in seeing her beloved collection at BBG. “They are exactly where they were meant to be,” she said, smiling.
2019 ART CLASSES Hands-on art making across the Berkshires! 50+ COURSES OPEN TO ALL AGES & SKILL LEVELS!
IS 183
REGISTER TODAY!
is183.org 413.298.5252
is183.org
ON VIEW THROUGH OCTOBER 27
Woodstock to the Moon 1969 Illustrated
Photo by Bill Scovill. Norman Rockwell Museum Collection. © Norman Rockwell Family Agency. All rights reserved.
Norman Rockwell. The Final Impossibility: Man’s Tracks on the Moon, 1969 (detail). Collection of National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution. © Norman Rockwell Family Agency. All rights reserved.
Arnold Skolnick, Concert poster for the Woodstock festival, August 1969. ‘WOODSTOCK’ and the Dove & Guitar Logo are registered trademarks of Woodstock Ventures LC and are used under license.
CERAMICS DRAWING FIBER JEWELRY PAINTING PHOTOGRAPHY WRITING YOUNG ARTISTS
ART SCHOOL
Celebrate our 50th Anniversary with special exhibitions and programs. New exhibitions opening in November.
5oyears of
illustration art
KIDS & TEENS FREE! Stockbridge MA 413.298.4100 • NRM.org
Sponsors: Brenda & Jeffrey Bleustein, Audrey & Ralph Friedner, Dena M. Hardymon
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
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MEASURING SUCCESS Education Programs Thrive at BBG On any given day, 365 days a year, there is opportunity for learning at Berkshire Botanical Garden. Whether through a drafting workshop or knowledge obtained on a leisurely walk through the 20-acre campus, the possibilities are endless for those looking to learn about gardening, horticulture and the environment.
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Drilled down, Education Department statistics focus on professional learners, adult/community programs, and youth education. By far, camp and off-site youth education programs have had the most dramatic growth in recent years, with 10,809 teaching hours logged in 2018, compared with 4,666 in 2013. Professional learners continue to equate BBG with unique enrichment opportunities through the Horticulture Certificate Program, the Garden’s popular Rooted in Place Ecological Gardening Symposium, and Winter Lecture. Adult/community programs offering a varied curriculum from gardening to cooking and art, continue to maintain a strong draw, attracting 1,267 students in 2018. 235
Total Learners 2018 n Adult & Community Programs 43% n Family Programs 8.0%
BBG’s thriving Education Program reaches learners as young as five years old in Farm in the Garden Camp, to seasoned professionals taking advanced courses — a tall order but achievable with a dedicated staff and excellent instructors, some of whom have taught at BBG for over 20 years.
670
n Public Tours 22.7%
1267
n Teen Workforce Development 0.4% n Camp Programs 5.8% n Off-site Youth Programs 7.3%
170
n School Field Trips 4.5%
215
n Professional Learners 8.3%
133
244
670
Teaching Hours 2018
4083
n Adult Contact Hours n Professional Learners
5950
n School Field Trips
2913
n Off-Site Youth Programs n Camp Programs n Teen Workforce Development n Public Tours n Family Programs 7896
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
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RO OT E D I N P L AC E 4TH ANNUAL ECOLOGICAL GARDENING SYMPOSIUM WELCOMING WILDLIFE AND DIVERSITY INTO OUR LANDSCAPES
Sunday, November 10, 9 am - 5 pm • Berkshire School, Sheffield, MA Members: $95, Non-Members: $110, Students: $55 (with valid university ID) Registration includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
BBG’s 4th annual ecological gardening symposium challenges gardeners to consider what we can do to welcome wildlife and plant diversity into our gardens, rather than working to keep undesired pests out. Yes, invasives are harmful, and we do not want them. Pests can be detrimental so we need to look out for the health of our plants. That all holds true, but in these times of ever-present studies showing what can do harm, our symposium speakers will look on the bright side: what steps we can take to encourage beneficial insects, birds, and inspiring plants — all with a goal of creating unique and resilient landscapes.
Doug Tallamy: Helping Migrants Justify their Migration With serious declines in insect populations in the U.S., migrant birds can no longer repopulate to counter the losses incurred during their dangerous and taxing migration. Doug Tallamy will discuss ways to return insect populations to their historic highs right where we live, work, and play. Doug Tallamy is a professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. Doug is a Lifetime Honorary Director of Wild Ones and has won the Garden Club of America Margaret Douglas Medal for Conservation, the Tom Dodd, Jr. Award of Excellence, and the 2018 AHS B.Y. Morrison Communication Award.
Bethany Bradley: Ecological gardening with climate change to prevent future invasions and assist native migrations Gardening with regionally native plants has the potential to expand native plant ranges and facilitate adaptation to climate change. This talk will explore the idea of supporting assisted migration through our landscaping and gardening, including the risks posed by assisted migration in the context of current practices for selecting ornamental plant species. Bethany Bradley is an Associate Professor of Spatial Ecology & Biogeography at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and an investigator with the Northeast Climate Science Center. Her research focuses on how terrestrial ecosystems respond to anthropogenically driven changes, particularly interactions between invasive species, land use and climate change.
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Amy Nyman: Native Plants with True Grit Both in the designed landscape and in the wild, plants thrive or die within a wide variety of conditions, often surprising us with either outcome. Our observations and experiments can help us choose which plants have a greater chance of tolerating the conditions we want to place on them. In this class, we’ll talk about some of the New England native plants that have shown themselves to be especially tough in a variety of conditions. Amy Nyman is a landscape designer and principal of Ruby Leaf Design as well as a gardener at Tower Hill Botanic Garden where she manages its naturalized areas. She enjoys integrating native plants into the formal garden, offering both recognized structure and a sense of place by reconnecting sites to regionally-native plants, as well as increasing biodiversity and resilience in the landscape.
Dan Jaffe: How to Make Your Life Easier with Native Plants Gardening can be difficult at times. What if it were easier? What if you could grow beautiful, ecologically beneficial plants that evolved to deal with any problems that the New England landscape throws your way? Join Dan Jaffe of the Native Plant Trust to learn How to Make Your Life Easier with Native Plants. Photographer and author Dan Jaffe is passionate about ecological horticulture, building both sustainability and wildlife value into every landscape, and the foraging and cultivation of wild edible plants. Dan is the horticulturalist, propagator, and staff photographer for the Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary in Wales, MA.
Please visit berkshirebotanical.org for additional information and to register. Registration deadline: November 3.
Rooted in Place is sponsored by The Red Lion Inn.
energetic landscaping, inc.
JACOB’S PILLOW DANCE FESTIVAL
SUMMER 2019 June 19 to August 25 413 2 43 0745 JAC OBSPILLOW.ORG
expert design, construction & year-round maintenance
Bringing the natural beauty of the Berkshires to homes and offices since 1979. (413) 442-4873 energeticlandscaping.com
Save the date for the Garden’s autumn exhibit in the Center House Leonhardt Galleries!
