New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill Jan & Feb 2023 Events Bulletin

Program Registration

For the most up-to-date information about our programs, or to register, please visit the calendar section of our website.

For questions about our adult programs or youth and family programs, please contact our Registrar at registrar@nebg.org.

Adult Programs

Online Learning

Oh, Deer! How to Manage Deer at Home

CHERYL SALATINO

If you need practical approaches to deter the munching, join us for ideas to safeguard your garden from deer. We will also review a selection of “deer tolerant” plants and point out those considered “deer candy.”

Wednesday, January 18, 6:30–7:30pm

$10M; $15NM | LIVE WEBINAR

The Art of Backyard Birding KYLE JACOBY Backyards (and front yards) across New England welcome numerous birds each year. This workshop will provide an overview of how to watch birds, how to identify birds, and how to create a bird-friendly environment at your home. We’ll also cover likely visitors in New England –including birds you don’t want stopping by.

Thursday, January 19, 6:30–7:30pm

$10M; $15NM | LIVE WEBINAR

Drawing Basics: Fantastic Flowers in Pen and Ink CAROL SCHWARTZ

Find delight in drawing the beautiful blooms of warmer months. January is the perfect time to learn some basic techniques of working with pen and ink to create your own flower drawings. Practice using a pen to hatch, crosshatch, and stipple to control light and shadow in your drawing.

4 WEEK SESSION

Saturdays, January 21–February 11, 9:30–11:30am $125M; $150NM | ONLINE WORKSHOP

Emerging Trends & Ideas in Natural Landscapes and Land Care KATHY CONNOLLY

There’s a lot of talk about changes in land care and trends in naturalized landscapes. Some people are meadowscaping, installing all-native plantings, switching to low-mow lawns, planting sidewalk strips, de-paving, and protecting water bodies with vegetated buffers. From controlling weeds to tackling grubs, landscape maintenance methods are also changing with emerging technologies. Join this webinar for a lively “flyover” of a changing landscape.

Wednesday, January 25, 6:30–7:30pm $10M; $15NM | LIVE WEBINAR

Winter Soups LAURA ZIMAN

What is cozier than a bowl of warm soup in winter? This class will focus on three timeless soups that would suffice as a meal with the simple addition of some crackers and a salad. As part of the class, we will discuss and practice knife skills, look at ways of using herbs and spices, and learn how to make your own stocks.

Saturday, January 28, 1–3pm $20M; $30NM | ONLINE WORKSHOP

Introduction to Pruning REED PUGH

This webinar is for people who are new to gardening or are looking to build a solid base of knowledge to prune shrubs and ornamental trees confidently and properly. This webinar will address the most common question heard with pruning – "where do I start?”– and give you the confidence to keep going!

Wednesday, February 8, 6:30–8pm $10M; $15NM | LIVE WEBINAR

Drought Resistant Plants

CHERYL SALATINO

As we continue to experience higher temperatures and drought conditions across New England, many people are reexamining which plants will survive in a changing climate. Gaining an understanding of the plants and practices that can lower our reliance on water resources

is critical for landscape sustainability. Our session will address site and environmental conditions and the plants that prefer, or tolerate, this new normal.

Thursday, February 9, 6:30–7:30pm

$10M; $15NM | LIVE WEBINAR

In Unison: Creating Harmonious Combinations for Pollinators and You TOVAH MARTIN

Your garden has so much potential. It could become a haven where pollinators nest, dine, and reproduce. How do you create such a place? With flowers. This lecture shares ideas for a pollinator-pleasing place where colors echo while textural themes reverberate and weave in and out throughout the growing season.

Co-sponsored by Berkshire Botanical Garden

Saturday, February 11, 12–1:30pm

$12M; $14NM | LIVE WEBINAR

Perfecting Your Home Compost KYLE JACOBY

Composting is one of the best and easiest ways to reduce food waste. This workshop will cover composting basics and discuss the science of how a compost pile works (or doesn’t work) to help you perfect your home system. This class will be useful for those who compost already or for

those who want to start composting for the first time.

Thursday, February 16, 6:30–7:30pm

$10M; $15NM | LIVE WEBINAR

Dressings and Dips LAURA ZIMAN

Join us for a class that will help you to gain skills so that you never need to buy bottled salad dressings or dips again! We will begin with basic salad dressings and then experiment with textures and ingredients that add various flavors to the bases. In the this class we will also review knife skills, basic methods of emulsifying ingredients, and how to achieve ideal flavor combinations.

