Boston Flora

Tag: AHS

  • Wednesday, August 23, 7:00 pm Eastern – Conversations with Great American Gardeners: Dr. Lucinda McDade, Online

    Lucinda McDade joined Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden (dba California Botanic Garden, CalBG) in 2006 as the Judith B. Friend Director of Research and chair of the Botany Department at Claremont Graduate University. Since 2012, she has also served as the Garden’s Executive Director. She also serves as the Chair of the Botany Department at Claremont Graduate University (CGU) which collaborates with CalBG to offer a graduate program in the plant sciences. 

    McDade’s research focuses on the large and charismatic plant family Acanthaceae, on the role of hybridization in plant evolutionary history and phylogeny reconstruction, and on plant reproductive biology. She has conducted extensive field work including throughout the Americas, South Africa, Namibia and Madagascar. She has also worked extensively in herbaria in western Europe and elsewhere. McDade’s work has been supported by grants from the National Science Foundation, Andrew Mellon Foundation, Fletcher Jones Foundation, and more. She has conducted numerous NSF-funded research projects, including curation and preservation of plant collections, understanding constraints on floral evolution, comparative biology in a phylogenetic age, and harnessing the power of herbaria to understand the changing flora of California. McDade has been an invited speaker at many venues including universities and professional conferences.  

    Before joining CalBG and CGU, McDade was professor and herbarium curator at the University of Arizona from 1992 to 2000, then served as associate curator and chair of botany at the Academy of Natural Sciences until 2006. McDade’s appointments and honors include recipient of the Liberty Hyde Bailey Award from the American Horticultural Society; Merit Award honoree, Botanical Society of America (2013); recipient of the Asa Gray award, American Society of Plant Taxonomists (2019); president, American Society of Plant Taxonomists (2003–2004); Melinda F. Denton Memorial Lecturer, University of Washington (1998); president, Association for Tropical Biology (1995); and membership in Sigma Xi (1980). She served two terms, ending in 2022, as treasurer of the Botanical Society of America (BSA), the largest professional society of plant scientists in the United States. McDade serves on the Board of Trustees of the Center for Plant Conservation and has been a member of the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board.  

    The August 23 webinar at 7 pm Eastern is hosted by the American Horticultural Society and Holly Shimizu, former executive director of the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C. and an AHS board member, who will lead a lively and engaging conversation with speakers that will tap into their knowledge and experience. The interactive program format will allow audience members to ask questions of the guests. 

    Registration is free. RSVP is required. Visit www.ahsgardening.org to sign up.

  • Saturday, May 11 – Tuesday, May 21 – Treasures of Japan

    Join the American Horticultural Society May 11-21, 2024 for a trip of a lifetime, Treasures of Japan: Gardens, Art, and Architecture, aboard the deluxe, five-star Le Soléal small ship, with AHS Host Holly H. Shimizu.

    Brochure with pricing and registration information available here. At its core, Japan is a place of tranquility and spirituality, where nature’s beauty remains abundant and unspoiled. Tour the Land of the Rising Sun via a beautifully appointed small ship and experience some of the most serene and breathtaking gardens in the world. Find inspiration in majestic gardens including Sengan-en Garden, a fine example of a feudal lord’s garden; Yushien Garden and its collection of over 250 different types of peonies (below); Daejeon Hanbat Arboretum in South Korea, featuring 600 species of trees and other plants; and Glover Garden, with sweeping views of the port of Nagasaki. Explore Itsukushima Shrine on the island of Miyajima, a holy place of Shintoism since the earliest times.  Travel by ferry to Naoshima Island’s “Art Island,” a whimsical and curious destination sprinkled with surrealist art, sculptures, and architecture.  

  • Sunday, January 28 – Monday, February 5, 2024 – Natural Wonders of the Caribbean

    Explore the exquisite beauty of the Caribbean on an intimate, luxurious cruise aboard Le Bellot, one of Ponant’s beautiful new Explorer Class yachts that combines elegant design with innovative, environmentally friendly equipment. The nine-day getaway from January 28 to February 5, 2024 features thoughtfully planned excursions focused on Caribbean gardens and the natural world. This American Horticultural Society travel study trip is with AHS Expert and Host Holly H. Shimizu.  