CYNTHIA WICK / THE SHAPE OF COLOR OCTOBER 19 - DECEMBER 1 Opening Reception Friday October 18, 5–8 pm Cynthia Wick’s new paintings are abstracted landscapes and bouquets. They are a combination of oil, acrylic, and painted paper collage. Cynthia works from life, her photographs, and memory. Her paintings are inspired by the light and color of her native California, and the beauty of the Berkshires where she now lives. She looks forward to bringing her new work to BBG, its members and visitors. Gallery hours: 10 am - 4 pm Mondays - Fridays. Weekends and holidays: by appointment Bouquet 1 (after Manet), 36”x24”, oil, acrylic, and painted paper collage Abstracted flowers in a vase. Alternately working with oil, acrylic, and painted paper collage. Inspired by Manet’s late flower paintings.
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S P O T L I G H T O N S TA F F :
Katarina Goldenberg Seasonal Gardener It’s easy to draw a connection between Katarina Goldenberg and summer. She arrives at BBG at the beginning of the season and works full time until the first hard frost. What happens in between is a combination of solid gardening and fanciful wonder. Kat is no stranger to working in the soil. She’s always had an interest in food systems and growing her own food. Along the way, her questions came from a simple place but led her to answers and opportunities that would eventually bring her to Berkshire Botanical Garden. As a farmer at Drumlin Farm located near Boston, Kat grew organic vegetables and flowers on 15 acres, participated in a nearby farmer’s market, and later also grew flowers for Allandale Farm, a historic Boston property. Rekindling an interest in floral design that began during her college years, she relocated to the Berkshires, bringing her skills to Tiny Hearts Flower Farm in neighboring
Hillsdale, New York. This wholesale distributor of sustainably grown seasonal flowers generated a new passion for both floral design work and horticulture. “Returning to flowers was not intentional, but they just kept coming back into my life,” she said. And as fate would have it, in the spring of 2018, a seasonal gardener position became available at BBG, and Kat knew it was the next step in her journey. She enjoys all facets of maintaining BBG’s gardens, even the hard work of weeding. Her favorite garden areas are the de Gersdorff Perennial Border, filled with flowering perennials, grasses, shrubs and trees, and the Frelinghuysen Perennial Border, a collection of shade loving plants that hugs the south side of the Great Oval. Beyond gardening, Kat has become BBG’s de facto in-house floral designer, creating unique and beautiful arrangements for Garden events and for the Center
House reception area, where her work continuously impresses visitors who often stop to study her creations with deep appreciation. On September 7th, Kat adds a new facet to her horticulture and design career, this time as an instructor for BBG’s program, “An Afternoon of Garden-Inspired Floral Arranging.” This four-hour workshop is geared towards students who have an interest in learning floral design techniques with a focus on gardensourced material and less traditional arrangements. Each participant will create a custom arrangement under Kat’s guidance. This is a great way to meet and learn from a staff member who has forged a career of experiential learning and creative expression among the flowers. Thank you Kat, for all that you do!
Serving the greater Berkshire area since 1992; providing cross disciplinary expertise in design, horticulture, arboriculture, irrigation and excavation for both residential and commercial clients. Countrysidelandscape.net 413.458.5586
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Contributors
The following constituents made contributions of $150 or more during BBG’s 2018 fiscal year from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. Contributions include membership dues, unrestricted contributions to the Annual Fund, donations to designated funds, as well as grants and sponsorships. Contributors marked with an * supported our Center House Campaign during 2018. Thank you very much to all our friends for making 2018 such a spectacular year for the Garden! $50,000 and above Joanne Leonhardt Cassullo Lucy and Nathaniel Day Marian Godfrey and Thomas Gardner* Madeline and Ian Hooper* Elizabeth Ford Sayman* $25,000 to $49,999 Jeannene Booher* Maria and David Carls* The Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust* Honey Sharp and David Lippman The Charles and Mildred Schnurmacher Foundation* $10,000 to $24,999 Candace and Frederick Beinecke Sherry and Daniel Kasper The Lenox Garden Club* The Dorothea Leonhardt Foundation The Estate of Elizabeth Plummer Tania and Mark Walker $2,500 to $9,999 Michael Beck and Beau Buffier Chase Booth and Gray Davis* Diane and Richard Brown Adaline Frelinghuysen and Titus Ogilvie-Laing The Frelinghuysen Foundation William Helman Frederick Landman Matt Larkin and Elaine Grant* Marcia Brady Tucker Foundation Governor and Mrs. Deval Patrick Wendy Philbrick and Edward Baptiste Ramelle and Michael Pulitzer Anna and Starbuck Smith* The Feigenbaum Foundation Gregory and Lillian Whitehead Carol and Robert Williams Suzanne Yale Kathleen and John Zutter $1,000 to $2,499 Anonymous Berkshire Bank Marleen and Martin Brody Mary and James Cooper Mary Copeland and Jose Gonzalez, Jr. Michele Dodge Betsy and Jonas Dovydenas Susan and JW Dunlaevy Marcia and Jonathan Feuer Nancy Fitzpatrick and Lincoln Russell Ellen and Christopher Greendale Anne and David Griffin Charles Gustin
Ellen and Scott Hand Lauretta Harris and Louis Cohen Nancy Hickey Donna and James Hurley Tom Ingersoll and Melissa LeVangie Lydia Irwin Raymond Levin and Eileen Shapiro Wendy Linscott and Jim Lamme Cindy McCollum and John Spellman Leonard and Barbara McCue Betsey McKearnan Ellen McTigue and Robert Harris John Millar and Rault Kehlor Deborah and Brian Munson Jarrod Niebloom and Galit Frydman Linda O’Connell Barbara and Michael Polemis Robert and Encarnita Quinlan Joseph and Carol Reich Jonathan Rounds Ingrid and Richard Taylor Margot and Kip Towl Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association Harriet Wetstone Cynthia Wick and R. Channing Gibson $250 to $999 Katherine and Leopold Abraham Richard and Laura Allen Jeff Bailey and John Lillis Barbourtown Foundation Stephanie Beling David and Cindy Berger Donna Bernstein Stephanie and Carl Bradford Anne Brewster Jytte and John Brooks Melanie Buffier Robert Bujalski and Loretta Scheel Timothy and Patty Burch Cheryl Campoli Holly Castle Katherine Chapdelaine Terri Chegwidden and Nathan Casto Carol and Paul Collins Tara Consolati Brian Cruey and Matthew King Ellen Darst and Stephen Rainford Helen and John Davies Paul and Christina del Balso John and Janet DePiero Mary and Herbert Dickson Gregory and Diane Eshleman Lisa and Tom Evans Fred and Nancy Fagelman Anne Fenwick
Judith Fetterley Susan Fisher and Gary Schieneman Susan and Henry Flint The Garden Conservancy Marion G.H. Gilliam Susan Ginns Kimberly Gray Jonathan and Donna Gray Gregory Greene Greylock Federal Credit Union James Brayton Hall and Mark Hambleton Stevens Stephen Harby and Kritsada Buajud Donna Hassler Jane and William Havemeyer Callie Herzog and Franklin Walton Maureen and Paul Hickey Ruth Houghton William and Joy Howe Gary and Beverly Igleburger Leslie and Jenna Ioffredo Richard and Marianne Jaffe Marie and David Johnson Kristina and Gary Kahn Richard Kalb and Karl Laird Jennifer Keiffer Holly Kempner and Warren White Diane Kern John and Anita Killea Robert and Florence Kirkwood Patti and Harvey Klein Jack Lenor Larson Janet Laudenslager and Maxime Aflalo Benjamin and Sharon Liptzin Gretchen Long and Douglas Long GlickmanBarbara and Christopher May Abigail and Julien McKee Dr. Gail and Dr. Allen Meisel Donna and Peter Meixner Jo Dare and Bob Mitchell Alan and Alice Model Kate and Hans Morris North American Rock Garden Society OCF Foundation Judith Owens Laura Palmer Robert Parker and Michael Weber Martha Parrish Evelyn Pascal Kathleen Peer Connie Prestera Elizabeth Raft Patrick Riordan Adele Rodbell Steven and Ruth Rosenthal Georgeanne and Jean Rousseau Salisbury Bank and Trust Co.
