Boston Flora

Saturday, September 20 – Sunday, September 21 – New England Fall Flower Show

The New England Fall Flower Show reflects on the rich history of MHS’s flower shows and embraces the future of how we continue to grow. This idea is summed up in the theme “World in Bloom”, which signifies how the show draws inspiration simultaneously from the nearly 200-year-old history of MHS and the legacy of the Flower Show as well as the limitless possibilities of the future. This dichotomy works harmoniously as an underlying current in the work of all competition entries and exhibitors. The event represents how MHS, and we as members of many communities throughout the region, can use the knowledge from the roots of our heritage and the aspirations of future growth to create, change, and inspire in the present. Exhibitions, displays, vendors, and demonstrations will draw inspiration from global plants, styles, themes, and designs. We celebrate the importance of plants around the world and the impact that cultivating and exhibiting plants can have on well being, health, and community.

The 2025 New England Fall Flower Show will take place on Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21, 2025 at the Garden at Elm Bank in Wellesley, MA. The Schedule is live – access at https://www.masshort.org/fall-flower-show

Thursday, May 1, 7:00 pm – Good Soil

Porter Square Books is excited to welcome author Jeff Chu to celebrate the release of his book, Good Soil. Author Kristin T. Lee will join Chu in conversation. This event will take place on Thursday, May 1 at 7pm at Porter Square Books (1815 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140).

In his late thirties, Jeff Chu left his job as a magazine writer and found himself at Princeton Theological Seminary’s “Farminary”—a twenty-one-acre working farm where students learn to cultivate the earth while examining life’s biggest questions. Now, he unpacks what he learned about creating “good soil,” both literally and figuratively, drawing lessons from the rhythms of growth, decay, and regeneration that define life on the land.

In gorgeous, transporting reflections, Chu introduces us to the cast of characters, human and not, who became his teachers. While observing the egrets that visit the pond, the worms that turn waste into fertile soil, and the Chinese long beans that get passed over in the farm’s CSA, Chu considers our desire to belong, the story behind the food on our plate, and the significance of his own roots. What is the earth trying to tell us, if we’ll only stop and listen?

Good Soil helps readers connect to the land and to one another at a time when we seem drawn most to the phones in our hands. For nature lovers, foodies, and anyone who has daydreamed about a more fulfilling life, this book is a tribute to friendship, to the sacredness of our bond with the natural world, and to how love can grow from the unlikeliest of places.

Our Cambridge store offers validated parking in the lot on Roseland St. behind Lesley’s University Hall. Register at https://www.portersquarebooks.com/event/jeff-chu-author-good-soil-conversation-kristin-t-lee

Tuesday, April 29, 5:00 am – 6:30 am Eastern (but recorded) – A History of Gardens: Modernism – The Recent Past

The Gardens Trust’s final series of A History of Gardens will consider developments of the recent past. Starting with the arrival of the sleek, functional style of Modernism after the first world war, the talks will move on to explore contemporary thinking on the challenges of conserving and restoring historic parks and gardens, the rise of ecological perennial planting, the reappearance of allusive gardens and how a garden’s ‘spirit of place’ can guide sustainable plans for the future.

Themes and exemplars in garden-making are more difficult to identify without the benefit of distance and time. But considering recent ideas and approaches is bound to bring a thought-provoking end to our History of Gardens. This ticket link is for the sixth series of 5 talks in our History of Gardens Course at £35 or you may purchase a ticket for individual talks, costing £8 via the links on the website. (Gardens Trust members £6 each or all 5 for £26.25). Ticket holders can join each session live and/or view a recording for up to 2 weeks afterwards. Ticket sales close 4 hours before the first talk.

Attendees will be sent a Zoom link 2 days (and again a few hours) prior to the start of the first talk (if you do not receive this link please contact us) and a link to the recorded session will be sent shortly after each session and will be available for 2 weeks.

Talk 1 on April 29 is Modernism, with Katie Campbell. Modernism was a short-lived fashion in British horticulture which left a long legacy. Provoked by the horrors of the First World War, Modernists rejected traditional styles and methods, and sought a new, nonaligned, universal approach. Renouncing vernacular and historical references, they promoted an international style which was as comfortable in the Greek islands as in the Scottish Highlands. While eschewing metaphor and allusion, it embraced machine-age mass production and modern materials, used plants architecturally to create clearly delineated spaces, and was more interested in texture and form than color. Its focus on simplicity, functionality and monumentality still infuse contemporary British garden design.

