Boston Flora

Tag: American Horticultural Society

  • Wednesday, September 5 – Saturday, September 15 – Gardens and Castles of the Czech Republic

    You will visit six UNESCO World Heritage Sites as part of this magnificent American Horticultural Society Central European itinerary from September 5 – 15 this fall. Expect to be dazzled by superb gardens, castles, art collections, and music. In addition to major attractions, you will enjoy the private visits to exclusive locations for which the AHS Travel Study program is known.

    Shirley and Frank Nicolai, both avid gardeners, will host this extraordinary program. In addition to previously serving on the AHS Board of Directors, Shirley has been recognized as a five-star National Garden Club member with master status in Landscape Design, Gardening Study, Environmental Studies and Flower Show School. She is a past president of National Garden Clubs. AHS President and CEO, Beth Tuttle, will join the trip and be on hand to share her perspective and garden insights.

    Our tour organizer is Harriet Landseer, who has led tours for Specialtours since 1996, including the AHS Travel Study program. A Prague resident who is fluent in Czech, she studied Art History at Yale University and has translated several books on Czech castles and country houses.

    Highlights

    Cesky Krumlov castle, a vast complex dating from 1253, is one of the top sites in Eastern Europe.
    Kromeriz Castle has a very rare and largely intact example of a Baroque garden (pictured below).
    Tugendhat Villa is an icon of modernism and Functionalist architecture.
    St. Nicholas Church, the most famous Baroque church in Prague is a superb example of High Baroque. The organ there was once played by Mozart.
    Prague National Theatre, where you will attend an opera.

    Top-rated accommodations

    The boutique five-star Aria Hotel Prague is just steps away from the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle. Inspired by music, the hotel’s rooms are dedicated to a specific style of music or artist/composer.
    The Hotel Ruze is a converted monastery and the only four-star hotel in Cesky Krumlov; it offers views of the castle and the Vltava river.
    The 5-star Comsa Palace Hotel in Brno city center was built in the middle of the 19th century and is the most prestigious address in town.

    For the complete itinerary visit http://ahsgardening.org/gardening-programs/travel-study/gardens-and-castles-of-the-czech-republic

    http://www.czechtourism.com/getmedia/cf346883-5532-4e05-9628-ad36fe2b0e7a/c-kromeriz-unesco-gardens-1.jpg.aspx/?width=800&height=450&ext=.jpg

  • Sunday, June 10 – Monday, June 18 – England, Gardens of the West Country

    Cornwall, Devon, Somerset & Wiltshire — Come explore the enchanting West Country of England, with rich gardening traditions that have influenced Western horticulture, on June 10 – 18 with the American Horticultural Society. Our trip starts in coastal Cornwall, where the mild, maritime climate supports both subtropical and Mediterranean-style plantings. From there, we will continue on through equally lush and diverse garden settings in Devon, Somerset, and Wiltshire. Your AHS Hosts will be Holly and Osamu Shimizu, horticultural professionals who trained in England. Holly is an AHS Board member and is currently the Interim Executive Director of the AHS.

    Our itinerary begins on the picturesque Cornish coast with walks through the Lost Gardens of Heligan (pictured below), the Eden Project, Trelissick, and Glendurgan Garden. Crossing into Devon we will visit the Antony House and its gardens, the thatched cottages of Mothecombe, the gardens and interiors at Mothecombe House with its architectural additions by Sir Edward Lutyens, and the Garden House with a famed two-acre walled garden.More historic houses and gardens await us in Devon, including the Elizabethan manor, Cadhay, and Killerton House, where the landscape was created by Capability Brown and Scottish horticulturist John Veitch. In Somerset and Wiltshire we will see Wells Cathedral and nearby Milton Lodge, then the next day visit Bath, Bradford on Avon, and Iford Manor with its hillside garden by Harold Ainsworth Peto. At Claverton Manor we will tour the American Museum and its Mount Vernon Garden, a replica of the flower garden at George Washington’s home. Our tour organizer is Susie Orso, a native of Britain, who has arranged and led dozens of AHS Travel Study programs. Susie has created this special tour, offered exclusively to our AHS travelers. For complete itinerary and information visit http://ahsgardening.org/gardening-programs/travel-study/england-gardens-of-the-west-country2018

  • Thursday, October 12 – Thursday, October 26 – American Horticultural Society Online Auction 2017

    Starting October 12 you will be able to bid for VIP, behind-the-scenes tours at stellar American gardens, to benefit the ongoing educational mission of the American Horticultural Society. Visit premier public gardens, accompanied by one of its leading gardeners.

