Boston Flora

Tag: Mass Hort

  • Saturday, November 1, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Drawing Botany: Exploring the Diversity of Fruits, Seeds, & Pods

    This November 1 Massachusetts Horticultural Society class is for those new to botanical art as well as more experienced artists who desire a short refresher in plant morphology.

    Bring your sketchbook and spend the day learning about the form, structure, and function of plants and their components through close observation and immersive drawing exercises intended to enhance your ability to draw plants accurately. The focus of this class is fall fruits, seeds and pods.

    A selection of plant materials and specimens will be provided to draw during class. If you have a garden or indoor plant or a botanical specimen (such as a seed pod) you would like to draw, please feel free to bring it to class. Lauren Meier is a botanical artist and landscape architect. She received a BA in Botany from Pomona College and a Masters in Landscape Architecture from Harvard Graduate School of Design. She worked as a field botanist and plant ecologist before specializing in historic landscapes and has published many articles, contributed to several books, and frequently lectures on topics related to landscape preservation and restoration, treatment of plant material, and the work of the Olmsted Firm. Her publications and projects have received many national and local awards. Meier is currently completing a Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration from Massachusetts Horticultural Society, formerly the Friends of Wellesley College Botanic Gardens, where she combines her specific interest in the interrelationships between science and art.

    The class takes place at The Garden at Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street in Wellesley, from 10 – 4, and is $125 for Mass Hort members, $150 for nonmembers. Register at www.masshort.org

  • Tuesday, October 7, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Eastern – Native Groundcovers for Beauty, Function, and Ecology, Online

    Explore the many native groundcovers that bring beauty and ecological function to your landscape. Whether you have a shady, moist garden or a sunny, dry hillside, learn which native groundcovers are your best choices. This Massachusetts Horticultural Society webinar takes place October 7 from 6 – 8 Eastern. $45 for Mass Hort members, $55 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.masshort.org/upcoming-classes

  • Tuesday, September 30, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Eastern – Native Landscaping Strategies for the Climate Crisis, Online

    By selecting climate-resilient plants and landscape management practices, you can mitigate the impact of prolonged droughts, intensified weather events, extended growing seasons, rising temperatures, and ecological mismatches. Join the Massachusetts Horticultural Society online on September 30 from 6 – 8. $45 for Mass Hort members, $55 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.masshort.org/upcoming-classes

  • Sunday, September 28, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – The Native Garden in Fall and Winter

    This Massachusetts Horticultural Society lecture on September 28 explores how native plants can provide color, texture, and structure throughout fall and winter. Learn how to incorporate striking foliage, architectural forms, and the vibrant hues of branches, berries, and seed pods to create visual interest while also supporting birds, pollinators, and other wildlife during the colder months. Weather permitting, the session will conclude with a walk in the garden. $48 for Mass Hort members, $56 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.masshort.org/upcoming-classes

  • Mondays, September 29 – November 3, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Foundations of Botanical Drawing and Painting, Online & In-Person

    Through demonstrations and tutorials, celebrate the colors of seasonal leaves while learning how to realistically depict your subject matter in pencil, and then in watercolor, with Sarah Roche, on six Mondays, September 29 – November 3, from 10 – 1, online except for two classes which will be held at the Putnam classroom at The Gardens at Elm Bank. All abilities are welcome! The winter topic: Fall topic: Orchids in Watercolor. In fall, we will be studying the Phalaenopsis orchid. With a limited palette and simple techniques, we will work together, step by step, to capture their exotic and vibrant beauty. Using live plant specimens, Sarah will lead you through the processes of accurate drawing and painting in watercolor. Members $385, nonmembers $460. Register at www.masshort.org


  • Sunday, September 28, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – The Native Garden in Fall & Winter

    This Massachusetts Horticultural Society lecture at The Garden at Elm Bank on September 28 at 10 am explores how native plants can provide color, texture, and structure throughout fall and winter. Learn how to incorporate striking foliage, architectural forms, and the vibrant hues of branches, berries, and seed pods to create visual interest while also supporting birds, pollinators, and other wildlife during the colder months. Weather permitting, the session will conclude with a walk in the garden. $48 for Mass Hort members, $56 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.masshort.org/upcoming-classes

  • Saturday, September 27, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Hands-On Workshop: Floral Design

    Join Lorraine Walsh and Mary Lou Ashur from Artistry Floral at the Gardens at Elm Bank on September 27 for a hands-on floral design workshop focused on the art of the “coffee table arrangement.” If you’ve ever wondered what kind of flowers work best for a low, stylish centerpiece that doesn’t block conversation, this class is for you. Learn how to create a beautiful, eye-catching arrangement that elevates your space while maintaining clear sight lines for seated guests. Perfect for both beginners and flower enthusiasts.

