Boston Flora

Tag: NEBG

  • Saturday, May 16 – Sunday, November 1 – Glass in Flight

    Step into a world of color and wonder at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill on May 16 – November 1 with Glass in Flight. This unforgettable exhibition features 30 larger-than-life stained-glass and steel sculptures expertly crafted by artist Alex Heveri. Encounter giant hummingbirds, butterflies, dragonflies, beetles, and more as they shimmer in the sunlight, soar overhead, pose in midair, or hide among the blooms. Blending brilliant color, light, and scale, Glass in Flight celebrates these charismatic creatures and their environmental significance. Discover their hidden secrets like never before.

    Alex Heveri is a nationally recognized glass and steel sculptor and a full-time defense attorney based in Tucson, Arizona. For more than 30 years, she has transformed public and private spaces with bold, luminous sculptures crafted from steel and colorful glass.

    Her signature stained-glass technique, dalle de verre, is a method originating in France where thick slabs of colored glass are cut and shaped into bold designs and set into place with epoxy. This creates a textured, luminous surface that comes alive in natural light, shifting and glowing as the sun moves across the sky. Over the past five years, Alex has created more than 150 monumental steel-and-glass sculptures, some soaring over 14 feet tall. Each work is conceived, designed, cut, assembled, and welded entirely by Alex in her Tucson home studio.

    Her traveling exhibition Glass in Flight has been featured at major botanic gardens across the United States, including Tucson Botanical Gardens, Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum, Reiman Gardens, Houston Botanic Garden, Atlanta Botanical Garden, and Flamingo Gardens. She is honored to present the exhibition at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, marking her first exhibition in New England. For this special presentation, Alex has created several never-before-seen works, including a hummingbird archway, two praying mantids, a luna moth, a rosy maple moth, and a magical butterfly tree.

    Don’t miss Glass in Flight at golden hour this summer with extended Garden hours on Wednesday and Thursday evenings! This exhibit is included with general admission.

  • Thursday, February 12, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Eastern – Botany Basics: Discover the Science of Plants, Online

    Take the mystery out of plant science with this fun, beginner-friendly New England Botanic Garden online class on February 12. Explore how plants are built, why names matter, and what’s really happening inside leaves, roots, and flowers—so you can talk about your houseplants and garden like a pro. $10 NEBG members, $12 nonmembers. Register at www.nebg.org

    Instructor Alyson Prokop is a horticulturist and the Manager of Adult Education at New England Botanic Garden, bringing a strong foundation in plant research, collections management, and hands-on garden work to her role. With more than a decade of experience across botanical institutions, she specializes in developing inclusive programs that deepen public engagement with plant sciences, ecology, and biodiversity.

    Before joining NEBG, Alyson worked at Royal Botanical Gardens Canada, where she supported living collections, led community programming, and coordinated workshops and tours with a focus on food security and botanical literacy. She holds a BSc in Plant Biology and pursued graduate studies in Plant Pathology at the University of Guelph.

    Originally from Toronto, Canada, Alyson is also a botanical artist and printmaker whose work blends retro futurism with her lifelong love of plants

  • Sunday, February 8, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Houseplant Propagation Workshop

    In this fun, hands-on New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill workshop on February 8 at 2 pm, you will explore several ways to propagate popular plants.

    Discover the joy of creating new life from the houseplants you already have. Through guided demonstrations and plenty of hands-on practice, you’ll learn multiple propagation techniques and the horticultural principles behind them. Instructor Betsy Szymczak is an avid vegetable and flower gardener who enjoys growing begonias, primarily as houseplants. As a longtime member of the American Begonia Society, she served as a certified judge and former ABS Judging Co-Chair. She has judged the begonia sections at the Philadelphia, Boston, and Newport RI flower shows. She is also a Gesneriad Society judge, and she grows about 75 dahlia varieties in a relatively small suburban garden in Natick.

    Betsy is a Principle Certified MA Master Gardener and volunteers at Elm Bank in Wellesley and the Longfellow House in Cambridge, MA.

    Participants will head home with a curated assortment of propagated plants ready to grow on their own. $55 for NEBG members, $66 for nonmembers. Register at www.nebg.org

  • Sunday, February 8, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm – Honey Medicine: Make Herb Infused Honeys and More

    Discover the healing synergy of honey and herbs in this hands-on workshop with herbalist Jade Alicandro. The workshop will take place on February 8 at 10:30 am at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill in Boylston, and is $40 for NEBG members, $63 for nonmembers. Register at www.nebg.org

    Learn the medicinal properties of honey, create a Winter Immune Honey, and explore traditional folk medicine-making techniques. Instructor Jade Alicandro weaves a love of bio-regionally abundant herbs and kitchen medicine into her work as a community and clinical herbalist. When she’s is not teaching bioregional herbalism to students and apprentices, you can find her roaming the hedges with her harvest basket in hand or at home in the kitchen brewing-up some potent food as medicine.

    From 2012-2019 she ran the Greenfield Community Herbal Clinic, a clinic dedicated to affordable herbal care, and currently maintains a long-distance clinical practice. She offers in-person, seasonally based, bioregional herbalism classes, teaches monthly online classes through her Patreon community, and offers a 6-week kitchen as medicine online course each winter.

