Boston Flora

Category: Berkshires

  • Friday, May 6, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm and Saturday, May 7, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm – 34th Annual Plant Sale at Berkshire Botanical Garden

    Calling all gardeners – get a jump start on the gardening season and choose from thousands of plants, shrubs, and trees – many grown at Berkshire Botanical Garden – at the 34th Annual Plant Sale on Friday and Saturday, May 6 and 7.  BBG members receive early buying privileges and a 10% discount on plant purchases.  Early buying hours for members are Friday, May 6, from 8 – 11 am, and regular hours are Friday, May 6, 11 – 5, and Saturday, May 7, 9 – 5.  The Plant Sale is generously sponsored by Ed Herrington, Inc.  Rain or shine event.  Photograph by J. Parker for www.ruralintelligence.com.

  • Thursday, May 19, 7:00 am – 7:00 pm – Planting Fields Arboretum and Old Westbury Gardens

    This year’s annual Berkshire Botanical Garden benefit garden tour on Thursday, May 19 will explore two extraordinary estate gardens on Long Island’s “Gold Coast:” Planting Fields Arboretum Historic State Park, Oyster Bay, NY, and Old Westbury Gardens, Old Westbury, NY.

    The day will begin with a tour led by Vincent Simeone, Director at Planting Fields Arboretum (pictured below), a premier public arboretum and historic site. A former Gold Coast estate of over four hundred acres, it contains greenhouses, gardens, woodland paths, and outstanding woody plant collections. The grounds, landscaped by the Olmsted Brothers of Brookline, Massachusetts, are spectacularly beautiful at this time of the year. Following the tour enjoy a picnic lunch on the grounds of the Arboretum.

    The afternoon will include a tour of Old Westbury Gardens. Completed in 1906 by the English designer, George A. Crawley, the magnificent Charles II-style mansion is nestled amid 200 acres of formal gardens, landscaped grounds, woodlands, ponds and lakes. Although the guided tour will focus on the horticulture of the gardens and grounds, history and architecture will be included. Tours of the house will be possible only if time permits.

    A mid-morning refreshment and late afternoon wine & cheese snack will be provided. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes, dress for the weather, and bring a bagged picnic lunch. (Lunch can also be purchased at the Arboretum’s café.) Due to travel time and traffic the coach will leave promptly at7 am from the Garden’s main parking area, and return at 7 pm.Tickets: $125 Members / $150 non members.  You may register on line at www.berkshirebotanical.org. For more information, call 413-298-3926.