Boston Flora

Wednesday, May 21, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Eastern – Take to the Trees, Online

In her new book, Take to the Trees, science journalist Marguerite Holloway offers an empowering journey into the overstory with the arborists and forest experts safeguarding our iconic trees. Holloway explores stories of beloved tree species and spotlights experts exploring the ecology of resilience amidst climate-driven plagues of pests and drought. Take to the Trees brings attention to rapid arboreal decline while also offering hope about how we might care for our forests and ourselves. The American Horticultural Society will present an online lecture with the author on May 21 at 7 pm Eastern.

Marguerite Holloway is the Professor of Professional Practice and Director of Science and Environmental Journalism at the Columbia University Journalism School. Holloway has written about science — including climate change, natural history, environmental issues, public health, physics, neuroscience and women in science — for publications including the New York Times, the New Yorker, Natural History, Wired and Scientific American, where she was a long-time writer and editor. She is the author of The Measure of Manhattan and wrote the introduction to the most recent edition of Manhattan in Maps. She has also worked on several innovative interdisciplinary data projects including the Science Surveyor, a prototype for an algorithmic tool to improve science journalism.

Wednesday, May 14, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm Eastern – The Wondrous World of Fireflies, In Person and Online

Fireflies are among our greatest ambassadors for Earth’s natural magic. Yet they hold so many mysteries! Sara Lewis will explore the science behind their bright lights and illuminate their remarkable lifestyles. Human activities have put fireflies at risk, but we’ll learn how we can all help protect these dazzling creatures. This Evening with Experts program on May 14 will be held in person at New England Botanical Garden at Tower Hill and online on Zoom. It is a Grow Native Massachusetts event. Register https://grownativemass.org/Our-Programs/calendar. Sarah is the author of Silent Sparks.

Wednesday, May 21, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Eastern – Gardens on Film: Filming in Royal Parks, Online

Historic parks and gardens play a frequent – and frequently tantalizing – role in films and on TV. Where is the 18th century landscape that forms the background to scenes in Bridgerton? Which English country estate serves as Paris for both James Bond and Sherlock Holmes? Is that really a world heritage site being flooded for a scene in The Secret Garden?

Join The Gardens Trust on Wednesdays in May for behind-the-scenes at some of the locations used in costume dramas, children’s adventures, murder mysteries and much else. We’ll hear from a location manager on choosing the right gardens for shoots and from a garden historian on films in her own county, as well as the experience of three major players who regularly manage film crews in their historic landscapes – the National Trust, the Royal Parks and English Heritage. This ticket costs £35 for the full series of five talks or you may purchase a ticket for individual talks, costing £8. To sign up, visit Eventbrite UK HERE. Ticket holders can join each session live and/or view a recording for up to 2 weeks afterwards. Attendees will be sent a Zoom link 2 days (and again a few hours) prior to the start of the first talk.

The third talk in the series takes place May 21. The Royal Parks offer filming opportunities in eight of London’s largest open public spaces, including St James’s Park, Regent’s Park and Kensington Gardens, allowing film-makers to recreate almost any historical period. Recent shoots have included the fight scene between Colin Firth and Hugh Grant in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason and the music video for Late Night Talking with Harry Styles flying down The Mall in a giant bed!

Flo van Heck is Senior Filming & Events Manager at The Royal Parks.

Sunday, May 11, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Lilac Sunday

On May 11, experience the springtime bloom of The Arnold Arboretum’s renowned collection of over 400 lilacs. Visit for tours with Arboretum experts, hands-on children’s programming, dancing, meditation, chalk art, and more. Picnicking in the Arboretum landscape is permitted on this day only.

Located primarily on the edge of Bussey Hill Road in the heart of the landscape, the lilac collection at the Arnold Arboretum is among the premier collections of these plants in North America. Of the thousands of flowering plants in the Arboretum (many of which can also be enjoyed at this time), only the lilac is singled out each year for a daylong celebration.

Pack a picnic and make your way to the lilac collection on Bussey Hill Road.
Register

Perimeter parking is severely limited and thousands are expected to attend Lilac Sunday. Visitors are strongly encouraged to use public transportation. For more information on the days activities, visit https://arboretum.harvard.edu/events-2/lilacs-at-the-arnold-arboretum/

Saturday, May 17, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Spring Botanical Spa Day

Treat yourself to a beautiful afternoon of fun and pampering inspired by May’s flower moon and discover the world of herbal skin care on Saturday, May 17, from 1 to 4 p.m at Berkshire Botanical Garden. In this workshop, led by Nicole Irene, we will go through a full, plant-based facial routine after creating products that you will take with you to continue your spa day in the comfort of your own home. Our day will start with creating an aromatherapy candle, bath salt, salve, and infused oil that you will take home with you after we cleanse, exfoliate, steam, mask/treat, moisturize, and massage our faces step by step together using everyday ingredients infused with herbs and essential oils while enjoying herbal tea and infused detox water. Please arrive with a freshly washed face and no makeup products. You will leave glowing and refreshed! BBG members $60, nonmembers $75. Register at https://www.berkshirebotanical.org/events/spring-botanical-spa-day

