Boston Flora

Through September 21 – Cecil Beaton’s Garden Party

London’s Garden Museum summer exhibition is open now. Best known for his iconic fashion photography, Cecil Beaton had a bouquet of creative talents: he was also an accomplished costume and set designer for film, theatre and ballet, and a gifted artist. This exhibition is the first to examine the common thread weaving through Beaton’s work: gardens and flowers.

Photographs, paintings, drawings, costume and set design will explore the role flowers played in developing Cecil Beaton’s creative practice; from the lavish floral installations he created for parties with flowers from his own gardens, to painted and fresh flowers used as backdrops for fashion photography and royal portraits, to the famous floral costumes in My Fair Lady.

The exhibit, open through September 21, is curated by Garden Museum Curator Emma House and designed by artist and designer Luke Edward Hall. Can’t get to London? Buy the catalogue. This catalogue accompanying the exhibition includes a foreword by art historian and museum director Sir Roy Strong sharing memories of his lifelong friendship with Beaton, which followed their collaboration on Beaton’s 1968 exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, where Strong was then Director.

An essay by Garden Museum Curator Emma House further explores Beaton’s passion for his gardens, with photographs, paintings, drawings, costume and set designs from the exhibition illustrating the role flowers played in developing his creative practice.

Wednesday, July 9 – Deadline for Mayor’s Garden Contest

Mayor Michelle Wu has announced the Annual Mayor’s Garden Contest highlighting the hard work of Boston’s urban gardeners. The competition provides the perfect opportunity to recognize the skills of all Boston residents who contribute to the beauty of the city’s landscape.

Boston’s green thumbs have until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9 to submit their gardens for award contention. The contest recognizes gardeners who have landscaped, planted flowers, trees, shrubs, and, in the process, helped beautify Boston’s neighborhoods.

Gardeners or those nominating their favorite gardeners may find printable and online nomination forms HERE. The preferred method of entry is to submit photos through the online application. Alternatively, contestants may request an application by emailing their name and address to gardencontest@boston.gov. Paper applications are also available in English and ten additional languages.

Judges will fan out across the city visiting finalists in late July. Once the votes are tallied, first place winners will receive the coveted “Golden Trowel” award from Mayor Wu while second and third place winners will be awarded certificates. The traditional awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in the Boston Public Garden in late August

Gardeners who have won three or more times in the last ten years will be automatically entered into the Hall of Fame. These distinguished Hall-of-Famers are not eligible to enter as contestants but are invited to return as judges.

First place winners are eligible for a drawing for a JetBlue Grand Prize consisting of round trip flights for two to any nonstop destination from Boston. Terms, conditions, and blackout dates apply. In addition, Mahoney’s Garden Centers will provide gardener’s gift bags to the top three winners in each category, as well as gift certificates for the 2025 Hall of Fame winners.

For details and to enter the contest, visit the website.

Friday, July 11, 8:15 am – 1:15 pm – Hydrangea University 2025

Heritage Museums & Gardens and the Cape Cod Hydrangea Society are pleased to continue our partnership to present the ninth annual Hydrangea University on July 11 – the premier event of the annual Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival. During this symposium-style event, expert guest speakers will inspire and entertain while increasing participants’ knowledge of hydrangeas. This year’s speakers include:

Joan Harrison, Author and Speaker
Russ Norton, Horticulture & Agriculture Educator, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension
Mal Condon, Curator of Hydrangeas, Heritage Museums & Gardens

Following the program, participants will have the opportunity to tour the Cape Cod Hydrangea Society Display Garden and the North American Hydrangea Test Garden.

Included with registration:

Presentations by three expert speakers
Admission to all of Heritage Museums & Gardens for the entire day, until closing at 5 pm
Morning refreshments (coffee, tea, pastry)
A goodie bag
A hydrangea plant to take home

Advance registration is required, and we expect this popular program to sell out quickly.

Program fees fund both Heritage’s mission to inspire people of all ages to explore, discover, and learn together, and the Cape Cod Hydrangea Society’s mission to share knowledge and enjoyment of hydrangeas with the broader community. Thank you for your support.

Program Registration: $80 Members of Heritage Museums & Gardens or the Cape Cod Hydrangea Society; $90 Non-Members. Register at www.heritagemuseumsandgardens.org

Thursday, June 26, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Garden Legacies: Uncovering and Preserving Their Histories with Thomas Woltz

On June 26 at 4 pm, Historic New England will host a program at Hollister House Garden addressing Garden Legacies and Historic Preservation. The event will consist of a conversation between renowned landscape architect Thomas Woltz and Vin Cipolla, president and CEO of Historic New England. George Schoellkopf, creator of Hollister House Garden, will introduce the evening.

