Boston Flora

Tag: American Horticultural Society

  • Thursday, November 21, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern – Leave the Leaves, Online

    In this American Horticultural Society online talk on November 21 at 2 pm Eastern, we will explore why fallen leaves, sticks, and dead-head flowers are important to wildlife and soil fertility. Then, we will address practical concerns that arise when we keep autumn materials on home or community properties. How can careful plant selection, plant care, timing, and good landscape design help us to keep properties attractive at the same time as we practice good stewardship? This talk is accompanied by an extensive reference document. $15 for AHS members, $20 for nonmembers. Register at www.ahsgardening.org

    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.

  • Sunday, August 24 – Saturday, September 6, 2025 – South Africa’s Blooming Landscapes: Wildflowers, Nature Reserves, and Gardens

    Experience the breathtaking landscapes of South Africa on our immersive American Horticultural Society’s program designed to showcase the country’s rich biodiversity, cultural heritage, and natural wonders. Set against the backdrop of wildflower season, explore the vibrant city of Cape Town and the Cape Floral Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its exceptional array of plant species and wildlife. Highlights include visits to the iconic Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, the lush oasis of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, and a delightful visit with members of the Cape Horticultural Society at the enchanting Arderne Gardens. Discover the pristine landscapes of the Weylands Wildflower Reserve, Nieuwoudtville, and the majestic Kagga Kamma Reserve, where ancient rock formations and awe-inspiring vistas await. In the picturesque wine country surrounding Stellenbosch, enjoy the tranquility of its vineyards and gardens, including a guided tour of the renowned Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, the oldest university botanic garden in South Africa. At the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden, delight in the harmonious interplay between art and the natural world. Extend your adventure with an optional program to Blyde River Canyon and Kruger National Park, or tailor your experience with personalized program extensions, ensuring your South African adventure is truly unforgettable.Your AHS hosts are David and Janice Ellis. For complete information visit https://ahsgardening.org/gardening-programs/travel-study/2024-travel-study-programs/south-africas-blooming-landscapes-wildflowers-nature-reserves-and-gardens/

    Red Protea in Kirstenbosch, Cape Town against the backdrop of Table mountain, South Africa. Pincushion flower in Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens, Cape Town, South Africa

  • Thursday, November 7, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Eastern – Adventures in Ecological Horticulture, Online

    Who doesn’t love butterflies? Habitat cultivation is a vital component of creating ecologically healthy landscapes, particularly in urban settings. But traditional landscaping practices rarely take biodiversity into consideration, and there aren’t yet guidelines to follow. For ecological horticulturist Rebecca McMackin, biodiversity is central to landscape management. In her 10 years as Director of Horticulture at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Rebecca oversaw 85 acres of diverse, organic landscapes, all managed to support birds, butterflies, and soil microorganisms. Join us to learn how to use ecological insight and experimentation to develop new management strategies – and why careful observation and documentation of the insects, birds, and other wildlife in your gardens is crucial to their success. Rebecca will speak online in an American Horticultural Society talk on November 7 at 7 pm Eastern. $15 for AHS members, $20 for nonmembers. Register at www.ahsgardening.org

    Rebecca McMackin is an ecologically obsessed horticulturist and garden designer. She is Arboretum Curator for Woodlawn Cemetery, managing one of the best tree collections in New York. She spent a decade as Director of Horticulture of Brooklyn Bridge Park, where she managed 85 acres of diverse parkland organically. Their research into cultivating urban biodiversity and ethical management strategies has influenced thousands of people and entire urban parks systems to adopt similar approaches. McMackin writes, lectures, and teaches on ecological landscape management and pollination ecology, as well as designs the rare public garden. She has been published by and featured in the New York Times, the Landscape Institute, on NPR and PBS, and somehow gave a TED talk. She holds MScs from Columbia University and University of Victoria in landscape design and biology and recently completed the Loeb Fellowship at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

  • Friday, November 1, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern – Building a Gardening Culture Through Media, Online

    Join Rochelle Greayer, the new editor of The American Gardener, for a conversation with AHS director of national programs Courtney Allen about the power of communications to create communities of plant lovers. As the author of a book, blog, magazine, and newspaper about horticulture, Greayer is at the forefront of gardening education. Hear her thoughts on gardening trends, how gardeners learn about them, and how gardeners create those movements together. This November 1 webinar at 2 pm Eastern is $15 for AHS members, $20 for nonmembers, and you may register at www.ashgardening.org

    As a garden expert, landscape designer, and entrepreneur, Rochelle Greayer founded Pith + Vigor, a newspaper, online magazine, and education platform, and she created the acclaimed blog Studio ‘g’, (named one of the top ten gardening blogs by Better Homes & Gardens). She also co-founded Leaf Magazine and contributed to Apartment Therapy as the original creator of the weekly column “The Gardenist.” For the last five years, she has been seen, every spring, talking about plants on the Home Shopping Network. A graduate of the English Gardening School in London, England, Rochelle has designed gardens for private residences and hotels worldwide since 2002. She has contributed to several gardening books and published her first solo work, Cultivating Garden Style, in 2014. 

