Boston Flora

Tag: AHS

  • Tuesday, May 20 – Friday, May 30, 2026 – Ireland in Bloom

    Embark on a breathtaking springtime voyage through Ireland and Northern Ireland with the American Horticultural Society and tour leader Keith Tomlinson on May 20 – 30, 2026. Cruise around the Emerald Isle aboard the intimate, 72-cabin Exploris One, and discover a rich tapestry of historic gardens, sweeping coastal landscapes, and native flora at their seasonal peak. Explore UNESCO World Heritage sites and charming seaside towns, while enjoying guided excursions that spotlight the region’s horticultural traditions and natural beauty. Throughout the journey, experience the warmth of Irish hospitality and the vibrant renewal that defines spring in this lush, storied land.

    Customize your journey with excursion options at select ports, including walking excursions exploring Ireland’s natural wonders.
    Delight in the natural beauty of Ireland’s celebrated gardens, from the wooded grounds of Glenveagh Castle and the grand Mount Stewart estate near Belfast to the charming Salthill Gardens in County Donegal. Conclude with a visit to Kylemore Abbey, where a stunning Victorian walled garden awaits amid the wild landscape of Connemara National Park.
    Experience the jewels of Ireland’s famed Atlantic Coast including the dramatic Cliffs of Moher and the bogs and grasslands of Connemara National Park.
    Dock overnight in Belfast and Galway for opportunities to dine ashore and to enjoy the cities’ lively atmospheres and famed music scenes.
    Discover Belfast’s intriguing history including a visit to Titanic Belfast, a state-of-the-art museum on the site of the yard where the ill-fated ship was built.
    Travel along the Northern Ireland’s Antrim coast to the world heritage-listed Giant’s Causeway, the site of some 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns.

    Visit www.ahsgardening.org for a complete program brochure and registration opportunity.

  • Friday, September 26 – Submission Deadline for American Horticultural Society Great American Gardener Award

    Recognize horticultural excellence by nominating someone for a Great American Gardener Award. Each year the American Horticultural Society honors exceptional contributions to gardening and horticulture through this awards program. All nominations must be submitted by September 26, 2025. Questions? Email programs@ahsgardening.org

  • Tuesday, April 21 – Thursday, April 26, 2026 – Artistry and Floral Splendor: Dutch Waterways by Private River Barge

    Embark on an enchanting spring cruise with the American Horticultural Society April 21 – 26, 2026, along picturesque Dutch waterways aboard the privately chartered river barge, Magnifique II, led by AHS Senior Director of Horticulture Matt Mattus. Amidst blooming season, visit public and private gardens on expert-guided tours and observe innovative horticultural techniques inspired by Wageningen University’s Foodvalley. While highlighting Holland’s botanical wonders, the journey also showcases world-class art museums that house masterpieces of the Dutch Golden Age. This cruise promises a harmonious and fascinating exploration of natural beauty and human artistry. Additionally, there will be the opportunity to participate in an optional post-trip extension in Amsterdam, featuring private access to historic homes and gardens along the Vecht River. Click here for Program Brochure and Registration.

  • Friday, June 13, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern – Shade Gardening: Dazzling Plants and Design Tips, Online

    This illuminating American Horticultural Society lecture on June 13 at 2 pm, online, will put the spotlight on gorgeous, rugged plants (shrubs, trees, evergreens, perennials, vines, annuals, and bulbs) that shine in lower light. Many of these stars also work great in containers. Topics include assessing shade; modifying shade to allow more light; key design tips for maximizing color; solutions for dry shade; and gardening under trees.

    Kerry Ann Mendez is an award-winning garden educator, author, design consultant and proprietor of Perennially Yours based in southern Maine. As an exceptionally popular educator and communicator, she has presented hundreds of lectures to thousands of gardeners in 23 states. In 2014 she received the Gold Medal award from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society for “Exceptional teaching and writing that increases public enjoyment and appreciation of horticulture.” Kerry Ann has written four gardening books, the most recent being The Budget Wise Gardener and The Right-Size Flower Garden. In 2016 Kerry Ann started producing international gardening Webinars that have been enjoyed by thousands.

    REGISTER NOW $15 AHS members, $20 nonmembers.

  • Wednesday, June 11, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Eastern – Waterwise Gardening: Irrigation Basics for a Drought-Resilient Garden, Online

    This American Horticultural Society online talk on June 11 at 7 Eastern covers everything you’ve ever wanted to know about plants and irrigation but were unsure how to ask. Nan starts with the basics of water conservation and why is it important, along with an overview of how plants use water, why some need more and some need less. She talks about how plants evolve and adapt to their growing conditions – arid or otherwise – to help you understand how often and how long to water plants growing in your garden. Nan then turns the focus to irrigation methods and technologies, especially the most effective and most efficient approaches to watering, managing water, capturing rainwater, using graywater, and much more.

