Boston Flora

Category: garden tour

  • Thursday, July 9, 10 – 4 – Enchanted Garden Tour of New Seabury

    Join Heritage Museums discovering the enchanted private sanctuaries of New Seabury and Popponesset Island on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 from 10a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain or shine). All proceeds benefit the many wonderful programs and activities at Heritage Museums & Gardens. Make the day even more special with a luncheon at the New Seabury Club.  The extraordinary vistas from the main dining room are the perfect complement to your garden tour experience!

    The gardens are located throughout the New Seabury & Popponesset Island area and all can be reached by car. Parking is available near and around all the homes on the tour. Be prepared to walk from parking areas to each of the gardens.

    There will not be any shuttle services provided. This is a garden tour and walking is involved. Please be prepared with comfortable walking shoes—and dress for the weather !

    A Garden Boutique will be on display and for sale in the main lobby at New Seabury Country Club, featuring stunning floral jewelry and exclusive gifts for the garden and home, inspired by the horticultural collections of Heritage Museums & Gardens.

    Price for the Garden Tour only:$35 Members of HM&G, $40 Non-Members
    Price for Tours and Luncheon: $70 Members of HM&G, $75 Non-Members

    For additional information please call 508.888.3300, x-111, or email: ahoxie@heritagemuseums.org

  • Tuesday, June 30, 10 – 11:30 a.m. – If Trees Could Talk

    Dawn redwood, dove tree, and franklinia are just a handful of the trees growing at the Arboretum with engaging stories of how they secured a place in gardens and in the history of plant exploration. If our trees could talk, they might share accounts of faraway forests, botanical adventures, and intrepid plant explorers. Join Collections and Grounds Manager Tom Clark on a walking tour of the Arboretum where he will reveal some of the fascinating stories behind these and other beloved plants.$5/free to PHA members. 508-693-9426
    Admission Fee: $5/pha members free    		 Polly Hill Martha's Vineyard
    For More Information:
    Contact: Karin Stanley
    Address: The Polly Hill Arboretum, State Rd, West Tisbury, MA
    Phone: 508-693-9426
    Email: karin@pollyhillarboretum.org
    Website: http://www.pollyhillarboretum.org

  • Sunday, July 5, 1:00 p.m. – Highfield Hall Estate Walk

    The story of Highfield Hall coincides with the arrival of the railroad in Falmouth on July 18, 1872. The ability to reach Cape Cod from Boston or from New York by train transformed the area from a quiet farming and fishing community to an exuberant summer community. Middle class families stayed in inns, many of them homes converted to lodgings to handle the explosion of summer visitors. Wealthier families built seaside estates in areas such as Quissett, Chapoquoit and Penzance.

    Among the newcomers escaping the heat of the city were the Beebes of Boston. James Madison Beebe, wealthy from various dry goods and manufacturing businesses, and his wife, Esther E. Beebe, first converted the Thomas Swift House on Shore Street to a summer home they called Vineyard Lodge. They subsequently bought more than 700 acres of land on the hill above the railroad station, more than half of which has been preserved as Beebe Woods.

    After the death of their father in 1875, his children built two grand residences on the hill. Brothers Pierson and Franklin and sister Emily built a lavish “summer cottage” in the Queen Anne stick style modeled after the British Pavilion in the great 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. Highfield Hall was completed in 1878, and its sister mansion, Tanglewood, where the J. Arthur Beebes took up residence, was finished in 1879. Thus began over fifty years of Beebes living and entertaining in their “summer cottages” at Highfield. In its heyday, the hill must have been a bustling scene. The miles of carriage trails, riding trails, gardens, two huge homes, and numerous outbuildings required a small army of servants to maintain. The Beebes even started a farm on Shore Street to provide produce for their Falmouth and Boston residences.

