Cool stuff at Blithewold

I got this email through the Greenwimmen (a small, local organization of ladies in the biz) a couple of days ago. There are a lot of neat classes and lectures at Blithewold this coming fall...so check it out!

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS:

DISPLAY GARDEN SOIREES: A FEAST FOR THE SENSES
Wednesday, September 19, 5:00 to dusk

Join us for wine, music, and flowers in the Display Garden at Blithewold. As the boats take a sojourn from the mundane and indulge yourself in Italian wine, gourmet cheese, and music by the Mark and Beverly Davis Guitar Duo. The Display Garden is contagious with energy and new ideas; a flurry of discovery and wonderment accompany its two peak explosions of color, texture, and scent. Enjoy the company of old friends and new, chat with staff horticulturists, stroll the grounds, and bring a picnic dinner to celebrate the season with us in high style.

In the event of rain, the soirée will be held in the mansion. Price includes 2 glasses of wine per person.

Single Soirée: $15 per individual/$25 per couple. Package of four Soirées: $50 per individual/$90 per couple and $40 per individual/$70 per couple for members.

ONE GARDENER’S OBSESSION: An Intimate Tour of a Private Garden
Wednesday, August 15, 6:00 – 8:00

Every garden has a story to tell, and much is learned when gardeners get together to share their secrets, triumphs, and tribulations. Virginia Purviance grew up with gardening in her blood and has been cultivating her Aquidneck Island property for thirty years, complete with specimen trees and five disparate gardens featuring long borders of shrubs and perennials, an enclosed memorial garden, an experimental nursery area, and a unique collection of art. Ginny’s passionate guided tour will inspire you with stories of accidental beauty, lessons learned, and other colorful threads that make up the fabric of her garden’s ongoing evolution over time. Light refreshments will be served.

Virginia Purviance, graduate of the Radcliffe Garden Design Seminars, retired from her landscape design practice three years ago. She lives in Middletown with husband Jim who indulges her obsession and has learned to use a chain saw, a rake and shovel like a pro.
Registration limited and required in advance - $15 Members, $20 Nonmembers

HOME GARDEN DESIGN WORKSHOP SERIES
Saturday September 8, 10:00 - 4:00; Tuesday, September 11, 6:30 – 8:30; Saturday, September 15, 2:00 – 3:30

Work with designer Ed Lindemann in this 3-part workshop to develop or improve the basic design of a specific garden area on your property. Session 1 will include an illustrated lecture about garden structure and space, as well as a demonstration of how to sketch your project, evaluate your needs, and achieve your desired result. Session 2 offers studio time to develop your project on paper and receive valuable hands-on help from Ed. Session 3 meets off-site at a private Little Compton garden that incorporates Ed’s designs, encouraging lively discussion of design, plants, hardscaping, and garden ornament.

Ed Lindemann began his practice as aprofessional Landscape and Garden Designer in 1964 and works on residential design projects along the east coast.
$100 Members, $125 Non-members

FAIRY MAGIC IN THE GARDEN
Sunday, September 16, 1:00 – 2:00

The Blithewold garden fairies need new homes! Spend an enchanted afternoon with Gardens Manager Gail Read in the Water Garden creating tiny fairy houses out of natural materials and found objects to entice fairies old and new to visit. We will read stories about fairy lore and other woodland mysteries and enjoy a light snack. Bring your imagination and a blanket for relaxing outdoors. Family program for adult-children groups of all ages.

$5 Members, $7 Non-members

FALL GARDENER'S DAY
Saturday, September 22, 10:00 - 3:00

In its seventh year, Blithewold Fall Gardener’s Day celebrates the harvest and all that is locally grown. Farmers and horticultural professionals will lead workshops, answer questions, and sell their goods. This event provides opportunity to learn new growing tips, sample the region’s goods, and network with community gardeners, green professionals, and farmers.
Pre-registration is not required.$5 Members, $10 Non-members

GARDEN SCULPTURE WORKSHOP
Tuesday, September 25 through Friday, September 28, 9:00 - 4:15

Award-winning sculptor DJ Garrity will lead this fascinating exploration of three dimensional form through the ageless process of stone sculpture. Students will be guided through the process of creating their own unique garden sculpture with a hands-on approach designed to impart a basic understanding of the medium of stone, sculpture tools, techniques, and the three-dimensional aspects of portraiture. All materials supplied.
$375 per student

FALL SENSORY WALK
Wednesday, September 26, 3:30 - 5:00

Awaken your senses with an outdoor exploration of Blithewold. Appreciate the colors, scents, sounds, and tastes of the grounds and gardens as Education Coordinator Debbie Olstein leads a variety of hands-on activities focusing on nature discovery. Bring lots of curiosity and a sense of adventure! Family program for adult-children groups; most appropriate for children ages 5-9
$5 Members, $7 Non-members

CRAZY FOR CRANESBILL: All about Hardy Geraniums
Thursday, October 11, 6:30 - 8:30

Discover Hardy Geraniums, otherwise known as ‘Cranesbill” for their beakshaped seed. These easy to grow species are diverse in color and form. Geranium enthusiast Mary Anne Brady will explain how these versatile plants are used as ground cover and border specimens in multiple garden locations. Propagation methods will be demonstrated and you will have the opportunity to work directly with plants. A diverse collection of Hardy Geraniums will be available during the workshop and for purchase.

Mary Anne Brady is a URI Master Gardener and a Rhode Island Certified Horticulturist. She is owner of a small garden design business and Cranesbill nursery.
$12 Members, $15 Non-members

TERRARIUMS : MINIATURE LANDSCAPES
Saturday, October 13, 10:00 - 11:30

Join us as we create terrariums, beautiful micro ecosystems that thrive indoors and liven up the home or office. Expect to get your hands dirty along side horticulturists Gail Read and Kris Green as we learn how to balance the needs of the terrarium environment with soil, plants, and water. A unique selection of terrarium plants have been propagated in the greenhouse in preparation for this popular program and will be available for use, along with all necessary materials.
$30 Members, $35 Non-members

BULB FORCING WORKSHOP
Saturday, October 20, 10:30 – 12:00

Don’t let cold temperatures and shorter days outside stop you from growing fresh flowers indoors! Join our Director of Horticulture Julie Morris for an interactive session that demonstrates how to force bulbs and create striking container arrangements. Each participant will design and plant three pots containing a variety of bulbs such as iris, tulips, and daffodils to enjoy at home or to give as a special gift.
$30 Members, $35 Non-members

ANNUAL GARDEN DESIGN LUNCHEON
Thursday, November 15, 10:00

Preeminent landscape architect Douglas Reed will explore his creative design process and the ways in which his work forges a deeper connection between people and the landscape. This scintillating discussion concludes with a relaxing luncheon with friends overlooking the estuary at the Rhode Island Country Club in Barrington.

Douglas Reed is principal and founder of the firm Reed Hilderbrand of Watertown, Massachusetts. He has built a reputation for excellence in design with award winning projects that engage the intersection of nature and culture
Before October 15 - $65 Members, $75 Non-membersAfter October 15 - $75 Members, $85 Non-members

Register Online at www.blithewold.org or call (401)-253-2707 ext. 21