Boston Flora

Friday, February 21, 11:00 am – 12:00 noon – The Superpowers of Winter Birds

Come to Berkshire Botanical Garden for a Winter Family Friday where you will enjoy MASS Audubon’s The Superpowers of Winter Birds on Friday, February 21, from 11 a.m. to noon. $10. Register HERE

Have you seen any birds around you that never flew south for the winter? From tiny chickadees to massive hawks, these hardy animals have special ways to find their own food and shelter in the bitter cold. At this indoor program with Mass Audubon, get to know your feathered neighbors: which birds stay, why they don’t migrate, and their amazing strategies (or clever tricks) to brave the cold. A mix of short, interactive presentations and hands-on family activities will inspire you to look for wild birds in your backyard or beyond.

Nicaela Haig is a teacher-naturalist with Mass Audubon’s Berkshire Wildlife Sanctuaries. Having connected people to wildlife as an environmental educator for over a decade, she currently coordinates public programs year-round in the Berkshires while supporting programming for adults and families throughout western Massachusetts. She has a lifelong fascination with the ways that people and wildlife interact.

Saturday, February 22, 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm – Elements of the American Wedding, 1860 – 1920

Join Etiquetteer, Robert B. Dimmick, on February 22 at The Gibson House in Boston on an exploration of wedding customs in the United States from the Civil War to Prohibition. Aside from familiar customs like the white wedding dress and tossing the bouquet, Etiquetteer will look at fads like the floral bell, how wedding breakfasts were conducted, and the home wedding. Two of the most celebrated weddings of this period included President Cleveland’s White House wedding to Frances Folsom and Consuelo Vanderbilt’s wedding in New York to the Duke of Marlborough. Etiquetteer will also share the stories of Gibson family weddings, especially those of sisters Mary Ethel (held in Nahant) and Rosamond, held in the Music Room of the Gibson House six months after the death of her father. Reception with light refreshments begins at 4:30 p.m.; talk begins at 5:00 p.m. Space is limited!

Tuesdays – Saturdays, February 18 – March 18, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm – Camellia Days

Visit Historic New England’s celebrated collection of camellias in the 1804 camellia house at the Lyman Estate Greenhouses, 85 Lyman Street in Waltham. Treat yourself to a mini-vacation and soak up the atmosphere and colors of the tropics, along with some history. Enjoy the 100-year-old camellias in full bloom at one of the oldest surviving greenhouses in the United States. Historic New England members save 10% on purchases. Tickets are not required to see the camellias in bloom.

Please call 617-994-5913 for more information. Register for a Camellia Days tour of the Lyman Estate Mansion or the Lyman Estate Greenhouse.

Tuesday, February 19, 5:00 am – 6:30 am Eastern (but Recorded) – Plantmania: Rhododendronmania, Online

The desire to possess new, rare and thus expensive plants has been a feature of garden-making since it began and continues to be so; as recently as February 2022 bulbs of Galanthus plicatus ‘Golden Tears’ were changing hands for £1,850 each. But at least this obsession didn’t bankrupt a nation! This Gardens Trust mini-series tells the story of the mania that developed around three of the most sought-after plants: tulips, rhododendrons and orchids. Each lecture will delve into how, and when these the plants arrived and what happened when they did, explaining along the way just what it was about them that caused such a furor – and a hole in the pocket.

This ticket (register HERE) is for this February 19 individual session and costs £8, and you may purchase tickets for other individual sessions, or you may purchase a ticket for the entire course of 3 sessions at a cost of £21 via the link here. (Gardens Trust members £6 or £15.75). Ticket sales close 4 hours before the talk.

Attendees will be sent a Zoom link 2 days prior to the start of the talk, and again a few hours before the talk. A link to the recorded session (available for 2 weeks) will be sent shortly afterwards.

Until the plant hunting expedition of Joseph Hooker to Sikkim between 1847 and ’51 there were only five species and a few cultivars in British gardens (two from America, two from Europe and R. arboreum from north India). They found a place in the American garden but were pretty dull. Then arrived 28 new species with brightly colored and attractive flowers, some even scented, and in the years to 1871 the same amount was spent on rhododendrons as was then the national debt! But there is much more to the story that staggering sums.

Dr Toby Musgrave FSA FLS is a garden and plants historian, horticulturist and author. His books have covered a wide range of subjects from head gardeners to heritage fruit and vegetables, plant hunters to paradise gardens, and a biography of Sir Joseph Banks. He lives in Denmark where he gardens one of the historic de Runde Haver and when not gardening, teaching or writing he works as a submersible pilot.

Sunday, April 27, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm – Run of the Charles

Join Charles River Watershed Association on April 27th for the 41st Run of the Charles paddling race at Herter Park, featuring live music, food trucks, a beer garden, and more! Registration is now open at https://www.crwa.org/events/runofthecharles Run of the Charles is Boston’s Premier Paddle Race. Grab your kayak, canoe, or paddle board and choose from four exciting courses as we celebrate 60 years of progress for a clean, resilient Charles River. Races begin in Brighton and Newton, running through towns including Watertown, Waltham, and Cambridge. All races will finish at Herter Park in Brighton. Hundreds of spectators line the riverbanks to watch the Run of the Charles and enjoy finish line festivities!

