Boston Flora

Month: March 2026

  • Thursday, April 16, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Eastern – Middleton Place, Online

    The fourth and final program in Morven Museum & Garden’s 2026 Grand Homes and Gardens series, Freedom at Home: Telling the Full Story of America’s Founding Homes & Gardens, featuring Middleton Place in Charleston, South Carolina with speaker Brandon Stone, Director Research and Preservation will take place April 16 at 6:30 pm. Register ($10 Morven members, $20 nonmembers) for the virtual event at https://www.morven.org/events/grandhomes-middleton-place

    The primary residence of the Middleton Family, including Declaration signer Arthur Middleton, Middleton Place, located in Charleston, SC, was built in several phases of the course of the 18th and 19th centuries. The plantation’s extensive and transformative gardens, established in the 1740s, were awarded the Garden Club of America’s highest honor, the Bulkley Medal, in 1941.

    The estate saw the birth of the new country and was heavily impacted less than a century later by the Civil War when Union troops razed most of the property. More than 2,800 men, women, and children were enslaved by the Middleton family from 1738 to 1865. Today, the site works to interpret the stories of the enslaved and free Africans and African Americans who lived at Middleton Place.

    Born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, Brandon has and always will call the Carolina Lowcountry his home. Graduating from Coastal Carolina University in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in History, Brandon began his career with the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust as a Historical Interpreter. While completing his Master’s Degree in Public History at the College of Charleston, he took on the role of Volunteer and Interpretive Coordinator at the Edmondston- Alston House, a house museum operated by the Middleton Place Foundation. Brandon now proudly serves as the Director of Research and Preservation for Middleton Place.

    Brandon takes great pride in working for the Middleton Place Foundation alongside a fantastic team, where each day is a privilege to be part of stewarding a National Historic Landmark.

  • Saturday, April 25 – Mass Audubon Statewide Volunteer Day

    Help out while having fun at Mass Audubon’s annual Statewide Volunteer Day on April 25, with opportunities to give back across the state—from the Berkshires to Martha’s Vineyard.

    Spend a spring day caring for the wildlife sanctuaries that you love by working on community clean-up projects. Refresh the gravel on one of our accessible All Persons Trails, pull invasive plants and cutback overgrowth to restore habitat, clean up trash and debris from a salt marsh, build and maintain pollinator gardens, and more.

    At Statewide Volunteer Day, there’s something for everyone! Find the project that fits your life, with accessible, accommodating, and inclusive opportunities for volunteers with a broad range of abilities:

    Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary, Easthampton
    Blue Hills Trailside Museum, Milton
    Boston Nature Center, Mattapan
    Brewster’s Woods Wildlife Sanctuary, Concord
    Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Worcester
    Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, Natick
    Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, Lincoln
    Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, Edgartown
    Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary, Belmont
    Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield
    Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport
    Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, Barnstable
    Magazine Beach Park Nature Center, Cambridge
    MABA Education Center & Wildlife Sanctuary, Canton
    North River Wildlife Sanctuary, Marshfield
    Pawtucket Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, Lowell
    Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lenox
    Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Norfolk
    Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, South Wellfleet

    Sign up at https://www.massaudubon.org/news/latest/statewide-volunteer-day

  • Monday, July 13 – Thursday, July 16 – The 34th Annual National Children & Youth Garden Symposium

    The 34th Annual National Children & Youth Garden Symposium will take place in Pasadena, California from Monday, July 13 to Thursday, July 16, 2026.

    This year’s theme is “The Future of Youth Gardening.” The symposium will include interactive workshops, expert keynotes, engaging garden visits, and networking opportunities. Come for the fun and take back skills, ideas, contacts, and resources to take back to your own community.

    Hundreds of educators from across the country will unite to explore how gardens serve as vital educational tools for conveying scientific concepts and preserving landscapes and culture. Leveraging a proven train-the-trainer model, the Symposium will feature interactive learning sessions covering a range of topics suitable for pre-K through 12th grade learning. Personalized visits to the area’s impressive and relevant gardens will offer opportunities to apply new concepts and connect with fellow youth garden educators from communities across the country.