    Highlights: 

    • A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion or activity in each port of call. 
    • UNESCO World Heritage sites: The Pitons of St. Lucia and Historic Bridgetown in Barbados. 
    • A true picture-perfect sampling of the West Indies: endless white-sand beaches, colorful reefs, idyllic turquoise waters, and the laid-back island way of life. 
    • A discovery of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, considered one of the world’s most stunning archipelagos. 
    • A barbecue lunch on your private beach on the island of Mayreau. 
    • Opportunities to sample local specialties, such as chocolate, spices, and rum. 
    • Exceptional seabeds and reefs with the possibility to observe turtles, barracudas, spiny lobsters, and parrotfish. 
    • Myriad opportunities to swim and snorkel in crystal-clear waters. 
    • Possibility of diving (PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent) with an experienced instructor on board (additional cost). To confirm your interest and request the detailed brochure, please contact us at travel@ahsgardening.org or (703) 768-5700, ext 117.
    Terre-de-Haut Island, Les Saintes, Guadeloupe archipelago

  • Wednesday, June 14, 7:00 pm Eastern – Conversations with Great American Gardeners: Ira Wallace, Online

    Ira Wallace is a worker/owner of the cooperatively managed Southern Exposure Seed Exchange (www.SouthernExposure.com) which offers over 700 varieties of open-pollinated heirloom and organic seeds selected for flavor and regional adaptability. Ira serves on the boards of the Organic Seed Alliance, and the Virginia Association for Biological Farming.

    She is a member of Acorn Community which farms over 60 acres of certified organic land in Central Virginia. Ira is a cofounder of the Heritage Harvest Festival at Monticello, (www.HeritageHarvestFestival.com) a fun, family-friendly event featuring an old-time seed swap, local food, hands-on workshops and demos, and more. She also writes about heirloom vegetables and seed saving for magazines and blogs including Mother Earth News, Fine Gardening and Southern Exposure.

    She was named a 2019 Great American Gardener by the American Horticultural Society and is a 2023 James Beard Foundation Leadership Award Finalist. She is author of the Timber Press Guide to Vegetable Gardening in the Southeast. Her new state specific book series including, Grow Great Vegetables in Virginia, are available online and at booksellers everywhere. Ira is currently working on creating an African Diasporic Seed Collection. 

    On June 14, join the American Horticultural Society for this live program hosted by Holly Shimizu, former executive director of the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C. and an AHS board member, who will lead a lively and engaging conversation with speakers that will tap into their knowledge and experience. The interactive webinar format will allow audience members to ask questions of the guests. 

    Registration is free. RSVP is required HERE.

  • Monday, June 26 – Wednesday, July 5 – Hampton Court Garden Festival & The Gardens of Southern England

    Join the American Horticultural Society for a wonderful tour through southern England, June 26 – July 5, 2023. The brochure with detailed itinerary and travel reservation form with pricing are available now. With AHS Hosts Tracy Ward Violette, Lecturer Garden Historian Marion Mako and Tour Manager Verity Smith of Specialtours you will have memorable experiences including:

    • Out-of-hours visit to the historic Sissinghurst Castle Gardens accompanied by the Head Gardener
    • Tour of the Knepp Estate to learn about the rewilding project and see the new garden by Tom Stuart-Smith
    • A morning at Great Dixter with the Head Gardener, Fergus Garrett, and a private lunch in the Yoemans’ Hall
    • An exploration of the historic towns of Rye, Arundel and the city of Winchester
    • Hampton Court Garden Festival, on the Members’ Day, to see the high quality of show gardens and horticultural exhibitions

    For more information and to make reservations, please contact our Development Department at (703) 768-5700 ext. 117, or email development@ahsgardening.org. Our fax number is (703) 768-8700.

  • Tuesday, May 16 – Thursday, May 25 – Greece: Antiquity, Culture & Gardens

    This splendid American Horticultural Society tour on May 16 -25, 2023, will bring us to ancient ruins, modern gardens, intriguing museums, and many sensory delights. As always on an AHS Travel Study tour, we will be given exclusive access to spectacular private gardens. Your AHS Hosts will be AHS Board member Jane Diamantis and her husband, George, and Verity Smith of Specialtours. Jane is an accomplished garden designer and owner of a landscape design company. George was born and raised in Greece, and is an avid photographer of plants and gardens around the world.