    Bellevue Botanical Garden, Bellevue. Washington
    Bellingrath Gardens and Home, Theodore, Alabama
    Biltmore House and Gardens, Asheville, North Carolina
    Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, Maine
    Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Des Moines, Iowa
    Memphis Botanic Garden, Memphis, Tennessee
    Quarryhill Botanical Garden, Glen Ellen, California
    River Farm, Alexandria, Virginia
    Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durham, North Carolina (pictured below, courtesy of http://duke.edu/) Visit http://www.ahsgardening.org/online-auction for details.

  • Monday, September 25, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm – The Liberated Landscape: Letting Nature Do the Work Webinar

    Over thousands of years plants have evolved to reproduce and proliferate on their own, yet we often go to great effort and expense to carefully place every plant in our designed landscapes. How can we capitalize on the reproductive abilities of plants and actively encourage planted as well as existing species to colonize our landscapes? In this lecture, well-known landscape designer Larry Weaner will discuss principles and protocols for creating dynamic, ecologically rich landscapes where nature does much of the planting.

    This Ecological Landscape Alliance September 25 webinar from 4 – 5 pm will include detailed case studies that demonstrate how practical plant proliferation strategies can be applied at diverse scales, from the intimate garden to large multi-acre landscapes. Larry Weaner has been creating landscapes focusing on native plants since 1977. His firm Larry Weaner Landscape Associates has a national reputation for combining ecological restoration with the traditions of garden design. The firm’s work has received numerous awards, been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Garden Design, and Landscape Architecture Magazine, among other publications, and been included on tours with The Garden Conservancy, The Cultural Landscape Foundation, and the American Horticultural Society. Larry lectures throughout the U.S., and in 1990, he founded New Directions in the American Landscape, a conference series with a national following. He recently coauthored Garden Revolution: How Our Landscapes Can Be a Source of Environmental Change.

    Free for ELA members, $10 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/webinar-liberated-landscape-letting-nature-work/

  • Monday, October 30 – Wednesday, November 8 – Gardens of Argentina

    Get to know the botanical and cultural riches of Argentina on the American Horticultural Society’s unique tour October 30 – November 8, 2017.

    Cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, the “Paris of South America”, with its fascinating architectural styles and neighborhoods.
    Scenic wine valleys of Mendoza.
    Beautiful, colonial city of Salta in the Northwest.
    Visits to more than a dozen exceptional private gardens.
    Accomplished garden designers will join us along the way to serve as local guides.

    Our days also include public gardens and parks, renowned museums, charming towns and squares, and, of course, the opportunity to enjoy regional cuisine and locally produced wines.

    Your AHS Hosts are AHS Board member Jane Diamantis and her husband George. Jane and George are enthusiastic supporters of the American Horticultural Society and have previously led a number of successful AHS Travel Study Programs.

    Our tour leader from Benefactor Travel is Chelsey Henderson. Chelsey is an art historian who was born in Buenos Aires and educated in Argentina, The Netherlands, and London. She has traveled extensively throughout Argentina and South America and speaks fluent English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

    Optional post-tour  Iguazú Falls extension (November 8 – 10)

    If you extend your tour, you’ll have the chance to visit Iguazú National Park on the border between Argentina and Brazil, and experience the monumental beauty of Iguazú Falls.

    Taller than Niagara Falls and twice as wide, no description of Iguazú Falls – one of the world’s largest and most impressive waterfalls – could adequately describe its majesty.

    In the forests around the falls, all types of indigenous hardwoods and softwoods can be found, among them giant mahoganies, palms, rosewoods, and jacarandas. After admiring the falls, we will go on a walking tour in the jungle with a specialist guide.

    Top-rated Accommodations

    Alvear Palace Hotel in Buenos Aires, a Belle Epoque beauty dating from the 1930s.
    Park Hyatt Mendoza, a five-star hotel with an impeccably restored 19th-century Spanish colonial façade.
    Sheraton Salta Hotel, with panoramic views of the Lerma Valley.
    For those extending, a very special experience awaits at the Loi Suites Iguazú Hotel, a five-star hotel set in a tropical jungle.

