Boston Flora

  • Thursday, July 30, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern – From Columns to Clicks

    Join the Garden Conservancy on July 30 at 2 pm for a virtual roundtable exploring the evolving state of garden media. Our distinguished panelists and moderator will examine the forces shaping today’s information ecosystem and share practical guidance on finding trusted, useful, and inspiring resources for your gardening questions.

    Where can gardeners turn for reliable news and information today? What seems like a simple question has anything but a simple answer. Gardeners are more information-hungry than ever as our aesthetic sensibilities broaden, and the sources we rely on continually shift and evolve. Our questions, often driven by climate and ecology, are increasingly specific to region and context, even as many local newspapers retire longtime garden columns or disappear altogether. At the same time, other legacy media are adapting and even thriving with new niche magazines and an expanding roster of gardening titles from major book publishers. Then there’s digital sleuthing! AI-enhanced search results appear wonderfully authoritative but have been shown to hallucinate answers. And online plant databases (though invaluable) can be unwieldy, opaque, or intimidating. Blogs may be waning in popularity as Substack and social media rise, but the explosion of voices makes it harder than ever to distinguish sound advice from sponsored content. In short, garden media has reached an inflection point—and it’s time to take stock. $5 for Conservancy members, $15 for non-members. Register at https://www.gardenconservancy.org/events/web26-from-columns-to-clicks

    Moderator MARGARET ROACH is a longtime garden writer—first for Newsday newspaper, then for Martha Stewart Living (where she became the company’s EVP/Editorial Director) and the last six growing seasons for The New York Times. She also creates a website, podcast, and weekly newsletter called “A Way to Garden,” the title of her 1989 book that was reissued in 2019 in an all-new edition. Margaret has written several other books, including in 2013 The Backyard Parables. Her public-radio podcast, called A Way to Garden, is in its sixteenth year.

    Panelists include:

    KEVIN CLIFF (aka @theplantpapi)

    ROCHELLE GREAYER

    REBECCA McMACKIN

    STEPHEN ORR

    You will receive the webinar link directly from Zoom. A recording of this webinar will be sent to all registrants a few days after the event. We encourage you to register, even if you cannot attend the live webinar.

  • Thursday, July 30, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Sunset Social

    Join Charles River Watershed Association’s Young Professionals Board for a beautiful evening at Night Shift Brewing’s Lovejoy Wharf on the Boston Harbor to celebrate and support Charles River Watershed Association’s ongoing work to deliver a clean, resilient Charles River for all. The event takes place Thursday, July 30, from 6 – 9.

    Join fellow young professionals, river enthusiasts, and environmental advocates to mingle, enjoy some brews and views, and learn more about CRWA’s work to restore the Charles River and its watershed.

    Tickets are sliding scale, starting at $35. Save your spot today! Visit https://www.crwa.org/events/sunsetsocial to register.

  • Sunday, July 26, 11:00 am – 1:30 pm – Summer Salads

    Join farmer, chef and educator Tracy Hayhurst for this farm-to-table event on Sundays July 26, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Each week through September 20, participants will harvest from the BBG vegetable garden, then head into the kitchen with Hayhurst to make a multiple-course meal. On July 26, going way beyond lettuce, we’ll harvest veggies from the garden to create salads that can be served as stand-out appetizers or sides or take center stage as hearty main courses.

    Tracy Hayhurst began her culinary training in the late 1990s, attending Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland. In 2002, she co-founded Chubby Bunny Farm in Falls Village, Conn. In 2015, she returned to the kitchen in her dual role as chef and community outreach director at Plantin’ Seeds, connecting farmers and the community through meals that highlighted the best of the season. Her passion for sharing both farming and cooking has led her to Husky Meadows Farm, first as farm manager and now as culinary director for Husky Meadows’ Seed and Spoon Culinary Farm Stay programming. Sign up for the whole series (https://www.berkshirebotanical.org/farm-table-lunch-series-tracy-hayhurst) or for the individual session at https://www.berkshirebotanical.org/farm-table-lunch-series-tracy-hayhurst-july-26 (members $90, nonmembers $110). Image below from Carlsbad Cravings – https://carlsbadcravings.com/garden-salad/

  • Saturdays, July 25 and August 29, 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm – Native Herbaceous Plant Materials: Late Season

    Over the course of mid- to late summer, The Native Plant Trust will examine a wide variety of native plants for gardens and discuss each plant’s cultural and habitat needs as well as its importance to wildlife. We will address and provide tips for growing 80 species. You will learn to identify native plants in the New England gardening palette, become familiar with each plant’s appropriate use, and study each plant’s role in the ecosystem in terms of attracting pollinators and other wildlife. The classes, with Ellen Sousa, will be held July 25 and August 29 at Garden in the Woods from 1:00 – 3:30 pm. $125. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/native-herbaceous-plant-materials-late-season/

  • Friday, April 2 – Saturday, April 10 – Gardens & Grandeur: Exploring Southern Spain’s Historic Treasures

