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Needham Bank, Wellesley
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Wellesley Gardeners’ Guild decorates literally the whole town

December 6, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Members of the Wellesley Gardeners’ Guild took advantage of the mild early-December temperatures to work their holiday magic on the planters at the Wellesley Free Library. Member used evergreens, boxwood, red dogwood branches, and more to create a display that will welcome library patrons and staff throughout the winter.

Wellesley Gardeners' Guild
Members of Wellesley Gardeners’ Guild, Wellesley Free Library, Cameron Street entrance.
Wellesley Gardeners' Guild
Members of Wellesley Gardeners’ Guild, Wellesley Free Library, Washington Street entrance.

Delivering fresh greens to the post offices

The club has a lot going on lately. Members also decorated the Wellesley Square and Wellesley Hills post office boxes right after Thanksgiving. Cypress was used for the spiller; many varieties of boxwood were used as the filler; and a variety of red, white and sparkly sticks were used as the thriller to give the planters pizazz with height and sparkles. Here are the beautiful results:

Wellesley Gardeners' Guild, post office boxes
Wellesley Gardeners’ Guild, post office boxes. Photo credit: Wellesley Gardeners’ Guild.

Festive trees around town

They also joined in with the Festival of Trees—a Community Celebration, in which storefronts throughout Central Street, Church Street, Grove and Washington Streets, and Linden Square have been decorated with scores of festive trees hand-cut from wooden pallets and similar materials. Each tree, adopted by a local business, community organization or charity, has been creatively decorated to represent their mission and holiday vision.

Wellesley Gardeners' Guild, Linden Square
Wellesley Gardeners’ Guild, Linden Square tree. Stop by to see the tree on the CPK side of Linden Square, right in front of Neena’s. Photo credit: Wellesley Gardeners’ Guild.

Decking the halls at Mass Hort

The Club has once again donated a fully decorated tree to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Festival of Trees, which showcases dozens of decorated trees and a Snow Village that includes a model railroad display. This annual event takes place at the Society’s headquarters at The Gardens at Elm Bank. Mostly displayed in the Hunnewell Building, the Festival offers beautifully decorated holiday trees that are donated and decorated by local businesses, garden clubs and other organizations, and individuals.

Wellesley Gardeners' Guild, Mass Hort
WGG has regularly donated a decorated tree to the Mass Hort Festival of Trees.
You can see their Winter Wonderland tree, and dozens of others, at the festival through December 20th. Photo credit: Wellesley Gardeners’s Guild.
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Filed Under: Clubs, Entertainment, Gardens, Holidays

Linden Square, Wellesley
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Phil the Wellesley Philodendron goes into a pout, plus a couple new plant obsessions

November 23, 2020 by Deborah Brown 1 Comment

At first Phil the Philodendron, my once-bedraggled Wellesley Recycling and Disposal Facility rescue plant, didn’t mind being moved into the house for the winter. For September and most of October, his sunny upstairs conditions closely matched those of his summertime happy place on the front steps. I kept the windows open for him so that, ensconced in my office, Phil  could feel the breezes and warm-enough temperatures of early fall. Every day I tell him how handsome he looks, and how much I appreciate his company.

Phil the Philodendron, Nov2020
Phil is dropping leaves just to worry me. He can be a little dramatic that way.

Sweet talk hasn’t been enough. Once November hit, I closed the windows, and Phil went into a small pout. He expressed this by turning bits of himself yellow and affecting a faint. But he didn’t squander his biggest most beautiful leaves, I noticed. Just those that were already a little scraggly and weren’t doing much for the overall bold aesthetic Phil strives for.

That’s how I could tell Phil’s funk was only minor, and he doesn’t really mean to worry me. He can’t fool me, nor can he hide the two new shoots he recently sent ceiling-ward. He also allowed two roots to escape the confines of his pot with instructions to explore the braided rug and hardwood floor beneath, and report back. That’s not the behavior of a houseplant that’s giving up.

Phil the Philodendron, Nov2020
I clipped off Phil’s brown leaves with a pair of clean, sharp scissors.

Phil doesn’t have it so bad, as I remind him. For one thing, he’s kept properly hydrated. Watering Phil during the cold months is a very different proposition than during summer. When he’s outside enjoying the sunshine and sending up multiple shoots per week, Phil needs daily watering. Once inside, his water rations are doled out to but once per week. I take care of that on big grocery day—feed the family, feed Phil. As a memory technique, it works.

Phil the Philodendron, Nov2020
Phil has sent up a couple of new shoots, just to let me know he’s still in the game.
Phil the Philodendron, Nov2020
A couple of roots contemplate the long journey to the braided rug and hardwood floor. Stay out of the radiator, guys!

