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Frequent event contributors:
BECBG—Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14218. 716/827-1584; buffalogardens.com.
BMAC—Beaver Meadow Audubon Center, 1610 Welch Road, North Java, NY 14113. 585/457-3228; buffaloaudubon.com.
LOCK: Lockwood’s Greenhouses, 4484 Clark Street, Hamburg, NY 14075, 716/649-4684; lockwoodsgreenhouses.com.
MENNE: Menne Nursery, 3100 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst NY, 14228. 716/693-4444; mennenursery.com.
ULB—Ulbrich’s Tree Farm & Water Garden Center, 11500 Broadway, Alden NY, 14004. 716/937-7742; ulbrichs.com.
WEST—Westfield Nursery, 8320 West Rte. 20, Westfield, NY 14787. 716/326-3023; gardenshop@westfieldnursery.com; westfieldnusery.com.
ZEHR’s—Zehr’s on the Lake, 5353 West Lake Rd., Burt, NY 14028. 716/778-5733; zehrsonthelake.com.
• Ongoing: Family Walks, Sundays at 2 pm. Free. BMAC
• Ongoing: Babes in the Woods, the third Wednesday and following Saturday of each month, 10- 11:30 am. BMAC
• Ongoing: Nature Hikes, Knox Farm State Park, 437 Buffalo St., East Aurora, first and third Saturday of each month at 9 am. Free. 585/457-3228; buffaloaudubon.com.
• Ongoing: Farmers’ Market, Williamsville Mill, 56 E. Spring Street, Williamsville. Saturdays from 8 am – 1 pm, enjoy shopping for fresh fruit, vegetables and specialty foods, plus enjoy live music, children’s activities and more. 716/632-7938.
May 3: Make it for Mom, 9 am – noon. Three choices of baskets made up of cold tolerant annuals for late spring are offered every hour. $8/15/20. LOCK.
May 3: Spring Cleanup, 10 am. Prepare your landscape the professional way this spring—watch professionals show you how to perform a spring clean up from start to finish. This demonstration illustrates how to cultivate, fertilize and edge beds, in addition to tips on getting your lawn in shape after the long winter. It will also take you step by step through the proper planting and pruning of trees and shrubs. This 2-hour, outdoor session concludes with time to address your individual problems and applications. Dress for the outdoors. Reservations required. MENNE
May 3: Introduction to Water Gardens, 11 am. In this DIY class, learn about getting into the hobby and doing it right. Basic design, installation tips and techniques, and materials designed for WNY extremes will all be covered, as well as materials cost estimating and design for long-term enjoyment. $20. ULB
May 3: Container Gardening, 11 am OR 2 pm. New Plants! New Pots! New Ideas! Container gardens are easy to make and simple to maintain when created properly. They allow you to have color in areas where it is difficult to grow plants, beautifully enhance a porch, patio or pool area, and can be adapted to the changing seasons. Get step-by-step instructions on how to create great container gardens including which containers work best, choosing soil mixes to insure success and special maintenance tips. Reservations required. MENNE
May 3 – 25: Coleus Show. Coleus was a popular plant in Victorian times and has regained popularity among modern gardeners looking for a bold-colored border or potted plant. Once you see these multi-colored jewels, you will have to have them as part of your seasonal planting. BECBG
May 7, 14, 21 & 28: Oil Painting Classes, 8:45 – 10:45 am. Taught by John Saba; all supplies included. $54/$60 non-members. BECBG
May 8: Landscaping Class, 7 pm. Ask the expert and learn the finer points of landscaping with perennials and annuals. Bring pictures and measurements. ZEHR’s
May 9: Gardeners’ Night Out, 5 - 8 pm. Be the first to see the newest and coolest plant introductions, and save big bucks too! ZEHR’s
May 10: The Birds ‘n’ the Bees, 9 am - noon. The Master Gardeners of Wyoming County Cornell Cooperative Extension’s 3rd annual Garden Day Celebration features speakers on birding, beekeeping, photography, and watercolor painting, plus a plant sale, bake sale and basket auction. Free admission. Legion Hall, Warsaw Village Park, Liberty Street, Warsaw. 585/786-2251; counties.cce.cornell.edu/wyoming.
May 10: Pot up a Plant for Mom, 9 am – noon. Pot up a plant for Mom. Kids choose a plant and pot it up for Mom or Grandma. You provide the love, and we’ll provide the how-to. Plant, pot, soil and fertilizer provided. $6.99. ZEHR’s
May 10: Planting Techniques, 10:15 am. From annuals, perennials and bulbs, to potted, balled and burlapped trees and shrubs, learn how to make your planting experience a good one. WEST.
May 11: Victorian Mother’s Day Garden Tea, Copper Top Gardens, 1373 Church St., Alabama, 10:30 am or 1 pm. Enjoy a unique, intimate garden sanctuary and a Victorian Tea developed and prepared by chefs from the Culinary Institute of America. Reservations required. 585/948-9508; coppertopgardens@yahoo.com.
May 14: The Importance of Nutrition, 6:15 pm. Do you eat on a regular basis? Of course! It’s important for your plants as well. There are many fertilizer options out there, and it can be very confusing. Learn about a variety of fertilizers, how and when to use them, and what makes one better than another. WEST.
May 15: Beginner Gardening I, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. With Sally Cunningham, learn about understanding soil and site, plant needs, planting, dividing, fertilizers and products, and maintenance of annuals, perennials and container plants. $15 includes notebook. Reservations required. LOCK
• May 17: Plant For Hope Breast Cancer Fundraiser, Bedford’s Greenhouse, 6820 Cedar Street, Akron. Chinese auction, food, wine, crafters and more—all proceeds benefit Roswell Park. Also, mascots, free face painting and balloon art. Bedfordsgreenhouse.com.
May 17: Plant Sale, Orchard Park Railroad Depot, behind the library, 8 am – 2 pm. This sale, held annually by the Orchard Park Garden Club, features annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, geraniums, accent plants and hanging baskets.
May 17: Attracting Birds to Your Yard, 10 am. Learn how to create a bird haven for your feathered friends. Talk will focus on bird feeding habits, bird identification, and bird habitats. Bring your field guide and binoculars. ZEHR’s
May 17: Introduction to Water Gardens II, 11 am. Trouble-free water gardening is a possibility—it just takes the right mix of knowledge and maintenance techniques. Learn about water treatments and discuss filtration maintenance. Includes handouts. $20. Registration required. ULB
May 17: Spring Pond Seminar, 12 – 3 pm, Hahn Sales and Service, 3779 Lower Mt. Rd., Sanborn. Thinking about a pond in your yard? Check out Walt and Lin Oldenburg’s “Adventures in Ponding,” “Pond Opening” with Tom Tower, other speakers, local vendors, and more. Members of the Niagara Frontier Pond and Koi Club will be on hand to answer questions. 716/731-5513; hahnsponds.com.
