December 2022 Newsletter

Engage | Learn | Plant | Garden | Research

Engage: With the FWBG | BRIT Community

Garden: What's in Bloom

Look to Cabbage for Winter Color—and a Touch of Horticultural Magic

November 29, 2022

In stories of wizards and witches, transfiguration is described as the magic of turning one object into another. With the wave of a wand, a magician can turn a teacup into a hedgehog, a rabbit into a hat, or a human into a cat. Here in the real world, transfiguration remains impossible—mostly. One plant species seems to have the magical ability to transform into a bewildering variety of forms and shapes. You may have enjoyed one of these forms for dinner last night. You may be growing another in your flowerbeds. Brassica oleracea isn’t magic, but it may be as close as we muggles can get.

Craft a Unique Gift at Upcoming Botanical Jewelry Class

November 30, 2022

The beauty of nature is extraordinary—but temporary. Botanical jewelry offers a chance to preserve the beauty of nature forever. A golden leaf or blooming flower can be crafted into pendants or earrings that can be worn and treasured for a lifetime. You can learn how to make your own botanical jewelry at a Dec. 10 workshop by nature artist Becky Nelson. At the end of the class, you’ll have a unique piece to give as a gift or wear yourself as well as the skills to explore this craft at home.

Share the Joy of Reading and Nature with These Recommended Books

December 5, 2022

Members of the Garden’s education team love nature, love books and love books about nature. Winter is a great time to snuggle down with your kids and a great story–and to look for gifts for the young readers and soon-to-be-readers in your life. We asked our educators for recommendations of new or favorite children’s books, and here’s what they suggested:

FWBG Experts and Volunteers Digitize Records of Renowned Botanist in Cutting-Edge Project

December 5, 2022

Botanist Sherwin Carlquist (1930-2021) was a legend in his field, a prolific researcher who made major contributions to plant systematics, plant anatomy, island biology and wood anatomy. He traveled the world collecting plant specimens, photographing plants in the field and collecting data about ecosystems. Hard work by our experts and volunteers means scientists interested in studying Carlquist’s work will soon have a new type of digital resource giving them unprecedented context for his findings: an extended specimen network. Assuming, that is, that they can decipher Carlquist’s handwriting.

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