Boston Flora

Category: Rhode Island

  • Thursday, October 1 – Sunday, November 1 – Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo

    Over 5,000 glowing jack-o’-lanterns transform the Roger Williams Park Zoo into New England’s premier fall experience. Tickets sold online only. https://www.rwpzoo.org/jols/.

    Roger Williams Park Zoo’s Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular: The Great Pun-Kin Trail, presented by Citizens, returns October 1 through November 1 with an all-new trail of clever carvings guaranteed to make you smile, groan, and laugh out loud.

    This year’s theme celebrates the art of the pun, with thousands of hand-carved pumpkins bringing witty wordplay to life through pop culture references, playful characters and pun-believable scenes. From clever one-liners to delightfully cheesy dad jokes, there’s something to make every guest grin as they stroll The Great Pun-Kin Trail, where over 5,000 glowing jack-o’-lanterns transform the Zoo into New England’s premier fall experience.

    Enjoy the magic of autumn at Roger Williams Park Zoo. All tickets are timed, available online only, and must be purchased in advance. Don’t miss New England’s “must-see” family-friendly event of the Halloween season!

    Free nightly parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with optional premium parking available. Please remember to bring along your patience – the magical experience inside is worth every moment!

    Pumpkin trail is open nightly from 6:00 – 10:30 pm, last entry at 10:00 pm. The Spectacular is open rain or shine, all tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for a different date.

  • Sunday, September 19, 11:00 am – 12:00 noon – Native Led Tour of Awashonks’ Garden

    Join Miciah Stasis-Harding, Herring Pond Wampanoag, for one-hour guided tours of Awashonks’ Garden in Little Compton, Rhode Island on September 19 from 11 – noon. All ages welcome. Visit www.littlecompton.org for more information. The program will be repeated on October 3.

    Free to Little Compton Historical Society Members. Free to Members of Native Communities. General Public-Included in the cost of LCHS Admission.
    $10 Reservations Highly Recommended. Call 401-635-4035, included in cost of admission.

  • Friday, September 18 – Sunday, September 20 – Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival

    Three days of fun and educational seminars, tastings, dinners and the fan-favorite Sunday Jazz Buffet Brunch await you in Marble House and Rosecliff at the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival on September 18 – 20.

    Celebrated Chef and Chopped judge Maneet Chauhan will join us as host of the elegant Vintner Dinner and as featured guest for a conversation in the Rosecliff Ballroom. For complete listing of events, and links for registration, visit https://www.newportmansions.org/events/newport-mansions-wine-food-festival-2026/

  • Thursday & Friday, November 5 & 6, 8:30 am – 3:45 pm – Newport Symposium: What Makes It American

    This November, the Newport Symposium explores the theme “What Makes It American” with a series of lectures and tours examining the origins and legacy of art, architecture, landscape and design in the United States. As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, presenters will discuss the history of our national—and Newport—identity through visual culture. The event takes place over two days at Marble House and Rosecliff. A star-studded list of speakers includes Robyn Asleson, Curator of Prints and Drawings at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, Raissa Bretaña, Fashion Historian at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Rachel A. Heslop, Senior Project Coordinator at the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, Thomas Jayne, Interior Designer with Jayne Design Studio, K.L.H. Wells, Author and Assistant Professor of Art History, University of Wisconsin-Milwaulkee, and Christopher YOung, Vice President and Creative Director of Tiffany & Co. Register at https://www.newportmansions.org/events/save-the-date-newport-symposium/

  • Saturday, September 12, 9:30 am – 12:00 noon – Fall Native Plant Sale

    It’s that time of year again – the Rhode Island Wild Plant Society Fall Native Plant Sale is coming up on September 12th at the Pawtuxet Village Farmer’s Market in Cranston.

    Note that there is a MEMBERS ONLY presale from 8:30 am to 9:30 am. It’s not too late to become a member – head to RIWPS.org to sign up! Sale is open to the public 9:30 am to noon. Sale is on, rain or shine!

  • Wednesday, August 5, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Art & Design in Providence: A Day Out with the President

    Horticulture and art have a long and storied history, often co-mingling and inspiring each other to exciting ends. In this near-daylong program in Providence—America’s “Renaissance City”—join Garden Conservancy President & CEO James Brayton Hall on a visit to the house and garden of acclaimed artist Andrew Raftery in the morning, followed by lunch and a visit to the RISD Museum in the afternoon. James, who began his career in Providence, eventually serving as Deputy Director of the RISD Museum, will discuss the rich interchange between Andrew’s garden and artistic practice. At the RISD Museum, one of America’s foremost university art museums, this discussion will expand to consider a rich array of design objects that draw on horticultural themes in a private session with museum curators Emily Banas and Kate Irvin. This program is currently sold out but join the waitlist at https://www.gardenconservancy.org/events/gm26-art-design-in-providence

  • Wednesday & Thursday, August 26 & 27 – Ecological Landscape Alliance’s 32nd Annual Conference & Ecomarketplace: Navigating Uncertainty

    The Ecological Landscape Alliance (ELA) is excited to announce the 2026 Annual Conference & Eco-Marketplace to be held in Providence, Rhode Island. The Annual Conference brings together leaders in ecological landscape practices with a diverse range of professionals involved in landcare, including landscape architects, designers, growers, horticulturists, land stewards, arborists, and installation/maintenance technicians. We also welcome students, educators, native plant enthusiasts, community activists, and home gardeners. The event will feature a two-day, multi-track program with opportunities to network, learn, and share new insights and strategies that contribute to sustainable and regenerative landscape management.