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
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Linda Saul-Sena and Mark Sena Gil and Debra Schwartzberg Erik Sebesta Robert Sedgwick and Helen Torelli Rosemarie Siegel Robert and Roberta Silman Ashley and Deborah Smith Mary and Anthony Smith Carol and Irving Smokler Stephanie and Richard Solar Katie and James Stewart Appy and John Stookey Ginnie Styles Lenore and Paul Sundberg Douglas Thomas Albert and Jacqueline Togut John Toole Gay Tucker Carol and Doug Tuttle Cynthia Valles and George Hebard Lynn Villency Cohen and Stephen Cohen Ed and Judy Warren Marilyn Webb and John Sheedy Jeanne Weller and Marcey Bemiss Claire Williams Elisabeth Wilmers Thomas Woodward and David Lepere Elisabeth Zander $150 to $249 Margaret Abbott and Theresa Johnson Susan Abramowitz and Aaron Gurwitz The Academy Garden Club of Lenox Glenda Anderson and David Lossez Jane Angelini Paula Angerstein and Paul Grosso Lorraine Arcus Alison and Jeffrey Atlas Ellen and Richard Babcock Sarah Bailey Amy Bainbridge-Jordan and Michael Jordan William Baker and Bayard Gordon Henry and Anne Bankhead Deborah Barry and Ron Holdman Stuart and Joanne Beck Amelia Berg Jean and Kenneth Bernier Paul Bernstein and Jane Magee Laura and James Blodgett Penelope Borax and John Donald Jennifer and John Boscarino Ben Boyd and Dennis Adamson Luke Breslin Robert and Iona Brigham Fredda Brown and Christopher Oliva Helen Burton Patricia Callahan and David Dee Kristin and Patrick Carnahan Linda and David Cass Cindy Chew and David Birch Neil and Kathleen Chrisman Catherine Clark and Edward Ivas Charles Clarke and Colleen McGuinness-Clarke Ann Coffin Joseph and Dana Coleman Michael and Licia Conforti Jacqueline and William Connell
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SUMMER/FALL 2019
Randy Correll Gary and Deborah Crakes Sonja Cucinotti Sandy Dawson Tatjana and John Deary Michael and Marilyn Dee Susan Diamond and Henry Michaelis Anita and Nicholas Diller Alison Eckerson Carol and James Edelman Stewart and Lynn Edelstein David Edwards and Barbara Levan Fisher Janet and John Egelhofer Virginia Elsenhans Vicki and Michael Ernst Catherine Faber Eric and Wendy Federer Deborah Fenster and Edward Seliga Diane and Alan Fergurson Mary Ann Fernandez and Richard Pierce Patty Fili-Krushel and Kenneth Krushel Bonnie and Terry Flynn Fort Orange Garden Club Janice Frederick and Delilah Dugo Linda and Kinney Frelinghuysen Russell and Martha Friedman Miriam and Christopher Galligan Beth and Bruce Gamble Debbie Gangemi Gale Gates Donald and Marie Gelston Steven and Barbara Glicksman Jennifer and Rob Goldwasser I. Michael Goodman and Judith Uman Linda Greenhouse and Eugene Fidell Susan and Carl Gutman Ronald Hanft Nathan and Marilyn Hayward Robert Hegeman Patricia Hellawell Victoria Hesselbacher Waynet Hinds Paul Hirt and Lynn Campana Janet and John Hutchison Maureen Jankauskas Pamela and BJ Johnson Barbara Kalib Joseph Kelly and Clare Timoney Andrea Kelly Sylwia Ketchen Anne King Judith Kittredge Thomas and Rosanna Koelle Sara Koffman Carla Krasnick Arthur Kreiger and Rebecca Benson Ilana Krishnamurti Joanne and Richard Lacey Susan Laskey Robert Lee Burt Levering Judy and Rachel Lewis Nina and John Lipkowitz Jolanta and DawnMarie Lorenc Patricia and Mark Lusted John Magnesi and Carol Bowen Maria and Michael Maloney
Jennifer Manganello and Larry Rullison Adam and Beth Man Judith and Kim Maxwell Ryan McMenamy and James Keating Robert Merli and Soo Sung Wong-Merli Enid Michelman Brian Mikesell and John Weinstein Ronald Minor and Lee Bennett Deborah and Stuart Minton John and Charnell Moore Susan Morris Eugene Morris Elizabeth and James Murray Anjani and Barbara Nelson Marc and Phyllis Newman Bruce Panock and Ellen Antouille Jan Pechenik and Regina Campbell Thomas Doane Perry and Karen Carmean Susan Pettee and Michael Wise Katherine Pichard Martha Piper Andrew and Lori Plager Alice Platt Bonnie Podolsky and Douglas Rich Sandra and Edward Rappaport Ryan Ray and Temi Morin Bagley Reid Peggy Reiser and Charles Cooney Lori Robbins and Philip Heller Elizabeth and Michael Robinson Irene Samuels and David Gonsalves Sanjay and Anita Sathe Sally Schnappauf and Paul Kaplan Gary and Karen Schneider Sally Schoenknecht John and Janice Schott Harvey and Justine Schussler Peter and Lynn Shaffer Deborah and Robert Shakotko David and Susan Shapiro Stephen and Leslie Shatz Arlene Sheskin Mary Skorupa Ruth Skovron Michelle Slater and Dmitri Sinenko John Taylor and Julian Arcila Thomas Taylor and Karen Erickson Michlyne and Dan Thal Arlene and Frank Tolopko Robin Tost Katherine Tremblay Randy Tryon and Daniel DeBerardinis Joyce Vandemark and Alan Zablonski Edward and Linda Wacks Ellen and Wade Walbrun Marjorie Waters and Myles Gordon Albert and Diana Wellington Sally Weyers and Paul Bassette Alivia and Peter Winchell Jay and Terry Wise Christopher and Katelyn Wolfgang Elaine Zanelli and Isa Krocheski Marianne and Howard Zimberg Linda Zukowski
Memorial Contributions In Memory of Nancy Nirenberg Jane Murdock In Memory of Stephen Pierce Samuel Pierce In Memory of Carole and William Armstrong Linda Durfee In Memory of Ellen Greendale Henry Baldwin Pamela Beauvais David Carls Catherine Clark Lenox Garden Club Ann Coffin Mary Copeland Susan Dana Mark Doran Diane Eshleman Douglas Graham Charles Gustin Lauretta Harris Susan Hawvermale William Helman Carolyn Jones Evelyn Kitzul Susan Laskey Charles Lax Janice LePrevost Barbara May Jo Dare Mitchell Lisa Muir Jarrod B. Niebloom Vaughn Nixon Wendy Parus Karoline Peralta Connie Prestera Jane Rader Jonathan Rounds Loretta Scheel Erik Sebesta Leslie Shatz
