Boston Flora

Tag: boylston massachusetts

  • Friday, November 28 – Sunday, January 4 – Holly Days: Winter Reimagined

    If you have come to Holly Days at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in the past, you know that volunteers come up with some clever, creative displays.  The emphasis is on natural materials.   The 2014 theme is Winter Reimagined, a wonderfully free and open-ended concept sure to inspire and entertain.  Wander through glittering indoor displays and illuminated trees and shrubs in the Orchard, Entry, Lawn and Winter Gardens.  A giant Bromeliad tree, hundreds of poinsettias, more than 1,500 hand-crafted ornaments and over six miles of lights make this a unique holiday experience for all ages.  The Garden is making it even easier to experience the winter magic with special extended hours during Holly Days.  Buildings, grounds, The Shop at Tower Hill, and TWIGS Cafe will be open Wednesday and Thursday evenings until 9 pm, and all other days from 9 – 6.  Tower Hill is open seven days a week during Holly Days, including Mondays.  Tower Hill Botanic Garden is located at 11 French Drive in Boylston, Massachusetts.  For directions, and a complete list of activities including live music and children’s events, log on to www.towerhillbg.org.

  • Friday, November 5, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Saturday & Sunday, November 6-7, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – Massachusetts Orchid Society Annual Show and Sale

    ‘Seasoned’ orchid growers and new orchid enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the Massachusetts Orchid Society’s Annual Show and Sales,  Trident’s Treasures: In Memory of Dr. Wilford B. Neptune , at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston on Friday, November 5 through Sunday,  November 7,  is no exception.  This orchid extravaganza, featuring gorgeous displays of blooming orchids with more than 12 commercial growers selling orchid plants and supplies, plus clinics on basic orchid care, tours of the show, and more, will be held  Friday  1 – 5, Saturday and Sunday 10 – 5.  For more information, log on to www.show.massorchid.org, or email MOSOrchidShow@comcast.net.  For directions to Tower Hill, 11 French Drive, Boylston, Massachusetts, log on to www.towerhillbg.org.

  • Saturday, September 25, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, and Sunday, September 26, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Gesneriad/Begonia Show

    Saturday, September 25, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, and Sunday, September 26, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Gesneriad/Begonia Show

    Visit Tower Hill Botanic Gardens in Boylston, Massachusetts on Saturday, September 25 or Sunday, September 26 for the annual plant show sponsored by the Buxton Begonia Society and the New England Gesneriad Society.   The Gesneriad family consists of over 3,000 species and over 133 genera.  It was named after 16th century Swiss naturalist Konrad von Gesner.  Most Gesneriads are from tropical parts of the world.  Some of the most common plants in this genera are the Cupid’s Bower (Achimenes), Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus), Flame Violet (Episcia), Goldfish Plant (Nematanthus), African Violet (Saintpaulia), Florist Gloxinia (Sinningia – below), and Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus). See beautiful displays of rare and unusual houseplants, take a guided tour of the show, hear lectures on begonia and gesneriad care, and visit vendors selling an incredible selection of begonias and gesneriads..  For more information, directions, and hours, log on to www.towerhillbg.org.


  • Thursdays, September 16, October 7, October 28, and November 18, 9:30 am – 12 noon – Sogetsu Ikebana with Kaye Vosburgh

    Sogetsu Ikebana is an internationally recognized school of Japanese flower arranging.  In these classes, to be held at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Massachusetts, you will learn the essentials of this venerable art from Garden Club of the Back Bay member Kaye Vosburgh.  Kaye has, for many years, exhibited and taught Sogetsu Ikebana in Massachusetts, New York, several other states, and three foreign countries.  Kaye provides flowers for each class and will have supplies and equipment for purchase by students who wish them.  Sign up for any or all of these sessions, most of which cover two lessons in the course’s inexpensive text, which is available from the instructor for $20.  Each session costs $29.50 (Tower Hill members) or $32 (non-members).  Register online at www.towerhillbg.org.

  • Saturday, September 18, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, and Sunday, September 19, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Cactus and Succulents Show

    Saturday, September 18, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, and Sunday, September 19, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Cactus and Succulents Show

    The Cactus and Succulent Society of Massachusetts will hold a show and sale at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Massachusetts on Saturday, September 18, from 12 – 5 pm, and on Sunday, September 19, from 10 – 4.  Since the founding of the group in 1991, the CSSM has participated in the New England Spring Flower Show several times, winning ribbons and other awards.  You will be able to purchase plants as well as learn about care and propagation.  This judged show contains 100 categories of cactus and succulents.  There will be guided tours of the show twice daily, a plant auction of special varieties, and specialty vendors selling both beginning and collector plants.  Also, you will enjoy the kids planting station.  For more information log on to www.ccsma.org or www.towerhillbg.org.