Sunday, February 26, 12–1:30pm $20M; $30NM | ONLINE WORKSHOP

On Demand Webinars ASSORTED INSTRUCTORS

After one of our live webinars, the instructor may choose to record it and offer it to view later. These “On-Demand” webinars can be watched at any time in the comfort of your own home. To find these webinars visit our website nebg.org, and click on the online learning tab under adult education. Available at all times

$10M; $15NM | ON-DEMAND WEBINAR

Urban Tree Symposium

(ONLINE)

Friday, February 3, 9am –3pm

New England Botanic Garden’s annual Urban Tree Symposium is dedicated to exploring the importance of urban forests and ways we can improve our green spaces. Each year the symposium brings together experts in the fields of forestry, horticulture, biology, technology, and more. This virtual symposium is geared toward current and aspiring professionals, but all are welcome. Visit nebg.org for the most up to date information regarding speakers.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION BY JANUARY 21, 2023

$65M; $80NM; $25 STUDENT

GENERAL REGISTRATION

$80M; $95NM; $40 STUDENT

Co-sponsored by the Ecological Landscape Alliance, and hosted in partnership with Speak for the Trees.

Wellness

Yoga in the Garden MANDI GARRISON

Enjoy gentle-to-moderate flow yoga in a class for all levels. Classes are held indoors.

Tuesdays, 6–7:15pm (no class february 21)

Thursdays, 10:30–11:45am (no class february 23)

PER CLASS: $13M; $20NM | NO WALK INS

Relax and Restore EMMA BARTOLINI

Relax and restore with a midday break to nourish your body, mind, and spirit. Each week we’ll create a slow and mindful practice, cultivating calm and a sense of overall well-being.

Wednesdays, 12–1pm (no class february 22) $13M; $20NM

Chill Yoga Flow EMMA BARTOLINI

Start your Friday morning with a mindful yoga flow. Our practice will incorporate synchronization of breath and mindful movement while we explore postures to build strength, balance, and stability, and find peace within our morning.

Fridays, 9:30–10:30am (no class february 24) $13M; $20NM

Chair Yoga REBECCA REBER

Using a chair as a prop, have fun while enjoying the benefits of movement in this gentle yoga class. Classes are held indoors.

5 WEEK SESSION

Tuesdays, January 3–31, 11:30am–12:30pm $60M; $75NM | NO WALK INS

4 WEEK SESSION

Tuesdays, February 7–28, 11:30am–12:30pm $50M; $65NM | NO WALK INS

Qigong & Tai Chi Movement ROSE HORWITZ

Breathe deeply and practice gentle fluid movements to mindfully reduce stress and improve strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, range of motion, and stamina

4 WEEK SESSIONS

Wednesdays, January 4–25, 10:15–11:30am

Wednesdays, February 1–22, 10:15–11:30am $70M; $85NM | NO WALK INS

Yin Yoga for the New Year MANDI GARRISON

Stretch and awaken to 2023 with a healing yin yoga practice and botanical views.

Saturday, January 7, 9:30am –10:45pm $13M; $20NM | NO WALK-INS

New Plants for a New Year DEBORAH KRAUSE

Experience the therapeutic benefits of horticulture while you welcome the New Year with hope and optimism by caring for plants indoors. Bring your own plants if they do not seem to be thriving, and we will discuss ways to get them back on the road to health for a good year of growth ahead. Learn how to help your plants thrive through the winter!

Saturday, January 7, 1–3pm $13M; $20NM | NO WALK-INS

Forest Bathing in the Conservatory

NADINE MAZZOLA

Relax and refresh through mindfulness practices and sensory awareness exercises while experiencing the beauty of nature in the Orangerie conservatory.

Saturday, January 14, 8:30–10am Sunday, February 19, 8:30–10am $30M; $40NM | NO WALK-INS

Renew with Yoga in the New Year LINDA SNAY

Renew body, mind, and spirit in the New Year with this revitalizing yoga mini-retreat! Whether you are brand new to yoga or a seasoned student, this mini-retreat will uncover the many facets of the yoga practice that meet you where you are and encourage you to come back again and again.

Saturday, January 14, 9–11am $30M; $40NM

Winter White Floral Arrangements

DEBORAH KRAUSE

Experience the therapeutic benefits of horticulture while creating a winter white floral arrangement with fragrant flowers, silvery foliages, evergreens and branches, rich textures, and beautiful shades of white and cream colors.

Saturday, January 28, 10:30am–12:30pm $70M; $85NM

Saturday Morning Yoga Flow

EMMA BARTOLINI

Start your weekend with a mindful yoga flow. Our practice will incorporate synchronization of breath and mindful movement while we explore postures to build strength, balance, and stability, and find peace within our morning.

