Boston Flora

Category: Cape Cod & Islands

  • Tuesday, July 7 – Thursday, July 9 – The Seventeenth Annual Nantucket Garden Festival

    A collaboration of gardeners, educators, designers and business leaders, the Nantucket Garden Festival highlights the unique and beautiful garden ecosystems on Nantucket and focuses on the importance of sustainability, conservation and gardening ethics for the long-term health of the island. 2026 marks the 17th anniversary of the Festival! Join us for a celebration of gardening through a host of educational workshops, exquisite garden tours, family activities and parties. View the schedule of events here: www.NantucketGardenFestival.org.

    Nantucket Lighthouse School’s educational garden and greenhouse provide students with a living laboratory and a deeper connection to the natural world. Advised by the late Russell, Morash, Chair of Childhood Horticulture at Nantucket Lighthouse School, our weekly horticulture classes allow children to grow, experiment, observe, and learn—while also teaching them how to care for the environment.

    Your support of the Nantucket Garden Festival, at any level, nurtures a year-round community of Nantucket Lighthouse School students who practice and model the spirit of sustainability every day.

    To learn more about NGF26 sponsorship opportunities for individuals and businesses, please contact Nantucket Lighthouse School.

  • Friday, July 10 – Sunday, July 19 – Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival

    The Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival is an annual summer garden celebration, showcasing gardens and plants of all kinds across Cape Cod. This ten-day festival’s main attractions are the daily tours of private gardens, each designed and maintained by the individual homeowners and carrying a unique charm. You are sure to enjoy such eclectic spaces, not to mention the good feeling of supporting a variety of local nonprofits which will benefit from the proceeds of each tour.

    Gardens are only one part of the festival. Enjoy workshops and lectures presented by leading international horticulturalists, discover promotions at participating nurseries and home centers, take a class to learn proper hydrangea pruning techniques, or even watch a painting demonstration by renowned local artists.

    Private garden tours are self-guided, and the admission is $5 per person per garden. You can pay cash at each garden on the day of the garden tour. Each garden is open from 10 am to 4 pm unless otherwise specified and only on the days specified. All garden tours are rain or shine and nonrefundable. Different prices apply.

    If you’re interested in participating during the 2026 Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival by hosting a garden tour, offering a promotion at your business, becoming a sponsor, please visit this page. Nonprofits and gardeners who want to participate in 2026 Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival, contact greta@capecodchamber.org.

  • Tuesday, July 7, 9:30 am – 11:30 am – Ariella Chezar Workshop

    The Nantucket Garden Festival is delighted to welcome Ariella Chezar as this year’s featured floral design artist.

    The Floral Design Workshop offers an inspiring, hands on experience as Ariella guides guests through her “farm-to-flower” philosophy and signature approach to creating arrangements that feel natural and expressive.

    July 7 | 9:30am-11:30am
    Harvest Garden
    163 Hummock Pond Road

    The Nantucket Garden Festival runs from Tuesday, July 7 – Thursday, July 9. For complete information, visit https://nantucketlighthouseschool.org/events/nantucket-garden-festival/

  • Wednesday, April 15, 5:30 pm – Climate Resilient Trees for Martha’s Vineyard

    In this free talk on Wednesday, April 15 at 5:30 pm, Polly Hill Arboretum Curator/Assistant Director Emily Ellingson will give an overview of how climate change is expected to impact Martha’s Vineyard and its flora, as well as provide a guide for tree selection in an uncertain future. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, it is unequivocal that widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, and biosphere have occurred since 1750. This has already affected weather and climate extremes. To move forward, systems and people need to adapt to this changing climate. Free and open to all. Pre-registration required due to limited capacity. Click here to register. Meet at the Polly Hill Arboretum Visitor Center: 795 State Road, West Tisbury, MA 02575

    Please note: there will be a short walk to the EBL building where the program will take place. If you need accessible parking, please contact info@pollyhillarboretum.org.

  • Friday, April 24 – Sunday, April 26 – 2026 Nantucket Daffodil Festival

    Plan ahead – the 2026 Nantucket Daffodil Festival is coming April 24 – April 26. The 49th Annual Daffodil Show by the Nantucket Garden Club will be held in the greenhouses at Bartlett’s Farm on Saturday, April 25 from 2-5pm & Sunday, April 26 from 10am to 3pm. This year’s theme is “It’s Daffy Time… Let’s Dance!” Visit town early to view 100 decorated vintage cars line up on Main Street: staging begins at 9:30 AM. The parade starts at noon, with cars driven in a loop downtown before heading up Orange Street and out to ‘Sconset. Parade participants only park on the right; spectators may set up their picnics on the left. A Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce signature event. If you stay in town for Daffy Saturday, you can participate in the Daffodil Hat Pageant at 10 am, the Children’s Beach Bike Parade at 10:35 am, and NiSHA’s Daffodil Dog Parade shortly after 12 noon. The Morris Dancers are sure to show up & perform. Bring a blanket and set up a picnic for family and friends on the lawn at Children’s Beach.

