Saturday, February 18, 2 pm

(snow date February 19)

Monument Mountain Regional High School

Route 7, Great Barrington, MA

Berkshire Botanical Garden is pleased to present the 2012 Annual Winter Lecture:

The World According to Dirr: Trees and Shrubs for the 21st Century presented by noted author, educator and researcher Dr. Michael Dirr.

Dr. Dirr's influence in horticulture is far reaching.  A prolific author and exceptional hybridizer, he has dedicated his life to educating the public about the importance and use of woody plants in the landscape.  In addition to his many well-known books, his newly published Dirr's Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs continues to set the gold standard for horticultural reference.  Known alternately as the "modern father of woody plants" and the hydrangea guru," his contributions to the world of horticulture are remarkable.

Dr. Dirr's illustrated lecture will weave a tapestry rich in topics befitting an American icon of horticulture, complete with his signature humor and style. The endearing noble trees, trends in woody plants and the back story of the landscape industry including plant breeding and development are among the topics he will present.

Winter Lecture is generously sponsored by

Hunter Boot.

Plant Obsessions: Berkshire Botanical Garden’s Annual Garden Tour

Hunnewell Arboretum, Blanchette Gardens, Joe Pye Weed Nursery

Join the Berkshire Botanical Garden staff for a day-long adventure to gardens and nurseries for the” plant obsessed.” Visit an eclectic selection of gardens private and public with the unifying theme of “obsession.”

Travel first to the Walter Hunnewell Arboretum a privately owned 22-acre arboretum in Wellesley, MA containing over 500 species of woody plants. This estate also contains the renowned and distinctive topiary garden, called the 'Italian Garden' by creator Horatio Hollis Hunnewell, with 140-year-old fanciful groups of intricate geometrically pruned native eastern white pine and eastern arborvitae. A collection of specialty greenhouses feature over 1,000 plant species, including a grape house and peach house, and have been cared for by five generations of the Hunnewell family. Today's pinetum, begun in 1866, includes rare, mature specimens including Torreya nucifera, a massive weeping european beech in front of the 19th century Italianate mansion, and one of the oldest dawn redwood in the United States. The collection of specimen trees and shrubs include towering American white and English oaks, lindens, tulip trees, bald cypress, and Chinese golden larch, as well as different species and cultivars of azaleas, lilacs, viburnums, hollies, weeping cherries and rhododendrons.

From Wellesley, travel to Carlisle, MA, to visit two spectacular specialty nurseries to satisfy our own plant obsessions. Travel first to Blanchette Gardens, renowned for its extensive and unusual perennial collection. Nursery owner Leo Blanchette will lead a guided tour of the nursery and discuss some of his favorite plant genera including arisaemas, species peonies, anemonellas and many more.  Just across town we will stop in the nano-nursery Joe Pye Weed Gardens, and join owner horticulturists Jan Shaffer and Marty Sax for a tour of their garden. Their special obsession is hybridizing Siberian iris but their garden includes much, much more.  The iris will be at the top of their bloom and you will be treated to a feast of color. An added bonus will be the beautiful display gardens and a large cutting garden that serves the Boston Flower Market.

Dress for the weather and bring a bagged lunch. Plants will be available for purchase at Blanchette Gardens. A morning snack and late afternoon refreshments will be compliments of the staff at Berkshire Botanical Garden.