Saturday, January 28, 9–10am

Saturday, February 18, 9–10am $13M; $20NM

Heart Shaped Containers DEBORAH KRAUSE

Experience the therapeutic benefits of horticulture while creating a heart shaped arrangement with sensory rich colorful flowers, fragrant herbs, foliages with unique textures, and your own unique style, suitable to place on a table in your kitchen or dining room, or to welcome family and friends in a hallway entrance.

Saturday, February 18, 10:30am –12:30pm $70M; $85NM

Relaxing Into the Heart-space: Gentle Yoga

LINDA SNAY

Release tension, let go of worries, move gently, and discover the pure joy of Yoga Nidra. Discover the transformative relaxation, peace, and joy of a gentle yoga and Yoga Nidra practice.

Saturday, February 25, 9–11am $30M; $40NM

Gardening & Horticulture

Winter Tree Identification ALEX KLEIN

Winter is a great time to get to know your trees. Join Boston-based herbalist and arborist Alex Klein on a guided walk through the gardens and adjacent woodlands to start really seeing trees. We will also talk about reading your local landscape, why you might see certain trees in one environment and not others, as well as other fun tidbits on local ecology and arboreal ethnobotany. The gardens and forest may be going dormant but there is still so much to see!

Sunday, January 8, 1–3pm $30M; $45NM

Honey Medicine: Herbal Infused Honeys, Cordials & Electuaries JADE ALICANDRO MACE

Join us for a hands-on workshop exploring folk herbalism, medicine-making, and the synergy of honey and herbs. In this workshop we’ll cover the medicinal properties of honey, learn easy ways to capture the medicine and flavors of herbs with honey, and get hands-on experience making our own herbal preparations.

Co-sponsored by the Herbal Community of Central Massachusetts

Saturday, February 11, 1–3pm $20M; $30NM

Seasonal Pruning: Late Winter REED PUGH

Throughout the year it is important to prune plants, and there are critical windows of time to execute this work. This workshop will cover the essentials of when and how to prune plants with a focus on late winter pruning.

Sunday, February 26, 1–3pm $35M; $50NM

Visual Arts

Needle Felted Snowmen LISA MAGNUSON

Learn the art of needle felting and make an adorable snowman! In this class you will discover how fun and easy it is to work with wool roving using a special felting needle.

Saturday, January 14, 9:30am –12pm $50M; $65NM

Digital Photography STEVE MCGRATH

Have your camera ready for this workshop on the basics of photography. Build skills in composition, using your camera features, and working with Photoshop in this hands-on course.

Saturday, January 14, 10am –1pm $60M; $75NM

Resin Bookmarks and Pendants with Dried Flowers

LIZ IVES

Come make earrings and pendants out of UV resin and dried flowers. Working with UV resin is a popular craft, and this is one of the easiest ways to begin. Students will have the opportunity to make several bookmarks and a few pendants – and there may even be time for a few charms and keychains, too!

Monday, January 16, 1–2:30pm $60M; $75NM

Sashiko Embroidery

LIZ IVES

Sashiko is both a method of hand sewing, and a style of embroidery created in Japan. Come create an embroidered cloth suitable for display under a floral arrangement or as a centerpiece on your dining table. This type of embroidery is very easy, and anyone can learn.

Thursday, January 19, 1–4pm $70M; $85NM

Beginning Photoshop for Aspiring Photographers

STEVE MCGRATH

This workshop will help participants learn Photoshop techniques and apply them immediately to their personal photography. Through classroom lecture and interactive student participation, the course will cover workflow, file types, optimizing images, layers, tools, panoramics, color balance, black and white, and archiving. Extensive handouts will lead students step-by-step so that skills can be practiced at home.

Sunday, January 22, 10am –1pm

$60M; $75NM

Introduction to Zentangle KAREN KEEFE

Zentangle is an easy-to-learn method of creating beautiful images from repetitive patterns, many of them inspired by nature. This 3 ½ hour class introduces the basic Zentangle principles and methodology.

Sunday, January 22, 1–4:30pm $45M; $60NM

Chinese Brush Painting: Chrysanthemums

SAU-MEI LEUNG

This course introduces you to “the four treasures” of Chinese brush painting – an ink stone, ink stick, brush, and paper – allowing you to explore and practice various techniques. Through demonstration and handson practice, you will learn the Chinese brush methods of painting Chrysanthemums as well as compositional development. Take this class to slow down and experience the meditative and stress relief benefits of Chinese brush painting inspired by the beauty of New England Botanic Garden.

