Holiday horticultural events & classes

Wakefield Estate, Milton: Annual Holiday Decorations & Tablescapes Demonstration Nov 19, 7pm - 8:30pm. Lisa Ahern of Cedar Grove Gardens will include ideas about incorporating candles and other lighting in your decorations. Price for the workshop, which includes refreshments, is $20 per person; two can register for $30. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, call 617-333-0924. If you are interested in participating in spring bulb planting, fall-clean-up and school programs, please call 617-333-0924 or email Erica Max.

Festival of Trees at Elm Bank from November 21 through December 4: Decorated holiday trees are donated by the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts. They've enlisted Gloria Freitas-Steidinger, whose long list of credentials includes a stint as coordinator of holiday decorations for the White House during the Clinton administration, to recreate one of the sumptuous trees she designed there.The event's preview party on Friday, November 20 will have wine, spirits and hors d'oeuvres from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. To reserve a spot, order the $25 tickets online or call 617-933-4995.
MassHort to Offer Free Flower Show Tickets for Members

Festive Food and Affordable Gifts Dec. 5-6, Berkshire Botanical Garden, Early Buying Cocktail Party Friday, December 4: 19th Annual Holiday Fair and Gallery of Wreaths, to benefit the Berkshire Botanical Garden, Routes 102 &183 in Stockbridge. "All the holiday decorations on sale are made by friends of the Garden and donated to help support the many events and educational classes offered at the Garden throughout the year, " says Holiday Fair Chairperson and Garden Trustee, Janet Laudenslager. Visit www.berkshirebotanical.org for more information. Early Buying and Cocktail Party, Friday, December 4, 5 – 8pm.

Berkshire Botanical Garden Hosts
Free Holiday Wreath Making / Craft Workshop
Festive, Fun and Fundraising
November 23-24 Boxwood Trees
November 30, December 1 & 2 Fresh Greens, Wreaths, Kissing Balls & Swags
Finished work is donated to the Garden's upcoming special Holiday Fair Sale December 4-6.
Workshop takes place:
November 23-24 making Boxwood Trees, and November 30, December 1& 2- Fresh Greens Workshops learning to make wreaths, swags, kissing balls. Workshops take place from 10 am- 3 pm at the Berkshire botanical Garden’s Exhibition Hall. Refreshments will be available, and attendees are invited to bring a bag lunch if staying for the day. Please contact the Berkshire Botanical Garden 413-298-3926 or visit www.berkshirebotanical.org for details and directions.

NEWFS - Thursday, December 10, 3:30-5:30 p.m.:Holiday Nature Crafts at Garden in the Woods, Framingham, MA. Using the "gifts" found in nature, create gifts for friends and families for the holidays. Instructor Bonnie Drexler teaches many crafts, including how to string seed pods and cranberries to make chains for a tree or to feed the birds. Set up a natural print shop to make wrapping paper, gift tags, and greeting cards. Pot up a topiary wreath that will continue growing for years. With a variety of materials from the woods, make special gifts for special people, and at the same time learn about plant conservation. For Grades 1-4. Fee: $14 (Member) / $16 (Nonmember). Pre-registration is necessary, contact the registrar at 508-877-7630, ext. 3303.

To see recent past gardenblog entries, including an almanac of what to do in the garden each week, visit www.boston.com/gardenblog.