    Join docents on the first Sunday of each month ( in addition to July 5, you may attend on August 2, September 6, October 4 & November 1) at 1p.m. for a special estate walk of the Beebe property. Learn about the building of Highfield Hall and its sister mansion, Tanglewood, explore the grounds and gardens, and hear about the Beebe family members who lived a lavish Victorian lifestyle during the late 19th and early 20th century. $5 donation suggested. Walks will not be held in the event of rain.  Reservations are encouraged, but not required, by calling 508-495-1878 or emailing registrations@highfieldhall.org.  For directions and more information, log on to www.highfieldhall.org.

  • Sunday, July 12, 11 – 5 – Secret Gardens of Saratoga Springs

    Some Garden Club of the Back Bay members and supporters travel to the beautiful Saratoga Springs area to sample the summer offerings of the New York City Ballet, among other activities in this neck of the woods.  If you happen to be in the area, take the time to attend this lovely Garden Tour. This will be the 15th annual tour that Soroptimist International of Saratoga County organizes.  The tour raises money for improving the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world.

    Soroptimist International of Saratoga County is part of the international organization Soroptimist International of the Americas, Inc. There are over 1,500 Soroptimist clubs in 20 countries and territories in North, Central and South America, Guam, Japan, Korea, the Philippines and Taiwan.

    Globally, Soroptimists make a difference by focusing their efforts in six areas:  economic and social development, education, environment, health, human rights/status of women and international goodwill and understanding.  On a local level they address these concerns through awareness, advocacy and action.

    Each year they raise funds that are donated back to the local community in support of programs for women and girls.  Their signature events include Cabin Fever and the Secret Garden Tour.

    Soroptimist Live Your Dream Campaign inspires women and girls to live their dreams and encourages them to pass on their good fortune to others.

    The tour will be Sunday, July 12th from 11:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.  Tickets are $15 in advance; $20 the day of the tour.  We strongly recommend pre-purchasing tickets.  This popular tour sells out every year!  Tickets can be purchased at The Arts Center, 320 Broadway Avenue in Saratoga Springs.  For more information call Lorrie Anthony at (518) 899-5086. You can also visit www.soroptimistsaratoga.org .

  • Wednesday, July 15, 10 – 7 – “Through The Garden Gate”

    The South Shore Natural Science Center presents “Through the Garden Gate, its 28th Annual Garden Tour.  Tour seven lovely gardens of the South Shore in Norwell, Hanover, Hanson and Pembroke on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Advance tickets $18 members, $20 non-members, $25 day of tour.  Call for ticket information: 781-659-2559.  Natural Science Center, 48 Jacobs Lane, off Rt. 123 in Norwell, Massachusetts.  Log on to www.ssnsc.org for more information.pr

  • Sunday, June 28, 12 noon – Weymouth in Bloom

    The Weymouth Garden Club presents Weymouth in Bloom, a tour of seven of Weymouth’s loveliest private gardens, on Sunday, June 28, from noon to 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on the day of the tour at Trinity Episcopal Church, 241 Broad Street, Weymouth, starting at noon.� Come and see  beautifully enhanced  properties in North, East, and South Weymouth.  For more information contact Jean M. Berg at jeanmberg@hotmail.com, or call 781-37-4088.

  • Saturday, June 20, 10 – 4 – Beyond the Garden Gate Tour

    The North Andover Historical Society’s Beyond the Garden Gate 2009 tickets are on sale now at its 153 Academy Road location or log on to www.northandoverhistoricalsociety.org to purchase online!   Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 on the day of the tour.  Volunteers may purchase their tickets for half price at the Society.  Make a  single purchase of four tickets in advance for only $60.  Plan an outing with your friends while supporting the Historical Society and save.   Details on other ticket locations and an update on the time schedule for picking up the tour map during the week of June 15th will be announced soon.  During this 4th Annual Garden Tour, six beautiful gardens await exploration.  Volunteers and sponsors are still needed!  If you can help, please contact  nahistory@juno.com.