Sunday, January 29, 1–3pm $55M; $70NM

Needle Felted Succulents LISA

MAGNUSON

Learn the art of needle felting and make this adorable mini-succulent (that requires no watering!). In this class you will discover how fun and easy it is to work with wool roving using a special felting needle.

Saturday, February 4, 9:30am –12pm

$50M; $65NM

Smartphone Photography

STEVE MCGRATH

This class will help you understand how to take great images on your phone, what editing apps to use, and how to share and print your images.

Sunday, February 5, 10am–1pm

$60M; $75NM

Creativity Workshop SAU-MEI LEUNG

Do you know that exploring your creative side can alleviate stress and anxiety? This course will help students to experience their own creative process inspired by the beautiful garden at New England Botanic Garden. Through discussion, videos, and a series of hands-on exercises such as collage, drawing, coloring, printing, origami, writing, and bookbinding, you will learn how to do creative journaling. Take this workshop to slow down and experience a deeper sense of how creativity can improve your mood and more.

3 WEEK SESSION

Sundays, February 5–19, 1–3pm $125M; $150NM

Needle Felted Landscapes

LIZ IVES

Let the New England Botanic Garden inspire you to create a unique needle felted landscape painting, suitable for framing. In this class, students will join the instructor outside to find and photograph a landscape of their choice (smartphone or similar device required). Once a photo is found we will return to the classroom to turn it into a unique needle felted landscape.

Thursday, February 16, 1–4pm $70M; $85NM

Advanced Zentangle KAREN

KEEFE

Take the next step with Zentangle in the advanced course. This class will focus on learning complex tangles, blending of patterns, using various Zentangle tools with different media, and techniques of tangulation.

Sunday, February 19, 1–4:30pm $45M; $60NM

Macro/Close Up Photography Workshop

STEVE MCGRATH

Spring, summer, winter, or fall, macro photography opens the door to a wonderful new world of photo opportunities. With instructor Steve McGrath as your guide, this course will show you ways to use your existing camera gear to take spectacular macro photographs. The close-up world is a magical place full of pattern, color, and abstract imagery.

Saturday, February 25, 10am –2pm $70M; $85NM

Youth Programs

Kids Workshops

Hand Stitched Snowscape | AGES 7–14

Learn basic stitches to create an embroidered winter scene.

Sunday, January 8, 2–3:30pm

M: $20 CHILD, $0 ADULT NM: $28 CHILD, $18 ADULT

Kokedama for Kids | AGES 7–14

Learn about this Japanese planting style and create your own miniature Kokedama display. Sunday, January 15, 2–3:30pm

M: $30 CHILD, $0 ADULT NM: $38 CHILD, $18 ADULT

Dino Terrariums | AGES 5–12

Create your own prehistoric terrarium complete with a succulent and dinosaur friend. Sunday, February 5, 1:30–3pm

M: $25 CHILD, $0 ADULT NM: $32 CHILD, $18 ADULT

Botanical Valentines | AGES 5–12

Create a card and unique floral arrangement in a vase for a special someone. Sunday, February 12, 2–3:30pm

M: $25 CHILD, $0 ADULT NM: $32 CHILD, $18 ADULT

Children's Birthday Parties

Make

Visit nebg.org for details.

Family Fun

Garden Buds | AGES 3–5

Join us for circle time, a story, a take-home craft packet, and a guided garden adventure. Thursdays in January & February, 10:30–11:30am

M: $8 CHILD, $0 ADULT NM: $15 CHILD, $18 ADULT

Yeti Hunt | AGES 3–8 Imagination required! Bundle up, enjoy the winter weather, and join us for a guided Yeti hunt. Sunday, January 22, 1–2pm

M: $9 CHILD, $6 ADULT NM: $16 CHILD, $24 ADULT

Tracks and Trails | AGES 5–12

Learn tracking basics and search for signs of winter wildlife as we explore our gardens and trails. Saturday, January 28, 11am –12:30pm M: $9 CHILD, $6 ADULT NM: $16 CHILD, $24 ADULT

Discovery Backpacks | AGES 3–12

Check out our Discovery Backpacks filled with exciting activities and tools for exploring together. Borrow one on your next visit! Available at all times INCLUDED WITH ADMISSION

School Programs

SN WED IN!

Escape the winter weather and cozy up with us this February vacation. Join us for wintry outdoor adventures and snow inspired workshops then warm up in our tropical conservatories and soak in the outstanding orchid displays.