May 17 & 18: Bonsai Show. Bonsai masters and novices display their prized trees at their peak time. Do not miss this once a year opportunity to see these meticulously manicured trees in one place. Sponsored by The Buffalo Bonsai Society and the Gardens. BECBG
May 17 & 18: The Great Plant Sale. Purchase unique perennials, shrubs, trees,perennials, annuals and more to benefit the Gardens. BECBG
May 17 & 18: Celebration Weekend, Westfield Nursery. Food, drinks, giveaways. WEST.
May 19: Container Gardening, 6:30 pm. A gardener’s guide to successful container gardening. Bring your own containers and pot them up. Techniques and recipes will be shared. ZEHR’s
May 20: Landscaping Class, 7 pm. Ask the expert and learn the finer points of landscaping with perennials and annuals. Bring pictures and measurements. ZEHR’s
May 21: Designing a Backyard Paradise, 5:30 pm. The most important part of the design process is to get a clear understanding of what is wanted from the landscape. Landscaping greatly increases the livability of a house by creating outdoor living spaces. Learn how to pinpoint your needs, design a plant to meet them, and finally implement the plan to your satisfaction. WEST.
May 21: Meeting, WNY Rose Society, Marcy’s Greenhouse, 1373 Church St., Alabama, 7 pm.
May 21: Window Box and Mixed Container Workshop, 7:30 pm. With Mary Gurtler. $53. Reservations required. LOCK
May 24: Container Gardening—Fun, Funky & Functional, 9:30 am. Container gardens are easy to make and simple to maintain when created properly. They allow you to have color, herbs, or vegetables in areas where it is otherwise difficult or impossible to grow plants. See examples of different container gardens and learn what type of containers work best and choose soil, fertilizers and other amendments to insure success, and other maintenance tips. WEST.
• May 31: Kids’ Day, 10 am – 1 pm. Activities include live music from Sue Rozler, storytelling, paper crafts, kids garden fun, face painting and more. Enjoy demonstrations and interactive activities from the Buffalo Museum of Science, the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences and visit cold-blooded critters from Beaver Creek. Don't miss the carnivorous plant demonstrations! Special price: everyone over 3 pays the kid rate, $3. BECBG
May 31: Plant Sale, Kenan Center Campus, 433 Locust St., Lockport, 10 am – 3 pm. This annual event, held by Friends of the Kenan Herb Club, offers herbal food tastings, door prizes, garden raffle basket, plants and garden items for sale. The sale of plants and garden items only will continue the following day. 716/433- 2617.
May 31: Fun with Container Gardens, 10:30 am, Berner Farms, 11210 Clinton St., Elma. Discover how easy it can be to have an herb, vegetable or flower garden in a small space. Learn about color, variety and placement. Get fun ideas for unusual containers. 716/681-0455.
May 31: Herbs—Harvesting & Preserving, 11:30 am. To determine the best harvest time for each herb, you need some experience. However, a few general rules can lead you in the right direction for most herbs. Learn those rules along with several different methods of preserving herbs for future use. Bring any recipes you want to share. WEST.
June 2, 9, 16 & 23: Water Colors, 8:45 – 10:45 am. Taught by Joan Saba; all supplies included. Adults only. $54/$60 non-members. BECBG
June 4: Vegetable Gardening & Composting, 6:30 pm. Make liquid gold in your backyard. Learn all about good basic organic gardening techniques. ZEHR’s
June 4, 11, 18 & 25: Oil Painting, 8:45 – 10:45 am. Taught by Joan Saba; all supplies included. Adults only. $54/$60 non-members. BECBG
June 7: Let's Use Herbs, 9 am, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Wyoming County, 401 North Main Street Warsaw. We love to grow them. We love to cook with them. But how about all the other herb uses? This interactive workshop will introduce you to some new uses for herbs. Walk away with some easy recipes for household uses and, just for fun, make and take an herbal bread mix and a recipe or two. $10; registration required. 585/786-2251; counties.cce.cornell.edu/wyoming.
June 7: Growing Roses in WNY, 10 am. Ask the expert and learn how to manage your roses. Pest and disease controls will be discussed. ZEHR’s
June 7: Do Plants Really Need Fertilizer & Water?, 10:30 am, Berner Farms, 11210 Clinton St., Elma. Do you want the brightest colors, greatest yields…the best-looking garden on the block? Learn how to use these resources to their fullest. 716/681-0455.
June 7 & 8: Iris Show & Sale, Amberliegh Retirement Community, 2330 Maple Rd., Williamsville, Saturday 1 – 5 pm and Sunday 10 am – 4 pm. WNY Iris Society.
June 8: Annual Show—Western New York Hosta Society. MENNE
June 14: Clinging Vines—Gardening on the Vertical, 10:15 am. Vines are plants of ambition. Not content to remain earthbound, they will aim for the sky with leafy determination. Vines attach in several different ways and understanding the differences can help you properly match vines with appropriate supporting structures. WEST
June 14: Introduction to Water Gardens, 11 am. See description under May 3. ULB
June 14 & 15: Koi & Goldfish Show, Menne’s Nursery, 3100 Niagara Falls Blvd. Amherst. There will be vendors, speakers and beautiful fish. Saturday 10 am – 6 pm, Sunday 10 am – 3 pm. Presented by the Niagara Frontier Pond & Koi Club. Nfkpc.org.
June 18: Meeting, WNY Rose Society, Erie County Botanical Garden, South Park Ave., Buffalo, 7 pm.
• June 21: Flower Press, a workshop for children and parents presented by Karen Sirgey of Avian Architecture. Urban Roots, 428 Rhode Island Street, Buffalo, time TBA. 716/362-8982; workshops@urbanroots.org.
June 21: Jeepers Creepers, 10:15 am. Are you tired of pachysandra, vinca, and ivy? See many alternative ideas for groundcovers and discuss their usage in sun, shade, excessive moisture, or dry areas. WEST.
June 21: Introduction to Water Gardens II, 11 am. See description under May 17. ULB.
June 22: 11th Annual Parkside Garden Tour, 10 am- 4 pm. The tour starts in the heart of Parkside at the Church of the Good Shepherd, on the corner of Jewett and Summit Avenues, right across from Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin Martin House complex. Information and maps will be available the day of the tour. Over 60 gardens will be on display, from modest rock gardens to meticulous front-to-back landscaping. A $5 donation to the Parkside Community Association is encouraged. 716/838-1240; parksidebuffalo.org.
June 25: Starry Night in the Garden, 6 – 9 pm. Tickets to this event, co-sponsored by Star 102.5, will include samples and tidbits from local restaurants, wineries and breweries, and live music, and are only available through tickets.com. Price TBA. BECBG
June 28: Garden Photography, 10:15 am. Remember the beauty of your garden all season long…that perfect rose, the vibrant daylily, the delicate blooms of the dogwood, the butterfly resting on the chrysanthemum. Preserve those garden memories with photography. Bring your camera and walk around the nursery to use the ideas you’ve gotten after the workshop. WEST
June 28 & 29: Lewiston Gardenfest, 10 am- 5 pm. A street festival featuring nurseries, landscapers, garden artists and garden and yard suppliers, demonstrations, hands-on workshops, displays, and talks by Master Gardeners. Saturday features Mike Shadrack on hostas, and on Sunday, Sally Cunningham will give a talk on perennials. There will also be local gardens open to tour. Free. 716/754-8981.
