Hi Kt,

We posted about Mass Hort one minute apart! I've just read thru the shocking stories about the ex-director, Bob Feige -- he sounds like a typical con man. Too bad he got affiliated with the Hort. Those books that were sold for $5 Million -- where did that cash go? Truly sickening.

Hi Debra,
Great minds think alike! When you mentioned having read further in regards to Bob Feiges career I googled him and came up with this scathing article written by Steve Bailey of the "Boston Globe. " I particularly loved this quote If Mass. Hort should find itself again soon in search of a new leader, there are a few basic questions it should put to any candidate. For instance: Are you a gardener? Flowers or veggies? Have you ever been arrested? How many times? And why? Does it seem like bad timing for Mass Hort to be hosting a free wine and cheese soiree with Adrian Bloom? kt

KT, I'm glad that my Dad is not alive to witness this debacle as he was so proud of Mass. Horticultural Society, both as editor of Horticulture magazine and in charge of the spring flower show for many years. Growing up I spent happy hours (under careful supervision) paging through beautiful old books from all over the world in that Library.

I had considered giving all Dad's papers to the Library and then decided to retain them. It was a lucky decision! Everyday I tell myself that I should begin sharing excerpts from his writings and research. Some interesting stories there that should be of interest to some. Guess I will work them into this Forum with titles that the search engines will pick up on for those researching specific subjects.

I have been wondering why this subject has not come up on the forum long before this. The problems at Mass Hort are of long standing. What a shame there was no investigative reporting years ago.

If you only knew how much money has been donated to Mass Hort since its founding in 1827 and how it was once the leading horticultural institution in this country. This is a true tragedy and I don't know what the answer is. But I'd like to see the attorney general checking into matters dating from long before the present director--who of course should never have been hired with his history.

Nandina,
Everyday I tell myself that I should begin sharing excerpts from his writings and research. Some interesting stories there that should be of interest to some. Guess I will work them into this Forum with titles that the search engines will pick up on for those researching specific subjects.
What a great idea I know the forum would be appreciative and interested in what ever you chose to post of your fathers work. I certainly understand how overwhelming that task might be for you.
ginny,
How long do you thing things at Mass Hort have been going down hill?

Instead of using the expression "going downhill", I'd say "financial problems made worse by poor--even questionable--leadership". And that's at least fifteen years, probably longer. However, during those fifteen years, lots of great things have been going on, thanks to volunteers and some dedicated staff.

The sale of the books some years ago was a big red flag. Many people were angry; many were wringing their hands in frustration. Unfortunately, nobody with financial acumen and business experience stepped forward to see what was going on at Mass Hort. And the state never took a look at things. Which has brought us to the present disaster.

Imagine this happening at the Museum of Fine Arts or the Symphony. It's hard to imagine the local powers-that-be letting this happen at either of those places. The Massachusetts Horticultural Society is a cultural institution in New England of equal rank, IMHO, and much older than either of the others. But it has been decades since it attracted the time and attention of those who could have prevented this.

Having said this, I still wish New England gardeners would get to Elm Bank and take advantage of what is there.

Imagine this happening at the Museum of Fine Arts or the Symphony. It's hard to imagine the local powers-that-be letting this happen at either of those places. The Massachusetts Horticultural Society is a cultural institution in New England of equal rank, IMHO, and much older than either of the others.
Great point Ginny, I mentioned what has happend to a few non-gardening friends and none of them had even heard about it.

>Unfortunately, nobody with financial acumen and business experience stepped forward to see what was going on at Mass Hort. And the state never took a look at things.

I have no clue what sort of oversight by the state would be appropriate for a private institution like MassHort - or for the MFA or the BSO, for that matter. I work at a fairly large private non-profit organization, and most of our governmental oversight stems from the fact that almost all of our funding is from the feds. Not the case with MassHort, unless I'm mistaken - but I freely admit ignorance about their entire business structure.

I'm not a lawyer, dtd, but there are many laws that affect private organizations in one way or another.

Maybe we should plan a NE forum volunteer day at Elm Bank. We could spend a half day weeding (or otherwise working) in one of the gardens there, and have a pot luck lunch.

Some Saturday next spring?