  • Friday, June 19 – Sunday, June 21 -Cape Ann Garden Festival

    Friday, June 19, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.    Beauport Reception and Talk $20/$15 members
    Enjoy an evening reception with wine, beer, and appetizers in the garden overlooking Gloucester Harbor and hear about the newly uncovered garden staircase that is part of the stunning new garden renovation at Beauport, The Sleeper-McCann House, a property of Historic New England.

    Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.    Garden Tour $35
    Tour glorious gardens with magnificent plantings and stunning vistas. This year new stops on the tour feature sculpture gardens, water views, private quarries and fabulous perennial and herb gardens. In addition several of the homes will be open for visitors’ viewing.

    Sunday, June 21,      Workshops, Lecture and Exhibition Tour

    10 a.m.-11 a.m. Planning a Garden for People and Pollinators, Kim Smith $15

    Author of Oh Garden of Fresh Possibilities! and an inspired designer and illustrator, Kim will talk about the ways to make a garden both beautiful for people and attractive to birds and butterflies.  Join us for a lecture and booksigning.

    11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. The Herb Garden in 18th Century New England, Judy Hallberg $20

    Herbs provide interesting foliage and are also the basis for lotions and salves with healing properties. Learn about herbs and the ways in which they were gardened and used in the 1700s. Judy Hallberg works with the 17th and 18th century gardens of the Ipswich Historical Society and recently completed restoration of the society’s 17th century Housewife’s Herb Garden.

    1:30 p.m. -2:30 p.m. Cape Ann Museum, Docent-led tour of the exhibit “A View from the Terrace” Free

    Free to Garden Festival ticket holders. The Museum is located at 27 Pleasant St., Gloucester. Call Jeanette Smith at 978-283-0455, extension 11 for reservations.

    3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Growing and Propagating Antique Roses, Peggy J. Flanagan $20, materials incl.

    Old Garden Roses are rewarding and easy to grow using organic methods. You’ll learn how to plant, prune and care for these beautiful roses. Each person will take home a potted rose cutting. Bring gloves and a pair of pruners. Peggy J. Flanagan is a landscape designer and an adjunct instructor in the landscape design program at North Shore Community College. She specializes in the history of New England gardening.

    For more information, and to purchase tickets on-line, log on to www.sargenthouse.org.  Tickets are also available at the Weathervane, 153 Main Street, Gloucester, and at the Sargent House Museum, 49 Middle Street, Gloucester, Massachusetts.

  • Sunday, June 28, 10 – 4 – City Spaces/Country Places

    Tower Hill’s annual tour of exceptional private gardens this year will feature the gardens of Northborough, Massachusetts.  Discover the gardeners’ unique perspectives, and return to your own garden with fresh ideas and inspiration. This special event features lush, meticulously tended gardens in the Northborough area.

    As always, a ticket to “City Spaces/Country Places” includes FREE admission all day to Tower Hill Botanic Garden. As a bonus this year, the Rose Society will present a Rose Show at Tower Hill on the same day as the Garden Tour!

    “City Spaces/Country Places” is an important fund-raiser for the Worcester County Horticultural Society and helps to support the educational programs and the ongoing care and stewardship of the gardens at Tower Hill. You can show your support for the Garden Tour by purchasing a sponsor ticket at $125 or a patron ticket at $75. These tickets help Tower Hill meet its mission and must be purchased in advance. Order tickets in advance: Members $20, Non-Members $25.  Day of tour Members $25, Non-Members $30.  Call 508-869-6111 x 136 to order your tickets, or log on to www.towerhillbg.org and purchase securely on-line.

  • Sunday, August 10 – Marblehead Garden Tour

    The Parable Ellen Cools Garden, set in the oldest part of Marblehead, coastal Sandras Garden, set high above the Atlantic, and Rich’s Cove are three offerings in Essex County from 10 – 4, rain or shine. For more information call 888-842-2442, or click www.opendaysprogram.org.