June 29: Japanese Iris Show, Rudolph Galley & Sons Greenhouses, 2722 Clinton St., West Seneca. Noon – 4 pm. WNY Iris Society.
July 5 – 27: Garden Walks, Orchard Park, Saturdays 10 am – 4 pm and Sundays noon – 4 pm. Visit two Orchard Park gardens, about a mile apart, at your leisure. The first, at 6047 Seufert Road, belongs to Kristina Weitz, a daylily hybridizer, and Lucille Weitz. Daylilies are the main feature with over 700 registered varieties and thousands of seedlings. Hardiness and vigor are stressed in the hybridizing process. The Weitz’s Gardens were featured in the March, 2008 issue of Upstate Gardeners’ Journal. 716/648-0094. Gary and Kitty Bannerman’s Pine Ridge Gardens, 6346 Ward Rd., feature a 7000 gallon biologically-filtered water garden with a waterfall, fish, frogs and plant life. This water feature is surrounded by a large perennial garden that is connected by stone and flagstone pathways. Woods, pines & Japanese maples are incorporated into what can be defined as an English cottage garden and wildflower/prairie landscape. Garden sculptures and antiques can be found throughout the garden, which has been designated a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. 716/648-7085. Both gardens otherwise open only by appointment.
July 12: 5th Annual Williamsville Garden Walk, 10 am – 4 pm. Tour 40+ gardens in the one square mile village of historic homes. The events starts at Williamsville Village Hall, 5565 Main St., and there will be select vendors at registration. Free admission and free parking.
July 12 & 13: Lockport in Bloom, 10 am- 4 pm. Tour originates at the Kenan Center; 433 Locust Street, Lockport. This is a free, self-guided, walking/driving tour featuring historic homes and gardens throughout the city, plus municipal parks with well-maintained flowerbeds and trees. Free. 716/439-1524; 716/434-2380.July 12 & 13: Lockport in Bloom,
Frequent event listers:
BAK: Bakers’ Acres, 1104 Auburn Rd., North Lansing (Groton). 607/533-4653; bakersacres.net
CP: Cornell Plantations, 1 Plantations Road, Ithaca, NY 14850. Inquire ahead for meeting places. 607/255-2400; plantations.cornell.edu
Ongoing: Drop-In Tours, Wednesdays & Saturdays, noon. $5 suggested donation. CP
Through May 27: Wildflower Walks, Tuesdays, 7 pm. Spring is the season for experiencing delicate and ephemeral native plants such as trillium, trout lily, and bloodroot in the Mundy Wildflower Garden. Free. CP
May 3: Know Your Yard, 1 - 3 pm. This workshop will teach gardeners ways to discover the key physical characteristics of their home landscape to better plan for improvements or development. $15/$10 members/Cornell students. Pre-registration required. CP
May 10: Early Morning Bird Walk & Breakfast, 7 am. Bird walk $10; breakfast $8. BAK
May 11: Mother’s Day Buffet, 11 am, 1:30 & 4 pm. Featuring a delicious buffet and a wonderful place to take Mom on a walk. Reservations required. BAK
May 14: Wellness Walk: Spring Wildflowers, 4 pm. A restorative walk through the Mundy Wildflower Garden to search for early spring blooms. Open to all those seeking wellness. Presented in partnership with the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes. Free. CP
May 17: Annual Spring Garden Fair & Plant Sale, Ithaca High School, off Rte. 33 at Cayuga St., Ithaca. This large colorful event includes over 40 area horticultural businesses featuring all kinds of plants from native trees, flowering shrubs, herbs, perennials, annuals, hanging baskets, and more. In addition to growers, Master Gardeners, the Adirondack Rock Garden Society and the Finger Lakes Native Plant Society have choice plants for sale. This is the premier plant event in Ithaca. Presented by the Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County. 607-272-2292.
June 3, 10, 17 & 24: Drawing Rhododendrons, 3 – 5:30 pm. Hone your sketching skills in the Bowers Rhododendron Collection on Comstock Knoll while studying rhododendrons and azaleas up close. $170; $150 members/Cornell students. Pre-registration required. CP
June 14: Tompkins County Open Days Garden Tour, 10 am – 4 pm. Four private gardens will be open for one day only. For more: 607/272-2292 x 123; counties.cce.cornell.edu/tompkins/community_beautification/
June 21: Raising Rhododendrons, 1 – 2:30 pm. Visit the Bowers Rhododendron Collection on Comstock Knoll to learn the rewards and challenges of growing rhododendrons, and take a close-up look at these elegant yet temperamental plants. Tour includes some steep slope and stair climbing. Free. CP
June 28: Simply Beautiful Stone Walls, 10 am – 4:30 pm. This indoor and outdoor class covers the basics of stone wall construction and provides hands-on experience building a dry-laid wall. Wear old clothes and sturdy shoes, and bring leather gloves, safety glasses, and a bag lunch. $75; $60 members/Cornell students. Pre-registration required. CP
July 12: Tompkins County Open Days Garden Tour, 10 am – 4 pm. Four private gardens will be open for one day only. For more: 607/272-2292 x 123; counties.cce.cornell.edu/tompkins/community_beautification/
Frequent event contributors:
CCE/GC—Cornell Cooperative Extension, Genesee County, 420 East Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020. 585/343-3040; counties.cce.cornell.edu/genesee.
CCE/ONT: Cornell Cooperative Extension, Ontario County, 480 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424. 585/394-3977; counties.cce.cornell.edu/ontario.
GCVM: Genesee Country Village & Museum, Flint Hill Road, Mumford, NY 14511. 585/538-6822; gcv.org.
GCVM/NC: Genesee Country Village & Museum Nature Center. See contact information above.
GLT—Genesee Land Trust, 500 East Avenue, Suite 200, Rochester, NY 14607. 585/256-2130; geneseelandtrust.org.
LAND: Landmasters Group, Inc. 3670 Buffalo Rd., Rochester, NY 14624. 585/594-2221; info@landmasters.net.
RCGC—Rochester Civic Garden Center, 5 Castle Park, Rochester, NY 14620. 585/473-5130; rcgc.org.
ROC—Sponsored by the City of Rochester: 585/428-6770.
WAY—Wayside Garden Center, 124 Pittsford-Palmyra Road (Route 31), Macedon, NY 14502. 585/223-1222; waysidegardencenter.com.
Ongoing: Urban Farm Tours, the 3rd Sunday of every month. Amazing possibilities thrive on urban farms. Visit city farms that harvest herbs, vegetables and fruit; over 50 kinds of edible plants; 25 varieties of heirloom tomatoes grow on rooftops; paw paws and unlikely crops such as hardy kiwi. Tour mini vineyards, ingenious rain collection systems, clever composting projects and more. Visit www.SavorLife.com or www.cityofrochester.gov for specifics. ROC
Ongoing: Nature Walks, 2 pm Sundays. Follow a knowledgeable naturalist on a nature walk to learn about animals and plant life in the region. Themes change every week. Free with nature center admission. There are no walks on Easter or Christmas or on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. GCVM/NC
May 3: Plant Sale, Victor Free Library, 15 W. Main St., 9 – 11 am. The proceeds from this annual sale, sponsored by the Victor Garden Club, benefit civic beautification projects in the town and village of Victor.
