Boston Flora

Tag: American Horticultural Society

  • Friday, September 25, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Bedrock Gardens Tour

    Located just a few short miles from the New Hampshire seacoast, Bedrock Gardens integrates unusual botanical specimens, unique sculptures, and interesting landscape design and features. Over the past forty years, this thirty-acre site transitioned from a historic farm to an oasis of horticulture, art, and inspiration, featuring stunning landscapes such as a Spiral Garden, Parterre Garden, and Rock Garden. Attendees at this American Horticultural Society live tour on September 25 will have the unique opportunity to tour Bedrock Gardens with its creator Jill Nooney and to hear her speak on her recent book detailing the garden’s history. The tour will focus on spectacular fall color, including the GrassAcre, filled with Switchgrass, Hakone Grass, and Little Blue Stem. Registrants can also purchase the book in advance at this link for signing.

    Jill Nooney grew up in rural New Jersey. She attended Bennington College, Smith College School of Social Work, and the Radcliffe Seminars Program in Landscape Design. She has had a lifelong interest in plants, art, and healing the human spirit. She lives with her husband, Bob Munger, in an old farmhouse in New Hampshire. Together, over the span of forty years, they created Bedrock Gardens and, in 2023, they gifted the garden to the Friends of Bedrock Gardens to be enjoyed by all as a public garden.

    $50 for AHS members, $60 for nonmembers. Register at https://ahsgardening.org/behind-the-scenes-garden-tour-bedrock-gardens/

  • Wednesday, September 23, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Eastern – Designing the Lush Dry Garden, Online

    On September 23 at 7 pm Eastern on Zoom, Cricket Riley will share the inspiration behind the book Designing the Lush Dry Garden and discuss how personal experience, place, and climate shape the way we design and experience our landscapes. She will explore what it means to create gardens that are vibrant, resilient in the face of a changing climate, and expressive of individual values and aesthetics. The talk will highlight influences from the Ruth Bancroft Garden as well as practical design strategies and thoughtful plant choices that balance beauty with sustainability, offering attendees approachable ideas they can adapt to their own spaces. Cricket will also touch on how observation, experimentation, and seasonal change inform successful garden design over time. The American Horticultural Society presentation will conclude with an interactive Q&A, inviting audience members to ask questions and explore how the concepts, tools, and inspiration from the book can be applied to their own unique landscapes and gardening goals.

    CRICKET RILEY is co-owner of Lush Dry Gardens, a landscape design firm specializing in low-water garden design, and worked at the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek, CA, from 2017 to 2025. During her tenure she held multiple roles, including founding and serving as Director of the Design Services department. She was the primary instructor for the Dry Garden Design Certificate Program, which she co-created with Alice Kitajima in 2020.

    ALICE KITAJIMA’s deep connection to gardens and landscape design began early, inspired by her father, who immigrated to Los Angeles to design and install Japanese-style gardens. After completing her forestry and music studies at the University of California, Berkeley, she worked at botanical gardens and arboreta across the United States. As Program Director at the Ruth Bancroft Garden, she led the education department with a passion for helping people build meaningful, lasting connections with plants.

    $15 AHS members, $20 for nonmembers. Register at https://ahsgardening.org/ahs-live-designing-the-lush-dry-garden/

  • Monday, July 5 – Monday, July 12, 2027 – Grand Gardens & Hidden Gems of Austria & Bavaria

    Early July is a glorious time to explore the gardens of Austria and Bavaria, when long days and warm light bring landscapes into full, exuberant bloom. This thoughtfully curated American Horticultural Society journey with Panayoti Kelaidis traces a path from imperial Vienna through the Danube Valley and Upper Austria to the Bavarian Forest, revealing a rich spectrum of garden styles, from grand Baroque masterpieces to intimate, passion-driven private gardens. Along the way, enjoy expert-led explorations of historic palace grounds, owner-guided visits to gardens rarely open to the public, and meaningful conversations with horticulturists who share both technique and philosophy. Balanced with elegant accommodations, regional cuisine, and scenic drives through some of Central Europe’s most beautiful landscapes, this program offers a deeply engaging experience that connects you to the people, traditions, and ideas shaping these remarkable gardens today.