    Complete details may be found at http://www.ahs.org/gardening-programs/travel-study/argentina2017

  • Wednesday, July 12 – Saturday, July 15 – National Children & Youth Garden Symposium

    NCYGS is the only national event of its kind where you can network with like-minded teachers, garden designers, community leaders, program coordinators, and others involved with connecting kids to the natural world. This summer’s event will take place in the Greater Portland Oregon and Vancouver Washington area. NCYGS 2017 attendees will have the opportunity to:

    Explore topics ranging from curriculum to program management to garden design and maintenance during four dynamic days of educational sessions, field trips, and expert keynote presentations. July 12 will feature optional pre-symposium trips, while July 13-15 will comprise the main body of the symposium.
    Experience the vibrant gardening and environmental culture of the green Pacific Northwest. Share ideas, success stories, and inspiration with like-minded colleagues from across the nation. Have questions or need more information? Email education@ahsgardening.org or call 703-768-5700 ext. 140. Website: http://ahsgardening.org/gardening-programs/youth-gardening/ncygs/2017-ncygs/overview

  • Tuesday, September 5 – Thursday, September 14 – Gardens of Genoa, The Italian Riviera, & Florence

    Join the American Horticultural Society September 5 – 14 on this adventure in exquisite Italian gardens, palaces, and art museums.

    Our itinerary begins in Italy’s northwestern port city of Genoa. We’ll experience the many delights of the Liguria region, enjoy the stylish resort areas of the Italian Riviera, and venture into Tuscany. In Florence we’ll see the Boboli Gardens, created by Cosimo I de Medici; the Uffizi Gallery, home to an astounding collection of Renaissance art; and villas and palaces with extraordinary gardens including the well-known Villa Gemberaia and Palazzo del Principe.

    Your AHS Host is Katy Moss Warner, President Emeritus of the AHS, and world traveller. Katy has hosted many garden tours for the AHS and is known for her enthusiasm for travel, gardening, music, and art.

    Our tour organizer is Susie Orso, who has arranged and led dozens of AHS Travel Study programs. She and Katy have worked closely together to craft this special program that is being offered exclusively to our AHS travellers. Susie is British by birth and lives in Florence with her Italian husband, and it is through her contacts that many of our visits will be possible.  Image below from www.planetware.com.

    Top-rated Hotels:

    In Genoa we will be guests at The Hotel Melia, a contemporary designer property that is both peaceful and centrally located.
    Our next stop will be the Grand Hotel Miramare in Santa Margherita Ligure, on the water in the heart of the Italian Riviera.
    Our final nights will be spent at the elegant Hotel Villa Cora in Florence, set in a park overlooking the Boboli Gardens.
    For complete information visit http://www.ahs.org/gardening-programs/travel-study/italy2017

  • Tuesday, May 16 – Thursday, May 25 – Gardens of Southern Scotland

    The American Horticultural Society will visit both public landmarks that are world renowned, as well as private gardens for which the owners have kindly and exclusively opened their gates, May 16 – 25, 2017.

    J. Dean Norton will be accompanying you on this tour. In addition to being Director of Horticulture for George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens. With a degree in plant sciences from Clemson University, Dean is one of the most passionate and personable horticulturists you will ever meet.

    Our tour leader will be Specialtours’ Verity Smith. Verity studied history of art at Bristol University and has a particular interest in architecture. Verity led our successful AHS trip to Gloucestershire and the Chelsea Flower Show in 2014.

    Highlights

    • Explore renowned gardens including the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and the Garden of Cosmic Speculation.
    • Visit Abbotsford House, the restored home of Sir Walter Scott (the author of Ivanhoe), with gardens he designed (pictured below.)
    • Enjoy a reception on board the Royal Yacht Britannia, one of the most famous ships in the world and former home to Her Majesty The Queen

    Hotels

    • The Blythswood Square hotel in Glasgow, is a 5-star spa hotel overlooking beautiful gardens and one of the most elegant and chic properties in this culturally rich city.
    • The Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian, affectionately known as “The Caley,” sits in the shadow of the Edinburgh Castle and is just a two-minute walk from the designer stores and fashionable bars of George Street.
    • The Roxburghe Hotel in Roxburghshire, set in the beautiful Scottish Borders region, boasts a championship golf course and is also noted for its personal touches.