  • Saturday and Sunday, May 22 and May 23, 10 – 5 – Bonsai Weekend

    Come to Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive, Boylston, Massachusetts on Saturday or Sunday, May 22 and 23, from 10 – 5, and enjoy Bonsai Weekend, The Art of the Potted Plant.  The exhibit will be in the Stoddard Education and Visitors Center, and is sponsored by The New England Bonsai Society.  Gorgeous displays of specimen bonsai plants, with guided tours, lectures, and programs on bonsai culture will be part of the celebration.  Discover the world of bonsai – the art of growing trees in miniature.  Have you bought or received a bonsai and it died? Come out and learn how to keep your bonsai alive and thriving.  If you can raise a houseplant, you can grow a bonsai. Vendors will sell plant material, pots, and accessories.   For more information, log on to www.towerhillbg.org, email thgb@towerhillbg.org, or call 508-869-6111, ext 146.

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  • Saturday, April 24 – Sunday, April 25, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – 51st Annual Spring African Violet Show and Plant Sale

    This Spring marks the Baystate African Violet Society’s 50th Anniversary. They will sponsor an AVSA-approved African violet show and plant sale at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Massachusetts on Saturday, April 24 and Sunday, April 25, from 10 am – 5 pm each day.  The show gives people an opportunity to enter their plants and floral designs for judging to win ribbons and prizes.  You can also attend workshops on AV care. At the sale, commercially grown plants and supplies are sold, along with plants grown by Society members. There is an $10 entrance fee to Tower Hill. For more information, log on to www.baystateafricanviolet.org.

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  • Saturday, February 6, 10:00 – 11:00 am – Introduction to Hydroponics

    After last year’s excessive rain and crop failures caused by the pathogen late blight, it makes sense to grow vegetables in a more controlled environment. This class will cover the basics of growing vegetables using hydroponics, which is simply growing plants in a non-soil growing medium. This can be a very simple and effective way to grow vegetables which can yield amazing results.  Instructor Tom Dzaugis of Green Path Garden Supply in Northboro will cover the different growing mediums available, why pH is in important in hydroponics, the difference between fertilizers for soil and hydroponics, and lighting. We will conclude with a Q&A discussion on how to put all this information together and have success growing plants hydroponically.  The class will take place at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive in Boylston, Massachusetts, costs $6 for member of THBG, $8 for non-members, and you may register on line at www.towerhillbg.org.

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  • Sunday, November 15, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – American Rhododendron Society Massachusetts Branch Founder’s Day Brunch

    The American Rhododendron Society Massachusetts Branch will hold its Annual Founder’s Day Brunch and Seed Exchange on Sunday, November 15, from 10 – 2, at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive, Boylston, Massachusetts.   The American Rhododendron Society Massachusetts Chapter is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to encourage interest in and to disseminate information about the genus Rhododendron focusing on Rhododendrons compatible with the climate in New England. Members’ experience ranges from novice to expert. Society activities include chapter meetings, flower and foliage shows, plant sales, garden tours, seed and cutting exchanges, and communication through printed and online publications.For information and registration, log on to www.rosebay.org.

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  • Tuesday, November 17, 10 am – 12 noon – Pollinator-Friendly Landscaping

    As New England’s landscape becomes increasingly developed, backyards are becoming a “final frontier” in providing essential habitat for at-risk pollinator species that play an integral role in the health of our environment. On Tuesday, November 17, beginning at 10 am, Garden Coach and Habitat Naturalist Ellen Sousa will explain how to help sustain and restore pollinator populations in your own back yard, regardless of its size or location. Learn to choose the best plants to help feed and shelter pollinators, and some best practices for encouraging biodiversity in your backyard.

    Ellen Sousa is a writer, educator and garden coach living in Massachusetts’ Worcester Hills on Turkey Hill Brook Farm, a small farm registered with the NWF as a Certified Wildlife Habitat. She has a certificate in Native Plant Horticulture & Design from New England Wild Flower Society, a BA in English from Clark University, and is certified as a Master Habitat Naturalist from Windstar Wildlife Institute. She writes regularly about habitat gardening for magazines such as Massachusetts Wildlife, BackHome, Mother Earth News and Birds & Blooms Extra. Visit her web site and New England habitat landscaping blog at THBFarm.com. The lecture will be held at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Massachusetts on Tuesday, November 17, from 10 am – noon.  Fee is $15 for Tower Hill members, $18 for non-members.  To register, log on to www.towerhillbg.org.

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