    Complete information plus recommendations on where to stay (book early!) may be found at https://daffodilfestival.com/

  • Saturday, February 21, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Winter Tree Identification

    Break up the winter doldrums by getting outside and learning winter tree identification from Polly Hill Arboretum Director of Grounds & Facilities, Ian Jochems. Participants will learn how to use the characteristics of bark, twigs, buds, and more to identify common deciduous and evergreen trees.

    Registration Required. $20 for members, $30 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.pollyhillarboretum.org/event/winter-tree-identification/?instance_id=2634 Please meet at the Polly Hill Arboretum Visitor Center.

    This class will be indoors and outdoors, please dress appropriately for the weather.

    The dogwood allée in January 2017.

  • Saturday, January 24, 10:00 am – 11:00 am – Polly Hill Arboretum Seasonal Staff-Led Tour

    For the first seasonal tour of the Polly Hill Arboretum in Martha’s Vineyard of 2026, take a walk through the Arboretum Woods with PHA Director of Grounds & Facilities, Ian Jochems. Ian will discuss basic tree identification; a primer for his in-depth Winter Tree ID workshop on February 21! The walk is included with the $5 admission fee (free for PHA members). Meet at the Arboretum Visitors Center.

  • Thursday, November 20, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm Eastern – Cape Cod Landscapes: Remembering the Wild Nature of Your Backyard, Online

    Catering specifically to the landscapes of Cape Cod, this Grow Native Massachusetts online discussion on November 20 at 7 pm will feature an alternative, ecologically minded approach for our lawns and gardens. We’ll think beyond the lawn, hydrangeas, and boxwood hedges that have become common on the Cape and consider alternatives that support the biodiversity and ecology of this special place. Erin Camire of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod will speak. Register at https://grownativemass.org/Our-Programs/calendar. $15 for Grow Native members, $20 for nonmembers.

  • Sunday, October 19, 1:30 pm – Martha’s Vineyard Crop Hunger Walk

    In the face of the continuing and rising needs of hungry people around the world, in our nation, and on Martha’s Vineyard, especially in a time of natural disasters, wars, economic despair, cuts in humanitarian aid, and millions of displaced people, Martha’s Vineyard Crop Hunger Walk remains steadfast in its commitment to raising money in the fight against hunger through annual hunger walks. Over the course of 34 years, the MV CROP Hunger Walks have raised almost $700,000 (to be exact: $699,914) to benefit the poor and hungry around the world and on Martha’s Vineyard. Last year, we once again were one of the top walks in the nation, raising $41,130 – our best total ever and 30th highest in the country. We’re grateful for all our walkers and donors who join us year after year. We will gather at 1:30 pm at St. Augustine’s Church in Vineyard Haven. Walkers will start in two or three stages as soon as each team has assembled and checked in. At the end of the walk, walkers will be welcomed back with a Walk Day Festival with music, food, and fun for all. We will gather at 1:30 pm at St. Augustine’s Church in Vineyard Haven. Walkers will start in two or three stages as soon as each team has assembled and checked in. At the end of the walk, walkers will be welcomed back with a Walk Day Festival with music, food, and fun for all. For more information, and to register, visit https://events.crophungerwalk.org/crophungerwalks/event/marthasvineyard

  • Friday, October 17, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – 2025 Food and Wine Dinner at Bettini for Island Grown Initiative

    Join friends for an unforgettable evening of fine food, wine, and celebration on Martha’s Vineyard on October 17.

    Culinary Creations Prepared by:
    Celebrity Chef Jon Ashton (jonashton.com)
    Guest Chef Alex Pineda of Qué Mas in Beverly, MA (quemasrestaurant.com)
    Executive Chef Juan Martinez of Bettini Restaurant

    5:00 pm: The evening begins with a lively cocktail reception in the beautifully renovated Menemsha Room, where guests will mix and mingle while enjoying an open bar and three exquisite appetizers — each crafted by our featured chefs.

    7:00 pm: Step into Bettini Restaurant for an elegant four-course dinner. The menu will be brought to life by the wit and culinary talent of Celebrity Chef Jon Ashton, the artistry and passion of returning Guest Chef Alex Pineda, and the culinary expertise of Harbor View Hotel’s Executive Chef Juan Martinez — together showcasing exceptional flavors and beautiful wine pairings.

    8:30 pm: To finish, indulge in a decadent dessert accompanied by an après-meal liqueur tasting.

    9:00 pm: If the night calls you to stay a little longer, the festivities will continue at Bettini Bar with a cash bar.

    To foster an engaging and memorable experience, seating will be offered in an elegant communal setting. To make a reservation, please call 508-627-3761, email bettini@harborviewhotel.com, or book on OpenTable. $375 per peerson includes tax and gratuity.

    A portion of proceeds supports Martha’s Vineyard Island Grown Initiative in building a resilient local food system, expanding food access with dignity, and providing community-wide food education.