    Nan Sterman is a Southern California native and a trailblazer in water-efficient, sustainable gardening practices for dry, Mediterranean-type climates. As a plant expert, garden designer, botanist, speaker and journalist, Nan inspires gardeners with her wealth of knowledge and passion for plants. Her latest book, Hot Color, Dry Garden, is a vibrant guide to creating stunning, waterwise gardens bursting with color. You’ll find Nan’s engaging articles in top gardening publications, including The American Gardener.

    Nan is a sought-after speaker, sharing her expertise with groups and organizations nationwide. Nan also created and hosts the award-winning public TV show A Growing Passion, which connects people, plants, and the planet in exciting and educational ways. Since its launch in 2010, Nan’s popular Easy Seed Starting Course has taught several thousand aspiring gardeners how to grow their own vegetables. During the COVID quarantine, she added Nan Sterman’s Garden School, a year-long program packed with classes, field trips, how-to videos, and a supportive community. It’s all designed to teach gardeners how to think critically and grow thriving, eco-friendly gardens using science-backed, practical techniques. She also offers Third Thursday webinars and leads international garden tours.

    REGISTER NOW $15 AHS members, $20 nonmembers.

  • May 30, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern – Black Flora, Online

    Author and horticulturist Teresa Speight will share about her book Black Flora, the first book to feature profiles of contemporary Black experts innovating in the world of flowers. This American Horticultural Society online talk on May 30 offers a beautiful intersection of flowers and community, unearthing the floral legacies of the past and present, while providing a source of inspiration for younger generations of plant-lovers seeking examples of successful Black floral artists and entrepreneurs.

    Teresa J. Speight is the Urban Garden and Container Garden Chair, District 1, for National Garden Clubs, Inc., and the founder and president of the Jabali Amani Garden Collective, a garden club for Minority women who enjoy gardening. Through her blog and podcast, Cottage in the Court, she offers a unique perspective on connecting with the earth, as well as curated garden experiences for small groups. Teri also offers one-on-one garden coaching, specializing in earth-friendly practices. She is the author of Black Flora and the co-author of The Urban Garden.

    REGISTER NOW $15 AHS members, $20 nonmembers.

  • 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.

    REGISTER NOW $15 AHS members, $20 nonmembers.

  • 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/

  • Thursday, April 24, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern – Native Plant Groundcovers, Online

    Short native plants and low-growing groundcovers have the potential to form dense undergrowth, creating a lush floor for your garden and contributing to the local ecosystem. Join the American Horticultural Society online on April 24 at 2 pm Eastern to explore the dynamics of plant competition in the understory, the role of site preparation, and plants native plants that will enrich your garden. Kathy Connolly is a landscape designer who specializes in naturalized designs, low-impact landscape techniques, and native plants. She works with homeowners, municipalities, and organizations through her business, Speaking of Landscapes. She has a master’s degree in ecological landscape planning and design from the Conway School and is an Accredited Organic Land Care Professional. Connolly has received award and recognition for her communications efforts on the topic of invasive plants.

    REGISTER NOW $15 for AHS members, $20 for nonmembers.

  • Thursday, April 17, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern – How Can I Help? Saving Nature with Your Yard, Online

    In this American Horticultural Society online talk on April 17 at 2 pm Eastern, Dr. Douglas Tallamy shares his new book to address questions about ecological landscaping and further motivate people to help restore ecosystem function where they live, work, play, worship, and farm. Tallamy will offer insight on topics such as ecology and evolution, biodiversity, invasive species, insect declines, native and non-native plants, conservation and restoration, residential and city landscapes, urban issues, oak biology, keystone plants, Homegrown National Park, monarchs, supporting wildlife at home, and more.

    Doug Tallamy is the T. A. Baker Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, where he has authored 114 research publications and has taught insect related courses for 45 years. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities. His books include Bringing Nature Home, The Living Landscape, co-authored with Rick Darke; Nature’s Best Hope, a New York Times Best Seller; and The Nature of Oaks, winner of the American Horticultural Society’s 2022 book award. In 2021 he co-founded Homegrown National Park with Michelle Alfandari (HomegrownNationalPark.org). His awards include recognition from The Garden Writer’s Association, Audubon, The National Wildlife Federation, Allegheny College, Ecoforesters, The Garden Club of America, The Herb Society, and The American Horticultural Society.

    REGISTER NOW. $15 for AHS members, $20 nonmembers.