May 3: Organic Gardening, 9 am – 1 pm, Cornell Cooperative Extesnion, 158 Main St., Mt. Morris. Learn: What every gardener needs to know about soil health; Pest control; Composting. $10 includes handouts, snacks, soil pH test (bring a sample). 585/658-3250.
May 3: Linwood Tree Peonies, 10 am. Learn about the history and culture of tree peonies, with a focus on the cultivars in the collection at Linwood Gardens, a central site in the history of the tree peony in America, with Becky Lewis, a member of Linwood’s Gratwick family. Free. WAY
May 3: Pruning Roses, 10 am – noon, Maplewood Rose Garden, corner Lake and Driving Park Aves. Members of the Greater Rochester Rose Society provide expert advice on roses and answer questions. Free; no prior registration required. ROC
May 3: Container Gardening for Beginners, 1 – pm. Learn the pros and cons of different types of containers, what to grow in containers, how to put them together, and how to care for them…sun, shade, vegetable, annual, etc. Bring your own 10 – 12” container. $15 includes plants, fertilizer and soil. CCE/ONT
May 4: May Day Celebration, Peacework Farm, 2 – 6 pm. Join Peacework farmers and members of the Genesee Valley Organic Community Supported Agriculture for a day touring the farm, dancing 'round the maypole, exploring the Kraai Preserve's creek-side woods, a wildflower walk and a potluck supper. Rain date is May 11—call 315/331-9029 in the morning if uncertain. Directions at gvocsa.org. GLT
May 6: Spring Pond Maintenance, 6 – 7:30 pm. Looking for help to get your water garden ready for the season? This class will cover cleaning, additives, and solutions to other common problems. Registration requested. LAND.
May 6: Long-lasting Cut Flowers from Your Garden, 7 – 9 pm. Bring the bounty of your garden inside for additional enjoyment—the flowers and foliage of many garden annuals, perennials and shrubs can be used for colorful and long-lasting cut arrangements. Lisa Nadeau-Legge, who sells cut flowers in her business, LoftyMoss, will cover techniques for growing, harvesting and conditioning cut material, as well as the best varieties to grow for cutting, in this slide-lecture with handouts. Members $20, non-members $30. Registration required. RCGC
May 7: Herb Gardening, 6 pm. Enjoy coffee, tea and dessert while learning about the basics of herb gardening from the experts during this installment of the Extension’s Coffee and Dessert Series. $10. CCE/GC
May 8: Permanently Yours—Using Shrubs and Perennials in Containers, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Garden designer and RCGC Executive Director Christine Froehlich says: “My struggles with creating containers that are special without going broke have led me to experiment widely with planting shrubs and perennials that I can reuse later in the garden!” Learn techniques for putting plants together dynamically – in and out of the pot. This is a great way to save money: you can buy small and use the same plant twice, as well as familiarize yourself with new plants before you commit to using them in your garden. Members $20, non-members $30. Registration required. RCGC
May 9 – 18: Lilac Festival, Highland Park. In addition to the lilacs, visit the Master Gardener Plant Sale at the Cooperative Extension, 249 Highland Ave., and the Ellwanger Garden, 625 Mt. Hope Ave.
May 10: Opening Day & Mother’s Day Tea, Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion Historic State Park, 151 Charlotte Street, Canandaigua. 585/394-4922; sonnenberg.org.
May 10: Plant Sale, Webster Arboretum, 1700 Schlegel Rd., Webster, 8 am – noon. Offering perennials from standard to uncommon, annuals, geraniums, dahlias, various garden club offerings and more. Websterarboretum.org.
May 10: Master Gardener Plant Sale, 9 am – noon. The sale will feature reasonably priced plants from the gardens of over 20 Master Gardeners. Bring boxes to carry home purchases. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the educational outreach of the Homes and Grounds programming that the Master Gardener volunteers perform for Cornell Cooperative Extension. There will be no early inspection. CCE/ONT
May 10: Garden Maintenance, 9 am – noon. This three-hour outdoor program with landscape designer Christine Froehlich will teach the basics of proper maintenance of your landscape plants. Topics covered will include planting, watering, soil preparation (including composting and mulch), fertilizers, deadheading and basic pruning, pest and disease monitoring, and perennial division. Learn how to keep your well-designed home landscape looking its very best. Members $35, non-members $45. Registration required. RCGC
May 10: Trough Planting Demystified, 10 – 11:30 am. There are lots of aesthetic as well as practical reasons for planting in hypertufa troughs. For one, troughs are excellent for showcasing the beauty of small-scale plants or for creating specific ‘looks’, from southwest to Asian, formal to informal. For another, they can be used to provide the perfect growing conditions for plants with a wide range of requirements, from the sharp drainage required by alpines, succulents and miniature conifers to a mini bog of water-loving plants. Artist and troughmaker Betsy Knapp will discuss the reasons for using troughs, appropriate plant choices, soil mixes, designing and planting, care and wintering, tips, techniques, and resources, and will demonstrate the planting of a trough in class. Members $18, non-members $25. Registration required. RCGC
May 10 & 11: Mother’s Day Rose Weekend. Saturday at 10 am, Dan Mooney of Medford Nursery will be on hand to discuss rose care—and for a raffle. At 2 pm, hear Gene Noto of the Greater Rochester Rose Society discuss soil and water concerns. At 3:30, Wayside’s Trish Gannon follows the timeline of history to understand what it took to create some of our most familiar and beautiful roses in “Rose Culture History.” Sunday at 2 pm, Jen Evershed will share ideas for creating a miniature landscape in “Fairy Gardens.” Then at 3:30, Gannon will discuss “Favorite Fragrant and Hardy Roses” and run another raffle. WAY
May 11 – June 8: Flower City Days at the Market, Rochester Public Market, 280 North Union St., Sundays and the Friday and Monday of Memorial Day weekend, 8 am – 1 pm. ROC
May 11: Dahlia Tuber Sale, Rochester Public Market, 8 am – 1 pm.