Don’t tell Phil, but I’ve recently been dallying with other plants. Uncle Jerry from Dorchester over the summer gave me a clipping of an unusual, spindly sort of houseplant. After a few months in a container of water, its root system has sprouted and seems ready for something more substantial. This weekend’s project: finding a suitable pot and letting its roots run free in a lightweight potting medium. (“Why not a potting large?” Swellesley Junior would ask.)

Wellesley spider plant
The kitchen spider plant has requested a change of venue, citing cramped conditions.

Also, I’ve decided that the spider plant is no longer happy on the kitchen shelf and needs a new home.

Next up: fussing around with winter bulbs. I just found the most wonderful amaryllis at the grocery store. That one’s for Uncle Jerry, pandemic-bound in Dorchester, but in good spirits and surrounded by his massive collection of well-tended plants. There’s always room for one more in Jerry’s front parlor. Mr. Swellesley is heading into Dot soon to take in Jerry’s collection of garden ornaments for the winter. No doubt he’ll send Bob home with another interesting clipping for me. A Christmas Cactus, I’ll bet. Even though Jerry knows I always somehow kill those. This time I’ll try extra-hard not to squander his faith in me. But no promises.

Wellesley plant clipping, Uncle Jerry
I can’t identify this plant clipping, which came to me via Uncle Jerry from Dorchester, but it seems eager to get out of the vase and into some soil.
Wellesley plant clipping, Uncle Jerry
I wonder if all those nubs on the stem are leaves-in-waiting?
Wellesley plant clipping, Uncle Jerry
These roots look ready to move from their watery home in a vase to something more earthy and substantial.

BREAKING NEWS:

Knowledgable plantswoman KC emailed to identify the above plant for me. Turns out Uncle Jerry gave me a clipping of Hoya. KC informs me that “it loves to be neglected.”

I see a long and happy future for Hoya and me.

A little background on Phil…

Mrs. Swellesley’s Wellesley philodendron thrives

Phil the Wellesley Philodendron, an update


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Page Waterman, Wellesley
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Mass Hort Festival of Trees to keep up the sparkly spectacle

November 17, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s twelfth Festival of Trees will showcase dozens of decorated trees and a Snow Village that includes a model railroad display. This annual event takes place at the Society’s headquarters at The Gardens at Elm Bank. Mostly displayed in the Hunnewell Building, the Festival offers beautifully decorated holiday trees that are donated and decorated by local businesses, garden clubs and other organizations, and individuals.

Wellesley Mass Hort

During the festival, visitors may purchase tickets for a chance to win the tree(s) of their choice at the end of the event. Winners need not be present for the drawing. It’s fun, and for many it has become a family tradition. Tree sizes vary from one foot to nine feet in height and some have gifts in addition to the decorations.

Don’t miss Snow Village, an indoor exhibit that features model trains wending their way through villages and vignettes, including Christmas in the City (Boston of course!), Fenway Park, a Dickensian village, the North Pole and hundreds of decorated houses and lights.There are too many Santas to count, as well as skaters galore. This is a visual treat for young and old alike, and each year it’s a little different.

Outside there are decorations in The Gardens at Elm Bank, and visitors can keep warm and cozy melting S’mores at the fire pit.

Planning Your Visit

Both the Festival of Trees display in the Hunnewell building and the Snow Village are accessible.

DATES TO VIEW TREES: Fri., Nov. 27 – Sun., Dec. 20
LOCATION: Massachusetts Horticultural Society, 900 Washington St., Wellesley, MA 02482
HOURS: Wed. – Sun.; 10am – 8pm, with the last entry at 6:20pm;  closed Mon. and Tue.
PURCHASE TICKETS

Timed-entry tickets must be purchased in advance.
In strict observance of all COVID protocols, visitors will be escorted through the Festival in small groups.

This year there will also be a virtual Festival in addition to the physical display.


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Filed Under: Entertainment, Fundraising, Gardens, Holidays

Stretch Lab, Wellesley

Beyond Wellesley: this South Natick, Massachusetts garden brings on the drama

October 15, 2020 by Deborah Brown 1 Comment

“When you love something, you don’t look at your watch or the clock. You don’t think about the time. When you love something you just do it,” said Karen Coffman as we looked out at her South Natick garden all dressed up for fall in purples, yellows, oranges, reds, and browns. “I put in the time in the garden, and I love it. I also have really good help. My husband is strong, built like an offensive lineman, and is willing. We’ve lived here since 1995, and I’ve been gardening the whole time.”

Natick garden, Karen Coffman
South Natick gardener, Karen Coffman. She grew up in Webster Groves, Missouri and comes from a long line of mid-western farmers. Karen says  she’s the first generation off the farm. “I learned a lot about the instincts of gardening from my parents.”