    Explore innovative ways to use native plants, mitigate climate change, and design spaces that encourage biodiversity, including habitats for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. Join us for some interactive workshops and discussions that will equip participants with practical tools and ideas for integrating ecological principles into landscape design.

    One keynote presentation will be led by Dr. Evelyn Beaury of the New York Botanical Garden on Seeding Ecosystems of the Future. The decisions we make in our gardens will have a large effect on what species will persist under climate change, which is already impacting the distribution of biodiversity across time and space. In this talk, Dr. Beaury will discuss the latest research on these impacts and give you some ideas for how your garden can help ecosystems for the future, such as reducing the spread of invasive species and supporting climate-resilient native plants. 

    Another talk will be by Christopher Roddick , head arborist of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Working with trees is hard. The work can be demanding and sometimes dangerous: long hours in all kinds of weather, cutting wood with a chainsaw while hanging from a rope, or chipping brush into a man-eating machine.

    As hard as all of that is, it was actually far more difficult and stressful for me to acquire the level of knowledge I needed to do the job well. Thousands of plant names to memorize, insects and diseases to identify, soil science, biology, ecology, and the list goes on. It’s daunting, especially for people like myself who aren’t traditional learners. But not knowing a plant, a pollinator partner, or a mushroom growing on a tree seemed far more unsettling.

    This is the story of one tree guy’s 40-year journey, seeking knowledge from plants, trees, eccentric plant people, while fighting distraction, trying not to get killed or joining too many plant societies.

    To register for this two day event at the Omni in Providence, Rhode Island, visit https://ecolandscaping.org/events/

  • Saturdays & Sundays, August 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 & 30, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm – Sunflower Fest

    Come to Lincoln, Rhode Island’s Butterfly Farm for their annual Sunflower Fest, a celebration of summer on the farm. Each August, the sunflower fields burst into bloom, creating a beautiful backdrop for a family-friendly farm experience. Visitors can stroll through the sunflower fields, take photos among thousands of bright yellow blooms, and enjoy a relaxing day surrounded by the sights and sounds of the farm. During the festival, guests can also shop from a variety of local artisans, makers, and food vendors, making it a wonderful opportunity to support small businesses while enjoying the beauty of the season. Families can explore the farm, meet some of our animals, and enjoy a laid-back afternoon filled with sunshine, flowers, and community. Whether you’re visiting for the perfect photo, local shopping, or simply to spend time outdoors, Sunflower Fest is a summer tradition you won’t want to miss. The farm is located at 679 Great Road in Lincoln, Rhode Island.

  • Friday – Sunday, June 26 – 28, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Secret Gardens of Newport

    Eight to ten gardens will be open in this summer’s Secret Gardens of Newport Tour. Order your tickets online at https://www.secretgardentours.org/faqs.htm Advance sale tickets are $30. On the days of the tour, tickets may be purchased for $35, if there are any tickets available. On the day you arrive, present your PayPal receipt under the tent in Storer Park at 32 Washington Street in Newport and you will be given a program with a map and directions to each of the gardens.

    The Newport Secret Garden Tours is proud to partner with Bike Newport and the “Get There By Bike” initiative. We encourage you to bike to the Newport Secret Garden Tour, helping to reduce traffic congestion, parking stress, and carbon emissions. We will have temporary bike racks set up at Storer Park. More information on bike parking and other related information can be found here:
    https://bikenewportri.org/bike-to-newport-secret-garden-tours/

  • Saturday, June 27, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm – Stonewalls to the Sea: Little Compton Garden Tour

    Come enjoy visiting eight private gardens—as well as Little Compton’s natural beauty with stonewalls and lovely ocean vistas.

    Hosted by the Little Compton Garden Club, this self-guided tour of eight private gardens in coastal Little Compton offers a rare opportunity for garden lovers. The date is Saturday, June 27th, rain or shine. You’ll enjoy not only the variety of gardens but also the town’s scenic beauty, with stonewalls to the sea and ocean views.

    The tour celebrates the long tradition of the Little Compton Garden Club’s giving back to the community. Your ticket purchase makes it possible for the club to fund a wide range of environmental, conservation, and education programs, as well as town beautification projects.

    Tickets to the June 27 event can be purchased in advance ($45) or on the day of the event ($55) at the map pick-up area at St. Andrew’s Church, 11 Willow Ave., Little Compton. You may purchase on Eventbrite HERE