  • Saturday, November 15, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, & Sunday, November 16, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Cultivated: New England Apple Tree Symposium

    Explore the world of heirloom apples during a full day of apple-inspired discovery on November 15 at New England Botanic Garden in Boylston. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of NEBG’s Frank L. Harrington Orchard, learn how to start and maintain your own home orchard, sample rare and flavorful apple varieties, and dive into the art of cider making on Sunday November 16 with an optional off-site cidery tour. Whether you’re a backyard grower, history buff, or cider enthusiast, there’s something to savor and learn. $95 for NEBG members, $114 for nonmembers, $99 for Ecological Landscape Alliance members. Register HERE.

  • Sunday, October 26, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Botanica Nocturne

    As autumn deepens and the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill slips into its golden hush, guests are invited to explore its more mysterious side in an evening where every herb tells a story, and every dish stirs something ancient. Candlelit tables adorned with vintage apothecary bottles and dried botanicals set the stage for a celebration of folklore, flavor, and enchantment. Seasonal ingredients are transformed into dishes infused with warmth and herbaceous notes that weave through each course. The menu has a touch of magic in each bite as an ode to nature’s healing and indulgent powers. Sip botanical cocktails, herbal tonics, and craft mocktails—elixirs echoing the garden’s flavors. As the night unfolds, the glow of candlelight and warmth of good company create an atmosphere of wonder, connection, and mystery. The October 26 event ($115 NEBG members, $125 nonmembers) is for 21+ age group. For full details, visit https://nebg.org/garden-dining-series/

  • Friday, October 10, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm – New England Harvest Dinner

    Indulge your palate at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill with special dining experiences that honor plants, local agricultural, and the craft of cooking. Enjoy thoughtfully curated, multicourse menus provided by Peppers Artful Events. Each dining experience in the series focuses on a different cuisine, reflecting seasonal themes and enhancing experiences at the Garden. Garden dining events are 21+ events. On Friday, October 10 from 6 – 9, join for a Fall New England Harvest Dinner at the Garden. Immerse yourselves in the essence of the autumn harvest season and celebrate nature’s bounty with refined flavors and exquisite aromas amidst the beauty of fall foliage. $115 NEBG members, $125 nonmembers. Register and view full menu at https://nebg.org/garden-dining-series/

  • Saturday, August 23, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm – Burnt & Inked: All-Day Fiery Printmaking Workshop

    Step into the flames literally and explore the full creative process behind dramatic botanical prints. In this immersive, full-day New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill workshop on August 23, learn to safely scorch your own wood tree plate using fire, carve into the charred surface and hand-print bold, layered works of art. With over a decade of experience in botanical research, education, and garden management, Alyson brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to NEBG and the Education Team.

    In her role as Manager of Adult Education, instructor Alyson Prokop is passionate about advancing plant sciences learning and biodiversity through inclusive initiatives at botanical gardens. Her dedication to promoting botanical education is evident in her previous work at Royal Botanical Gardens Canada, where she coordinated workshops, tours, and community programming with a strong focus on food security issues.

    Alyson’s background includes formal training in plant sciences and economic botany, holding a BSc in Plant Biology and graduate studies for a MSc in Plant Pathology from the University of Guelph. Her career path has led her to managerial and curatorial roles, particularly in collections management and education.

    Beyond her professional pursuits, Alyson is also an accomplished artist and printmaker. Hailing from Hamilton, Ontario, she channels her creativity into illustrating colorful and vibrant botanical sci-fi art. Her work, influenced by old sci-fi movies from the Golden Age of Film, showcases a unique blend of mid-century retro-futuristic style.

    $110 Members Adult | $132 Non-Member Adult (includes admission to the Garden) Register HERE.

  • Sunday, August 17, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm – Explore Local Flavor & Wine: A Wine Lover’s Day Tour

    Join New England Botanical Garden at Tower Hill on August 17 for a delightful day of wine tasting and scenic charm as we visit two beloved local vineyards nestled in the heart of Central Massachusetts. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or just looking to sip and relax, this tour offers the perfect blend of flavor, hospitality, and countryside beauty.

    Agronomy Farm Vineyard – Start your day at this small-batch vineyard where innovation meets tradition. Relax with a glass in hand and take in the serene farm views while enjoying locally made snacks.

    Broken Creek Vineyard and Winery – Next we’ll tour this picturesque vineyard known for its elegant varietals and cozy, welcoming atmosphere. Enjoy a guided tasting and learn about their sustainable winemaking practices.

    Whether you’re planning a fun day out with friends, a unique date idea, or a relaxing solo adventure, our Local Winery Tour is a toast-worthy experience you won’t want to miss! Travel is included in the ticket price. Please arrive at NEBG by 10:45AM for a 11:00AM departure. For pricing and registration visit www.nebg.org

  • Tuesday, August 12, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm – Seasonal Pruning: Late Summer

    Learn late-summer pruning techniques for spring-flowering shrubs and trees that bloom on last season’s growth. Learn the the best pruning methods to encourage healthy growth and a vibrant floral display. This New England Botanical Garden at Tower Hill class will take place August 12 at 6 pm. The instructors will be Hunter Blanchard and Alyson Prokop. $40 for NEBG members, $48 for nonmembers. Register at www.nebg.org