    Keynote speakers include Bari Applebaum, founder and executive director of Chicas Verdes, and Dr. James Folsom, American Horticultural Society Board Member and garden director emeritus, The Huntington.

    Complete information may be found at www.ahsgardening.org

  • Sunday, April 26, 10:00 am – 1:30 pm – Night Magic Brunch

    Join Grow Native Massachusetts on Sunday, April 26th for a special fundraiser! Brunch at 10 followed by booksigning and discussion with the author at noon. Books will be available for purchase from @thelittlebeebookshop and New York Times best-selling author @leighannhenion will be there to sign copies of her stunning book before we begin our discussion. We are thrilled to be hosted once again by @bull_run_restaurant. Their brunch buffet is a DREAM! Everything is included in your ticket, register today at https://grownativemass.org and https://tickets.bullrunrestaurant.com

    Grow Native Massachusetts is delighted to host a conversation with New York Times bestselling nature writer Leigh Ann Henion, discussing her book Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark (2024), a glorious celebration of the night that invites us to leave our well-lit homes, step outside, and embrace the dark as a profoundly beautiful part of the world we inhabit.

    Screenshot

  • Sunday, November 1 – Thursday, November 12 – Japan’s Autumn Majesty: Gardens, Colors & Cultural Treasures

    In Japan, autumn is a celebration of color. The centuries-old tradition of momiji-gari, or “red leaf hunting,” invites reflection and reverence as temple gardens, mountain landscapes, and ancient cities glow in luminous shades of scarlet, amber, and gold. Maples blaze against dark cedar forests, moss gardens deepen in color, and every carefully composed vista feels heightened by the season’s clarity. This thoughtfully designed American Horticultural Society journey blends Japan’s most revered gardens with rare cultural experiences that illuminate the philosophy behind them.

    Experience:

    Tokyo’s annual Chrysanthemum Exhibition, where intricate displays honor the flower long associated with the Imperial family and the spirit of autumn
    Shunkaen Bonsai Museum and Rikugien Garden, where classical landscape design frames brilliant seasonal color
    Kenrokuen in Kanazawa, admired for its harmonious balance of water, stone, trees, and open space
    Zen meditation at Tenryuji Temple in Kyoto, where maple trees arch over reflective ponds in one of Japan’s most iconic temple settings
    A hands-on ikebana workshop led by a master practitioner, exploring the disciplined artistry of Japanese flower arranging
    A traditional tea ceremony that reveals the profound aesthetics of simplicity, hospitality, and seasonal awareness
    A visit to an indigo-dyeing workshop preserving generations-old textile traditions
    A night in a traditional ryokan inn, complete with tatami mats, kaiseki cuisine, and restorative indoor and outdoor onsen hot spring baths
    Visits to a wasabi farm and tea plantation, where you’ll see firsthand how Japan’s agricultural traditions are shaped by water, terrain, and climate

    Throughout your trip, you’ll stay in exceptional accommodations and travel seamlessly between dynamic Tokyo, the mountainous beauty of Nagano, the preserved Edo-era districts of Kanazawa, and the temple-filled serenity of Kyoto. For complete information visit www.ahsgardening.org

  • Monday, June 8 – Friday, June 12 = American Public Garden Association Annual Conference

    The American Public Gardens Association’s Annual Conference offers a variety of programs specifically designed for the needs of public garden professionals. Topics reflect current trends, celebrations, and issues facing our industry. The Annual Conference features sessions and workshops led by members who are experts in their fields, a large variety of local tours, a sizeable exhibit hall, well-respected Keynote and Plenary speakers, Association Awards, in-conference events, receptions, and so much more. Join us in San Francisco June 8 – 12 for a week of learning, networking, and local fun! The 2026 host gardens are Filoli and Gardens of Golden Gate Park. Visit https://www.publicgardens.org/events/annual-conference/ for complete details.