Sarah Shatz Linda Shulman Stuart Stent Gregory Stoller Susan Vuchetich Michael Williams Jay Wise Sharon Yeiser Plant Sale Donors Amherst Nurseries Andrew’s Greenhouse Bay State Perennial Farm Beardsley Gardens Becker’s Farm Chatham Berry Farm Botanic Barn Garden Center Broken Arrow Nursery, LCC Brookside Nursery Callander’s Nursery & Landscaping, Inc Campo De’Fiori Clark’s Garden Center Countryside Landscape Cricket Hill Garden Crimson Valley Nursery Faddegon’s Nursery, Inc. Freund’s Farm Market Gade Farm Garden Magic, Inc. DBA Country Caretaker Glendale Botanicals Hadley Garden Center Hewitts Garden Center Holiday Brook Farm Hudson Valley Organics Ingersoll Land Care Kent Greenhouses Keyes Perennial Farm Landcraft Environments LTD Left Field Farm Litchfield Hills Nursery Maple Lane Nursery
Markristo Farm McEnroe Organic Farm Monrovia Nursery Mt. Williams Greenhouses Nasami Farm North Creek Nurseries Northern Nurseries O’Brien Nurserymen, LLC Old Farm Nursery Oliver Nurseries Paley’s Farm Market Pioneer Gardens, Inc. Pond Side Nursery Pride’s Corner Farms Randall’s Farm and Greenhouse R & C Floral, Inc Salisbury Garden Center Scott’s Landscaping and Nursery Secret Gardener Sixteen Acres Garden Center Spring Meadow Nursery, Inc. Summer Hill Nursery, Inc. Sunny Border Nurseries Sylvan Nursery, Inc. Taft Farms The Plant Group The Robert Baker Company Tomich Landscape Design Troy’s Landscape Supply Twin Brooks Wahconah Street Greenhouses Wanczyk Evergreen Nursery, Inc. Ward’s Nursery, Inc. Whalen Nursery Inc. Whitney’s Farm Market & Country Gardens Wildflowers Florist Windy Hill Farm, Inc. Zema’s Nursery, Inc.
1815 N. Main St, Rte 7, Sheffield, MA 413.528.1857 Open Daily 10-5 www.campodefiori.com BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
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2019 JULIANNE BOYD, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
MAINSTAGE
ST. GERMAIN STAGE
INTO THE WOODS
HOLD THESE TRUTHS
Music and Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM • Book by JAMES LAPINE
By JEANNE SAKATA
JUNE 19-JULY 13
GERTRUDE AND CLAUDIUS
MAY 22-JUNE 8 NEW PLAY!
By MARK ST. GERMAIN • Based on the Novel by JOHN UPDIKE
JULY 18-AUGUST 3
FALL SPRINGS
AMERICA V. 2.1:
THE SAD DEMISE & EVENTUAL EXTINCTION OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO By STACEY ROSE
JUNE 14-JUNE 30
WORLD
PREMIERE
Music and Lyrics by NIKO TSAKALAKOS • Book and Lyrics by PETER SINN NACHTRIEB
AUGUST 9-AUGUST 31
AMERICAN UNDERGROUND
TIME FLIES AND OTHER COMEDIES By DAVID IVES
WORLD
PREMIERE
By BRENT ASKARI
OCTOBER 2-OCTOBER 20
JULY 5-JULY 27
IF I FORGET By STEVEN LEVENSON
YOUTH THEATRE Ragtag Theatre’s
HANSEL AND GRETEL Book by SAM LAFRAGE • Music and Lyrics by LEWIS FLINN and SAM LAFRAGE WORLD
PREMIERE
JULY 25-AUGUST 10
AUGUST 1-SEPTEMBER 1
BARRINGTONSTAGECO.ORG 413.236.8888 Abbey Hunt, Tyler Hanes and Ensemble, West Side Story, 2018. Photo: Daniel Rader.
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WORLD
PREMIERE
EDUCATION
AUGUST – DECEMBER 2019
Education
Photo by Harriet Wetstone, BBG Volunteer
Late summer and early fall inevitably signal a transition towards learning and enrichment. Our education program provides a diverse selection of classes and workshops throughout the season, from weekend kitchen classes to advanced studies through our Horticulture Certificate Program. Immerse yourself in building a dry stone wall, create a seasonal floral arrangement, learn about beekeeping or explore the secrets of growing quality cacti and succulents — all taught by experts in their fields. Whatever your interests, BBG has a program for you! For more information on classes and events happening at the Garden, visit our website at berkshirebotanical.org.
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EDUCATION
Classes, Lectures, and Workshops An Afternoon of Garden-Inspired Floral Arranging Saturday, September 7, 1 – 5 pm Registration Deadline: Monday, August 26 Members: $125, Non-Members: $140
Fall Hive Management for Successful Overwintering of Beehives
Compose a seasonal arrangement while learning the design basics needed to create dynamic floral centerpieces. Geared towards individuals who have an interest in learning floral design techniques with a focus on garden-sourced material and less traditional arrangements. Led by BBG gardener Katarina Goldenberg, we will begin the afternoon touring BBG’s own gardens to find inspiration from nature’s branches, blooms, and grasses. The second half of the afternoon will continue with a discussion about floral arranging techniques. We will then create custom arrangements from cuttings from the garden as well as locally sourced blooms. All material fees included in the price of the class. Bring a bag lunch and a set of pruners.
Saturday, August 24, 10 am – noon Members: $10, Non-Members: $15 Join 6th-generation beekeeper Ken Warchol for an in-depth program on fall hive management of honeybees. This lecture and demonstration will focus on how to prepare your beehives to survive the winter, including hive preparation, feeding, and pest control. Ken will provide beekeepers with critical information and, most especially, timing of important management techniques to prepare hives for the cold. Weather permitting, he will do a hive inspection in the BBG apiary. Bring protective equipment.