Karen hasn’t always had her dream garden. For 11 years before she landed in South Natick, she and her husband called Wellesley home. She liked the town, but found the gardening an exercise in frustration. “There were just too many trees shading my property,” she said. “I couldn’t get the six hours of sun per day that I needed without chopping down my neighbor’s trees. I told Lonnie I needed more sun for a garden.”

She found the perfect property that abutted acres and acres of apple orchards and, most importantly, it was a place where she could get direct sun for the necessary 6 – 8 hours per day. Still, the 1⅓-acre space wasn’t exactly ready for its close-up. “When we got here we cut down 37 swamp maples,” Karen said.

Natick garden, Karen Coffman
Deciduous trees, evergreens, shrubs, grasses, and perennials are layered to create a painterly effect.

With the shade eliminated, the sun poured onto the lot. That was one box checked.

Next, there was the matter of the lack of organic matter. “You know how they say in real estate it’s all about location, location, location?” Karen asked. “Well, in gardening it’s all about the soil, the soil, the soil. The soil was so poor here I knew nothing would grow.”

So she had truckloads of the offending dirt hauled away. “Then I ordered the best loam and filled the yard back in. My budget was 75% spent and I hadn’t bought a single plant. But I had to do it. The land tells you what to do if you pay attention.”

Once the dirt deed was done, another box was checked off. Karen was just a couple more steps away from realizing her dream.

Natick garden, Karen Coffman

Soil and sun are all very well and good, but a garden can’t grow without water. Since, as you can probably tell by now, Karen goes big or goes home, she had an 850-foot well drilled. “With the kind of investment I was making in this garden, I wasn’t willing to just let everything go during periods of drought.”

With the infrastructure in place, it was time to have fun and bring on the drama. Not a problem for someone who trained as an opera singer for 12 years. In fact, both Karen and her husband Lonnie trained at Indiana University. After graduation, they went to New York City and tried to break into the business.

Natick garden, Karen Coffman
Karen sources most of her plant materials from Fran’s Flowers. “Fran believes in people first,” she says.

“I did the starving artist bit for three years. Then I came to a fork in the road and made a decision to go into the tech  industry, I went into business and entered the sales side of things. I had sold pianos before, and had been good at it then. I found I was still good at sales and that’s what I built my career around.”

But she never lost her love of all things theatrical, and compares the topography of her garden to a raked stage. That’s a set that slopes upward, away from the audience, giving those at the back a better view than if all the seats were at the same level, which explains why so much of the garden is visible from no matter where you stand. As I looked out from the back deck, I could see how the garden layout moved from orchestra pit to mezzanine to balcony.

Unsurprisingly, this was not by accident. Karen considers herself a student of gardening, but says, “I’m not a designer. Never claimed to be one. So I got help from someone who knew what he was doing.”

Natick garden, Karen Coffman
Over 70 boxwoods make up the hedge at the back of the property.

Enter landscape architect Thomas Wirth who fit in 40 specimen trees to replace the felled maples; added a koi pond; used the existing gazebo as an architectural element; and created flow and balance throughout.

Although the garden was professionally designed, it’s continually evolving. Karen adds here and subtracts there as the muse dictates and aesthetics allow. “My major considerations when planning and working in the garden are height, texture, bloom time, and maintenance,” she says. “It’s an experiment, number one. It’s a puzzle, number 2. If something doesn’t work, if it’s only pretty for a brief bloom time and then ugly for the rest of the year, out it goes.”

As you can see, she’s ruthless. Karen says it’s the only way and cites her decades in executive recruiting as good preparation for ripping out uncooperative plants. “Now that was a ruthless business,” she says.

Natick garden, Karen Coffman
The gazebo, tucked away behind the koi pond, came with the property. A dwarf variety of Sargent Crabapple tree frames the scene.

My tour over, Karen sends me off with a red Solo cup full of dahlias and other autumn gems that she clipped with her number 2 Felcos as we strolled the grounds.

“Don’t forget to let me know which plants you want divisions from,” she calls out as I leave.

Oh, don’t worry, Karen. That’s an offer nobody could refuse.

MORE PICTURES:

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Filed Under: Art, Environment, Gardens, Outdoors

Enter Wellesley Gardeners’ Guild raffle for chance to make your holidays sparkle

October 8, 2020 by admin 4 Comments

Wellesley Gardeners’ Guild members will offer raffle tickets for its annual  “Deck the Halls” fundraiser to raise money to replace the well-worn flower boxes at the Post Offices, in addition to the club’s other civic projects in town.