Katie Campbell lectures widely, has taught at Birkbeck, Bristol and Buckingham universities, writes for various publications and leads art and garden tours. Her most recent book, Cultivating the Renaissance (Routledge, 2021) explores the evolution of Renaissance ideas and aesthetics through the Medici’s Tuscan villas. Previous publications include British Gardens in Time (Quarto, 2014), Paradise of Exiles: The Anglo-Florentine Garden (Francis Lincoln, 2009), Policies and Pleasaunces (Barn Elms, 2007), and Icons of Twentieth Century Landscape Design (Frances Lincoln, 2006). Image below: High and Over, Amersham, ©Mary Casserley: marycasserley.com

Wednesday, May 7, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Eastern – Gardens on Film: From Script to Screen, Unveiling the Art of Finding and Managing Filming Locations, 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 first talk on Wednesday May 7 is Gardens on Film, From Script to Screen. In this talk, Jenni Lewis will take you on a journey through the entire filming process, from script to screen, revealing how the perfect locations are discovered, chosen, and brought to life on set. She’ll share insider insights into managing complex shoots in outdoor and historic spaces, offering a glimpse into the meticulous planning and problem-solving behind the scenes. With a focus on the mutual benefits between filming and the locations themselves, this session will showcase the hidden magic that turns real-world places into unforgettable cinematic backdrops. Prepare for a deep dive into the world of location scouting and management—where creativity meets logistics in some of the most beautiful places.

Jenni Lewis is a seasoned Location Manager whose 18 years in the UK film industry have shaped the landscapes of iconic productions like Bridgerton, Matilda: The Musical, Belfast, Downton Abbey, The Secret Garden, Red Joan, and Howards End. Specializing in large-scale shoots in gardens and public spaces, Jenni brings a wealth of experience in navigating both the logistical and creative challenges of location management.

Thursday, May 1, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Eastern – Container Gardening, Online

Outdoor containers add so many possibilities and exciting solutions to enhance and extend our garden display. While many of us choose hanging baskets to brighten up gathering spaces, these are just the tip of the iceberg when choosing where and how to use containers. This American Horticultural Society online program on May 1 at 1 pm will cover opportunities to showcase color, texture and personal aesthetics in both sun and shade conditions, the many types of containers available, styling lush plant combinations, proper “soil” mixes, moisture and nutrient requirements, impact plants, and end of season care. Get ready for some container inspiration!

Cheryl Salatino is a New England based landscape designer, educator, and native plant enthusiast. She started Dancing Shadows Garden Design twenty years ago to offer clients a more thoughtful and purposeful design aesthetic. What continues to inspire this designer is how the beauty and value of nature endlessly challenge, surprise, and teach us. Salatino received her certificate in landscape design from the Radcliffe Seminars Landscape Design Program of Harvard University. She has earned the status of Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist by the MA Nursery & Landscape Association and completed the UMASS Green School program in Landscape Management. She has also earned an Advanced Certificate in Horticulture and Design as part of the Native Plant Trust educational certificate program.

Thursday, May 8, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Eastern – Native Plant Pollination, Online

This American Horticultural Society virtual presentation on May 8 at 7 pm Eastern is a fascinating journey showcasing the development of different flower types and the presentation of floral resources to pollinators. Exploring the types of insect pollinators, their foraging behavior, and the floral features that attract pollinators, Heather will provide many specific examples of how native plants are pollinated and what pollinator is most effective and why. Please note, this program will not be recorded.

Heather Holm is a pollinator conservationist and award-winning author of four books: Pollinators of Native Plants (2014), Bees (2017), Wasps (2021), and Common Native Bees of the Eastern United States (2022). Both Bees and Wasps have won multiple book awards including the American Horticultural Society Book Award (2018 and 2022 respectively). Heather’s expertise includes the interactions between native pollinators and native plants, and the natural history and biology of native bees and predatory wasps. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Minneapolis Star Tribune, and many local publications. Heather is also an accomplished photographer and her pollinator photos are frequently featured in print and electronic publications.

Heather serves on the boards of the following non-profits: Friends of Cullen Nature Preserve and Bird Sanctuary, Friends of Minnetonka Parks, and the new Minnesota Oak Savanna Chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts. In her spare time, she is an active community supporter, writing grants, and coordinating and participating in volunteer ecological landscape restoration projects. The latest project is a 13-acre oak savanna restoration that will provide thriving habitat for pollinators, birds, mammals, and passive, nature-based opportunities for people. REGISTER NOW. $15 AHS members, $20 nonmembers.