Friday, May 23, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Planting and Stewarding Native Meadows: An Intensive One Day Workshop with Larry Weaner

Join Berkshire Botanical Garden on Friday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., for a day of planting and stewarding meadows with Larry Weaner. Demand for native meadows, particularly as an alternative to lawn, is increasing dramatically. That said, few planting types are more misunderstood. Many failures are a result of inadequate planning and management, as well as the use of plants that are poorly adapted to the site and unable to survive in a highly competitive meadow environment. Far better results can be obtained when the plants and processes used reflect the ecological character of our native meadow communities. More than “one-year wonders,” meadows modeled on these ecosystems can provide long-term, easily managed landscapes that harbor a myriad of wildlife and provide color and texture throughout the year. The program will begin with landscape designer Larry Weaner discussing the design, implementation and management of native meadows on a variety of scales and in residential and public settings. The remainder of the day will include viewing on-property meadows including a meadow-in-progress and an area of BBG with high potential for a future meadow planting. BBG members $200, nonmembers $230. Complete information on the sessions and registration can be found at https://www.berkshirebotanical.org/events/planting-and-stewarding-native-meadows-intensive-one-day-workshop-larry-weaner-0

Friday, May 16, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm, & Saturday, May 17, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Get to Know Native Land Conservancy

If you are one of the Native Land Conservancy’s Western Massachusetts neighbors or expect to be in the area, you may want to save the date for these events in Leverett in May. We are excited about getting to meet our new neighbors there and to care for the 53.7 acre parcel off of Montague Road that was donated to NLC in December. The land now called Nepesoneag ascends Brush Mountain, is bisected by Doolittle Brook and abuts more than 2800 acres of conservation land. For more information visit https://www.nativelandconservancy.org/

Saturday, May 10 & Sunday, May 11, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm – Spring Market in the Barn

Kick off the gardening season with Wright-Locke Farm. This exciting new event offers a unique opportunity to purchase a variety of healthy, locally grown seedlings for your garden, from vibrant flowers to organic vegetables. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, the expo features an array of supplies, expert demonstrations, and a chance to chat with local farmers and gardening enthusiasts. Explore sustainable gardening practices, discover new tools, and take home everything you need to cultivate your green space. Come out, meet your neighbors, and celebrate the joys of gardening in our beautiful community!
Mother’s Day Weekend! May 10th and 11th 9 am – 1 pm

Click Here to Pre-Order Seedlings

Welcome Liza Meyer, Incoming President of Friends of the Public Garden

Leslie Singleton Adam, Board Chair of The Friends of the Public Garden, has announced that after a competitive executive search, The Friends are excited to announce the appointment of Liza Meyer as President of Friends of the Public Garden. Liza joins us as the third leader of the organization, following in the footsteps of founder Henry Lee and former President Liz Vizza. She will officially assume her role as President on May 1.

Liza’s deep connection to the Boston Common, Public Garden, and Commonwealth Avenue Mall comes from 16 years of experience working with the Boston Parks & Recreation Department, serving as Chief Landscape Architect beginning in 2011, and, most recently, Interim Parks Commissioner. Her expertise in prioritizing and driving meaningful progress through thoughtful stewardship and civic leadership, and her methodical approach, will be critical to making our parks healthier and more inviting to all.

In her new role, Liza will continue to advance the mission to renew, care, and advocate for the Common, the Garden, and the Mall. She will also play a key role in strengthening a longstanding partnership with the City of Boston, spearheading initiatives like the implementation of the Boston Common Master Plan, advancing the Friends’ advocacy agenda as the City’s built and natural environments grow together, supporting park capital improvements, leading strategic initiatives like the Henry Lee Fund for Boston Parks, and enhancing community programming.

“We are thrilled to welcome Liza as we begin this exciting new chapter for our organization and our downtown parks. Liza will join us at The Green & White on April 11 and the Annual Meeting on April 17, where we look forward to introducing her to you, our community.”

Sunday, May 11, 10:00 am – Duckling Day 2025

Duckling Day is a celebration of the children’s classic book Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, held annually on Mother’s Day. The day begins at 10:00 a.m. with check-in and a goody bag full of Duckling Day-themed items for every child. Playtime on the Common features a wide range of activities including activity booths, lawn games, magic, and live music that take place on the grass at Parkman Bandstand. The area is filled with children, parents, and caregivers who come together to enjoy games and other outdoor activities.

Duckling Day is a family-friendly celebration held each year on Boston Common. Duckling Day features activity booths, lawn games, magic, and live music. The event ends with a parade retracing Mrs. Mallard’s steps to the Make Way for Ducklings sculpture in the Public Garden.

Registration for Duckling Day 2025 is open! Click the button below to register for this year’s event.