Boston Flora

Tag: Michael Beck

  • Friday, May 1 – Tuesday, May 12 – Berkshire Botanical Garden’s 43rd Annual Plant Sale, Covid-19 Version

    Berkshire Botanical Garden’s annual Plant Sale, a harbinger of spring for many in the Berkshires, goes virtual this year, with online ordering from May 1 through 12 and safe and efficient drive-through pickups in pre-arranged time slots before and after Mother’s Day weekend, May 7-8 and 11-12. 

    “This year’s sale will offer the Garden a chance to reconnect with the community while finding homes for thousands of plants already growing in the Garden’s Lexan greenhouse prior to COVID-19,” said BBG Executive Director Michael Beck. “We are taking all the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of both staff and shoppers while providing a diverse selection of plants and gifts ready for pickup over a period of four days.” An online store will offer BBG’s signature hanging cone planters, annuals, perennials and woody shrubs for sun and shade, succulent tabletop containers and hanging pieces, vegetable and herb starts from Miller’s Crossing, and a choice selection of Mother’s Day gifts from our Garden Shop. Shoppers place orders and prepay online using a credit card or BBG gift card, and choose a pickup date and time. Supplies are limited.

    Assorted gift items from the shop will also be available, including gardening gloves, garden shears, bud vases, decoupage rose trinket trays, screen-printed tea towels, pocket field guides and garden books, market baskets, sun hats, and BBG insignia baseball caps and tote bags. 

    How it works: shoppers will visit the Garden’s new online store at berkshirebotanical.org beginning May 1 and shop for plants and gift shop items. On checkout, shoppers will choose a time slot on one of the four pickup dates and print their receipt. Members receive a 10% discount at time of purchase. Non-members may add a membership to their order to receive the discount. As a membership perk, while supplies last, those who join, renew or upgrade to the supporter level will receive a limited-edition gold plated or sterling silver Lucy’s Garden topiary charm with matching chain. 

    On pickup day, shoppers will proceed by car to the pop-up tent in the Garden’s parking lot, where Garden staff members will have orders ready to deliver to each car upon presentation of the purchase receipt. For more information email: info@berkshirebotanical.org.

  • Through Sunday, March 29 – The Bulb Show – POSTPONED

    Berkshire Botanical Garden’s Fitzpatrick Greenhouse becomes a harbinger of spring now through Sunday, March 29, when the public is invited to enjoy hundreds of flowering bulbs in an annual exhibition featuring New England springtime favorites and a collection of South African bulbs rarely seen in the northeast.

    Visitors to the greenhouse will see an evolving collection of blooming plants including traditional New England favorites such as narcissus, tulips and grape hyacinths along with the Garden’s unique collection of South African bulbs.  Grown by collectors for their remarkable late winter floral displays, these bulbs evolved in Fynbos, South Africa’s Cape floral kingdom, considered one of the richest areas in the world for plant biodiversity. Admission is free. The Bulb Show is open weekdays, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

     

  • Berkshire Botanical Garden’s Self-Guided Audio Tours

    Berkshire Botanical Garden has announced the addition of self-guided audio tours as a new way of viewing its 23 gardens located in Stockbridge, MA.

    New this season, the audio tour allows visitors to walk at their own pace while listening to narrated commentary located at 21 points of interest throughout the 15-acre Garden. The audio tour is included in the price of admission, and BBG members can always take the tour free of charge.

    “We are constantly seeking to enhance our visitors’ experience when they tour our beautiful gardens, and this self-guided audio tour will give our visitors the flexibility to hear in-depth knowledge about the plants we feature and the Garden’s history, no matter when they choose to visit,” said Garden Executive Director Michael Beck. “The audio tour includes garden highlights chosen for their visual impact and educational appeal.” Some points of interest include the original 1937 herb garden, the pond garden and the rose collection.

    The audio tour was created in conjunction with the Garden’s horticulture and education departments working with Guide ID, which provides interactive guides to museums worldwide, including the Royal Palace of Amsterdam, Hall Place Gardens, Bexley (United Kingdom), and throughout the US including the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas, and the California Science Center in Los Angeles. It was produced by Sandpail Productions with voice talent provided by Grace Angela Henry, owner/founder of New York City-based A Voice for All Reasons.

    Berkshire Botanical Garden is located at the intersection of Routes 102/183 in Stockbridge, MA and is open daily, 9 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. In addition to free audio tours, docent-led tours are offered daily at 11 a.m. and are also free with Garden admission.

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