May 12 & 13: Hypertufa Garden Troughs, Mon 7 – 9 pm, Tue 7 – 8 pm. Alana Miller will guide you through the creation of your own hypertufa planter. Alana makes her own troughs and has more than 25 of them in her home landscape. In the first class you will mix and mold the hypertufa. The second evening you will unmold your container, discuss wintering it over, and see how Alana uses these planters in the landscape. Hypertufa troughs are suitable for a wide range of plantings – dwarf conifers, small flowering shrubs, succulents, tiny creepers like the “steppables,” and any plant that appreciates good drainage. Without a drainage hole they are perfect for water gardens. Directions to Alana’s home in Webster and a list of what to bring will be provided upon registration. Materials are included. Members $65; non-members $75. Registration required. RCGC
May 13: Building a Pathway or Patio, 6 – 7:30 pm. Feel confident with each step, from preparing a base to cutting pavers. Learn about the benefits of polymeric sand, and whether or not to seal your work. Registration requested. LAND
May 14: Perennials, 6 pm. Learn how to establish and take care of a perennial garden. You will also learn how to select perennials, so your garden blooms from the spring through the fall. Enjoy coffee, tea and dessert while learning from the experts during this installment of the Extension’s Coffee and Dessert Series. $10. CCE/GC
May 15: Wee Gardens, 7 – 9 pm. This is the perfect time of year to start your miniature gardens. Small-scale landscapes challenge our creativity and provide opportunities for exciting plant combinations. They are easy to assemble and maintain, and they allow us to express a unique blend of personal aesthetics and style. In this class with floral designer Alana Miller you will use succulents, “steppables,” stones and miniature plants to create gardens that are a delight for young and old. All materials provided. Members $42, non-members $52. Registration required. RCGC
May 16 & 17: Plant Sale, Bloomfield Historical Academy Building, South Ave., Friday 1 – 5 pm, Saturday 8 am – 4 pm. The Bloomfield Garden Club’s annual event raises funds for its numerous community beautification projects. Annuals, potting plants, hanging baskets, herbs, and members’ own perennial divisions are available.
May 17: Plant Sale, 8 am – noon, 300 Webster Rd., Webster. This is the Mill Creek Garden Club’s 18th annual sale, where healthy, well-established divisions from members’ own gardens make it one of the area’s most popular. Detailed horticultural information is provided for all plants. 585/671-5557.
May 17: Native Plant Sale, Brighton Memorial Library, 2300 Elmwood Ave, 8:30 am – 2 pm. Start your garden while giving to a great cause! This annual fundraiser for the Genesee Land Trust features the donations of over 12 nurseries and includes native plants, shrubs and trees. GLT
May 17: Spring Tour of Durand-Eastman Park, 10 am – 12:30 pm. Join a walking tour of one of our area’s great parks with arborphile and tree expert Jim Atwater. In mid-May “Rose Valley” should be in full-bloom—there are no roses, but other members of the rose family such as crabapples, flowering cherries, pears, and mountain ash. We can expect some of the park’s extensive magnolia collection to be putting on a show, as well as the bladder nuts, silverbells, fringe trees and unusual and ghostly dove trees. Durand’s collection of mature conifers is a real treasure in any season, with the groves of large and unusual specimens creating a sense of the forests of the Pacific west. Durand has two of the oldest dawn redwoods in the US, giants at only 60 years old; their bark and spring foliage are stunning. Be prepared to walk a moderate distance over somewhat hilly terrain. Members $15; non-members $25. RCGC
May 17: Broadleaf Evergreens, including new varieties, care, maintenance and pruning. With Tim Boebel. 10 am. Free. WAY
May 17: Garden Gala, 10 am – 2 pm. Plant sale, chance auction, soil testing, and the opportunity to ask gardening questions of Genesee County Master Gardeners. CCE/GC
May 17 & 18: Annual Bonsai Exhibition & Celebration, Monroe Community Hospital, corner E. Henrietta and Westfall Roads, 10 am – 5 pm. Admission: $5; $3 seniors; children under 12, free. Sponsored by the Bonsai Society of Upstate New York.
May 20: Retaining & Freestanding Walls, 6 – 7:30 pm. This class covers the installation of retaining walls up to 6 ft., both gravity and reinforced, including double faced systems for additional functions along with aesthetic value. LAND.
May 21: Native Wildflowers, 6 pm. Part of the Coffee and Dessert Series. Enjoy the beauty of nature’s flowers and consider planting native wildflowers. They will thrive in our area and will not compete with our natural habitat. Plus coffee, tea and dessert. $10. CCE/GC
May 21: Clay Pot Creations, 7 - 8:30 pm. Floral designer and artist Alana Miller will demonstrate how to dress up those old and new pots with paint and some embellishments to create cute projects including a plantable garden-pot man, candleholders, and a large tower centerpiece for flowers, fruit or plants. Free with new or renewed membership. Registration required. RCGC
• May 22: Plants Used by Native Americans, 7 – 8:30 pm. At about the age of 13, Master Gardener Sandra Bierbrauer’s interest in herbs and medicinal plants was lit by her next-door neighbor when she introduced Sandra to celandine, Chelidonium major, a treatment for warts on her hand. Indeed, the yellow juice of bruised celandine stems proved to be curative. Many years later archaeologist friends asked Sandra to assist with interpretation of their finds: charred seeds and wood, as well as living plants, on a NJ Pine Barrens prehistoric site. This task got her into the literature on plants used by various Eastern Native American tribes.Learn about the multiple uses for plants in the Iroquois of NY and the Lenape of NJ Native Americans. $5 per family. CCE/ONT
May 24: Annual Proud Market Plant Sale, 8 am ‘til the plants run out. This is at least the RCGC’s 23rd annual plant sale; no one remembers exactly when it started or what the name means. But it is believed that “Proud Market” refers to the pride with which sellers offer their special plants. A great opportunity to buy all manner of plants, many of them unusual or hard to find, at really great prices. There are several regular vendors—garden clubs and small independent plant specialists—and you can count on some real “finds.” Lots of perennials, shrubs and trees, as well as annuals and vegetables. Go early—plants sell out fast. RCGC.
May 24: Shade Gardening for Butterflies & Hummingbirds, 10 am. Learn to design containers and window boxes to go in shade for butterflies and hummingbirds. Free. WAY
May 25: Dahlia Tuber Sale, Rochester Public Market, 8 am – 1 pm.