Sunday, May 3, 10:00 am – 11:00 am – Prepping Your Flower Beds

Jeff Curtis, Director of Gardens & Landscapes, The Preservation Society of Newport County, will show participants how he prepares the Preservation Society’s cutting garden for a successful season of growing spectacular dahlias, sunflowers and much more. The vent will take place May 3 at 10 am in The Breakers Greenhouse, 53 Coggeshall Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island.

Please wear boots or shoes you can get dirty, as this program will take place at the cutting garden. A tour of the greenhouse will follow. This is an outdoor event, rain or shine.

The greenhouse and cutting garden are located off Bateman Avenue, behind The Breakers Stable & Carriage House at 53 Coggeshall Ave., Newport. There is no onsite parking. Parking is available on Bateman Avenue. Please walk up the driveway between the stable building and the garden on your right to the red house behind. $25 for members, $30 for nonmmembers. Register at https://www.newportmansions.org/events/prepping-your-flower-beds/

Sunday, May 18, 9:00 am – 29th Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle

Join the Mystic River Watershed Association on Sunday, May 18th for the 29th Annual MYSTIC RIVER HERRING RUN AND PADDLE. You can run, walk, and/or paddle—or volunteer to make this event a success! No matter how you participate it will help the Mystic. The annual Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle runs every May and celebrates the return of the river herring.

WHEN: Sunday, May 18th, 2025
9:00 AM 5K run/walk starts
11:00 AM 12 mile paddling race starts
11:15 AM 9 mile paddling race
11:30 AM 3 mile paddling race starts

Need a boat? Paddle Boston will deliver the boat or board to the race for you.  For pre-registration the cost is $25 for run or paddle events or $40 for both if you register online. Pre-registration on ends at 11:59 pm on May 15. Day of registration is available—and costs $30 for the run or paddle or $45 for both. Compete in both the running race and paddling race to be eligible for the Iron Herring Award! All events take place at the DCR Blessing of the Bay Boathouse, 32 Shore Drive, Somerville, MA 02145. Paddlers may drop their boats off in the boathouse parking lot at anytime. You cannot park in this lot.

More information and registration may be found at https://mysticriver.org/herring-run-paddle

Saturday, January 17 – Sunday, January 25, 2026 – Tropical Splendor: Costa Rica’s Gardens and Natural Wonders

Embark on an unforgettable journey with AHS through Costa Rica’s lush gardens and vibrant natural wonders. This meticulously crafted adventure will immerse you in the heart of Costa Rica’s tropical landscapes, where you’ll explore stunning botanical gardens and pristine rainforests. Along the way, experience guided tours of verdant gardens and an organic coffee farm, indulge in local cuisine with farm-to-table dining, unwind in natural hot springs, and discover the ecological richness of the region. With expert guides and delightful accommodations, this travel program is a paradise for plant lovers, nature enthusiasts, and those seeking to experience the wonders of Central America’s biodiversity.

This custom trip is part of the AHS Adventures travel program collection, a lower cost alternative to luxury garden travel. Visit https://ahsgardening.org/travel-study-program/costa-rica/

Friday, April 25, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Lucid Illusions, Richard James Opening Reception

Lucid Illusions is “the space between reality and dreams,” says fine-art photographer Richard James about his upcoming exhibition at the Leonhardt Galleries at Berkshire Botanical Gardens, which will be on view through June 1. For the better part of 15 years, James has traveled the United States and Europe in search of perfect, real-world florals and landscapes to playfully, almost romantically, blend with his unique imagination and creativity. “Lucid Illusions is where reality softens and dreams take shape,” says internationally acclaimed fine-art photographer Richard James. “For me, this collection is about inviting viewers to linger in that delicate space between what is and what might be. Each image begins in the real world — an untouched landscape, a perfect bloom—but then imagination takes over, weaving the familiar into something quietly surreal. I want people to feel a sense of wonder, of possibility, as if they’ve stumbled into a memory they can’t quite place, but don’t want to leave.”

“What drew us to Richard James’s work is the way he blurs the line between the seen and the imagined,” says Berkshire Botanical Garden Executive Director Mike Beck. “There’s an intimacy to his photographs that makes you pause and look closer — what appears simple at first glance reveals layers of meaning and emotion. ‘Lucid Illusions’ captures that elusive space where reality becomes something more lyrical, more personal. We’re honored to host this exhibition and offer our visitors the chance to experience Richard’s extraordinary vision firsthand.”

Opening reception is Friday, April 25, from 5 to 7 p.m.