    Our trip begins in the city often called the cradle of Western civilization: Athens. Our itinerary includes the Philodassiki Botanical Gardens, lunch at the water’s edge at a marina, and a late afternoon visit to the Acropolis to see the Parthenon and its other monuments. During our stay in Greece we’ll see two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the medieval city of Rhodes, and the old town of Corfu. There will be leisure time to explore Rhodes, a mosaic of different cultures and civilizations for over 2,000 years. We’ll discover the elegant Old Town of Corfu, with its streets and squares, and tour private gardens all over the island. We’ll also be accompanied by Nigel McGilchrist, art historian and author of the Blue Guide to the Greek Islands, whose personal contacts have opened many doors on this sojourn. His insight and depth of knowledge will greatly enhance our understanding of past and present Greek culture. For complete itinerary and information visit http://ahsgardening.org//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/AHS-GREECE-ANTIQUITY-CULTURE-GARDENS-May-202385719.pdf

  • Tuesday, May 16 – Thursday, May 25 – Amazing Greece: Antiquity, Culture & Gardens

    American Horticultural Society hosts Jane and George Diamantis, with lecturer Nigel McGilchrist and tour leader Verity Smith of Specialtours will take us on a profound experience in Greece May 16 – 25. Highlights include:

    • A visit to the Parthenon, an enduring symbol of Ancient Greece and one of the world’s greatest monuments.
    • Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Nea Moni on the island of Chios and the Old Town of Corfu.
    • Visit Rachel Weaving’s private garden, author of a recently published book on the gardens of Corfu.
    • Gardens designed by Jennifer Gay, as well as private gardens that we’ve received special access to show you.
    • The New Acropolis Museum, with galleries of archaic and classical sculpture from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece.

    Accommodations include:

    • Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens, has been situated in the heart of the city since 1874. The landmark hotel is within walking distance of shopping, museums and the business district and features views of the Acropolis, Syntagma Square and Lycabettus Hill.
    • Erytha Hotel and Resort, Chios – This 4 star hotel is one of the most famous on the island due to its beautiful location and stunning views overlooking Karfas Bay. The hotel has recently been refurbished with all rooms having either a terrace or balcony overlooking the sea
    • Domes Miramare, Corfu, – Owned by the Onassis family during the 1960s this hotel re-opened in 2018 after extensive renovation. It is a luxurious adults-only resort and located 20 minutes drive from Corfu old town.
    • For more information about Travel Study Program tours, please contact development@ahsgardening.org or (703) 768-5700, ext. 117.
    • Designed with the garden-travel connoisseur in mind, the American Horticultural Society Travel Study Program offers exceptional itineraries that include many exclusive experiences and unique insights. Your participation benefits the work of the American Horticultural Society and furthers our vision of “A land of sustainable gardens, cultivated by a diverse population with a common passion for plants.

    For brochure and travel reservation form, visit www.ahsgardening.org

    From Rachel Weaving’s Gardens of Corfu (Impress Publishing London) © Marianne Majerus
  • Saturday, April 15 – Wednesday, April 26 – Discovering the Beauty of Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon

    Saturday, April 15 – Wednesday, April 26 – Discovering the Beauty of Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon

    The American Horticultural Society has rescheduled its exotic garden adventure hidden behind the peaks of the Himalayas from its original 2020 and 2021 dates to April 15 – 26, 2023. AHS host Tim Conlon and Tour Leader Susie Orso of Specialtours will lead the trip.

    Highlights:

    • Buddha Point, one of the largest Buddha statues in the world at 177 feet tall.
    • The Tashichho Dzong, the seat of the government since 1952.
    • The Royal Botanical Garden, Serbithang, a rescue center for rare and threatened native floral species.
    • The high mountain pass of Dochula, at 10,000 foot; on a clear day we will see the Himalayas.
    • The Lampelri Royal Botanical Park & Rhododendron Festival, pictured below. The park features 46 species of rhodies, many of which will be in bloom during our visit. During the festival we’ll enjoy traditional songs, dances, and cultural programs.
    • Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the country.
    • Bhutan’s most celebrated examples of monastic architecture: Paro Takstang monastery, also known as the Tiger’s Nest.

