Boston Flora

Tag: Arnold Arboretum

  • Sunday, May 11, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Lilac Sunday

    On May 11, experience the springtime bloom of The Arnold Arboretum’s renowned collection of over 400 lilacs. Visit for tours with Arboretum experts, hands-on children’s programming, dancing, meditation, chalk art, and more. Picnicking in the Arboretum landscape is permitted on this day only.

    Located primarily on the edge of Bussey Hill Road in the heart of the landscape, the lilac collection at the Arnold Arboretum is among the premier collections of these plants in North America. Of the thousands of flowering plants in the Arboretum (many of which can also be enjoyed at this time), only the lilac is singled out each year for a daylong celebration.

    Pack a picnic and make your way to the lilac collection on Bussey Hill Road.
    Register

    Perimeter parking is severely limited and thousands are expected to attend Lilac Sunday. Visitors are strongly encouraged to use public transportation. For more information on the days activities, visit https://arboretum.harvard.edu/events-2/lilacs-at-the-arnold-arboretum/

  • Saturday, May 3, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Early Spring Blooms

    At the beginning of May, flowers are just starting to emerge from the trees and shrubs of the Arboretum: cherry trees, dogwood, redbuds, and magnolias are all blooming this time of year. Join Arboretum docent Paul Eldrenkamp on May 3 at 10 am in front of the Hunnewell Building to see, smell, and learn about these early spring blooms! This tour will include paved roads and woodchip paths. Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and closed toe walking shoes. Tours may be canceled in cases of the following weather conditions: severe wind, snow, ice, thunder or lightning events; temperatures over 90 degrees; temperatures below 20 degrees; or other weather events at the discretion of Arboretum staff. In the case of cancelation, you will be contacted by Arboretum staff no later than 2 hours before the start of the event. If you have questions about the status of a program, please email or call the Visitor Center at (617) 384-5209 between 10:00am and 4:00pm. Register at https://arboretum.harvard.edu/events/early-spring-blooms-302/?occurrence=2025-05-03

  • Saturday, May 10, 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm – Explorers Garden Tour

    The Explorers Garden rests in a microclimate just below the summit of Bussey Hill. This nearly five-acre site provides ideal growing conditions for many species that have been challenging to grow in less protected areas of the Arboretum. As such, it has proven to be a perfect testing ground for plants collected in the expeditions of E. H. Wilson in the early 1900s to the NACPEC (North America-China Plant Exploration Consortium) expeditions of our own time. Join docent Marie Herbert on May 10 at 1 pm for a guided tour to learn more about some of the plants showcased in this special collection and to hear stories of the plant exploration expeditions that brought them to the Arboretum. This tour will include paved roads and woodchip paths. Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and closed toe walking shoes. Tours may be canceled in cases of the following weather conditions: severe wind, snow, ice, thunder or lightning events; temperatures over 90 degrees; temperatures below 20 degrees; or other weather events at the discretion of Arboretum staff. In the case of cancellation, you will be contacted by Arboretum staff no later than 2 hours before the start of the event. If you have questions about the status of a program, please email or call the Visitor Center at (617) 384-5209 between 10:00am and 4:00pm. Free but register at www.arboretum.harvard.edu. Meet at the Centre Street Gate.

  • Sunday, May 4, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Conservation in a Changing World

    Part of the mission of the Arnold Arboretum is stewardship of the earth’s botanical diversity and its essential value to humankind. This May 4 one hour tour through the landscape, led by docent Vicki Amalfitano, will highlight important Arboretum historical conservation efforts that have preserved distinct native and exotic species, and current efforts in our living collections to mitigate habitat disruption and climate impact. Learn about plant expeditions to preserve species in the face of climate change and new pathogens, research initiatives, as well as the Arboretum’s green initiatives and local collaborations to improve our urban canopy.

    Accessibility: This tour covers slightly over 1 mile in distance over terrain of asphalt, crushed granite, and mulch. Please be sure to dress for the weather and wear comfortable, closed toe footwear you don’t mind getting dirty. Tours may be canceled in cases of the following weather conditions: severe wind, snow, ice, thunder or lightning events; temperatures over 90 degrees; and temperatures below 20 degrees. Tours may be canceled due to other weather events at the discretion of Arboretum staff. In the case of cancelation, you will be contacted by Arboretum staff no later than 2 hours before the start of the event. If you have questions about the status of a program, please email or call the Visitor Center between 10:00am and 4:00pm at (617) 384-5209.

    Meet at 2 pm at the Hunnewell Visitor Center. These walks are free but space is limited. Register at https://arboretum.harvard.edu/events/conservation_in_a_changing_world/?occurrence=2025-05-04&time=1746367200

    Fagus sylvatica ‘tortuosa’ 2420-A

  • Saturday, April 12, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Herbaceous Plant Identification

    As small, herbaceous plants begin to pop out of the soil and carpet the landscape, early spring is a great time to learn what some of these plants are and how to identify them. Join Arnold Arboretum Manager of Adult Programming and Events Sarah Nechamen for a plant ID walk in the landscape and learn how to identify plants like chickweed, creeping charlie, stinging nettle, and more.

