Boston Flora

  • 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.

  • Friday, July 24, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Summer Garden Party with the Herbal Hummingbird Hub

    Join the Herbal Hummingbird Hub for its Summer Garden Party on Friday, July 24th from 4-8pm in Rockport, Maine.

    Delight in the beauty of the season with dinner made from local organic food, live poetry, and music amongst the flowering plants. Celebrate the power of plants and pollinators.

    This fundraising event supports their Herbal Mutual Aid Program which gifts herbal medicine and herbal education to marginalized communities in Maine and beyond. A garden walk will take place from 4 – 5, followed by dinner at Tenderwild Farm. $150. Register at https://www.herbalhummingbirdhub.org/summer-garden-party

  • Saturday, July 25, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon Eastern – Perennial Bed Design for Sun, Online

    Explore how to select, arrange, and position perennials in full-sun combinations. Build your design recipes by maximizing and extending color and texture using a wide range of plantings. This Chicago Botanic Garden class will be taught online via Zoom. All registrations must be submitted online two days before your class starts. Registered students will receive login instructions one day in advance. The instructor is Mark Dwyer, owner of Landscape Prescriptions by MD. $52 for members of Chicago Botanic Garden, $65 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.chicagobotanic.org/learning/adult-classes/garden-design/perennial-bed-design-sun-online-0

  • Tuesday, July 21, 7:00 pm Eastern – Bulldozing America’s Front Yard, Online

    Each year, roughly 32 million people visit the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, D.C. It’s a place that has been called “America’s Front Yard” for a good reason – it belongs to the American people. Yet this place that commemorates so much of our history is currently under threat.

    Join The National Parks Conservation Association on July 21 for a virtual Park Talk to learn about how the Trump administration is bypassing congressional oversight and disregarding the laws that protect the places that belong to all Americans. You’ll hear from NPCA’s staff of experts who will share more about how this important place is at risk and what you can do to ensure your voice is heard. For questions about registration or to submit questions to panelists in advance, please email arobertson@npca.org. REGISTER at https://support.npca.org/page/100354/event/1. Biographies of the featured speakers can be found on the registration page. Free.

  • Friday, July 24, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Castine House & Garden Tour 2026

    The Castine Historical Society is proud to present the 2026 Castine House & Garden Tour on July 24, 2026 from 10 AM-4 PM, featuring 12 beautiful homes and 3 gracious gardens in the scenic village of Castine.

    With history dating back to the 1600’s, Castine has been home to many: Native Americans, French, Dutch, English and Colonial Americans. Castine is named after Baron Jean Vincent de Saint Castin, a French nobleman and officer. Its strategic peninsula location at the mouth of the Penobscot River made it highly desirable. The town once served as the seat of Hancock County, a merchant port for coast trading, and a center for shipbuilding.

    With growth and prosperity during the 19th century, grand Federal Georgian, Greek Revival and Victorian style homes were built. These stately homes along with charming summer cottages still grace the shade elm-lined streets.

    Castine was rated #1 Best Small Town in the Northeast by USA Today and received recognition as one of the Best Historic Towns and one of the Best Coastal Towns in the US. Castine ranked as Best Small Town in Northeast through USA Today Top 10. We hope you will join us!

    The Tour is from 10am – 4pm and will take place rain or shine.

    Tour Tickets are available for purchase at this link: https://www.castinehistoricalsociety.org/castine-house-tour/purchase-tickets/. Tickets can also be purchased by contacting the Castine Historical Society via email at info@castinehistoricalsociety.org or by calling (207) 326-4118 during regular business hours.

    Early bird tickets are $50.00 per person and available through July 12th. After that date, Tour tickets are $60 per person.

    Tour Tickets will be available for in-person purchase on the day of the event at the following locations from 9:30am – 3:30pm. Cash, Credit Cards, and Apple Pay are accepted.