Woltz and his firm, Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, work on such sensitive and complex projects as Monticello’s Stewardship Master Plan, Olana Strategic Landscape Design, Aga Khan Garden, and Houston’s Memorial Park Master Plan. Drawing on their own significant bodies of work, Cipolla and Woltz will explore how the ecological and cultural histories of landscapes and gardens are uncovered and integrated into meaningful public experiences.

Light refreshments will be served and following the program all attendees are invited to enjoy the garden.

The Land is Full, a celebration of parks and public gardens by renowned landscape architecture firm Nelson Byrd Woltz will be available for sale.

The program is free and open to the public. Advance reservation is requested. Reserve HERE. This conversation is part of a series sponsored by Historic New England Trustee Edward F.Gerber to address issues relevant to preservation on Connecticut. Historic New England’s 38 history museums, farms and landscapes include Roseland Cottage, the Codman Estate, Hamilton House and Beauport which continue to be meaningfully reinterpreted for the public..

Wednesday, July 2, 12:00 noon Eastern – Green Spaces, from Wisley to Regent’s Park

For almost 20 years, The Primrose Hill Lecture Series has been exploring, and debating, some of the most important issues we face as a modern society. It is now recognized as one of London’s leading spaces for bold, lively and informative talks. It is a non-profit organization run by volunteers: the money we raise goes towards valuable community work – including vital local services for the homeless, vulnerable young people and the elderly – and the upkeep of the building that hosts them. On Wednesday, July 2, enjoy a live virtual event with Matthew Pottage in conversation with Catherine Horwood on Green Spaces from Wisley to Regents Park. A virtual ticket is £10 and may be purchased through Eventbrite HERE. Ticket holders may watch after the event on YouTube after the event concludes, as well.

Matthew Pottage is the youngest-ever curator of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Wisley gardens. He has recently been appointed the first ever Head of Horticultural and Landscape Strategy for the Royal Parks where he will manage restoration projects across Richmond Park and Bushy Park, and create a new garden in Regent’s Park. An author and regular panelist on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time, he started at RHS Wisley as a trainee, progressing from Garden Manager to Curator in just 12 years. He has overseen the creation of the Exotic Garden, the Wisteria Walk, the Heather Landscape and the Clear Lake. He also has plenty of advice for patio gardeners.

Catherine Horwood is an author and historian specializing in horticultural and social history. Her books include Beth Chatto – A Life with Plants, Rose and Potted History – How Houseplants Took Over Our Homes. A long-term resident of Primrose Hill, she is a passionate gardener and has opened her gardens for the National Gardens Scheme. She is a trustee of the Camden Highline and is currently working on a biography of garden designer and author Penelope Hobhouse.

Dr. Lea Johnson Named Director of Conservation at Native Plant Trust

Native Plant Trust is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Lea Johnson as Director of Conservation. Dr. Johnson brings extensive experience in community ecology, ecological restoration, and urban ecosystems, blending foundational scientific research with practical applications for sustainable land management and ecological design. Bringing Dr. Johnson on board marks an important step forward as the organization celebrates its 125th anniversary, prepares to accelerate the rate of rare plant monitoring, and expands native plant seed banking and plant production activities.

Dr. Johnson’s distinguished career highlights her passion for interdisciplinary collaboration aimed at restoring and protecting environments impacted by human activity. Her innovative research spans multiple spatial and temporal scales and has enhanced ecological interventions across diverse US ecosystems, including the Northeast, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Prior to joining NPT, Dr. Johnson served as Associate Director of Land Stewardship and Ecology at Longwood Gardens. In addition, Dr. Johnson is an affiliate faculty member in the Plant Science Graduate Program at the University of Maryland’s Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture.

Saturday, July 19, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Fête des Fleurs: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

On the evening of Saturday, July 19, from 4 to 7 p.m., we will gather to celebrate nature’s beauty and the spirit of the season. This year’s event, 2025 Fête des Fleurs: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, will help support our mission, allowing Berkshire Botanical Garden to continue inspiring tens of thousands of visitors and offering educational opportunities that celebrate the art and science of gardening for our local community. You can expect a truly enchanting evening, where you will be transported into Shakespeare’s play with captivating theatrical performances, interactive activities, and an atmosphere that immerses you in the magic of the season. Guests will enjoy a delightful selection of refreshments and hors d’oeuvres throughout the evening, complemented by captivating entertainment that brings the garden to life. BBG members $125, nonmembers $175. Register at https://www.berkshirebotanical.org/events/2025-fete-des-fleurs

Thursday, June 26, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Ming Fay: Edge of the Garden Opening Reception.

What is a garden? A wild space? A curated collection of plants? Or a plot of soil in which to seed memory, connection, and creativity? This summer, the Gardner Museum’s Hostetter Gallery springs to life with the large-scale sculptures of Ming Fay (1943 – 2025), whose work reconsiders gardens as sites of creative potential that reflect the lives and desires of those who cultivate them.

