Boston Flora

Tag: Tower Hill

  • Saturday & Sunday, May 18 & 19, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – The Flower Catalog: An Evening of Solo Piano

    Join Pianist Julia Scott Carey and Composer Stephanie Ann Boyd for a special solo piano performance of the Flower Catalog, a collection of 13 botanically inspired preludes. Set in the Garden’s iconic Limonaia conservatory at golden hour, this one-of-a-kind program will include the world premiere of a new prelude, “Apple Blossom,” and a Q&A with the artists. A selection of beer, wine, and light snacks will be available for purchase during the event.

    The exquisite preludes of the Flower Catalog were written by acclaimed composer Stephanie Ann Boyd. Each piece was commissioned by a different piano soloist and inspired by their favorite flower. The collection explores the relationship between memory and nature, influenced by personal stories, childhood memories, and a range of emotions so familiar to the human experience. The result of her work is a musical “bouquet” for audiences to spend time with.

    This concert will be the first complete performance of all 13 preludes on one stage. “Apple Blossom,” the centerpiece of this exclusive event, was co-commissioned by New England Botanic Garden and Juventas New Music Ensemble. Inspired by the iconic flower that graces the Garden’s logo and represents its historic apple orchard, the commission honors Marillyn Zacharis, Worcester County Horticultural Society Trustee Emerita, devoted Garden member and horticulturist, as well as Juventas Pianist and Founder Julia Scott Carey for her 20 years performing with the ensemble. Members $25, nonmembers $35.

    Tickets must be reserved in advance. The concert will be held twice, May 18 and 19 at 7 pm at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. All ticket sales are final. Click here to reserve your tickets.

  • Saturday, April 27, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm- Bay State African Violet Society Show & Sale

    What is it about African violets that has attracted so many fans and admirers? African violets are known for their unique features, vibrant colors, and beautiful blooms. The annual judged African violet show and sale by the Bay State African Violet Society, Inc. on April 27 at The New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill is a much-anticipated event. See horticultural and design exhibits of African violets grown by members of BSAVS, Inc. and attend lectures/demonstrations. Learn general care of African violets and basic requirements for soil, fertilizer, watering, and light. Discover tips on how and when to re-pot and how to propagate new plants from leaves. There will also be hundreds of gorgeous named African violets for sale! There will also be a demonstration from 1 – 2 on How to Grow African Violets. From fuzzy leaves to friendly flowers, there are many reasons why African violets are among America’s most popular houseplants

    This event is included with General Admission. We recommend purchasing your tickets online in advance to secure your preferred date. You can also buy tickets in person at the Garden. Click here to reserve your tickets in advance.

  • Sunday, April 21, 11:00 am – 3:30 pm – New England Dahlia Society Tuber Sale

    From giant dahlias over 10” in diameter to miniatures less than 2” in diameter, a wonderful selection of tubers in a wide array of forms will be available at The New England Dahlia Society’s annual tuber sale. NEDS members will also be available to provide dahlia growing advice and to help you divide your own dahlia roots. The event will take place this year at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill on April 21 from 11 – 3:30. This event is included with General Admission. We recommend purchasing your tickets online in advance to secure your preferred date. You can also buy tickets in person at the Garden.

    There are few flowers that have the unique genetics of dahlias, which accounts for their amazing variability of forms, colors, and sizes. From dime-sized minion singles to giant decorative blooms, open-faced forms, honeycomb balls, waterlilies, and cactus types, you will be amazed at the variety of this flower family.

    The New England Dahlia Society is a horticultural organization devoted to the study, growth, exhibition, and enjoyment of dahlias. They are a young society, founded in 2016, with over 100 members of both seasoned and beginning growers from all over New England (MA, RI, CT, ME, NH, VT) as well as NY and NJ.

  • Saturday, April 20, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm – Square Foot Gardening

    Take deep breaths, slow down and leave your “to do” list behind.  Experience the therapeutic benefits of horticulture while you think ahead with hope to the garden season. Would you like to learn about Square Foot Gardening?  Come join New England Botanical Garden at Tower Hill on April 20 at 10:30 am to explore this amazing approach to gardening.  This unique way to garden will help you grow more in less space, costs less than traditional row planting and make gardening more accessible in many ways.