Herbaceous Plants
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Tuesdays, September 3–24, 5:30 – 8:30pm (4 weeks) Members $180, Non-Members: $195 Taught by David Burdick, this course covers basic herbaceous plants used in the garden setting, including identification, planting, fertilizing, pest control, and pruning. Perennial selection will be the focus, although some time will be spent on annuals and bulbs. This offering is essential for the serious gardener. Students should dress for outdoor field study, including sturdy waterproof footwear and warm outer clothing.
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This symbol denotes HORTICULTURE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM classes, workshops, and lectures open to both students seeking credit towards one of BBG’s five acclaimed horticulture certificates as well as the general public. Please visit berkshirebotanical.org or call 413-357-4657 for additional information.
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Drafting for Garden Design
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Wednesdays, September 11 – October 9, 5:30 – 8:30pm (5 weeks) Members: $250, Non-Members: $275 Led by Steven Foster, this five-week studio intensive is essential for those who would like to take their garden planning and design to the next level. Learn basic drafting skills necessary to record and effectively communicate scaled site plans. The course will cover reference books, drafting supplies, media/paper types, line weights, lettering, and scale reading. Drafting demonstrations will familiarize students with professional drawing techniques, and the students will begin to draft basic site plans and map-making. During the last half of the course, students will learn to develop a landscape graphic palette to illustrate trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcovers, as well as hardscape materials such as stone terraces. This course is designed for beginner to intermediate students.
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EDUCATION
Designing the New Perennial Garden
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Thursdays, September 12 – October 3, 5:30 – 8:30pm (4 weeks) Members $180, Non-Members: $195 Developments in ecology and environmental science over the last thirty years have revolutionized the way we think of using perennials in gardens and landscapes all over Europe and North America. Whether it’s called “The Dutch Wave”, “The New Perennial Movement”, or “The New American Garden”, innovative gardeners and designers have reinvigorated the use and appreciation of herbaceous plantings worldwide. Instructor Robert Anderson will provide an overview of the major concepts of this movement as well as hands-on experience of practical evaluation and design with herbaceous plants and grasses. We will spend time in the garden taking an in-depth look at plants, lecture time examining concepts and examples, and a design project will be assigned.
Bringing Plants in for the Winter Saturday, September 14, 10am – 1pm Members: $25, Non-Members: $35 At the end of the summer, what do you do with all those special patio plants that you have fussed over for the summer months? This class will give gardeners tricks of the trade to protect their tender perennials, house plants, woody potted specimens and succulent collections and encourage them to thrive during the winter season. Taught by Jenna O’Brien, topics of this class will include cultivation, fertilizing, watering and healthcare. Learn by doing and take home some plant companions. These simple, cost-saving methods will help gardeners multiply their plant supply for the next season’s garden.
Northeast Ethnobotany
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Mondays, September 16 – 30, 5:30 – 8:30pm (3 weeks) Members: $145/ Non-Members: $160 Plants shape our lives in many ways: they provide food, fiber and medicine among other uses. This three-part class, led by ethnobotanist and ecologist Drew Monthie, will explore some of the Indigenous and European ethnobotanical practices of the Northeastern US and their historical context. The phytochemistry of plants (their chemical constituents) and their use as medicine will also be a topic of exploration, along with the ethics of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). Students will complete a short research project with a focus on one of the ethnobotanical topics mentioned above.
TO R EG IST E R, V IS IT W W W.B E RKS H IRE B OTANICAL.O RG
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EDUCATION
Building a Dry Stone Wall Saturday, September 28, 9am – 3pm Members: $80, Non-Members: $95 Dress for outdoor work and bring safety glasses, heavy gloves, sturdy, waterproof footwear and a bag lunch. Join stonemason artist Mark Mendel for a hands-on program covering the basics of dry stone wall building, including planning, layout, and demonstrations on cutting and fitting. The morning will consist of a lecture, a walk through the garden to view a variety of stone walls, and site preparation. Students will learn how to set up a batter frame and cut stone, and will practice laying stones to create structural integrity through interlocking placement. Following the demonstrations, students will work on a dry stone wall and practice wall-building. The workshop will pay special attention to building a freestanding wall using field stone.
Autumn-Inspired Handmade Filled Pasta Saturday, September 28, 10am – 1pm Members: $55, Non-Members: $65 Join the Chef/educator team of Stephen and Julie Browning of Prairie Whale restaurant for a garden-inspired, hands-on workshop making a variety of homemade filled pastas including tortellini, ravioli, and agnolotti. Pastas will be incorporated into dishes emphasizing local, seasonal ingredients.
Ornamental Woody Plants
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Kitchen classes are sponsored by Guido’s Fresh Marketplace with stores located in Great Barrington and Pittsfield.
Tuesdays, October 1 – 22, 5:30 – 8:30pm (4 weeks) Members: $180, Non-Members: $195 Taught by Elisabeth Cary, this course will focus on the bones of the garden with a survey of ornamental woody plants for residential landscape design. It will cover ornamental shrubs, small flowering trees, shade trees, and broadleaf and needle evergreens. Students will become familiar with the many garden-worthy woody plants that thrive in Zone 5. Course covers plant ID, selection, siting, cultivation, and possible design uses.
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New England Plant Communities
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Friday, October 4, 6 – 8 pm (lecture) & Saturday, October 5, 10 am – 4 pm (field study) Full Course: Members: $120, Non-Members: $135 Friday Lecture only: Members: $25, Non-Members: $35 Join ecologist Ted Elliman for an exploration of native New England plant communities. A Friday lecture will cover many of the forest, meadow, and wetland habitats found in Berkshire County, discussing their physical and ecological features — topography, geology, soils, and moisture — as well as their characteristic plant associations, including both common and rare plants. The Saturday field trip will take us to a variety of forested, open, and wetland habitats, and we will take a close look at the flora and features of each of them. Ted will also discuss the impacts of invasive species, and possible changes to natural communities in response to climate change. We will travel in BBG’s passenger van. Please dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes to walk in (we will be walking nearly the entire day) and bring a bagged lunch if attending the Saturday field study.
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EDUCATION
BBG Backyard Beekeeping Group Join local beekeepers on second Tuesday of each month at 6 pm on the grounds of Berkshire Botanical Garden. Each month’s meeting will involve seasonappropriate discussions and demonstrations using the BBG apiary, weather permitting. We will focus on sustainable beekeeping techniques: raising and sourcing bees locally, managing pests and diseases ecologically, and creating beneficial habitats for honeybees and native pollinators alike. New to beekeeping? All levels of experience are welcome. Come learn how to get started with your first hives. Are you a seasoned beekeeper? Your experience and knowledge will be invaluable to others in the group! Upcoming meeting dates on Tuesdays: August 13, September 10, October 8, November 12. No Meeting in December. All meetings are at 6:00 pm at BBG. Exact locations will be posted in the welcome kiosk. All meetings are at 6:00 pm at BBG.