May 28: Container Gardening, 6 pm, Kennedy Building, Genesee County Fairgrounds, Route 5, Batavia. This popular hands-on workshop will help participants select from traditional and unusual plant materials to create unique container gardens. Soil, fertilizer and flowers are provided—ust bring a container! $20 (excessively large containers will be charged extra). CCE/GC
May 28: Pondless Waterfall Construction, 6 – 7:30 pm. Want the soothing sound of water without a pond? Learn the basics about installing this feature in your yard including the availability of materials, how to determine flow rate, maintenance, etc. LAND
May 29: Tour Unusual Woody Ornamentals at Holmes Hollow Farm, 6-7:30. If you participated in the 2007 RCGC Summer Garden Tour you know what a uniquely beautiful landscape Andrew Fowler and Barbara Holmes have created around their house in their wooded valley in Victor. Andrew runs a nursery on the property specializing in the more unusual trees and shrubs, and not surprisingly his home landscape is full of woody plants that are unfamiliar and special. The way they are used is also exceptional—the Fowlers have managed to create a landscape that looks mature, innovative and full of surprises, yet somehow almost inevitable, blending perfectly with their white farmhouse and rolling rural setting. In late May many trees and shrubs will be flowering. Members $15, non-members $25. Registration required. RCGC
• May 30: Flower City Kids Picnic and Planting Day, Ontario Beach Park, 10 am – 2 pm. Thousands of Rochester students plant flowers started in the classroom. Sign up by March 14. ROC
May 31 & October 4: Rochester Blossoms, 8 am – 10 am. Thousands of flowers (and bulbs, in the fall) are planted throughout city parks during this huge one-day volunteer effort. Register by May 5 (September 26 for the fall), but call earlier to discuss planting locations. Plants will also be distributed to neighborhood groups planting in city open spaces. ROC
May 31: Intermediate Professional Floral Design Certificate—Bouquets, 9:30 am – 3 pm. For those who have completed the Basic Professional Floral Design program or have floral shop experience. Instructor Alana Miller is a professional floral designer and teacher with over 30 years experience in the industry. Styles covered in this intermediate program will include vegetative, landscape, botanical, Biedermeier, and bouquets. Students will take home all arrangements created during class. Members $125, non-members $225. Registration required. RCGC
May 31: All About Herb Gardening, 10 - 11:30 am. An herb garden is a multifaceted pleasure because herbs are so versatile—use them in crafts, teas, seasonings, soaps, salves and so much more. In this class with Arleen Oliver, Program Director at the historic Buckland House in Brighton, learn how to create an herb garden in whatever space you have available, from your back yard to an apartment patio. You'll leave ready to dig, with garden plans, a list of how-to's for gardening with herbs and instructions on their uses, as well as a seeds for varieties of herbs that Arleen has found especially useful. Class will take place at Buckland House, 1341 Westfall Road, between South Clinton and Winton Roads. Members $20, non-members $30. Registration required. RCGC
June 6 & 7: Plant Sale, 9 – 11 am, Cornell Cooperative Extesnion, 158 Main St., Mt. Morris. Get healthy, beautiful plants—annuals, perennials, vegetables, small trees, shrubs and houseplants—at great prices. Grown by Master Gardeners. 585/658-3250.
June 7: Native Plant Sale, 9 am – 1 pm, Mendon Station Park, located in the Hamlet of Mendon at the corner of Pittsford-Mendon Rd. (Rt. 64) and Rush-Mendon Rd. (Rt.251) behind Cibi’s. The Mendon Foundation is will sponsor this sale offering trees, shrubs, woodland and wildflower plants supplied by Jim Engel of White Oak Nursery and Ellen Folts of Amanda’s Garden, who will also provide expert advice on plant selection and ways to attract songbirds and wildlife to your natural garden landscape. A percentage of the proceeds will benefit the Mendon Foundation. 585/624-3182; ajcluff@aol.com.
• June 7: Tree Planting Event, 9:30 am – noon, with the Community Tree Team. Meet by the baseball fields off Draper St. at the North Street Community Center, 700 North St. This activity is designed to teach environmental stewardship and to assist with scout badges in forestry. Adults and children are invited to mulch and plant trees, learn about tree care, tree identification and the history of the area. Bring a shovel and work gloves. No registration required. ROC
June 7: Blue Flowers, 10 am. With Jenny Stewart, learn more about varieties and uses for this unusual but valuable color in your garden designs. Free. WAY
June 7: Garden Visit, 1- 3 pm, 2009 Stirnie Road, Victor. Take a guided tour through the acreage of Master Gardener Judy Fulmer’s woodland and gardens in Bloomfield. Enjoy the flowering shrubs and learn about using correct plantings in shady, sunny, wet, dry, and pond gardens as well as discussing how to identify many kinds of trees. $5. CCE/ONT
June 7 & 8: LilyFest 2008. The Genesee Valley Pond & Koi Club teams with Bergen Water Gardens to present Ray “Kingfish” Lucas, a spokesperson for various products, which he will discuss, demonstrate and then donate to Sunday’s auction. Along with Lucas, GVPKC members will be on hand to answer questions and make their own contributions to—and purchases at—the auction. 7443 Buffalo Road, Churchville, NY 14428. 585/293-2860; bergenwatergardens.com.
June 8: Iris Show, Sara’s Garden Center, East Ave., Brockport, 1 – 4 pm. This is the Greater Rochester Iris Society’s first accredited show. The public is welcome.
June 10: Trees in Our Neighborhood Walk, 6 – 8 pm, Cobbs Hill neighborhood. Meet at Lake Riley Lodge, Norris Drive, off Culver Rd. ROC
June 10: Create a Silk Bouquet, 7 - 9 pm. Everlasting silk flowers can add a lot of color and texture to our decor. Learn the proper construction and design techniques in this workshop with floral designer Alana Miller, and create your own lovely silk bouquet (with stems) for a special event or decorator piece for your home. Members $29, non-members $39. Registration required. RCGC
June 13 - August 8: Botanical Drawing, 9:30 - 11:30 am. In this eight-class series Deb VerHulst-Norris, a horticulturist with a B.S. in Fine Arts, will teach you to draw plants and flowers in accurate detail. Drawing skills will be developed by closely observing the structure and textures of the plants and flowers. The class will explore the use of graphite pencils, with colored pencil added to give depth and definition to drawings and bring your creations to life. No previous experience needed. Students 16 years and older are welcome. Members $96; non-members $116. Registration required. RCGC
June 14: Perennial Swap, 9 – 11 am, Maplewood Rose Garden, Driving Park Blvd. across from the YMCA. Bring labeled divisions: one to leave and others to trade. ROC
June 14: Advanced Professional Floral Design Certificate – Sympathy Arrangements, 9:30 am - 3 pm. For those who have completed the Intermediate Professional Floral Design program or have floral shop experience. Instructor Alana Miller is a professional floral designer and teacher with over 30 years experience in the industry. Sympathy arrangements continue to be a major part of the floral business. Our focus will be on free-standing easel sprays, large one-sided arrangements for visitation, and altar, religious, and theme wreaths. Students will take home all arrangements created during class. Members $125, non-members $225. Registration required. RCGC
June 14: Visit a Green Oasis—with Green Roof, Living Wall and More, 10-11:30 am. Join Laurie Broccolo at her wonderfully serene property to see a maturing example of a green roof and living wall, and learn all about what is involved in having your own. Green roofs and living walls have been popular in Europe since the 1970s; they are not common yet in the US, but their value is becoming increasingly recognized here. Broccolo Tree and Lawn Care is one of our area’s leaders in green installations, and the first green roof in Monroe County was the garage/art-studio roof installed at founders’ Laurie and Al Broccolo’s Mendon home. The beauty of green roofs and living walls is reason enough to want them, but they also have important environmental benefits, tempering hot weather, noise, and storm water runoff (over 75% of a rain storm can become surface runoff, carrying pollutants into waterways) – not to mention adding habitat for birds and butterflies in otherwise desolate spaces. Members $15, non-members $20. Registration required. RCGC
June 14: 19th Ward Garden Tour, 10 am – 4 pm, o benefit the 19th Ward Community Association. City spaces bring wonders in the hands of creative gardeners. Visit seven intimate gardens found last summer and hand-selected to appeal with fantastic celebrations of color, wildlife, and home-grown edibles. The tour booklet for admission is available at Hunt’s Hardware, Borders Bookstore, Sara’s Garden Center, and Palmiter’s, for $8 or $7 in advance at the 19th Ward Community Association Office, 216 Thurston Rd., Rochester NY 14619. 585/328-6571.