    Her diverse background also includes co-founding the Harvard Farmers Market and a previous career as a physicist and rocket scientist. Rochelle is excited to take on the editorship of America’s oldest gardening magazine, to continue AHS’s long tradition of publishing informative science-based garden and horticultural stories, and to bring a new face to the magazine—one that reflects the modern gardener.   

  • Thursday, October 3, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern – The Crevice Garden, Online

    A rock garden is an age-old institution in gardening, maybe even a crusty old one, but Crevice Gardens are the ultimate expression of the spirit of gardening with nature’s rocky places in mind. More and more of them are recently part of the exhibits of botanic and public gardens around the world- as well as home gardener’s back yards. Why is that? In this American Horticultural Society webinar on October 3 at 2 pm Eastern, we’ll learn what a crevice garden is, a bit of its history, how all it can be used to create something special, grow challenging plants, or solve a problem. Finally, we’ll learn how to make an approachable one in the home garden, in any climate. $15 for AHS members, $20 for nonmembers. Register at www.ahsgardening.org

    Kenton Seth is the owner of Colorado-based garden design business Paintbrush Gardens, co-author of the New York Times-acclaimed book The Crevice Garden, and former Head of Horticulture for Western Colorado Botanic Gardens. He is an international speaker, a nursery owner/operator, an accomplished propagator of novel plants, and a designer and plantsman of crevice gardens, meadow gardens, and native plant landscapes.

    In his freelance garden design work, Kenton Seth consults for, designs, and installs rock, native plant, and xeric gardens. His landscapes span from Colorado to the Pacific Northwest, North Carolina, and New Zealand. He tests and implements cutting-edge planting systems, making them practical for use in both the private and public sector. While primarily an educator, consultant, and designer, he also installs public demonstration exhibits and residential landscapes to test, perfect, and demonstrate new techniques and plants. Seth operates a small nursery to supplement plant material for his designs as well as to supply plants to growers to support xeric plant availability. His mission is to demonstrate and facilitate examples of dry or unirrigated landscapes that are also ecologically beneficial, to raise the demand for such landscapes. Seth’s landscape worked is informed by his BFA in Studio Art from Colorado Mesa University and his Master Gardener certification from Colorado State University.

  • Wednesday, September 25, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Eastern – Ecotypes: Ecological Gardening with Nature’s Heirloom Seeds, Online

    It all starts with a seed. Join Sefra Alexandra, The Seed Huntress, on a conservation safari into the world of ecotypes— native plants grown from locally wildcrafted seeds. Discover why seed provenance is essential for plant resilience and ecological restoration.Learn how planting the right plants in the right place restores the living seed banks of our soils and strengthens the growing national movement of ecoregional seed networks. Embark on a journey into nature’s heirlooms and transform your garden with ecotypic seeds, the locally adapted treasures of pollinators. This American Horticutural Society online talk takes place September 25 at 7 pm Eastern, and is $15 for AHS members, $20 for nonmembers. Register at www.ahsgardening.org

    Sefra Alexandra – the Seed Huntress- is the Ecological Health Network Education Coordinator for the Northeast USA Bioregion. She leads The Ecotype Project, teaching smallholder farmers how to produce autochthonous plant material for ecological restoration. These efforts have led to the formation of the farmer-led Northeast Seed Collective, making ecotypic seed commercially available. In 2020 she began BOATanical.org where she guides ‘backyard’ expeditions to plant native plants by boat along riparian corridors, an experience that contributes to a culture of citizen science and ecological stewardship. Alexandra is on the board of the Freed Seed Federation and the steering committee of the Northeast Seed Network. She holds a MAT in agroecological education from Cornell University and is trained in the tradition of seed saving by the Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance. She is also a WINGS WorldQuest expedition flag carrier, member of the Explorers Club, former Genebank Impacts Fellow for the Global Crop Diversity Trust, and has helped to fortify community seed banks on island nations with Tactivate- the disaster response company she runs with her twin brother.

  • Monday, May 26 – Friday, June 11 – Highlands, Islands, and Fjords: Scotland, Orkney Islands, and Norway