The Secret Ingredient: Reinventing Everyday Favorites Saturday, October 5, 2 – 5pm Members: $55, Non-Members: $65 Looking for a few tricks to shift up your kitchen routine? Join cookbook author Alana Chernila for a hands-on class that will get your dinner inspiration flowing. We’ll start with a green salad that is anything but ordinary, move on to an Italian classic with a new twist (and homemade pasta!), and finish with a perfect chocolate mousse you can whip up in minutes. Instructor and materials for this program are sponsored by Guido’s Fresh Marketplace.
Landscape Design Clinic: Introduction to a Coherent Process
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Saturday, October 19, 9am – 4pm Members: $115, Non-Members: $125
CREATING BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES 413-448-2215 churchillgardens.com
TO R EG IST E R, V IS IT W W W.B E RKS H IRE B OTANICAL.O RG
est
1998
This fast-paced, information-saturated clinic led by Walter Cudnohufsky will introduce design students, home owners, and others to an opportunity-finding and problem-solving design process. It will lead to the basic conceptual elements of a landscape master plan. Through visits to various home landscapes, all attendees will participate in the process of observing and designing. Students will come away with coherent examples of how design happens. An active discussion format will focus on common design principles. This all-day workshop is a prerequisite for the Landscape Design Clinic II course. The field trip is held rain or shine. Transportation to and from sites will be provided by BBG. To have your project considered, call (413) 357-4657 or email cwellens@berkshirebotanical.org for more information.
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
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EDUCATION
Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs Saturday, October 19, 10am – 1pm Members: $25, Non-Members: $35 Autumn is a great time to assess your woody plants for shape and structure. This demonstration/workshop taught by Ken Gooch 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. Wear waterproof outerwear and boots and bring pruners.
Landscape Design II
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Wednesdays, October 16 – December 11 (8 weeks) (No class 11/28), 5:30 – 8:30pm Members: $550, Non-Members: $590 Learn skills essential for effective functional garden design that honors the site and meets client needs. Led by Chuck Schnell and Walter Cudnohufsky, each week will cover a different topic or technique focusing on the importance of getting to know the client and site as a basis of effective and appealing design. Essential and easy-to-grasp design principles for those who design or install gardens will be introduced throughout the course, with the goal of practicing a form-finding approach to garden design. The tools taught will provide a vocabulary essential for assessing a property’s potential and problems, and for asking the right questions to realize a client’s wishes while avoiding common design mistakes. Learn how to make well-considered and sustainable choices for the elements and materials commonly used in the residential-scale garden. Students will select from instructor-provided projects and take it from creative concept to completed design plan, including site assessment diagrams, conceptual sketches and schematic drawings. Each class will involve instruction and evaluation of projects in progress and will include both class instruction and studio time. Frequent group discussions and exercises will put the skills learned into action. Students will make a formal presentation at the final class with the primary goal of conveying a coherent design narrative and process leading to proposed solutions.
The Secrets of Growing Quality Cacti and Succulents Thursday, October 17, 6 – 7pm Members: $15, Non-Members: $25 Many of the factors for growing quality plants aren’t really secrets, but often, only the stories not shared or observed! Succulent grower Wendell “Woody” Minnich will share his experience on how to grow quality cacti and succulents. This interactive talk will include considerations such as seasonal water needs, temperature ranges, air movement from the dry to wet times, growing mediums, sun exposure, flowering and fruiting patterns, and succulent enemies: insects, bacteria, fungi, animals, etc. Discussions will cover these aspects and how they relate to you and your overall growing environment.
Rendering 1
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Tuesdays, October 17 – November 7, 5:30 – 8:30pm (4 weeks) Members: $180, Non-Members: $195 Rendering is a drawing skill necessary for communicating garden designs to clients. This course is the next step for gardening designers following drafting. Structured as a studio class, students will learn the softer side of drawing for design using the B range pencils, and practice illustrative rendering such as sections, elevations and plan obliques. This course will enable designers to better communicate their designs to clients. Non-professional gardeners and artists are encouraged to join this class. Rendering 1 will cover soft/presentation drawings for plans, elevations and sections. For materials list and approximate cost, visit www.berkshirebotanical.org.
Serving the Berkshires since 1981
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TO R EGISTER , VISIT WWW. BER KSHIR EBOTA N I CA L .OR G
EDUCATION
The Beauty of Graphite: Drawing Fall Leaves Friday, October 25 – Sunday, October 27, 10am – 4pm Members: $340, Non-Members: $375 Draw the beauty of dried leaves in Fall and describe their graceful contours using the silvery tones of graphite pencils. Make a playful compositional grouping that expresses wind blown leaves as they twist and turn in space with each other. Discover surface details, patterns, and blemishes that describe the journey and nature of the leaves. Combine close observation and drawing skills to tell a unique story in graphite. In class, taught by botanical illustrator Carol Ann Morley, we will take an in-depth look at how tonal values are applied to a drawing: How to use the tonal scale and choose different hard and soft pencil grades to help create the illusion of depth, clarity and dynamic expression in your drawing. Bring a bag lunch. Materials list available at www.berkshirebotanical.org
Open through September
Enjoy thE BEnEfits of your mEmBErship whilE Earning gardEn rEwards
Ask In-store for More Information on How to Join Soil and Soil Amendments
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Tuesdays, October 29 – November 19, 5:30 – 8:30pm (4 weeks) Members: $180/Non-Members: $195 Taught by John Howell, this course will explain how plant growth is affected by soils, from drainage to pH and nutrients. Learn how to evaluate soils, improve those that are less than ideal, and amend soils for specific garden uses. Fertilizers, soil amendments, making and using compost, moisture management, and the pros and cons of mulching will be covered. Students need to get a soil sample before class and bring the results to the first class.
Ward’s Where Gardeners Grow
Thanksgiving Side Dishes Reimagined Saturday, November 23, 1 – 4pm Members: $55, Non-Members: $65 Sides can be boring, but these are showstoppers! They are healthy, easy to make and will become must-dos at your family Thanksgiving celebrations. The best thing is, you can make them anytime during the season, not just for Thanksgiving. Dishes will include butternut squash and brussels sprouts in agrodolce, sweet potato surprise, and cranberry sauce with maple syrup and ginger.
Ward’s Nursery & Garden Center - 600 S. Main Street Great Barrington, MA - Open Daily 8 a m -5:30 p m
413-528-0166 TO R EG IST E R, V IS IT W W W.B E RKS H IRE B OTANICAL.O RG
www.wardsnursery.com
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
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EDUCATION
Rendering 2
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Thursdays, November 14, 21 and December 5, 12, 5:30 – 8:30pm (4 weeks) Members: $180, Non-Members: $195 Rendering is a drawing skill necessary for communicating garden designs to clients. This course is the next step for gardening designers following drafting. Structured as a studio class, students will learn the softer side of drawing for design using the B range pencils, and practice illustrative rendering such as sections, elevations and plan obliques. This course will enable designers to better communicate their designs to clients. Non-professional gardeners and artists are encouraged to join this class. Rendering 2 covers how to draw a plan oblique drawing which emulates a perspective drawing without the pain of doing a perspective drawing.. For materials list and approximate cost, visit www.berkshirebotanical.org.