    The American Horticultural Society is sponsoring a 2027 trip on April 2 – 10 in Southern Spain. Embark on a botanical journey through the stunning gardens of Southern Spain, where history, culture, and nature blend seamlessly. Explore the world-renowned Alhambra and the tranquil Generalife Gardens, followed by a visit to the enchanting Carmen de los Mártires gardens. In Seville, wander through some of the region’s most beautiful private gardens and historic estates, including the magnificent Palacio de las Dueñas, Casa Pilatos, and the breathtaking gardens of the Reales Alcázares. On a special day trip to a charming village, discover an exclusive private garden tour and lunch in a stunning home setting. From the serene beauty of Plaza de España’s grand gardens to the lush surroundings of the Seville Cathedral, this special AHS journey offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience Andalusia’s finest landscapes, making it a perfect escape for garden lovers and those seeking inspiration in the region’s distinctive beauty.  Click here for Program Brochure and Registration

     Trip Highlights  

    Discover the lush and serene surroundings of the magnificent Seville Cathedral Gardens. 

    Explore the world-renowned Alhambra and its tranquil, historic Generalife Gardens.

    Stroll through the enchanting gardens of this historic estate, blending beauty and cultural heritage.

    Visit stunning private gardens and historic landmarks, including  Palacio de las Dueñas, Casa Pilatos, and  Reales Alcázares Gardens.

    Enjoy a private garden tour and lunch at a beautiful home in a charming Andalusian village.

    Explore the grand gardens of Plaza de España Gardens, an iconic Seville landmark.


  • Saturday, July 25, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm – Iris Society of Massachusetts Rhizome Sale

    The Iris Society of Massachusetts will hold its annual rhizome sale on Saturday, July 25 from 11 – 3 (or until everything is gone) at Verrill Farm, 11 Wheeler Road in Concord. The Iris Society of Massachusetts (ISM) is a group of people who love irises of all types and sizes. We are novices and veterans of many years. We live in Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Vermont (with a few members planted in other states and even other countries). We are apartment dwellers, suburbanites, country gardeners and commercial growers.

    When irises are blooming in New England, from late April to July, ISM sponsors shows and tours of members’ gardens. We hold sales and auctions in the summer where modern hybrids are available at bargain prices. We publish a newsletter, and meet three or four times a year on weekends to discuss iris culture and gardening, to see slides of new varieties, old favorites, exotic species, and hybridizers’ seedling patches, and to hear from iris experts and enthusiasts from all over the country. For information on joining, visit https://massirises.org/index.html

  • Wednesdays, August 5 – 19, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm Eastern – Landscape for Life, Online

    This Native Plant Trust online intensive three-part introductory course will provide the knowledge, skills, and understanding to create a great-looking garden that is healthier for people and for the environment. The course is based on the principles of the Sustainable Sites Initiative, the nation’s first rating system for sustainable landscapes. The comprehensive curriculum covers a range of topics, including soils, water, plants, and landscape materials. Classes will take place on Wednesdays, August 5, 12, and 19, from 5:30 – 8:30 Eastern on Zoom. Fee is $225. Register online at https://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/landscape-for-life/

    Image result for sustainable sites initiative logo

  • Tuesday, July 28, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Cooking Medicinally: Tonic Herbs for Daily Resilience

    Discover fun, approachable ways to bring flavorful herbs into your everyday cooking in this Wright-Locke Farm July 28 hands-on summer workshop with Sous Chef Beckett. Together, we’ll explore vibrant seasonal ingredients, creative herbal pairings, and simple techniques that add extra depth, color, and freshness to meals and drinks. Throughout class, you’ll sample a variety of herb-forward recipes and learn easy ways to work with nourishing culinary herbs at home.

    Class includes:

    • A make-your-own herbal summer “sangria” mocktail bar
    • Herbal mushroom “carnitas” with nettle cilantro “chimichurri”
    • Delicious chocolate truffles

    $40, tiered pricing available. Register at https://wlfarm.org/kitchen-education/#1633049178282-9de9b858-c4b8

  • Wednesday, July 22, 7:00 pm Eastern – How to Talk to Your Neighbors (and your HOA) About Your Garden, Online

    Join Lorraine Johnson, author, activist, and longtime advocate for native plant gardening, for a practical conversation on navigating HOA rules, responding to neighbor concerns, and building support for ecological landscapes.

    Part of the Less Lawn More Life Challenge, this free webinar will help you communicate the value of native plants with confidence.

    Register for the free webinar: https://wildones.org/how-to-talk-about-native-plants-with-your-hoa/

    Not part of the challenge yet? Join thousands of people transforming their outdoor spaces into habitat: https://www.lesslawnmorelife.com/?ref=wildones

  • Saturday, August 1, 9:00 am – 11:00 am – Garden Chair Building

    In this Polly Hill Arboretum August 1 workshop, participants will learn to build the iconic Wave Hill Chair, designed in 1918 by Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld. Dan Benarcik will provide step-by-step instruction to attendees, who will leave with their own lovely garden chair. No previous experience is necessary, and lumber will be supplied. Attendees need to bring their own cordless drill.

    Dan Benarcik has had one foot in the greenhouse and the other in the wood shop his entire life. Dan is a gardener, designer, woodworker, and ambassador for Chanticleer garden outside Philadelphia.

    Pre-registration required. PHA Members: $350; Non-Members: $375. Click here to register.