    Trip Highlights

    • Owner-led visits to exceptional private gardens in Austria and Bavaria, offering intimate access and personal insight
    • Expert-guided tours of Vienna’s great Baroque gardens, including Schönbrunn and the Belvedere, illuminating their design, symbolism, and imperial legacy
    • Peak summer bloom at its most vibrant, with fragrant roses, abundant perennials, and crisply defined formal plantings at their seasonal height
    • Behind-the-scenes access to innovative, sustainable horticulture at Die Garten Tulln, Europe’s pioneering ecological garden showcase
    • Engaging conversations with gardeners, designers, and horticulturists, sharing techniques, philosophies, and the stories behind their landscapes
    • A rich progression of garden styles, from imperial estates and monastic gardens to expressive, privately created landscapes
    • Scenic travel through Central Europe, from Vienna and the Wachau Valley to the Bavarian Forest, blending horticulture with cultural discovery

    For complete itinerary and information visit https://ahsgardening.org/travel-study-program/germanyandaustria2027/. You may also call (703) 768-8801 or email travel@ahsgardening.org

  • Grandmothers’ Garden in Westfield

    The American Horticultural Society has announced the inclusion of Grandmothers’ Garden in Westfield as part of the AHS Garden Network. Located within Chauncey Allen Park, this historic 1935 design by landscape architect Thomas Desmond features a formal layout of geometric beds organized around a central Summer House. Designed in the Colonial Revival style, Grandmothers’ Garden is home to a vibrant mix of formal flower beds and delicate herb gardens. Each season brings new color and fragrance, from spring bulbs and perennials to lush annuals planted by dedicated volunteers. The blossoms and herbs offer beauty, texture, scent and timelessness, creating a living tapestry that recalls both the Garden’s history and the humanity that allows it to thrive.

    The history of the garden may be found at https://www.grandmothersgarden.org/home. Photography is encouraged – for policies, click HERE. The garden is located on Smith Avenue in Westfield, open daily from dawn to dusk.

  • Thursday, September 17 – Saturday, September 26 – UNESCO Treasures of Ancient Greece

    Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime American Horticultural Society voyage through the legendary landscapes of Greece, where ancient history, horticultural heritage, and breathtaking coastal scenery converge. Traveling aboard the Emerald Azzurra, a private, 50-cabin luxury mega-yacht, you’ll experience a complete circumnavigation of the Peloponnese peninsula, exploring iconic UNESCO World Heritage sites, hidden harbors, and coastal villages rarely visited by larger ships.

    From the sacred sanctuaries of Olympia and Delphi to the medieval hilltop city of Mystras and the tranquil gardens of Athens and Kardamyli, each day offers insight into Greece’s deep cultural and botanical roots. Along the way, enjoy expert lectures, private garden visits, and authentic culinary experiences.

    Hosted by Panayoti Kelaidis, an award-winning horticulturist, educator, and AHS Liberty Hyde Bailey Award recipient, this journey offers rare opportunities for learning, reflection, and connection in one of the world’s most storied landscapes. Dates are September 17 – 26, 2026.