    In 2016, Lorraine Walsh and Mary Lou Ashur met as floral associates at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. There, studying fundamentals of floristry and working in teams, they designed and executed a variety of art inspired floral arrangements for certain museum locations as well as the restaurants, special events, and holiday installations. Now in the marketplace, they are committed to producing artistic floral creations, using only the highest quality flowers and plants, from local growers and flower producers around the world.

    They are also focused on sustainable floral design and eco-friendly floral purchases from wearables to table arrangements, bouquets, and large installations They are inspired to produce arrangements that are unique and designed to honor their clients’ significant events respecting their individual styles, while sourcing seasonal flowers, and respecting the environment.

    $55 for Mass Hort members, $70 for nonmembers. Future dates for this program will be held monthly through December 6. Register at https://www.masshort.org/upcoming-classes

  • Wednesday, September 24, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Nature Immersion in the Garden with Watercolors

    In this September 24 Massachusetts Horticultural Society immersive session, Nadine Mazzola will guide you through watercolor techniques like washes and expressive brushstrokes to help you capture the essence of the garden’s beauty. Choose your own subjects—from trees and flowers to sweeping landscape views or abstract compositions—allowing your creative vision to emerge.

    Nadine Mazzola (she/her) is an artist, educator, certified forest therapy guide, and author of the multi-award-winning book, Forest Bathing with Your Dog. She has shared her signature, holistic, heart-centered style of teaching with hundreds of students, from those with no art experience to professional artists. She is known for creating a supportive environment within each class for learning, exploring, creating and nurturing a sense of play and joy. Nadine’s favorite color is yellow because of the joy it brings her. A cancer survivor, Nadine often works with groups affected by cancer. She is a senior trainer for the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy since 2016, and an expressive arts teacher at the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden since 2017. Nadine brings a depth of life experience bridging Nature, expressive arts, and somatics.

    All materials are provided. No experience needed. $88 for Mass Hort members, $120 for nonmembers.

  • Tuesday, September 16 & Thursday, September 18, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm Eastern – Birds, Bugs & Botanicals, Online

    In this two-day online Massachusetts Horticultural Society class with Tara Connaughton, we’ll draw and paint birds & bugs with botanical subjects using ink and colorful washes of watercolor. We’ll focus on gathering and using different references, drawing techniques, as well as composition methods for using various references to incorporate flowers, branches and other botanical elements into our illustrations. Class lessons will also include different ways to use ink with watercolor, painting and color mixing techniques, and inspiration for creating beautiful ink and wash illustrations that are full of life. The class takes place September 16 and 19 from 9:30 – 1:30 Eastern.

    Tara Connaughton is an artist and art instructor living on the coast south of Boston, MA (where she finds much of her inspiration). She is a graduate of the Certificate in Botanical Art & Illustration Program at Wellesley College Botanic Gardens. Her botanical and nature-inspired paintings have earned multiple awards, and she has exhibited her work through local and regional galleries and venues. She uses her passion for painting and love of nature to inspire others to create and connect with the world around them. MHS members $145, nonmembers $180. Register HERE

  • Tuesday, Wednesday, & Saturday, September 8, 9, & 12, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Botanical Art with Color Pencils

    Guided by Alice Rosa, a Fellow of the Society of Botanical Artists in London, learn the art of colored pencil for botanical art. This Massachusetts Horticultural Society three day class will take place at the Gardens at Elm Bank on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, September 8, 9, and 12 from 10 – 2. First, we will start with foundational techniques such as observing, measuring, and drawing all the components of the plant. Then move on to color studies, learning how to layer colored pencils to achieve vibrant and deep hues. We will also explore tools to render textures and fine details. $225 for Mass Hort members, $265 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.masshort.org/upcoming-classes