All skill levels, from beginner to expert, are welcome. Head to the Finish Line RiverFest at Herter Park to cheer on the paddlers starting and finishing their races between 10AM-4PM. Enjoy live music, coffee and beverages from The Black Harp mobile Irish Pub in the RiverFest Beer Garden. Questions about Run of the Charles? Email Meg Farrer, Race Director at mfarrer@crwa.org

Wednesday, February 19, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Eastern – Mt. Cuba’s Resilient Tree Canopy, Online

Trees are the backbone of any landscape. With current pest and disease threats and the predicted change in our climate, we must adapt our practices to protect our trees from these stressors. Please join Mt. Cuba staff as we discuss our strategies for preparing our garden’s tree canopy for a changing climate. We will share the thought process and models used to shape our current strategy, our ongoing data collection and tree monitoring tactics, and how we intend to use the information gathered to implement practices that will help nurture a resilient future tree canopy. This program is part of the online Mt. Cuba Lecture Series.

Nicole DeLizzio is the Arborist Assistant at the Mt. Cuba Center. She holds a BS in Agriculture and Natural Resources with a minor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from the University of Delaware. Nicole is an ISA certified arborist. In addition to co-teaching the Ecological Arboriculture course with the rest of the arboriculture team, she can be found sharing her combined passion for trees and art in pyrography, or the art of woodburning. One of Nicole’s favorite ecological gardening concepts is to allow trees to decay in place, when it is safe to do so, to be utilized by wildlife.

George Coombs, Director of Horticulture at Mt. Cuba Center, leads a team of horticulturists, arborists, and grounds maintenance technicians who cultivate and improve formal and naturalistic gardens and play a pivotal role in the implementation of Mt. Cuba Center’s long-range master plan. George produced award winning reports on native plant research as the former Manager of Horticultural Research at Mt Cuba Center and introduced four new Coreopsis cultivars. He holds a degree of Plant Science from the University of Delaware with a focus in landscape horticulture.

This program takes place online Wednesday, February 19, 2025. $25. Register at https://mtcubacenter.org/event/mt-cubas-resilient-tree-canopy-online/

Saturday, February 22, 10:00 am – Lessons from Large-Scale Restoration: Understanding Our Coastal Ecosystem

Love the Great Marsh, or live alongside of it? Learn how you can start making plans for your property NOW that will benefit this extraordinary ecosystem. This special workshop will be held at the @ecgreenbelt headquarters at the Cox Reservation. https://grownativemass.org/our-programs/calendar

Join restoration ecologist Zachary Navarro for unique insights drawn from New England marsh restoration projects. Through professional case studies, discover which native plant species naturally thrive in our coastal environment and why. Learn how our local marshes function as dynamic ecosystems and how residential properties fit into this bigger picture. Understanding these fundamental ecological relationships can inform simpler, more sustainable approaches to coastal property management. The presentation will explore success stories from restoration projects, key native plants, basic marsh ecology, and essential permitting considerations. After a presentation inside Essex County Greenbelt’s headquarters at the Allyn Cox Reservation, we will walk out to the adjacent salt marsh to find examples in the field.

Zachary Navarro leads Essex Horticulture @essexhorticulture , an ecological restoration firm specializing in coastal wetland rehabilitation throughout southern New England. A certified horticulturist with deep knowledge of native plant communities and invasive species management, he has successfully directed numerous large-scale salt marsh restoration projects across the region. His expertise encompasses ecosystem assessment, sustainable restoration techniques, and long-term habitat management for government and commercial clients.

Heirloom Orchard Endowment at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill is thrilled to announce a transformative $500,000 gift from George and Diantha Harrington of Kennebunk, Maine, in support of the Garden’s Frank L. Harrington Orchard. This extraordinary contribution will add to the Harrington Orchard endowment to ensure the preservation, care, and educational impact of this heirloom apple orchard for generations to come.

Located along the botanic garden’s entry drive, the Harrington Orchard is a cherished feature that celebrates the region’s rich agricultural history. It preserves a collection of 119 heirloom apple varieties in an orchard of 268 trees. Also known as heritage apples, heirloom varieties have been passed down over generations and are celebrated for their diversity of taste, color, texture, and size. The Garden’s collection was founded during the Great Depression by Stearns Lothrop Davenport (1885–1973), a trustee of the Worcester County Horticultural Society (WCHS), the organization that operates New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. Representing a range of rare and historic apple varieties, the Harrington Orchard is both a living museum and an educational resource, connecting visitors to the art, science, and history of heirloom fruit cultivation.

“The Harrington Orchard has been a long-term family interest for our family,” said George Harrington. Frank L. Harrington, for whom the orchard is named, was George Harrington’s father and a long-time WCHS supporter. The Harrington family has a connection to Worcester County that dates back generations, with members serving in leadership roles within local government and cultural institutions. George Harrington’s uncle, H. Waite Hurlburt, served as WCHS president from 1979 to 1984. “With this gift, we hope to ensure the Orchard’s vitality and to inspire others to appreciate the deep history and scientific importance of heirloom fruit trees,” Harrington says.