    Travel with the American Horticultural Society about the Exploris One with AHS Hosts Holly and Osamu Shimizu in May and June, 2025. Embark on an in-depth exploration of the magnificent landscapes, remote islands, blooming gardens, ancient settlements, and idyllic villages of Scotland and Norway. Discover the charm of Inverness, the heart of the Scottish Highlands, where you can wander through its picturesque Old Town and peruse the Victorian market filled with local specialties and crafts. Experience a variety of gardens, from the historic grounds of Cawdor Castle to an award-winning coastal garden, a garden steeped in mythology, an herb garden, and a bio-dynamic farm, each offering unique and enriching visits. Explore the Orkney Islands, where you can uncover the enduring Viking influence that shaped centuries of strategic presence. Delight in exploring remarkable Stone Age landmarks such as the Ring of Brodgar and Skara Brae, an ancient village of stone slabs dating back 5,000 years, both honored as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Cruise along Norway’s iconic fjords, discovering UNESCO World Heritage sites and unique cultural experiences. For those seeking to extend their journey, enjoy enriching optional pre-trip and post-trip extensions to explore the captivating Scottish Highlands and the cultural and garden delights of Oslo. For complete details visit https://ahsgardening.org/gardening-programs/travel-study/highlands-islands-fjords-scotland-orkney-islands-norway/

  • Sunday, April 27 – Saturday, May 3 – Tropical Treasures: Hawaii’s Garden Delights & Lei Day Festivities

    Embark on a breathtaking journey to the Hawaiian Islands of Kauai and Oahu with American Horticultural Society and host Keith Tomlinson. From ancient lava flows and craggy volcanic peaks to emerald river valleys and fluted sea cliffs, the Hawaiian Islands are an awe-inspiring horticultural and geological wonderland. Natural wonders on Kauai and Oahu include lush greenery, thundering waterfalls, deserts, rain forests, volcanoes, golden beaches, and more. Discover a wide range of natural habitats and a fascinating diversity of marine life, including tropical fish, sea turtles, and possibly humpback whales that migrate to Hawaiian waters for the winter. On relaxed hikes, search for elusive forest birds, sea birds, spectacular geologic formations, and eye-catching endemic plants. Spring is a time of celebration worldwide, and Hawaii distinguishes itself in unique and culturally rich ways on Lei Day. Experience a festive parade and Lei Day festival at Kapiolani Park in Honolulu, featuring a lei making competition, crafts on display, and hula performances. AHS Host Keith Tomlinson will provide insights from his time as a student at the University of Hawaii and work in the Botany Department at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. An optional post-trip extension on the Big Island is also available. Email travel@ahsgardening.org to express interest and pre-register. Join an optional post-trip extension on the Big Island, including exploration of Kilauea volcano, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, and coffee and garden tours on the Kona coast.

  • Tuesday, April 15 – Thursday, April 24 – Floral Splendor and Artistry: Dutch Waterways by Private River Barge

    Embark on an enchanting spring cruise along picturesque Dutch waterways aboard the privately chartered river barge, Magnifique IV. 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.

    This American Horticultural Society spring trip on April 15 – 24 with host Katie Tukey, with an optional Amsterdam Extension. The Magnifique IV took to European waters in 2020, after it completed a full conversion from a barge to passenger vessel by master shipbuilder Walter van Berkum. Accommodating no more than 36 passengers plus crew, the vessel is designed to create a welcoming relaxed atmosphere on board. The upper deck features a spacious salon with A/C, bar, and lounge.

    The inviting restaurant is separated from the kitchen by a glass wall so you can see the talented chefs in action. Meals are served in a single seating and feature fresh and tasty Euro fusion cuisine. The teak sundeck invites you to enjoy the scenery as you float by and features a hot tub. For complete itinerary, costs, and highlights, visit https://ahsgardening.org/gardening-programs/travel-study/2024-travel-study-programs/floral-splendor-and-artistry-dutch-waterways-by-private-river-barge/

  • Friday, June 14, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern – Foggy Bottom – A Garden to Share, Online

    An inspirational guide to understanding plants and gardens, the book and American Horticultural Society virtual talk on Friday, June 14 are based on Bloom’s experience in creating his own spectacular six-acre garden, Foggy Bottom. From an empty meadow in 1966, this renowned horticulturist’s lifetime creation demonstrates stunning combinations and seasonal interest. Learn how to masterfully use perennials, grasses, and shrubs, as well as the background of how this project inspired Bloom’s signature Give Away Gardens.

    From expanding the family nursery business to include new ranges of plants, to designing countless gardens throughout the UK and the US, Adrian Bloom has cultivated a gardening culture for the past sixty years. He has appeared as a television presenter with Anglia TV (1973), BBC Gardener’s World (1993-96), and WGBH in the US on The Victory Garden, (1996- 2001). Bloom has written more than 10 books, including Conifers for your Garden (1972), A Year Round Garden (1978), Blooms of Bressingham Garden Plants (with Alan Bloom 1992), Winter Garden Glory (1993), Summer Garden Glory (1996), Gardening with Conifers (2001), Bloom’s Best Perennials and Grasses (2010), and Foggy Bottom: A Garden to Share (2023). Bloom has also received numerous awards, including the Victoria Medal of Honour (VMH) by the RHS (1985), the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Garden Media Guild (2015), the George Robert White award by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society (2001), and 26 gold medals for the Bressingham Gardens exhibits at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

    $15 AHS members, $20 non-members. Register at www.ahsgardening.org