Daily Archives: June 28, 2012


Saturday, July 21, 9:00 am – 8:00 pm – Historic Houses and Gardens in South Berwick, Maine

Massachusetts Horticultural staff members April Daley and Maureen Horn are hosting a bus trip on Saturday, July 21, to South Berwick, Maine, where travelers will receive private group tours of two properties owned by Historic New England. The first is the 1785 Georgian mansion, Hamilton House, a National Historic Landmark, built on a bluff overlooking the Salmon Falls River and surrounded by classic gardens.

The featured visit is to the Sarah Orne Jewett House, first owned by her family in 1819, on a festive day when the public is being invited especially into its herb gardens. Nancy Wetzel, the House’s Landscape historian, will speak to the group from Mass Hort on the historic importance of herbs and of community herbalists, as seen through the lens of The Country of the Pointed Firs and Mrs. Todd, the novel’s herb practitioner. Afterwards, she will guide us through the garden to provide a sensory experience of the herbs described by Jewett.

Between house visits, we will stop in Kittery, Maine so that travelers can choose a place to enjoy lunch from a large array of restaurants.

The tour will start at 9:00 in the Target parking lot on Route 30 in Framingham and return there at 8:00 p. m.

If you have questions about the tour please contact the librarian, Maureen Horn, at 617-933-4912 or MHorn@Masshort.org. The cost is $110 for Mass Hort members and $130 for non-members.

Registration will be complete only by an online reservation or check payable to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society by July 2.. Please mail your check to the attention of Maureen Horn at 900 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02482.

Note: If there are fewer than 20 registrants by July 3 the tour will be cancelled.


Wednesday, July 11, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm – Summer Tree Stroll

The Boston Urban Forest Council presents a Summer Tree Stroll on Wednesday, July 11, from 6:30 – 8.  Meet at the Brewer Fountain on the Boston Common (behind the Park Street T-Station.)  Summer evenings are the perfect time to notice the shapes of trees.  Come and learn to distinguish between the upright ginkgo, the spreading oak, and the vase shaped elm.  You will also learn to identify leaves and find historic trees as you walk the Common and the Public Garden, enjoying the beauty of a summer evening.  Sponsored by Boston Natural Areas Network in partnership with the Friends of the Public Garden and the Boston Parks & Recreation department.  Please register for this free event by calling 617-542-7696, or emailing info@bostonnatural.org.  Photo from www.joenesgarden.com.