Learn the best techniques for pruning your spring blooming shrubs such as Rhododendron, Azalea, and Viburnum in this Summer Pruning Workshop, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservation at Long Hill in Beverly on Wednesday, June 29, from 5 – 7 pm. This hands-on workshop will give you tips and confidence for keeping your landscape looking it’s best year after year. TTOR Members: $15. Nonmembers: $20. Please pre-register at www.thetrustees.org/longhill, or call 978-921-1944, x. 4018.
It’s hard to believe that 25 years have passed since the first Plant Sale was held on the rough field and lawn in front of the Farmhouse. That sale attracted nearly 400 visitors – pretty astonishing for the first sale at the brand new headquarters of the Worcester County Horticultural Society. At its peak, the sale has attracted as many as 3,100 visitors, expanding to become one of Tower Hill’s largest fundraisers.
Because of the construction at the core of the property, this year’s sale will be held in the grassy overflow parking field adjacent to the paved lots. Some details remain the same: one of the many benefits of Tower Hill’s Plant Sale is the ability to select from the specialty offerings of more than a dozen participating Plant Societies, including Bamboo, Cactus & Succulent, Conifer, Daylily, Epimedium, Fern, Heather, Hosta, Indoor Gardeners, Lilac, Magnolia, Miniature Plants, Orchid, Rhododendron, and Rose. These ardent devotees are wild about their specific plant interests and can offer great tips on care and growing. Please note that a Tower Hill member discount card does not apply to sales in the plant society area, and most of the societies are able to accept only cash or checks.
More than 12,000 plants will be available for sale: unusual perennials, herbs and everlastings, shrubs and trees, including Cary Award Winners, natives, annuals, incredible edibles, and Tower Hill “Best Buy” plants – donated divisions from beautiful plants grown by members. Special Plant Sale T-shirts to commemorate the 25th anniversary will be sold, and there will be Plant Giveaways to our early arriving members. Two silent auctions on the day of the Plant Sale feature a variety of choice, hard to find, specimen plants and garden ornaments. Register first and enjoy the challenge of competing with other plant enthusiasts for the plants that spark your interest. Tower Hill members enjoy the benefit of early admission at 9 a.m. For more information, call 508-869-6111, or log on to www.towerhillbg.org.
On Saturday, May 22, from 10 – 4, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society will hold the Mass Hort and Society Row Plant Sale, featuring thousands of perennials, two dozen local plant societies, children’s activities, garden tours, plant demo stage and the Master Gardener Help Desk. The public really can “Ask the Experts” and add to their collections of rare and unusual plants sold by the growers themselves, and purchase items from a number of specially selected vendors.  Browse the historic beauty of the Chaney-Baltzell mansion, while enjoying the beautiful rhododendron show, This is a free event. For more information, log on to www.masshort.org. Parking – $5 suggested donation. Mass Hort members may arrive for a special members only shopping hour at 9:00 am.
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.
Once again the New England Wild Flower Society hosts a members’ only event at Garden in the Woods in Framingham. Bring a bottle of wine from the Rhine River Region to share. Admission is $5, and the event is limited to 25 people. Stroll the Garden, sip your wine, admire the rhododendrons, and stop at the Garden Shop for a personal shopping adventure with the Botanic Garden Director. Make your reservations by calling 508-877-7630, ext. 3001. If you’re not already a member, joining is easy – log on to www.newfs.org, or sign up when you reserve.
One of the many benefits of Tower Hill’s Plant Sale is the ability to select from the specialty offerings of more than a dozen participating Plant Societies, including Bamboo, Cactus & Succulent, Conifer, Daylily, Epimedium, Fern, Heather, Hosta, Indoor Gardeners, Lilac, Magnolia, Miniature Plants, Orchid, Rhododendron, and Rose. These ardent devotees are wild about their specific plant interests and can offer great tips on care and growing. Please note that a Tower Hill member discount card does not apply to sales in the plant society area, and most of the societies are able to accept only cash or checks. More than 12,000 plants will be available for sale: unusual perennials, herbs and everlastings, shrubs and trees, including Cary Award Winners, natives, annuals, incredible edibles, and Tower Hill “Best Buy” plants – donated divisions from beautiful plants grown by members. Two silent auctions on the day of the Plant Sale feature a variety of choice, hard to find, specimen plants and garden ornaments. Register first and enjoy the challenge of competing with other plant enthusiasts for the plants that spark your interest. Tower Hill members enjoy the benefit of early admission at 9 a.m. Free Admission all day, and $1 parking fee. For more information, call 508-869-6111, or log on to www.towerhillbg.org.
On May 17 the Massachusetts Horticultural Society will hold the Mass Hort and Society Row Plant Sale, featuring thousands of perennials, fifteen local plant societies, children’s activities, garden tours, plant demo stage and the Master Gardener Help Desk. The public really can “Ask the Experts” and add to their collections of rare and unusual plants sold by the growers themselves. Also included is the American Rhododendron Society Sale & Truss Show in the Manor House. Browse the historic beauty of the Chaney-Baltzell mansion, while enjoying the beautiful rhododendron show, This is a free event. For more information, log on to www.masshort.org. Parking – $5 suggested donation.