    Accessibility: This program will traverse flat, gravel paths. Meet on April 12 at 10 am in front of the Hunnewell Building. Participants will be notified via email at least one day in advance if a program needs to be cancelled due to inclement weather, and will be notified by phone if a program must be cancelled with less one day’s notice. Click here to view our full inclement weather policy. If you have questions about the status of a program, please email publicprograms@arnarb.harvard.edu (inbox monitored on weekdays) or call the Visitor Center desk between 10:00am and 4:00pm at (617) 384-5209. You can register for the wait list at https://arboretum.harvard.edu/events/herbaceous-plant-identification/?occurrence=2025-04-12

  • Sunday, February 23, 2:00 pm – Instant Ecosystems: The Miyawaki Method for Rapid Forest Growth

    Trees are one of our greatest allies in combating the effects of climate change, but is reforestation achievable in time scales that will make a difference? Register to join the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University on Sunday, February 23 at 2 pm in the Hunnewell Building Lecture Hall to explore the Miyawaki Method for ecological restoration. This innovative approach accelerates the growth of new ecosystems, transforming disturbed land into mature, stable forests in a fraction of the time. Using high density planting, the Miyawaki Method rapidly restores biodiversity and fosters the development of tall, mature forests. Biodiversity for a Livable Climate (BLC), a local organization dedicated to mitigating climate change through ecological restoration, established the first Miyawaki forest in the Northeast in Cambridge in 2021. Join Alexandra Ionescu, Associate Director of Regenerative Projects at BLC, to gain insights into this pioneering technique and her organization’s ongoing efforts to establish Miyawaki forests in the Boston area. Register at www.arboretum.harvard.edu

  • Saturday, February 1, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm – Composition in the Field: Photography Workshop

    Thanks to whaling merchant James Arnold who left a portion of his estate to Harvard College about 150 years ago, today we have the Arnold Arboretum as one of the gems of the city’s park systems. The voluminous collection of plants, trees, gardens, flora and fauna, concepted by Frederick Law Olmsted, quickly grew to 7 miles of gardens, pathways and views, now known as part of the famous “Emerald Necklace.”

    Students of the Harvard Agricultural school have the resource for valuable research, but photographers have unending photo ops in soothing water scenes, landscaping, macro photography and if willing, a view of the Boston skyline from the top of the hill of the Arboretum. Every season offers new images to add to a photo portfolio, with exercises in photo compositions of every sort, from Leading Lines of the winding lanes to Rule of Thirds layout and colorful studies to convey a cool quiet or a vibrant wake-up call.

    The class will take place Saturday, February 1, from 11:30 – 2:30. 125 Arborway, Boston, MA 02130 $125. Register on Eventbrite HERE.

    Due to weather or other circumstances beyond our control we will be happy to work with you to reschedule or provide a refund. However, if you should need to cancel or require a new class date, contact us. A $25 transfer fee will be imposed without a 3 day notice before the scheduled class. Call Digital Photo Academy at 1 877 372 2231 or a field agent at 917 597 7053. Lots of people seem to hang up if our welcome recording comes on instead of a live voice, but we promise to return your message within a day or two if you leave one with your name and number. It would be even better if you included your email address as well as the date and city of the class you are considering. If leaving a voice mail message is not your thing, please email us at DPAbooking@digitalphotoacademy.com and include the date and city of the class you are considering, as well as your phone number.

  • Saturday, January 11, 12:00 noon – 1:30 pm – Plants for the Winter Garden

    When gardens go dormant for the winter months, there are still certain species and cultivars that draw the eye with their bright berries, interesting seed pods, and spectacular bark. Join Warren Leach at the Hunnewell Lecture Hall at the Arnold Arboretum on January 11 at noon for a book talk on his new book, Plants for the Winter Garden: Perennials, Grasses, Shrubs, and Trees to Add Interest in the Cold and Snow, and discover all that a winter garden has to offer. Warren Leach has years of gardening experience in the cold Northeast and will be sharing all of his winter garden tips, from plant selection and placement, to pruning techniques, to structural components that complement the plants themselves. And if you decide to buy a book after the program, make sure to look for some references to the Arnold Arboretum’s own winter landscape! Register at https://arboretum.harvard.edu/events/plants-for-the-winter-garden-by-warren-leach/?occurrence=2025-01-11

  • Saturday, December 21, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm – Olmsted and the Arnold Arboretum

    Frederick Law Olmsted, considered the father of landscape architecture, designed some 500 public spaces in North America. The Arnold Arboretum, the only arboretum he designed, is a National Historic Landmark and a model for others around the world. Arboretum docent, Bill Beizer, will identify the elements of the Arnold Arboretum that best reflect Olmsted’s philosophy and approach to landscape design. The walk takes place December 21 at 11 am.

    Accessibility: This program will take place entirely on paved roads. Meet at the Bussey Street Gate. Register HERE. Space is limited.

    Inclement weather policy: Participants will be notified via email at least 24 hours in advance if a program needs to be cancelled due to inclement weather, and will be notified by phone if a program must be cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice. Click here to view our full inclement weather policy. If you have questions about the status of a program, please email publicprograms@arnarb.harvard.edu or call the Visitor Center desk between 10:00am and 4:00pm at (617) 384-5209.

  • Sunday, December 8, 12:00 noon – 1:30 pm Eastern – The Essential Tree Selection Guide by Henrik Sjöman, Online

    We know that trees are a key ally in the fight against climate change and urban heat islands, but not every tree works in every situation. Selecting the right tree for your yard or landscape is critical both for the health of the tree and for the strength of the ecosystem services they provide. Botanist and researcher Henrik Sjöman’s new book, The Essential Tree Selection Guide, is a valuable new tool for making these tree selection decisions: an A to Z guide of over 550 trees, the book comes complete with explanations of each tree’s ecosystem benefits, its resilience to drought and storms, and key considerations for site placement. Join us on December 8 at noon Eastern for a virtual book talk on this invaluable new guide.

    Author Henrik Sjöman is Senior Researcher at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Scientific Curator at Gothenburg Botanical Garden, and Honorary Research Associate at Kew Gardens. This Arnold Arboretum virtual talk on December 8 required advance registration at https://arboretum.harvard.edu/events/the-essential-tree-selection-guide-by-henrik-sjoman/?occurrence=2024-12-08