Went off to the Mass Hort cocktail party (hey they were offering free wine) which was celebrating the first year anniversary of the installation of the magnificent Bressingham Garden. This was the first time I have ever had the opportunity to visit the Elm Bank Reservation in Wellesley, and I must tell you I was impressed with the societies head quarters. Didnt have a chance to poke around the library (probably would have never left) but we did enjoy the Italianate Garden with its massive fountain and sculpture that dtd thought would work wonderfully in her garden. I snapped a few photos of the twig tower standing tall in Weezies garden for children, with the intent of showing it to Joe and letting him know thats what I want for my birthday (I think hed be getting off easycouple of twigsa few nails). The New England Trial Garden was loaded with a wide variety of annuals some of which I had never seen before. The Bressingham garden an impressive 1 acre perennial display garden was dotted with volunteers weeding and fussing over the garden. We spoke briefly to "Paul Miskovsky" about conifers and surrounding companion plants.
Wine and cheese were served inside the old mansion which had under gone a partial clean up as it was recently used as a movie set (the name of the film I have forgotten). Members of the society spoke first and mentioned the recent press they had gotten regarding their financial difficulties. They did say that they have been working with many outside individuals including the State Attorney General to hopefully turn things around. In the mean time they were still looking for both financial and volunteer support from the New England community. Adrian Bloom then spoke about having gotten together the previous day with some New England horticultural icons the likes of Paul Tukey and Wayne Mezitt of Weston Nursery (others as well but right about then I was feeling the effects of the wine so the other names escape me), and they all brainstormed about what might be done to help Mass Hort at this time. Bloom concluded that support of the necessary volunteers was likely the most beneficial way of offering assistance.
We then all went outdoors to walk through the Bressingham Garden where Arian Bloom climbed up on a rock and as the sun was going down spoke about the garden and answered questions. Ill share my thoughts about what he had to say on the "Conquering Conifers" thread as soon as I have a chance, but right now after having seen photos of thyme2digs knoll and the Bressingham garden I feel inspired to get out and attack my berm/garbage pile project now rather than waiting until next spring. Wish me luck I am a little worried that Joe may come home and find me tied to a tree by a revolting bittersweet vine.
I am curious have you ever visited or taken a class at Elm Bank? Are you or were you ever a volunteer? Would you as dtd suggested join a group of GWs for a volunteer day next spring?

So wish I could have gone! Waaa. Glad you saw Weezie's Garden too. Isn't it really wonderful?
Yes -- I have taken a class at Elm Bank. Yes, I have volunteered for Mass Hort (tho at the Green Way, not at Elm Bank), and Yes, I loved dtd's suggestion of a GW volunteer day at Elm Bank next spring. Sign me up!
ML

Last time I saw Weezie's garden it was new, and it was a cold day in early spring, so I was underwhelmed by it. It was great to get back to MaaHort and see it "for real." (I'm also hoping Joe can give Chris some pointers on building a twig structure, when he finishes building one for Katy.)

Aside from the tower, there were some great topiary animals and other whimsical touches. Although it's a children's garden, it had a lot of appeal to this totally grown up gardener.

The Bressingham garden, although only a year old, is really interesting, maybe even inspiring. While there have been some serious setbacks, including the loss of a very large old tree that was providing shade to a large part of the garden, you can clearly see how the use of long drifts of a single plant, the irregular repetition of certain plants throughout the major sections of the garden, and the use of plants for different seasons of bloom will all work. For example, there was far more space devoted to lambs ears than I'd ever be able to tolerate, but the overall effect of this mass planting, running back into the central part of one of the beds, rather than along the edge, was remarkable.

I was surprised to see a mass of hellebores next to a collection of heath; both bloom in winter but their needs are very different, vis soil type and exposure. The missing tree might have had something to do with this, I'm not sure; but there were other examples of Bloom flouting the 'rules' about siting plants with similar needs together. The contrast between the leathery, glossy hellebore foliage and the wispy fine erica foliage was pretty cool, anyway.

Kt - Thanks for posting your report -- great 'insider' details of the situation! Definitely more volunteers would help. Blithewold in Bristol, RI has different groups of volunteers to keep up the gardens. One group called the 'Deadheads' just goes around (and you guessed it --- keeping the flower beds free of spent blossums, etc.). Blithewold was in a similar situation a few years ago of having gardens to restore and prevent the mansion/gardens from being sold to a developer. Luckily it had a happy ending and now the volunteers are a big part of its success.