June 14 & 15: Maplewood Rose Weekend, Maplewood Rose Garden, corner Lake and Driving Park Aves. This is a celebration of over 5000 roses and the historic Maplewood neighborhood, including horticulture workshops, tours of the Lower Gorge along the Genesee Riverway Trail, and historic Maplewood homes. 585/428-6770; cityofrochester.gov.
June 16: First Annual Roses & Rosés Event, Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion Historic State Park, 151 Charlotte Street, Canandaigua. Juried wine label contest, evening food-and-wine paring, and more. 585/394-4922; sonnenberg.org.
June 16: Aquatic Plant Maintenance, 6 – 7:30 pm. This class covers placement ofplants, why certain plants are beneficial, proper fertilization, how and when to divide, planting media, over wintering practices and more. LAND
June 18: Advanced Floral Design Workshop—Pavé, 7 - 9 pm. Explore the artistic and colorful detailing created in the pavé style of floral composition, useful in many ways. Pavé is created by precisely placing various floral materials close together – literally “paving” with flowers – creating a flat, textured, painterly effect. All fresh flowers and other materials provided in this advanced workshop with floral designer Alana Miller. Members $34, non-members $44. Registration required. RCGC
June 19: Visit Rochester’s Castle, 6:30 - 8 pm. Celebrate the beginning of summer with tours of elegant Warner Castle and grounds, including the Alling DeForest-designed courtyard and sunken gardens. Enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres and stroll the grounds—the mature flowering trees will be in full bloom and our renovated front gardens are refreshingly different and beautiful. Inside this historic home (built in 1854 by Horatio Gates Warner to resemble his ancestral castle in Scotland) you will find fine marble flooring, unusual French wood-block-print wallpaper from early in the 20th century, and the finest horticultural library in the region. $12; proceeds benefit the RCGC education program. Registration required. RCGC
June 21: Backyard Habitat Garden Tour, sponsored by the Genesee Land Trust, 9 am – 4 pm. This year’s properties include a top-notch habitat garden with a 25-acre meadow for bobolink nesting and a panorama of Penfield green space, plus more Penfield gardens; a city garden tended by a faithful tour attendee who nominated himself and won; Connie Ehindero’s secret oasis and a stately Brighton property with an un-mowed meadow for the snakes plus berries galore. The Southbys return with their ever-evolving garden, and they’ll educate all on how to attract butterflies—and there is much more! Tickets will be available in the spring at all Wegmans and through the Trust office by calling 256-2130. GLT
June 21: Hosta, Hosta! An all-day event, featuring lectures and workshops, with Mike Shadrack, author of The Color Encyclopedia of Hosta and most recently, The Timber Pres Pocket Guide to Hosta. At 10 am, Mike will present “Hosta—The Flowering Foliage Plant,” covering all aspects of hosta growing, its origins, cultivation tips, breeding, pest control and information on hot new varieties. From noon – 1 pm, he’ll be in Wayside’s retail hosta collection, giving out advice, growing tips and recommendations. Members of the Genesee Valley Hosta Society and the American Hosta Society will also be on hand to help. At 2 pm, Mike will present “Little Treasures—An Introduction to Mini Hostas.” He will also have copies of both of his books on hand and will be available to sign them. There is a $5 registration fee. WAY
June 21: Plan Now For Late-Summer Color, 2:30-4 pm. It is by no means too late to fill in those bare spots or add color where the spring-bloomers have finished. Join Arleen Oliver, program director at historic Buckland House, for a discussion of the many beautiful, low-maintenance plants you can put in your garden now for late summer bloom. Members $15, non-members $20. Registration required. RCGC
June 23: Eclectic Beauty in the 19th Ward, 6:30 – 8 pm. Marcy Klein and Rick Schaeffer have created something really unique on their city lot. This garden is lovely on so many levels it takes time to absorb, yet radiates peace. Rick has crafted winding stone walls that are fascinating in themselves, containing numerous subtle touches such as fragments of historic buildings and geological specimens from around the world. Marcy has masterfully designed colorful and soothing gardens that sit on top of the walls, up closer than normal to eye level. The garden is complex, the craftsmanship mind-boggling, yet it adds up to a very serene and beautiful whole. Members $15, non-members $20. Registration required. RCGC
June 24: Useful and Beautiful Groundcovers, 6:30 – 8:30. Groundcovers can be a very attractive element in your landscape design, with interesting foliage, flowers and a low profile. And these hard-working (and underutilized) beauties can also serve to keep down the weeds between and under your trees, shrubs and perennials. Join Master Gardener coordinator for Cornell Cooperative Extension Karen Klingenberger in her Greece garden, where she will show you the many different groundcovers that she uses to her advantage, and will also discuss current Cornell research on the best groundcovers for weed suppression combined with good habit. Members $15, non-members $20. Registration required. RCGC
June 26: Container Water Gardens, 6:30 – 7:30 pm. Have you always loved the thought of a water garden, but your space is limited, or it seemed like too involved a project? Do you have trouble keeping up with the watering of your patio containers? Try a container water garden. They couldn’t be easier—they only need to be watered once in a while and cost a whole lot less than a pond. Come to Bristol’s Garden Center for this informational evening on all about container water gardening—from plants to appropriate containers to planting and care. If you would like to create one of your own, there will be time and help afterward for putting one together. Bring your own container, or buy it there. Free with new or renewed membership. Registration required. RCGC
June 27 & 28: Butterfly Weekend. Visit the butterfly and hummingbird display garden and feed the butterflies by hand. Learn about Butterfly projects in the Rochester area with Ryan Lorson of the Seneca Park Zoo. WAY
June 28 & 29: Fairy Gardens—Create a Miniature Landscape, 2 pm. Find out how to use plants with fine textures and tiny leaves to create a miniature landscape, otherwise known as a "Fairy Garden" in a container. Get inspired to create the perfect tiny garden complete with tiny paths, a picket fence, or whatever you dream up. You are only limited by your own imagination. WAY
June 29: Daylily Open House, at the garden of Charlie Zettek, 1 Hillside Avenue, Rochester, 1 - 5 pm. 585/461-3317.