    For complete information visit http://www.ahs.org/gardening-programs/travel-study/scotland2017

  • Wednesday, April 4 – Monday, April 17 – Springtime in Japan: Inspiring Gardens and Landscapes

    Wednesday, April 4 – Monday, April 17 – Springtime in Japan: Inspiring Gardens and Landscapes

    See iconic vistas, experience gardens that capture the essence of Japanese culture, witness rare and exclusive cultural events, marvel at bonsai masterpieces, see 1,000-year-old trees, and get an insight into the intricate landscape and design philosophies of this ancient culture this spring, April 4 – 17, with the American Horticultural Society.

    Our AHS hosts will be Holly and Osamu Shimizu. Holly is recently retired from her position as Executive Director of the U.S. Botanic Garden. Osamu is an accomplished landscape architect who spent the early years of his career in Japan. Both have traveled extensively, visiting gardens around the world.

    Frances Roxburgh, a founding partner of Specialtours, will be our tour leader. She has worked closely with Holly and Osamu over the past year to craft an exceptional itinerary exclusively for this AHS tour.

    Highlights

    Explore Tokyo’s Imperial Palace Gardens.
    Admire living masterpieces in the Shunka-en bonsai garden and museum.
    Behold the world’s largest bronze statue of the Buddha.
    Experience Kenroku-en, one of Japan’s finest landscape gardens.
    Be entertained by geisha in the ancient city of Kyoto — a rare opportunity.
    Learn about traditional Japanese philosophies and landscape design sensibilities.

    Our accommodations range from highly-rated hotels like the Ana Intercontinental Hotel in Tokyo, the Nikko Hotel in Kanazawa, the Hyatt Hotel in Kyoto, the Swissotel in Osaka, and the Benesse House Hotel in Naoshima, to distinctive ryokan inns in Hakone and Takayama, where we will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy traditional Japanese hospitality and culture. For complete itinerary and registration information visit http://www.ahs.org/gardening-programs/travel-study/springtime-in-japan2017

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  • Thursday, October 15, 6:30 pm – Massachusetts Horticultural Society Honorary Medals Dinner

    Each year, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society presents the Honorary Medals Dinner where the leading lights of horticulture are honored. The event gives us the opportunity to recognize the outstanding contributions of horticulturalists, plant innovators, and those who have made significant contributions to the enjoyment and appreciation of plants and the environment. This year’s dinner will take place Thursday, October 15 beginning at 6:30 pm in the Hunnewell Building at Elm Bank.

    THE GEORGE ROBERT WHITE MEDAL OF HONOR: Kris Jarantoski, Executive Vice President and Director, Chicago Botanic Garden- Keynote Speaker

    Kris Jarantoski (pictured below)  develops and directs the horticulture, plant collections, and facilities and planning of the Chicago Botanic Garden. Since joining the Garden in 1977, Jarantoski has played a major part in the creation of each of the 26 distinct gardens and four natural areas on the Garden‘s 385-acre campus.

    During his time at the Garden, Jarantoski has received a number of notable awards. In 2007, the American Horticultural Society presented Jarantoski with its Professional Award for his significant contributions to the field of horticulture. In 2011, the Garden Club of America presented Jarantoski with its Distinguished Service Medal for outstanding service in the field of horticulture.

    In July 2014, Jarantoski received the American Public Gardens Association (APGA) Honorary Life Member Award—its most prestigious—recognizing “an enduring commitment and contribution to the organization and leadership in the field of public gardens.” Announcing the award, Casey Sclar, executive director of the APGA, wrote, “Kris’s service to the Association for almost four decades is a beacon of leadership for others to emulate. He not only has taken the Chicago Botanic Garden from fledgling garden to one of the great gardens of the world, but has lifted the entire profession along the way with his charismatic, positive grace.”

    Most recently, in November 2014 Jarantoski was awarded the 2015 Arthur Hoyt Scott Medal and Award. The Scott Medal and Award, established in 1929 by Swarthmore College, recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding national contribution to the science and art of gardening; it has long been regarded as one of the most prestigious honors in horticulture.

    In addition, the Thomas Roland Medal will be presented to Joann Vieira, Director of Horticulture at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, The Jackson Dawson Memorial Medal will go to The American Chestnut Foundation, and Gold Medals will be awarded to Roger Cook, for his expertise on This Old House and his promotion of the public’s understanding and appreciation of horticulture and gardening, Mrs. Dorrance H. Hamilton for her support of excellence in horticulture through the Preservation Society of Newport County Flower Show, and Mrs. Maureen Ruettgers for her support of excellence in horticulture at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

    For information on attending, visit www.masshort.org.

    Kris-J-with-books

     

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