Wellesley Gardeners' Guild
Wellesley Gardeners’ Guild 2019 Grand Prizewinner was Collette AuFranc of Wellesley. Colette had the exterior of her home decorated for the holidays by Nature Works Landscaping. Photo by Beth Shedd Photography.

There will be three raffle winners. The grand prize winner will have the exterior of their home decorated for the holidays (a $2,500 value); the next winner will receive two outdoor holiday planters for the home entrance (a $600 value); the next prize is a custom-made table centerpiece (a $150 value).

The details

WGG members will sell raffle tickets for $20 through November 8th.

A maximum of 300 raffle tickets will be available for sale.

The raffle drawing will be held on November 10, 2020.

For more information about WGG or to make a tax-deductible donation, write to Wellesley Gardeners’ Guild at P.O. Box 812032, Wellesley, MA 02482.

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Filed Under: Clubs, Fundraising, Gardens, Volunteering

Wellesley Gardeners’ Guild visits The Gardens at Elm Bank

September 30, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The Wellesley Gardeners’ Guild (WGG) kicked off its civic year by touring The Gardens at Elm Bank at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Wellesley headquarters. Tour highlights included a turn around Mass Hort’s Trial Garden; the Goddesses Garden; the kid-friendly Weezie’s Garden; the Italianate Garden; and the Bressingham Garden, created by British design powerhouse Adrian Bloom in 2007.

Here are some pics:

Wellesley Gardeners' Guild
Wellesley Gardeners’ Guild members, masked up and ready for their tour. Photo credit: Beth Shedd Photography
Elm Bank Reservation, Wellesley
WGG started off the tour at the Trial Gardens, a cooperative effort between Mass Hort, the Massachusetts Flower Growers’ Association, and the University of Massachusetts. In this space, a wide variety of annuals, perennials, and vegetables are grown as a trial to see how they will do in the New England climate. New, unreleased, and old standard types of each variety are grown side-by-side and judged on how they perform. Results can be found at All-American Selections.
Elm Bank Reservation, Wellesley
Mass Hort’s Hartley Botanic Victorian Lodge has been a centerpiece of the Trial Gardens since 2017. The 19′ x 11′ handmade aluminum structure was made possible in part by a generous donation from Mass Hort Trustee Scott Bierney’s (Bierney lives in Needham now, but called Wellesley home for many years).  Bierney wanted Mass Hort to have a place where for visitors where flowers would brighten gloomy days in winter and give hope that spring was on its way.

Elm Bank Reservation, Wellesley

Elm Bank Reservation, Wellesley
Weezies Garden, installed in 2004. The active garden space designed for outdoor place-based youth education includes  an Enchanted Woodland, a Tea Party Garden, a Pollinators Garden, Sandbox Archaeology area, green arbors and plant tunnels, water features, and more. Kids of all ages love this area, which was extensively renovated in 2015.

 

Elm Bank Reservation, Wellesley
The Elm Bank manor house, viewed from Bressingham Garden. The garden was installed in 2007 and installed over two very hot summer days by over 200 volunteers. Designed by plantsman Adrian Bloom of Bressingham, England, it is a four-season garden that uses mass planting techniques to create visual impact.
Elm Bank Reservation, Wellesley
Bressingham Garden
Elm Bank Reservation, Wellesley
The Italianate Garden’s Copper Beech hedge provides the “walls” of the garden.
Elm Bank Reservation, Wellesley
The New England Unit of the Herb Society of America maintains this teaching garden.
Elm Bank Reservation, Wellesley
Autumn interest in the herb garden.
Elm Bank Reservation, Wellesley
Ceres and Pomona, two of the three Roman goddess statues that stand guard at Mass Hort.

Elm Bank can always use volunteers looking for a meaningful and rewarding experience. They need help with everything from weeding and mulching to helping out in the library and the office. You don’t need a green thumb — the staff trains and guides volunteers.

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Filed Under: Clubs, Environment, Gardens, Outdoors, Volunteering

Phil the Wellesley philodendron: an update

September 19, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Thanks to all for your comments and concerns about Phil the Philodendron, the once sad little rescue houseplant with an indomitable will to live. I wrote last month about the big lug and how after a few short years he’s grown into a handsome specimen with confidence and swagger to spare.

We just moved him upstairs after his summer spa vacation on the front steps of our house. Fall is coming, and Phil is cold-sensitive. Uncle Jerry from Dorchester, gardener extraordinaire says so, and when Uncle Jerry says get that plant inside, I don’t argue.

Here are his new digs. Please wish Phil well as he readjusts to life on the inside.

Phil the Wellesley Philodendron
Phil the Wellesley Philodendron enjoys a sunny corner. Linen panels and braided rug from the RDF Reusables Area, as was Phil himself.

Here’s Phil on his yearly front-step spa vacation:

Wellesley philodendron


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