Berkshire Botanical Garden Launches 75th Anniversary Season01:19PM / Tuesday, March 10, 2009
STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. - Renowned for its inspiring gardens, educational programs and exquisite setting, the Berkshire Botanical Garden is one of New England9s oldest and most treasured public gardens. Established in 1934, its mission was to inspire and educate the community in responsible horticulture and home grown food. Today, with a year-round schedule of gardening classes, prestigious guest lecturers and a horticulture certification program in addition to our special ev ents, we honor these founding values that are timelier than ever.
Come roam the Garden’s 15 lush acres where 3,000 regionally appropriate plant species, significant trees, unique shrubs and exotic botanical collections take center stage in an ever-changing theater of the senses. Member benefits include special privileges at over 200 reg ional and international public gardens, discounts at many garden centers and more. For more information about the Garden, classes and events in this brochure please visit our website: bershirebotanical.org or phone the Garden, 413-298-3926.
Spring Plant Sale. May 8&9. Gardeners flock to one of the oldest plant sales in the country while helping to raise funds for the Garden. Choose from thousands of rare and unusual perennials, annuals, organic and heirloom herbs and vegetables, rock-garden, woodland and native plants as well as choice trees and shrubs. Free garden designs and expert advice. Select vendors will sell ornaments, accessories and more. Great gifts for Mother’s Day. 25-50% discounts at the Gift Shop. Free Garden admission and parking. For members: Early buying and 10% off Garden plant purchases.
Gone With The Wind;The Kinetic Art of Tim Prentice. Opens May 2. To launch the Garden’s 75th anniversary season, this extraordinary sculpture installation unites modern materials with the timeless force of the wind t o create feats of imaginative engineering. Surprisingly situated among flower beds or placed high within tree branches, the floating forms remind us that everything is in flux. Sounding like a gardener in his respect for Nature’s hand, Prentice calls his work “a machine that has no opinion and waits for the air to make the art. The air is endlessly varied and imaginative.” For more of Tim Prentice’s work vi sit www.timprentice.com. Fence Club members are invited to the opening reception for the artist.
Contained Exuberance; A Fresh Look at Gardening in Pots. Opens June 6. An installation of 10 distinct and innovative container-garden setti ngs created by popular experts Margaret Roach, creator of A Way to Garden.com, and Bob Hyland, co-owner and principal of Loomis Creek Nursery.
Designing for maximum impact and months of enjoyment, Margaret and Bob rethink the meaning of “annuals” with a wide-ranging palette of their often-unexpected favorites. Towering ornamental grasses catch the wind and delight the ear as they rustle; the tiniest pond plants float like rippling green velvet in a watery contained world, begging to be touched. Perennials, shrubs, “houseplants” and even vegetable s cohabit happily in their staged designs for sun and shade. Fence Club members are invited to the opening reception to meet the curators.
Guest Gardens Designed by Martha Stewart, Page Dickey and Jack Staub: A Season-Long Display. To bring us “back to the future” in ce lebration of the Garden's anniversary, three of the country's leading gardeners have been invited to recreate some of the oldest areas of the Garden: Martha Stewart designs a spectacular heirloom flower garden, Page Dickey brings her unique sophistication to the historic Herb Garden, and Jack Staub proves that vegetable and fruit gardens can be things of beauty. Come often and see how these exciting guest gardens develop throughout the season. Members enter free.
Cocktails in Great Gardens of the Berkshires. The Berkshire Botanical Garden has arranged for a series of Friday evening visits20to spectacular private gardens featured in the new book, "Great Gardens of The Berkshires.” Enjoy this rare opportunity to roam these private spaces with the gardeners themselves while enjoying wine and hors d'oeuvres in the beautiful waning light of the summer day. The book’s creators will be in attendance. The dates: July 10, Under The Hemlocks, West Stockbridge, MA; July 24, Good Dogs Farm, Ashley Falls, MA ; August 14, Rockland Farm, Canaan, NY; September 4, Seekonk Farm, Great Barrington, MA. For reservations contact the Garden. Admission is limited. Members $20, non-members $25; all four for $70/85.
It's a Flower Show!=2 0August 1&2. Do you have the best single dahlia in the Berkshires? Is your radish the queen of the vegetable patch? Gardeners strut their stuff at a two-day flower competition and designer display. Do consider entering. There's a category for every gardener of every age, young and old. Entry forms are found on line at www.berkshirebotanical.org. Click Flower Show. Members enter Free.
Celebrate our Birthday at the Annual Fete des Fleurs. August 8. The Garden invites you to a high summer garden party to toast The Lenox Garden Club, a principal founder and ever loyal supporter. St roll the gardens at their most fragrant peak, mingle with friends and meet some of the Berkshires' most renowned gardeners. Often the sell out garden party of the season! Wear vintage hats to hearld the era when the garden was created. Register at www.berkshirebotanical.org.
Harvest Festival. October 3&4. Families have been flocking to this Berkshires tradition for 75 years. Celebrate the great aromas and tastes of harvest season in the Berkshires. One of a kind gifts from the herb garden, a world-class silent auction, new attractions, great music, games, gifts, locally grown produce and lots of fun. This is the biggest fundraiser for the Berkshire Botanical Garden and entry is free w ith just the price of parking.
Holiday Marketplace Gift Sale. December204. Begin your holidays with a festive cocktail party at the Garden! Enjoy early shopping for an amazing assortment of hand-made seasonal treasures. Special Member's price. On December 5&6 the doors open to the public for this unique holiday shopping experience. Creative door hangings from The Gallery of Wreaths, hand-made fress and dreid greens, artisan crafted jewelry and treasures galore offered in a twinkling winter wonderland. Sign up for free holiday craft making workshops. For workshops and registration form contact the Garden.
Education, Workshops & Horticulture Certificate Programs - Acclaimed throughout the region, the Garden offers scores of lectures, hands-on workshops and classes in every aspect of horticulture. Meet the most respected masters in the fields as far ranging as landscape design, masonry, mycology, bonsai, organic gardening and more. Aspiring professionals20and serious home gardeners may earn certificates in the Garden's Horticu lture Certificate Program. |
