1-66 Newbury St.

The Armenian Heritage Park on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway extends a special invitation to Celebrate Public Art! during ArtWeek Boston on Saturday, May 5, 2018.

Susan Kapuscinski Gaylord’s Spirit Books will be displayed in the Arnold Arboretum’s Hunnewell Building’s Visitor Center May 4 – July 22. These art books reveal Gaylord’s connection between the inherent spirituality and mystery of nature with the long-standing tradition of books as testaments of faith and belief. She gathers twigs, branches, vines, and roots, then uses them to cradle her stitched, wordless books. Incorporating beads and seeds with handmade papers from around the world, she constructs sculptural altars; the supports of natural materials as integral to the art as the beautiful books they cradle. From a distance, these books do evoke sculptures; however, their essential “bookness” becomes apparent upon closer observation. Gaylord encourages “reading” the books as a contemplative experience, one that will take the viewer out of the everyday world. Gaylord is best known for her Spirit Books. Since she created her first one in 1992 and coined the name, the Spirit Books have been exhibited throughout the US, Canada, and in Korea. She has exhibited at the Center for Book Arts in New York City, the University of Indiana Art Gallery, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, and the Seungnam Book Fair in Seungnam, Korea. Spirit Books are in the book arts collections at Bowdoin College and the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton county, and many private collections. They are also well-represented in print.

The High Line in Manhattan was born of a city that is constantly reinventing itself. Built on a mile-and-a-half long elevated railroad, this dynamic landscape was inspired by the tenacity of plants in its industrial setting, and it uses a matrix of perennial and woody plants to evoke a natural landscape. Wildly successful and overwhelmingly popular, caring for this garden in the sky poses unique challenges. Andi will describe how her team uses traditional and innovative horticultural techniques, how they work to promote the park’s biodiversity and wildlife habitat, and how they foster an emotional connection to nature in this challenging urban environment.

There’s an increasing interest among homeowners, property managers, and others in utilizing more native species in their landscaping to attract and sustain beneficial insects and pollinators as well as to provide food and shelter for birds and other animals. Yet, for some people, these reasons alone may be insufficient motivation to “go native.” Perhaps knowing that many native species can be eaten by people will provide the additional incentive you need to add native species to your yard. Join Russ Cohen on Wednesday, April 25 at 7 pm at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield, Massachusetts for a 90-minute slide show featuring at least two dozen species of native edible wild plants suitable for your own landscape, or for nibbling as you encounter them in other locales. Russ will supply helpful handouts and bring along samples of goodies made from foraged edible native species for participants to taste. Cosponsored by New England Wild Life Society and the Massachusetts Audubon Society, the lecture is $20 for members of sponsoring organizations, $24 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/nibbling-on-natives-in-your-backyard-and-beyond

True West by Sam Shepard. Directed by Daniel Bourque. Staged by the Hub Theatre Company of Boston at First Church Boston, 66 Marlborough Street, Boston, MA, through April 26. Bob Mussett and Victor Shopov in the Hub Theatre Company production of “True West.” Photo: Hub Theatre Company.

Dr. Robert Bertin, Anthony and Renee Marlon Professor in the Sciences, Biology Department, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, will speak to the New England Botanical Club on Friday May 4 at 6:45 pm on Patterns and Changes in the Flora of Franklin County, Massachusetts. In a departure from the usual venue, the meeting will take place at Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Street, Framingham. For complete information visit http://rhodora.org.

Discover numerous native perennials suitable for New England gardens in this four session New England Wild Flower Society course on Mondays, April 23, May 7, May 21, and June 4 from 1 – 3:30 at Garden in the Woods, taught by Leslie Duthie. We’ll look at native herbaceous plants that bloom in spring and early summer, focusing on their characteristics and environmental preferences as well as their uses in landscapes and gardens. Be prepared to walk in the Garden each day. This class is appropriate for landscape professionals and avid home gardeners. It is a companion to Native Herbaceous Plant Materials: Late Season, but can be taken separately. NEWFS members $154, nonmembers $182. Register online at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/native-herbaceous-plant-materials-early-season

Rowan Jacobsen, author and Knight Science Journalism Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will speak in the Geological Lecture Hall of the Harvard Museum of Natural History on Thursday, May 3 at 6 pm on Apples: A New England History.

Join botanical artist Helen Byers in this two-day workshop at Tower Hill Botanic Garden on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 24 and 25 from 10 – 4, to draw and/or paint anemones, daffodils, early tulips, or another spring blossom of your choice. Helen’s demos and personalized instruction will cover step-by-step processes of detailed botanical art techniques using graphite in combination with watercolor. (Returning students may substitute colored pencil for graphite, if they wish.) To see examples of Helen’s work and slideshows from her courses, go to http://helenbyers.com

The flavor and fragrance of fresh herbs dress up even the simplest meals. Herb plants are beautiful and useful additions to the home landscape. This Tower Hill Botanic Garden workshop on Sunday, April 22 from 1 – 4 will focus on ten common culinary herbs: basil, dill, parsley, oregano, chives, sage, savory, mint, garlic and rosemary. Skills taught will include growing herbs from seeds, transplants, division and cuttings; overwintering rosemary indoors, and tips for preserving herbs. Participants will take home a seed flat of assorted basil varieties.

The Middlesex Conservation District will hold its annual Spring Plant Sale on Friday 4/27 (3-6pm) and Saturday 4/28 (8am-noon) at Kimball Farm, 400 Littleton Rd, Westford, MA. The sale includes tree/shrub seedlings, perennials, fruits, groundcovers and garden supplies. All sale proceeds benefit our environmental programs, protecting soils and waters in Middlesex County. Free admission. Visit http://www.middlesexconservation.org for more information.

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Annual meeting of representatives from national plant societies to share strategies for growth and communication. This year the meeting on May 16 and 17 is hosted by Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Please join the Coalition of American Horticultural Societies’ Facebook group for more information.

Tower Hill’s field of over 25,000 daffodils is a must see for anyone eager to bridge the gap from winter to summer. Discover the inspiration these flowers provide by sketching, writing poetry, or taking photos for our contest. Children will love the daffodil parade, sing-along, and story walk. Enjoy fun activities throughout the day and learn about the enormous diversity of daffodil types and the best ways to grow them at home. Daffodil Day takes place this year on Saturday, April 21 from 10 – 4, and is free with admission to the Garden, located at 11 French Drive in Boylston. We hope the cold spring doesn’t delay the bloom, but the day will happen rain or shine. For more information visit http://towerhillbg.org.

On Saturday, April 28, from 9:30 – 11 at Hollister House Garden in Washington, Connecticut, learn how to create a landscape for your table that goes far beyond the usual cut flower arrangement. Well know designer and artist Chris Zaima will demonstrate the art of using miniature potted plants and succulents to make unique, sophisticated centerpieces. Following his talk and demonstration Chris will work with participants to create table landscapes to take home. Please bring your own container, suitable for a table centerpiece. All other materials will be provided. HHG Members $75; Non-Members $85. Register online at https://hollisterhousegarden.org/events/creating-landscape-table/

The New England Dahlia Society’s expert growers return to Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive in Boylston, on Sunday, April 15 from 10 – 4 to sell tubers and answer all of your dahlia questions. Learn how to plant dahlias, watch them grow over the summer, and bring your blooms back to Tower Hill for the annual Dahlia Show, September 29-30. Free with admission to the Garden. For more information visit http://towerhillbg.org.