  • Sunday, September 6 – Saturday, September 19 – A Luxury Discovery of Southern Ireland

    Join The Royal Oak Foundation September 6 – 19 on an unforgettable grand tour of magical Ireland, steeped in folklore and sprinkled with mystical castles, atmospheric houses and charming cities.

    Delve into the spectacular beauty and cultural heritage of Southern Ireland, from the vibrant city of Dublin to the tranquil allure of Killarney. We experience the charm and elegance of Ireland’s finest manors, such as Russborough House, Doneraile Court and the Dromana Estate and explore historic landmarks with guided tours that bring the past to life. We also step into Ireland’s divine natural world, with a guided tour at Lafcadio Japanese Gardens, and an immersive scenic drive through the Ring of Kerry, along with a cruise to admire the majestic Cliffs of Moher. Illuminating visits, complemented by memorable experiences, deliver a real taste of Ireland’s southern region. $9,450 per person. For more information visit https://www.royal-oak.org/britain-tours/a-grand-tour-of-the-emerald-isles-enchanting-gems/

    Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens, a stunning gardens that reflects the life of the Irish-Greek writer, in seaside town of Tramore, County Waterford, Ireland

  • Monday, April 20 – Little State Flower Co Farm Tour

    The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers is sponsoring a series of Farm Tours in 2026, including one on April 20 at Little State Flower Co in Tiverton, Rhode Island. Considering the variety of cut flower crops, production methods, marketing, and sales systems that will be highlighted on these tours, you’re likely to learn a little bit of everything from the hosts and the other attendees. https://www.ascfg.org/. These past few months have reminded us that farming’s unpredictability is matched only by its rewards. For cut flower growers across North America, economic shifts, supply chain issues, toxic politics and evolving consumer habits may feel overwhelming. Despite these uncertainties, resilience and collaboration open new opportunities. Above all, your creativity and commitment keep North America’s cut flower industry strong.

    The ASCFG is committed to supporting your success during these challenging times.

  • Saturday, May 2 & Sunday, May 3, 10:00 am – 8:00 pm – Botanical Tattoo Weekend

    Join The New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill on May 2 and 3 for a weekend-long celebration of botanically inspired art and ink in partnership with North Moon Tattoo. Get inked among the blooms and choose from available flash designs or pre-book a session in advance. Take in the atmosphere as you watch tattoo artistry unfold, browse a curated artisan market, and gain exclusive insight from celebrity artist talks on the craft and culture of tattooing.

    For this special event, we’re open late. As the sun and the ink sets, enjoy live music performances, wander the gardens at golden hour, and unwind with refreshing craft beers and cocktails from our beer garden. Whether you’re adding to your collection or simply soaking in the sights, this vibrant fusion of nature and ink is an experience you won’t want to miss. Stay tuned for a sneak peek of the flash designs!

    Don’t miss our exciting Botanical Tattoo exhibit! On display from April 4 through July 12. Complete information at https://nebg.org/botanical-tattoo-weekend/

  • Thursday, April 16, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm Eastern – How to Grow a Better Bird Feeder, Live and Online

    Grow Native Massachusetts hosts Desirée L. Narango, Conservation Biologist at the Vermont Center for EcoStudies, will speak on April 16 on How to Grow a Better Bird Feeder at the First Parish Church, 7 Harrington Road in Lexington, and online via Zoom. Bird populations are declining at an alarming rate due to habitat loss, climate change, and pesticides. Fortunately, there are simple actions you can take to restore critical bird habitat in your yards and gardens. In this talk, Desirée will share her research on the importance of native plants to food webs, why insects matter for bird conservation, and the practical steps you can take to support bird habitat throughout the year.

    Desirée L. Narango is a conservation scientist at the Vermont Center for EcoStudies. Her research program focuses on understanding how global change impacts bird and insect populations, and identifying conservation solutions in human-dominated habitats including residential yards and urban green spaces. Desirée has a Ph.D. in Entomology and Wildlife Ecology from the University of Delaware.

    No registration is needed for the in-person talk, but visit https://grownativemass.org/Our-Programs/evenings-experts to sign up for Zoom