    Top-rated Accommodations:

    • Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport hotel, for short stays both at the beginning and end of the tour.
    • Norkhil Boutique Hotel & Spa in Thimphu is known for holistic spa treatments and organic cuisine in an exceptionally beautiful natural setting.
    • The Dhensa Boutique Resort, set in the Punakha Valley. We’ll be immersed in the peace and beauty of nature at its most brilliant.
    • The Gangtey Lodge, a window into Bhutanese rural life. It respectfully blends into its environment and will enable us to connect with the spirituality of Bhutan.
    • Le Méridien Paro, Riverfront hotel. Located on the edge of the Paro River, it offers panoramic views of the Eastern Himalayas.
    • For more information and to make reservations, please contact 703-768-5700 ext 127, or email development@ahsgardening.org.

  • Wednesday, March 8 – Friday, March 17 – The Enchanting Gardens and Allure of Morocco

    Join the American Horticultural Society March 8 – March 17, 2023 with AHS host Keith Tomlinson and Tour Leader Antonia Lloyd Owen for a journey through Morocco’s finest gardens. Highlights include visits to wonderful private gardens with refreshments hosted by the gardens’ owners. Visit The Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies, the only National Historic Landmark on foreign soil. The Exotic Gardens of Bouknadel are the dream and passion of French horticulturist Marcel Francois, classified as a national cultural heritage site. Old Fez, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a memory for the ages, as we make our way through the labyrinthine medina featuring the spice market, bazaars, and more. The Roman Volubilis ruins include a magnificent colonnaded shopping street, the Capitol, the Forum, and an impressive Triumphal Arch built in 217. Yves Saint Laurent’s Majorelle Garden, and Le Jardin Secret, an extraordinary garden dating back 400 years to the Saadian dynasty and loving restored by English landscape designer and author Tom Stuart-Smith, are also on the itinerary. For complete details visit www.ahsgardening.org, or call 703-768-5700, ext. 127. The updated brochure is now available.

  • Wednesday, July 13 – Friday, July 15 – AHS Centennial Year National Children & Youth Garden Symposium, Live and Online

    The American Horticultural Society is looking forward to an in-person conference where we can learn from each other in face-to-face interactive and hands-on ways, visit and tour gardens and greenspaces, and network in both the facilitated and unfacilitated ways that conferences provide.

    Mark your calendar for July 13-15, 2022 to join us for the 30th annual National Children & Youth Garden Symposium in Richmond, Virginia. The past two years of global health crisis have compelled many Americans to reevaluate what is truly important in their lives. In 2021, more adults than ever before reported taking part in some form of outdoor recreation, 20 million people became first-time gardeners, and National Parks were flooded with visitors upon reopening, all clear signs that for so many, nature is one of those things that we value most. Beyond the clean air and open spaces, the opportunity to grow our own healthy foods, and the awe-inspiring landscapes that give us respite from our daily routines that became so important during the pandemic, nature can help us solve other major challenges that society is facing today including a growing mental health crisis and climate change. Join us as our National Children & Youth Garden Symposium 2022 speakers explore the resilient and hopeful topic of nature as healer, teacher, and mentor. 

    Find out more about registration rates and travel and accommodations in Richmond. Educational sessions and speakers have been chosen – check out the fantastic array of topics! Check out the comprehensive symposium schedule and descriptions of field experience in and around Richmond. Keynotes by Lily Urmann with Rosanna Ayers and Carolyn Schuyler will be offered as stand-alone events available to a virtual audience. Meredith Henne Baker will welcome attendees to Richmond with a historical perspective on youth engagement by Virginia’s garden clubs.

    Register today In order to ensure a safe and healthy conference environment, all attendees must be vaccinated for COVID-19. More details will be available on safety procedures as the event gets closer, subject to change at any time based upon CDC and local health department recommendations.