The endowment supports long-term orchard care, including pruning, pest management, tree replacement, and interpretive programming. As apples cannot be preserved in a seedbank, maintaining living collections like the Harrington Orchard protects uncommon varieties from being lost. Thanks to recent collaborations with academic partners and other experts, the Harrington Orchard is emerging as a resource for advancing scientific knowledge of rare heirloom apple varieties and expanding public awareness about the importance of agricultural biodiversity.

“George and DD Harrington’s generosity is a testament to their dedication to the preservation of the living collection of this heirloom orchard,” said Grace Elton, CEO of New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. “Their gift ensures that the Harrington Orchard will continue to flourish, delight, and educate our community for decades to come.”

The Frank L. Harrington Orchard is a vital part of the Garden’s commitment to environmental stewardship and the protection of natural resources. To learn more, visit https://nebg.org/orchard/.

Photo Caption/Credit: Apple blossom blooms in the Frank L. Harrington Orchard at New England Botanic Garden / New England Botanic Garden, Megan Stouffer

Friday, February 7 – Sunday, February 23 – Dreamscapes: Journeys into Nature

Berkshire Botanical Garden will kick off its 2025 Art/Garden exhibitions with “Dreamscapes: Journeys into Nature,” opening Friday, February 7, in the Leonhardt Galleries. Gallery hours for the exhibition are Tuesdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In this juried show featuring artwork by the Guild of Berkshire Artists, each artist was challenged to interpret their concept of what nature means to them. Is it colors, textures or the amazing beauty of life in nature? Does it reflect a reverence for the power nature can unleash or the fragility of every living thing? Is it the complexity as well as the simple beauty of spring tulips, fall leaves and sunsets? Each artist expresses their intent through drawing, painting, mixed media, photography, sculpture, textiles, glass, or ceramics. The results are as bountiful and often as dreamy as nature herself!

The artists are:

Carolyn M. Abrams, Karen J. Andrews, Donna Bernstein, Chelsea Bradway, Karen Carmean, Julian Craker, Keith Davidson, Mary O. Davidson, Anne Ferril, Kathryn Feuerbach, Gail Gelburd, Marion Grant, Nancy K. Harrod, Pat Hogan, Lynne Horvath, Robert Horvath, Caryn King, Christina Koldys, Pattie Lipman, Janet McKinstry, Sarah Morrison, Jaye Alison Moscariello, Rick Neilsen, Jeff Nestel-Patt, Wendy Holmes, Noyes Marilyn Orner, Alvin Joseph Ouellet, Barbara A. Patton, Ronald Piazza, Ingrid Raab, Paula Shalan, and Bruce J. Shickmanter.

The Guild was formed in 2014 to support and promote its members through education, exhibits and community events while contributing to the cultural life of the Berkshires.

Sundays, February 9, 16, and 23, 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm Eastern – Botanical Gardens: A World Tour, Online

Indulge in a colorful midwinter escape as naturalist and botanical horticulturist Keith Tomlinson leads a series of virtual visits that highlight the beauty of notable botanical gardens around the world including sites in Germany, the East and West Coasts of the United States, Morocco, and our nation’s capital. Vibrant visuals explore how each garden takes a unique approach to design and interpretation as they all celebrate plant collections, conservation, education, and the distinctive environments and landscapes in which they bloom.

February 9 – Frankfurt’s Palmengarten and Washington, D.C.’s United States Botanical Garden

Based mainly around historic conservatories, these two classic gardens are steeped in the history of their respective cities. While collections focus on tropical, desert, and Mediterranean regions, each garden is enhanced by beautiful landscaping and outdoor temperate collections. Both have a history of supporting conservation efforts for global plant diversity.

February 16 – South Carolina’s Brookgreen Gardens and Anima Garden in Morocco

Sculptures of all kinds inhabit gardens around the world, but these two pleasure gardens embody monumental art as a principal component of exhibition. From the Atlantic Low Country of South Carolina to the foot of Morocco’s towering Atlas Mountains, the history and setting of these gardens couldn’t be more different. Yet they share a similar engaging aesthetic theme.

February 23 – The Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California, and the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens

It’s said that more plants of different kinds can grow in the Los Angeles Basin than almost anywhere else in the world. Combine the soothing Mediterranean climate with irrigation and horticultural wonders abound. Only a few miles apart, Huntington Gardens and the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden are very different institutions that exhibit a botanical cornucopia from around the world.

Presenter Keith Tomlinson has worked as a naturalist and public garden administrator for 25 years, visiting wilderness areas and botanical gardens around the world. He is the author of numerous articles on plant conservation, botanical garden travel, and environmental education.

The series cost is $60 for Smithsonian members, $75 for nonmembers, or you can sign up for any individual session. To register visit https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/series/botanical-gardens-winter2025