June 30: In a Rose Garden, 6:30 – 8 pm. Join Rochester’s premier rosarian Gene Noto in his Greece garden, where he cultivates over 350 rose bushes, including examples from all the different classifications of roses – hybrid teas to climbers to miniatures and much more. Gene will discuss the various aspects of rose cultivation: planting, soil, fertilizing, diseases, winterizing, etc. More importantly, he will illustrate, using examples in the garden, how to understand the different personalities that each type of rose exhibits, and how to choose the best for your site and purpose. Members $15, non-members $20. Registration required. RCGC
July 1: Trees in Our Neighborhood Walk, 6 – 8 pm, St. Paul Quarter. Meet in the former Chamber of Commerce building parking lot, 55 St. Paul St., and explore the history of romantic St. Paul Quarter and visit one of the city’s newest galleries. Linger and enjoy dinner and drinks. ROC
July 8: Butterfly Walk, Ganargua Creek Meadow Preserve, Macedon, 10 am – noon. Carol Southby, President of the Rochester Butterfly Club, will lead this walk through a meadow of butterflies at along the creek. Directions: From Rt. 31 in Macedon, turn south onto Route 306 (Wayneport Road). Turn east onto Wilkinson Road. At the crest of the hill, turn south onto Bunker Hill Drive. Park at the end of Bunker Hill. Binoculars and boots are recommended! GLT
July 9: From Your Own Garden – Arrangement Workshop, 7 – 9 pm. Bring a shopping bag of your favorite home-grown fresh flowers and herbs, along with a florist knife or scissors, for this workshop with floral designer Alana Miller. Members $22, non-members $32. Registration required. RCGC
July 10: Tour Webster’s “Secret” Arboretum, 6:30 – 8 pm. Floral designer and Webster resident Alana Miller has been an active member of the arboretum for many years, and has seen her local park evolve into a real horticultural and recreational treasure. Join Alana for a walking tour of this little-known gem, a 32-acre arboretum in the 82-acre Kent Park. The numerous gardens here include a Children’s Garden (featuring a maze), the formal Rose and Antique Roses Gardens, Herb Garden, Healing Garden, Rotary Memorial Garden, a Daylily collection, and a Japanese-style conifer garden with huge boulders, designed by Dennis Burns to emulate mountain terrain and frame a gazebo. And more, including five formal gardens each designed and maintained by one of the five Webster garden clubs, a pond, and miles of walking trails. Free with new or renewed membership. Registration required. RCGC
July 12: Exploring Gosnell Big Woods Preserve, 8:30 – 11 am. Don and Donna Traver will lead a nature walk into the Big Woods. With ancient hemlocks, stately oaks and maples, Big Woods is a premier stand of old growth woods and is now protected in partnership with the Town of Webster. Boots and binoculars are recommended. Meet at the intersection of Vosburg and Drumm Roads in Webster. Reservations required by calling 585/256-2130. GLT
July 12: Hot Weather Gardening Tips, 10 am. Don’t make your midsummer night’s dream a nightmare by worrying over your plantings. Proper care and management during hot weather can prevent damage or loss of trees, shrubs, and flowers as well as fruit and vegetable crops. With Roger VanNostrand. Free. WAY
July 12: RCGC Summer Garden Tour—Gardens on the East Side, 10 am – 4pm. Join us for a day of exploring special gardens on Rochester’s east side – both large and small properties that will inspire you no matter what the size of your own garden. Every landscape expresses the owner’s unique style and expertise—a reminder of the infinite possibilities that exist in a garden no matter what our resources may be. Thoughtful structural design, distinctive architectural features, alpines, textural tapestries and abundant color contrasts are just a few of the highlights in store. Advance sale: $15 members, $20 non-members; day of tour all tickets $20. Available by phone at 585/473-5130, fax at 585/473-8136, www.rcgc.org, and at Wegmans (all tickets at Wegman’s $20). RCGC
July 15: Trees in Our Neighborhood Walk, 6 – 8 pm, Maplewood neighborhood. Meet at the parking lot of the Rose Garden, on Driving Park Ave. at Lake Ave. (across from the YMCA). Features river views of waterfalls and historical park structures. ROC
July 15: Peace and Tranquility in an Asian-Styled Garden, 6 – 7:30 pm. Gather in Don and Mary Monefeldt’s Webster garden for drinks and dessert and an opportunity to experience the peacefulness of this really special place, SEI-EN (“serene or tranquil garden”) with Don as our guide. This substantial Asian-influenced garden is the result of Dennis Burns's creative design, choice plant materials from Oriental Garden Supply, and the owners’ preference for a large selection of less common conifers and Japanese maples, many of which are considered specimens. Asian gardens have evolved over time, and SEI-EN reflects the early design concepts integrating landscape and spirituality to express a universal harmony. The asymmetrical patterns of plant materials, paths, stones and water provide the impression that the garden is largely an outcome of Nature with little or no human intervention. A common response of visitors to SEI-EN is that it enables the person to abandon the hustle of the temporal world and connect with the timeless qualities of silence, reflection and inner peace. $12; proceeds benefit the RCGC education program. Registration required. RCGC
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May 3 & 4: African Violet Show & Sale, “Violets on Stage,” Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 East Mud Lake Rd., Baldwinsville, Saturday 1 pm – 6 pm, Sunday 10 am – 4:30 pm. $2. Presented by the African Violet Society of Syracuse.
May 17: Pollinator-Friendly Plant Sale, Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. Special selection of perennials and herbs with markers in those plants that are particularly attractive to various pollinators. Also info provided on best gardening practices to help the pollinators. And— new this year—used gardening items for bargain hunters. 315/673-1350; takeahike.org.
May 17: Meeting, Bonsai Club of CNY, 1 pm. Open workshop—bring your own tree—with Ted Matson, distinguished artist from California. $35. Send your remittance to Patti Stein, 8101 Lobos Lane, Liverpool, NY 13090. If you must cancel, you will receive a refund if a replacement is available. 315/461-9226
May 26: Garden Design & Plant Selection Made Easy, Pippi’s Perennials, 6 pm. 315/656-0842; hilleges@twcny.rr.com.
June 1 & 2: Garden Inspiration, Mirror Lake Inn & Resort, Lake Placid. Sunday afternoon comprises private garden tours; Monday from 9 am – 3 pm includes four lectures and lunch. Steve Silk will deliver “Garden Photography: Seeing the Picture” and “Quest for Color.” Kerry Mendez, the event’s organizer, will present “Three Seasons of Color—Hit the Easy Button” and “Seven Months of Color for Less than Full Sun Gardens.” Overnight packages and limited Monday-only passes available. Registration required: 518/885-3471; pyours.com/gardenclasses.html.
June 8: Spring Open House, Pippi’s Perennials, 10 am – 4 pm. Display gardens, refreshments, discounts. 315/656-0842; hilleges@twcny.rr.com.
June 18: Rose Day, noon – 3 pm, E.M.Mills Memorial Rose Garden, Thornden Park, Syracuse. Presented by the Syracuse Rose Society. 315/457-4351.
June 22: Rose Show, Carousel Mall Shopping Center, presented by the Syracuse Rose Society. 315/676-4850; mrprianti@aol.com
June 23: Selection & Care of Hardy Water Plants, Pippi’s Perennials, 6 pm. Display gardens, refreshments, discounts. 315/656-0842; hilleges@twcny.rr.com.
• June 28 & 29: Lavender Festival, Ol’factory Farms, 12973 Upton Rd. Red Creek. Check out craft vendors, informational speakers, the “soap shoppe,” the tea room, hands on workshops, plant sales, food and more. Pick your own lavender. $3; free for kids 12 and under.
Send your calendar listings to or fax to 585/538-9521.
June 28: Oneida County Herb & Flower Festival, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, Parker Scripture Botanical Gardens, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County, 121 Second St., Oriskany. This year’s keynote speaker, Richard Hawks of SUNY ESF, will cover “The Elements of the Landscape.” There will be numerous other classes, vendors, gardens to tour, etc., $3 suggested donation. 315/736-3394.
Send your calendar listings to or fax to 585/538-9521.