    Contact

    Travel Department
    703.768.8801
    travel@ahsgardening.org

  • Friday, April 2 – Saturday, April 10 – Gardens & Grandeur: Exploring Southern Spain’s Historic Treasures

    The American Horticultural Society is sponsoring a 2027 trip on April 2 – 10 in Southern Spain. Embark on a botanical journey through the stunning gardens of Southern Spain, where history, culture, and nature blend seamlessly. Explore the world-renowned Alhambra and the tranquil Generalife Gardens, followed by a visit to the enchanting Carmen de los Mártires gardens. In Seville, wander through some of the region’s most beautiful private gardens and historic estates, including the magnificent Palacio de las Dueñas, Casa Pilatos, and the breathtaking gardens of the Reales Alcázares. On a special day trip to a charming village, discover an exclusive private garden tour and lunch in a stunning home setting. From the serene beauty of Plaza de España’s grand gardens to the lush surroundings of the Seville Cathedral, this special AHS journey offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience Andalusia’s finest landscapes, making it a perfect escape for garden lovers and those seeking inspiration in the region’s distinctive beauty.  Click here for Program Brochure and Registration

     Trip Highlights  

    Discover the lush and serene surroundings of the magnificent Seville Cathedral Gardens. 

    Explore the world-renowned Alhambra and its tranquil, historic Generalife Gardens.

    Stroll through the enchanting gardens of this historic estate, blending beauty and cultural heritage.

    Visit stunning private gardens and historic landmarks, including  Palacio de las Dueñas, Casa Pilatos, and  Reales Alcázares Gardens.

    Enjoy a private garden tour and lunch at a beautiful home in a charming Andalusian village.

    Explore the grand gardens of Plaza de España Gardens, an iconic Seville landmark.


  • Friday, May 8, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern – The Modern Professional Planting Designer, Online

    There are many different approaches we can take to filling our gardens, landscapes and lives with plants. In this American Horticultural Society online talk on May 8 based on his new book, The Modern Professional Planting Designer, Andrew Fisher Tomlin will reveal some of the tools that will help you achieve professional-level solutions in planting. He will explore the difference between ornamental, naturalistic and nature-based planting design and discuss a guiding framework to support the development of your own planting design choices. With examples of real-life projects in Europe and the USA, he will finish with a preview of the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

    Andrew Fisher Tomlin is widely acknowledged as leading the development of a distinct professional career path in planting design through his own work and as a director of the internationally renowned London College of Garden Design in London and Melbourne where he has mentored some of the most exciting new designers coming out of the UK and Australia over the past 20 years. Andrew is a Chartered Horticulturist and a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and the Society of Garden and Landscape Designers in the UK and has received design awards in the UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand. He also teaches students of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and has given papers at institutions worldwide such as the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. and at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

    $15 for AHS members, $20 for nonmembers. Register at www.ahsgardening.org

  • Thursday, April 16, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Eastern – Future Nature: Cultivating Resilience Amid Ecological Change, Online

    Vegetation is shifting in response to intensifying environmental pressures—from invasive species and habitat fragmentation to rising nutrient loads and imbalanced herbivore populations. Drawing from his firm Phyto Studio’s experience with high-visibility public projects, landscape architect Thomas Rainer shares actionable strategies for designing resilient plantings. Learn how to work with competitive dynamics, select vigorous native species, introduce designed stress through soil manipulation, and embrace adaptive management models that favor abundance. This talk offers a grounded path forward for planting in a rapidly changing world.

    Thomas Rainer is a leading voice in ecological landscape design, pioneering a plant systems approach that anticipates a changing future. As a registered landscape architect based in Arlington, Virginia, Thomas reimagines ecological planting for gardens and public spaces, focusing on merging ecology with horticulture to shape resilient, adaptive landscapes that address today’s environmental challenges. His career features signature designs at landmark locations such as the Battery Park, Toronto Botanical Garden, and The New York Botanical Garden. He has designed over 125 residential gardens spanning from Maine to Florida. Thomas has taught planting design for the George Washington University Landscape Design program, as well as design workshops globally. He is the co-author of the bestselling Planting in a Post-Wild World with Claudia West.