At once playful and contemplative, Ming Fay: Edge of the Garden constructs a space of wonder that calls on visitors to view the world around them with new appreciation. Sculptures of fruits, seeds, shells, as well as hybrid plants borne of his boundless imagination, surprise in their unexpected pairings and sizes. Together, they conjure new meanings through familiar shapes, scents, and symbols. In his papier-mâché, bronze and ceramic gardens, Fay unites personal, collective, and cultural memories, building gardens as fantastical spaces born of curiosity, longing, and his own lived experiences as part of the Chinese diaspora in the United States.

On view from June 26 – September 21, 2025, Ming Fay: Edge of the Garden invites visitors to escape the city for a brief moment and marvel at the extraordinary, ordinary beauty of a maple tree twirler, a ripe cherry, or a crooked wishbone—and how they can unlock memory and imagination.

Where We Meet: Imagining Gardens and Futures, a partner exhibition at Pao Arts Center will explore the city of Boston’s Chinatown gardens through the art of Ming Fay, Mel Taing, and Yu-Wen Wu from July 18 – October 10, 2025.

For details visit https://www.gardnermuseum.org/ming-fay-exhibition

Tuesday, June 24, 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm – East Boston Walking Tour

Another reminder that joining The Garden Club of the Back Bay will give you access to interesting programs throughout the year. Another pop-up is scheduled for June 24 – an exclusive East Boston Walking Tour. Join GCBB member Claire Corcoran on a walking tour of a selection of East Boston’s community-based environmental organizations’ sites and projects, including Tree Eastie, Eastie Farm, and the Mary Ellen Walsh Greenway. These three groups have received funding from an array of sources including the Garden Club of the Back Bay. Claire is looking forward to sharing some of their work and results with our club. This walk is offered to GCBB and BHGC members as well as other civic groups. Please bring a water bottle and sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. If you aren’t a GCBB member, join at https://gardenclubbackbay.org/ today.

Meet at East Boston’s Memorial Park. The entrance is at the corner of Porter Street and Thompson Drive (google maps calls it East Boston Memorial Park). There is ample parking available and is a short walk from the Airport T stop.
RSVP to Claire Corcoran clairecorcoran@me.com

Saturday, June 28, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Quinobequin Intertribal Paddle

Join the Charles River Watershed Association and Indigenous Peoples Day Newton on June 28 for a leisurely midday paddle on one of the more beautiful stretches of the Quinobequin (Charles River). The course winds through lightly developed residential areas and parks. Starting from Newton’s Historic Boathouse, we will pass Norumbega Park, down river, loop around Fox Island, and land at Auburndale Park, where Chef Mea Johnson, Apache Environmental Justice Organizer, Write, Artist, Speaker, Rest & Wellness Facilitator will provide bagged lunches.

This event will start with a Ceremony conducted by Hiawatha Brown. Hiawatha Jon Brown, is a citizen of the Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island, a resident of Newton, and a committee member for Indigenous Peoples Day Newton.

Along the way, you will have the chance to hear from guest Steve Peters a citizen of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Also, while on the waters, Bairaniki Mayowakanex (Cito), Taino from Boriken, will be honoring the Water Spirits with songs, and a mindfulness exercise for all. At the Auburndale Park you will hear from special guest Julia Horinek a citizen of the Ponca Nation of Oklahoma. Her activism work includes, but are not limited to, Indigenous Rights of Nature and Front-Line Oil and Gas summits. As well as from Members of the CRWA Team about local efforts to undam the Charles River and their recent “Cut the Crap Campaign”. Dr. Darlene Flores will share about the sacred Taíno traditions of canoes and about Indigenous Peoples Newton’s 5th Ceremonial Celebration. We will hear reflections from Melissa Harding Ferretti- Chairwomen from Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe/ Select Board Member/vie Chairwomen for the Town of Bourne and her efforts dealing with the Sand Mining and Silica in Plymouth and other local Native American Culture bearers. In order to attend, all participants must watch a brief safety video and sign TWO electronic waivers here and here WAIVER CRWS

This event is rain or shine. It will only need to be rescheduled in the event of thunderstorms. This stretch of the Charles has very calm waters. Canoes will be provided with life jackets, unless you have your own. Lifejackets are required for all participants. Under 16 requires adult supervision at all times. All skill levels are welcome. Experienced paddlers will be in each vessel. Wear comfortable clothes that can get wet and wear sunscreen. This experience will last about 4 hours. THERE WILL BE NO SWIMMING in the river. Event is free for all Native American participants USE PROMO CODE “NATIVE”

For non-Native participants, we suggest a $100 donation for adults and a $50 donation for youth under 16. Tickets are NONREFUNDABLE.There is also a pay what you can option ($50 minimum) for the adult tickets. Enter promo code “PWYC” at the top of the “Select tickets” page and on the “Add an optional donation” page, enter any additional amount you are able to pay.

Space is limited so sign up today!