Plant Health Care
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Tuesdays, November 26 – December 17, 5:30 – 8:30pm (4 weeks) Members: $180, Non-Members: $195
TRAVEL WITH US! Consider combining your next vacation with garden inspiration! Our popular Garden tours are expertly arranged by BBG staff and expert travel organizer, Lani Summerville of Classical Excursions. They have included some of the most extraordinary gardens in the US and around the globe, with each trip led by horticultural-savvy guides who plan unforgettable itineraries including both well-known public and rarely accessible private gardens in their region. Please join us for our 2020 information sessions on our upcoming excursions to Barbados and Scotland:
Gardens of Barbados February 3 – 7, 2020
Gardens, Houses, and Castles of Scotland
INFORMATION SESSION:
May 21 – 28, 2020
Friday, September 13, 5:30pm
INFORMATION SESSION:
Friday, November 15, 5:30pm
Led by Chris Wellens, this program focuses on factors that affect plant health care, including insects, diseases, pathogens, and abiotic influences. Basic diagnostic techniques will be taught. Learn to minimize potential problems through proper site preparation, plant selection, and placement. Managing problems using biological, chemical, and cultural techniques will be discussed with a focus on IPM (integrated pest management).
Bark and Buds: Winter Tree ID Saturday, December 14, 10am – 2pm Members: $25, Non-Members: $35 Discover the many plants that lend bark, buds, fruit and structural interest to the garden in fall and winter. Under the expert guidance of Brad Roeller, students will develop the ability to identify winter trees by twig and bud anatomy, bark features and plant architecture while practicing their skills with winter tree dichotomous keys. This program will be held primarily indoors, and students will work with collected specimens. Bring a bag lunch and dress for occasional outdoor fieldwork.
Warmth and Comfort: Cooking with Pleasure through the Depths of Winter
Our recent summer tour, “Gardens and Castles of Denmark,” included an afternoon at the private Baroque garden of Peter Wibroe in Søllerød. Row 1: Chris Wellens, Bob Harris, Dorthe Hviid, KK Zutter, Anne Marie Brewster; Row 2: Pam Harrington, Sara McCain, Ellen McTigue, Allen Scudder, Bev Igleburger, Sherry Kasper, Virginia Styles, Judith Fetterly, Charlotte Fairweather, Peter Wibroe; Row 3: Carol Fitzgerald, Dennis Fitzgerald, Jack Finglass, James Harrington, Dan Kasper, John Zutter
Saturday, December 14, 2 – 5pm Members: $55, Non-Members: $65 Winter can be the best time to cook. As the snow falls and the temperatures dip, we can turn on the stove, pour a glass of wine, and bring our friends and family together around the warmth of the table. Join cookbook author Alana Chernila for a hands-on class where the comfort foods of winter play a starring role. Recipes will include polenta with all the greens, shredded brussels with crispy shallots and pecans, and pear gingerbread with whipped cream.
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23rd Annual Winter Lecture Tom Coward, Head Gardener at Gravetye Manor and Gardens
Save the Date: Saturday, February 22, 2020, 1:00 pm Lenox Memorial Middle/High School Price: Members: $35/Non-Members: $45
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B E R K S H I R E B O TA N I C A L G A R D E N P E R E N N I A L S O C I E T Y
“Gifts to the Garden’s endowment through the estate plans of our members have grown to the extent that our endowment now contributes a meaningful amount to our annual operations.”
— Rob Williams, Perennial Society Member
Join Rob and Carol Williams in supporting the Garden’s future by including BBG in your estate plans or other planned giving arrangements through the Perennial Society. Longtime Trustee Rob Williams and his wife Carol acknowledge BBG’s dedication and mission to provide valuable events and programs to the community, especially education programs both at the Garden and in local schools. Rob’s involvement with the Garden began fifteen years ago when he joined BBG’s board; he has served as Treasurer and is now Chair of the Finance Committee. “Offering a broad range of education programs takes an ever-increasing amount of funding, now and in the future. It is important that funding continues to grow through the Perennial Society. We hope others will join us. It’s very easy and quite satisfying!” If you would like to find out more about joining BBG’s Perennial Society, please contact Michael Beck, Executive Director at (413) 320-4772 or mbeck@berkshirebotanical.org for a confidential conversation.
JOIN US NEXT SUMMER &
SEE IT HERE FIRST! SEASON TICKET BUNDLES GO ON SALE IN JANUARY
C u s to m H o m e s – A r t i s a n a l D e t a i l s Crafting Beautiful, Energy-Efficient Spaces using Micro-local Materials. Zero net energy homes • Passive House
VISIT WTFESTIVAL.ORG OR CALL 413.458.3253 66TH SEASON
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BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
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AROUND THE GARDEN
Library Corner
by Gay Tucker
As the summer daylight shortens, garden crops are harvested, and annuals mature, it’s time to evaluate our successes, reflect on what we missed and consider ideas for the future. Now is the time to anticipate the fall cleanup, bulb planting and pruning: a perfect time to visit the new Center House library, seek ideas, and continue learning. BBG’s newly catalogued library has over 1,500 tomes which were inventoried last winter and are sorted into botanical & design themes. Labels will soon identify themes of each section, and we already have access to them. We welcome you to visit and use these valuable resources. To get started, here are summaries of four classics we recommend, two in each broad category:
BOTANY: Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers of the American Horticultural Society Editor-in-chief Christopher Brickel. (Darling Kindersely, Ltd, London) 2011. The earliest section provides terms and definitions about how plants are classified (Family, Genus, Species …) enabling readers to understand how to use the following 700-plus pages; full of excellent colored photos. Many universities have horticulture departments that provide website catalogs about local plants and varieties. Use this tome, which has a broad focus, as a comprehensive complement to internet sources.
Dirr’s Hardy Trees & Shrubs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia by Michael A. Dirr (Timber Press, Inc. Portland, OR) 1998 reprint. There is a newer version of this reference (2011), but their contents are very similar. Color photos of each plant’s habit, some aspect of its leaf, seasonal color and flower and/or seeds. Short descriptors highlight reasons to plant them, including size and care considerations and additional cultivars. What makes this book particularly useful are its tables that sort plants by design elements: flower color, flowering sequence (spring, summer…) fragrance, fruit & color as well as by climate and soil conditions and uses. These two references provide a starting place for anyone wanting to create or fine-tune landscape plantings.
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CUTTINGS
SUMMER/FALL 2019
DESIGN: A Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening by Andrew Jackson Downing (Facsimile of classic book- 3rd edition 1859) With an introduction by Henry Winthrop Sargent & dedication to John Quincy Adams (Funk Wagnalls, NY). Mr. Downing was raised on a family-owned nursery in Newburgh, NY. When delivering and installing plants, he noticed how the earliest country estates used local plants to beautify and improve the layout, which usually included a main house and farm. He described some successful examples, illustrated them with drawings and plan views: providing a format to explain how each succeeded. We use many of these same concepts today, but this was the first explanation of landscape design provided by an American plantsman, using local plants. Its success was tremendous and a monthly journal soon came out to amplify land-use ideas (siting, drives, wind protection) as well as design concerns such as where to place trees, lawns, etc. By understanding these approaches, we are better able to recognize categories of contemporary journals on landscape design, and know how to use them.