    This American Horticultural Society online talk will take place April 16 at 7 pm Eastern, and is $15 for AHS members and $20 for nonmembers. Register at www.ahsgardening.org

  • Sunday, November 1 – Thursday, November 12 – Japan’s Autumn Majesty: Gardens, Colors & Cultural Treasures

    In Japan, autumn is a celebration of color. The centuries-old tradition of momiji-gari, or “red leaf hunting,” invites reflection and reverence as temple gardens, mountain landscapes, and ancient cities glow in luminous shades of scarlet, amber, and gold. Maples blaze against dark cedar forests, moss gardens deepen in color, and every carefully composed vista feels heightened by the season’s clarity. This thoughtfully designed American Horticultural Society journey blends Japan’s most revered gardens with rare cultural experiences that illuminate the philosophy behind them.

    Experience:

    Tokyo’s annual Chrysanthemum Exhibition, where intricate displays honor the flower long associated with the Imperial family and the spirit of autumn
    Shunkaen Bonsai Museum and Rikugien Garden, where classical landscape design frames brilliant seasonal color
    Kenrokuen in Kanazawa, admired for its harmonious balance of water, stone, trees, and open space
    Zen meditation at Tenryuji Temple in Kyoto, where maple trees arch over reflective ponds in one of Japan’s most iconic temple settings
    A hands-on ikebana workshop led by a master practitioner, exploring the disciplined artistry of Japanese flower arranging
    A traditional tea ceremony that reveals the profound aesthetics of simplicity, hospitality, and seasonal awareness
    A visit to an indigo-dyeing workshop preserving generations-old textile traditions
    A night in a traditional ryokan inn, complete with tatami mats, kaiseki cuisine, and restorative indoor and outdoor onsen hot spring baths
    Visits to a wasabi farm and tea plantation, where you’ll see firsthand how Japan’s agricultural traditions are shaped by water, terrain, and climate

    Throughout your trip, you’ll stay in exceptional accommodations and travel seamlessly between dynamic Tokyo, the mountainous beauty of Nagano, the preserved Edo-era districts of Kanazawa, and the temple-filled serenity of Kyoto. For complete information visit www.ahsgardening.org

  • Thursday, March 12, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Eastern – The African Ancestors Garden, Online

    Paul Peters, principal at Hood Design Studio, will share about the studio’s landscape design process for the African Ancestors Garden, part of the International African American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina. The garden draws inspiration from both the Lowcountry landscape and the broader African diaspora to create a tranquil environment for reflection, learning, and remembrance. Organized as a series of sub-gardens, the design celebrates the artistry, craftsmanship, and labor of African Americans through botanical and material narratives. The African Origins Garden highlights the botanical diaspora by featuring plants commonly found throughout Southern landscapes that trace their origins to regions across Africa, symbolizing how plant migration parallels the historical displacement and movement of people. Complementing this, the Lowcountry Garden is rooted in the ecology of local marshlands, incorporating native reeds, a circular arrangement of concrete benches inspired by the contours of coastal mudflats, and a gentle ground depression that gathers site runoff. Together, these spaces form a contemplative memorial landscape that honors ancestral memory and offers visitors a profound connection to the enduring heritage of the African diaspora.

    Hood Design Studio is a landscape architecture and social art practice based in Oakland, California and founded by visionary landscape architect, Walter Hood. Paul Peters, a Principal at Hood Design Studio, is renowned for spotlighting the intricate ties between nature and culture in his landscape designs. He transforms expansive sites into intimate spaces, designing with sensitivity to personal memories and experiences. He is deeply invested in the conceptual phase, seamlessly weaving broad perspectives, conceptual thinking, and research throughout his projects, ultimately influencing societal perspectives. Earning his master’s in landscape architecture from the University of British Columbia, Paul managed his own design-build firm in Vancouver for seven years. Since joining Hood Design Studio in 2016, he’s pioneered several groundbreaking projects. Notably, he’s contributed to the International African American Museum in Charleston, SC, the historic Oakland Museum of California’s renovation, and Nvidia’s state-of-the-art campus in Silicon Valley.

    This American Horticultural Society online program on March 12 is $15 for AHS members, $20 for nonmembers. Register HERE