Drop-in Activities | ALL AGES

Learn about the science of snow, study orchids up close, try a craft, and more at our drop-in activity station.

Monday to Sunday, February 20 to 26, 10am –4pm INCLUDED WITH ADMISSION

Adventures in Yoga | AGES 4–8

Get introduced to the basics of yoga together and try nature inspired poses.

Monday, February 20, 1–2pm

M: $12 CHILD, $10 ADULT NM: $18 CHILD, $24 ADULT

Orchid Sculpting Workshop

Learn the basics of working with clay and sculpt your own orchids and pollinators.

Tuesday, February 21, M: $20 CHILD, $0 ADULT NM: $28 CHILD, $18 ADULT

Family Paint and Sip

Join us to paint a wintry scene complete with step-by-step instruction and a warm cup of cocoa.

Wednesday, February 22, M: $22 CHILD, $22 ADULT NM: $30 CHILD, $38 ADULT

Garden Buds

Join us for circle time, a story, a take-home craft packet, and a guided garden adventure.

Thursday, February 23,

M: $8 CHILD, $0 ADULT NM: $15 CHILD, $18 ADULT

F EBR UA RY 20– 2 6

Orchids and Watercolor | AGES 7–12

Learn the basics of painting with watercolors using orchids for inspiration.

Friday, February 24, 1–2:30pm

M: $20 CHILD, $0 ADULT

NM: $28 CHILD, $18 ADULT

Snow Globe Gardens | AGES 5–12

Recreate a snow globe scene as a miniature terrarium with snowy décor and a live plant.

Saturday, February 25, 1:30–3pm

M: $25 CHILD, $0 ADULT

NM: $32 CHILD, $18 ADULT

WINTER DISCOVERIES

Monday, February 20 through Friday, February 24 9am –3pm

Join us for a fun-filled day of exploration, investigation, and creation in nature.

AGES 7–10

PER DAY

M: $75 CHILD

NM: $85 CHILD

SAVE THE DATE! SUMMER DISCOVERIES

Join us for a full-day drop-off program just for kids. Unleash your sense of adventure, uncover the amazing science of plants, and explore the hidden science stories all around us. Space is limited, reserve your spot today!

Animal Adventures | AGES 5–10

Beaks, claws, and wings, oh my!

Learn about the amazing animals that live among us as we explore, play, and investigate in nature.

Monday to Friday, July 31 to August 4, 9am –3pm

M: $375 CHILD; NM: $425 CHILD

Myths and Magic | AGES 5–10

Join us for a week of play, exploration, and investigation as we search for signs of magic in enchanted gardens, cast spells, and make nature potions.

Monday to Friday, August 7 to 11, 9am –3pm

M: $375 CHILD; NM: $425 CHILD

There’s a killer on the loose!

At a Victorian-era auction gala, you suddenly find yourself caught up in the scene of a crime set within our conservatories. Use your detective skills to converse with conniving characters, solve puzzles, and gather clues that will help crack the case. Catch the killer and acquire the antidote to save poisoned victims from their fate!

Each ticket includes one free beverage, light bites, and a killer evening of murder mystery fun.

$55M; $65NM

YETI, SET, GO!

January 6 – March 31

The Yetis are coming! Join us this season for a fun-filled outdoor winter scavenger hunt and adventure. Explore our gardens and search for all 15 of our colorful, furry friends.

Tricks, traps, treasure.

At the Garden’s annual orchid exhibition, get to know the captivating plants that entice pollinators in surprising ways.

ALLURE displays thousands of orchids and artist Kara Walker’s larger-thanlife sculptures – orchids paired with the pollinators they tempt. All is fair in love and orchid pollination. Experience the drama of this breathtaking orchid exhibition during daytime hours or through a line-up of special events.

Opening Weekend

Saturday, February 11 & Sunday, February 12 10am – 4pm Be among the first to experience gorgeous orchid displays and sculptural works of art, in addition to music, drop-in workshops, and themed activities that will make visitors of all ages feel love this winter season. INCLUDED WITH GENERAL ADMISSION

Orchids After Dark

Fridays, February 17 – March 17 / 6 – 8pm Experience the allure of the orchid exhibition after-hours. Enjoy drinks, and light bites while discovering the science of attraction through stunning orchid displays and a curated ambience. Ticket price includes one free beverage and a unique experience perfect for a Friday (date) night. $20M; $30NM

New England Camellia Society

Saturday, February 25, 11am–5pm

Sunday, February 26, 10am–4pm

View the diversity of camellia varieties with a display of beautiful blooms and explore our camellia collections throughout the conservatories.