THE ART OF FLORAL DESIGN by Jo Avison with photography of Paul Thomas 1998. (Ward Lock, London). 1998 Consider this for no other reason than to appreciate characteristics of different styles and themes of floral design. Each chapter focuses on either a natural inspiration (wild, river, meadow, beach) or the source of the plants used in the arrangements (topiary, border, kitchen, orchard, conservatory).
AROUND THE GARDEN
Welcome Melvin!
HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE SAVE THE DATE!
DEC 7: 10am – 5pm DEC 8: 10am – 4pm This annual year-end event finds the Garden transformed into a glistening holiday market featuring the Gallery of Wreaths, a Garden tradition offering one-of-a-kind wreaths created by some of the area’s most talented designers and artists. A holiday plant sale features hand-selected flowering plants, traditional centerpieces and holiday swags, and regional craft vendors offer a range of products from hand-made giftware and jewelry to beeswax and felted products. BBG members: show us your membership card between 10 - 11 a.m. on December 7 and enjoy a complimentary mimosa or juice while you shop early for the best selection of holiday swag, plants and gifts!
We’re pleased to announce that Melvin Jenkins is the new Camp Director at the Garden. Melvin brings a wealth of experience to the Farm and Garden Program, BBG’s after-school curriculum for children in off-site programs at area schools. He just completed his first summer directing BBG’s on-site Farm in the Garden Camp for children ages 5-14, and judging by the approving smiles of campers and their parents, has found his niche here at the Garden. A resident of Easthampton MA, Melvin is a graduate of Roanoke College and was previously an outdoor instructor/educator for the American Youth Foundation in Shelby, Michigan, leading more than 40 staff and 250 campers through the program season at Camp Miniwanca. Being in the Berkshires and working at the Garden has been a pleasant transition for him. “I love coming up with new activities to show the amazing spaces at the Garden, and to see the moments of discovery as our campers learn new things,” he said. Focusing on our mission, Melvin appreciates BBG’s role in the community to provide meaningful programs both in the classroom and on the Garden campus. “I believe that Farm Camp is an integral part of BBG’s mission to educate and inspire people about gardening and our local environment. We have an amazing opportunity to introduce children to our food systems, and create positive experiences to foster life-long gardeners!” We look forward to following Melvin’s programs throughout the school year and are thrilled to welcome him to the Garden family!
Sopring-Summer Cuttings: 4.75”W x 3.5 “H
WINDY HILL FARM NURSERY • ORCHARD • GARDEN SHOP
Superb plantS, extenSive Knowledge outStanding Quality, Selection & value
We offer our own Berkshire field-grown specimens, including Chinese or Kousa dogwood; the native Berkshire strain of Cornus florida; American and European Green, Tricolor and Copper beech; native birch; hybrid lilacs; hydrangea paniculata selections; American Fringe trees; witchhazels, blueberries, viburnums; winterberries, espaliered fruit trees; mature apple, peach and pear trees; herbaceous and tree peony selections. 686 Stockbridge road, great barrington, Ma 01230 www . windyhillfarMinc . coM (413) 298-3217 BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
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AROUND THE GARDEN
Volunteer News What’s so Great about Volunteering at the Garden? OK, since you asked – I’ll tell you! BBG reflects the generosity and, yes, love, of its supporters. Members, staff, volunteers, trustees and donors – all these people have been contributing to the growth of the Garden for the past 85 years. I feel the very ground is imbued with their spirit, and for me that makes the Garden a truly happy place. Not just beautiful, but uplifting. I also admire the Garden for its social conscience and all the good it brings to the world through education, youth programs and enlightened stewardship of the environment. And oh – did I mention that BBG supports local artists in all media – from floral design talents to painters, sculptors, crafters and more? That is why I so enjoy being a BBG Volunteer. And I urge anyone who has some time and talent to share, to come share them here. You will be well rewarded with new friendships, and can bask in the knowledge that you are doing something worthwhile. There are so many interesting ways to get more involved with BBG, and you don’t have to be a hands-on gardener. You can also be a tour guide, help at special events, or assist behind the scenes with computer skills. Two of my favorite jobs are being a Greeter at our Visitor Center, or Docent at our beautiful Center House galleries. These two spots in particular need dedicated Volunteers who are willing to work a regular, weekly 4-hour shift in an often fast-paced environment, and who enjoy interacting with our visitors. And it’s not too soon to remind all our readers that Harvest Festival is just around the corner! This spectacular seasonal event requires all hands on deck, so if you have 4 hours to spare over the Columbus Day weekend, please pitch in. We have lots of fun assignments for you to choose from. Simply register online as a BBG Volunteer to receive our emails about upcoming opportunities. To register or learn more about volunteering at BBG, please visit the Volunteer page at www.berkshirebotanical.org. Or send a note to our Volunteer Manager, Amy Butterworth, at abutterworth@berkshirebotanical.org. I look forward to seeing you in the Garden! Lauretta Harris President, BBG Volunteer Association
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CUTTINGS
SUMMER/FALL 2019
A Gift that Gives All Year Long! BBG Membership comes with many benefits, including free, unlimited Garden admission; discounted classes, camps, workshops and lectures; and early buying privileges at our annual Holiday Marketplace and Plant Sale. Members enjoy exclusive events that bring together a community of people with common interests – gardening and garden appreciation! We also offer NARM and ROAM (Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums) for all members above $150 and AHS (American Horticulture Society) to ALL members! Members at the Fence Club level receive private garden tours and on-site garden consultations. Giving the gift of a Garden Membership opens doors to a realm of horticultural, educational and fellowship opportunities – all year long! Gift memberships can be shipped in festive packaging or be ready to be picked up in our Visitor Center.
UPCOMING MEMBER’S SPECIAL EVENTS Friday, October 11: Harvest Festival Silent Auction Preview Party The pre-Harvest Festival excitement is in the air, but Members can skip the crowds, enjoy refreshments and peruse the legendary Silent Auction at their leisure. This is THE auction for unique destination packages, gift certificates to local restaurants and services, antiques, art, household/garden items and more. Friday, December 6: Holiday Marketplace Member’s Preview Event Save the date for this special event filled with plenty of merry making! Our elegant Center House is the festive backdrop for the Gallery of Wreaths featuring the creative talents of local designers and artists. Members get first pick while supporting the Garden!
Visit berkshirebotanical.org or call Amy Butterworth at 413-298-4532 for information about a gift of Membership for yourself or for a special garden enthusiast in your life! BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
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HARVEST FESTIVAL SATURDAY & SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12–13, 10am–5pm
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Qualprint 5 West Stockbridge Road Stockbridge, MA 01262 413-298-3926 • berkshirebotanical.org
The Legendary Fall Festival in the Berkshires! BERKSHIREBOTANICAL.ORG
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