    The class, led by Deborah Krause, will include an overview of the therapeutic benefits and power of horticulture and gardening to understand why and how it can be used personally, and for people of all ages and abilities.  We will discuss the difference between therapeutic horticulture and horticultural therapy.  You will learn about benefits including increased relaxation, decreased anxiety, stress relief, sensory stimulation, hope, improved cognitive abilities, engagement in life, connectedness, and physical exercise.  It will be clear how plants and the natural world give you support and a sense of well-being when life gets overwhelmingly busy or stressful.   We will spend approximately 40 minutes delving into this.

    You will spend approximately 80 minutes learning about the Square-Foot Gardening method, with roots in Mel Bartholomew’s Square Foot Gardening Book.  The beauty of this gardening method is how simple it is.  Garden spaces are divided into grids that have individual 1’ x1’ squares. Each square is planted with a designated number of plants, depending on the plants you choose.  We will learn the basics including design, planting guides, raised beds, supports, soil mix, crops and maintenance.  Once your own square foot garden is established, there is minimal physical work each year, which is particularly helpful as we age. You can easily adapt each square-foot planter or structure to a width, length, depth, and height that is comfortable. It is joyous and therapeutic to grow your own food, herbs, and flowers.   You will leave with a planting plan to help you with your garden. $85 NEBG members, $100 nonmembers. Register at www.nebg.org

  • Saturday, April 27, 9:30 am – 11:30 am – Chinese Brush Painting: Violets

    The Four Seasons have been used in Chinese painting since the Song dynasty (960-1279). Through demonstration and hands-on practice, you will explore and develop an understanding of the different brush stokes to create an expressive orchid painting. This class is great for beginners as well as experienced artists. If you want to find out how exciting, relaxing, and fun it is to paint and be inspired by beautiful African Violets, don’t miss this fun New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill class on April 27 from 9:30 – 11:30. 

    Most of the material is included with registration.

    Required Materials (Not included with registration):

    1. Two containers (one for clean water and the other for cleaning brushes, minimum size: 2 cups)
    2. Two flat white 6-8 inches plate (small dinner plate is ok)

    Instructor: Sau-Mei Leung

    Sau-Mei Leung is a graduate with the Natural Science Illustration Certificate from Rhode Island School of Design Continuing Education. She also has a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from University of Connecticut. Her interest in art was sparked by studying Chinese calligraphy in primary school in Hong Kong. Mei has exhibited in many shows including Davis Art Gallery, Tower Hill Botanical Garden, and Art Providence. One of her watercolor paintings was also featured in Scenes and Seasons of a Small New England Village published by Leonard A. Haug. Mei is passionate about teaching and sharing her love of art, nature, and science.

    $55 Member Adult; $70 Adult (includes admission to the Garden) Register HERE

  • Saturday, February 10 – Sunday, March 17 – Patterns in Bloom, An Orchid Exhibition

    At the New England Botanical Garden at Tower Hill’s annual orchid exhibition, immerse yourself in bright colors, bold designs, and vibrant patterns that celebrate the artistry of orchids. Patterns in Bloom showcases thousands of living orchids displayed in artful arrangements as well as the imaginative sculptural work of artist Molly Gambardella. Experience the creative wonder of this breathtaking orchid exhibition during daytime hours or through an exciting lineup of special events, including our Orchids After Dark series.  This year’s Orchid Exhibition Guide is available to download HERE.

    On the opening weekend, February 10 – 11 from 10 – 4, be among the first to experience these stunning orchid displays and imaginative works of art, in addition to live music and an artisan vendor market to kick off the opening of the exhibit. On Fridays, February 15 – March 15 from 6 – 8, experience the brilliance of the exhibition after-hours. Enjoy jazz, drinks, and light bites while curating the stunning orchid displays in a whole new light. Ticket price for Orchids After Dark includes one free beverage and a unique night out. $20 members, $30 nonmembers.

    For complete details visit www.nebg.org.

  • Thursday, January 25, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Eastern – Not Your Mother’s Garden, Online

    In Not Your Mother’s Garden, Deborah Chud takes her audience on a photo tour of her dramatic Piet-Oudolf-style New Perennial Garden and describes the design principles underlying it.  Many of the plants are unfamiliar – even to experienced and knowledgeable gardeners.  These “New Perennials” constitute a special canon of plants that exhibit qualities valued by members of the New Perennial Movement – pioneers in the shift toward naturalist landscape design.  What’s new about New Perennials and what can they do for you?  Walk through her garden with her to find out. This online presentation sponsored by New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill takes place Thursday, January 25 at 7 pm Eastern, and is $10 for NEBG members, $15 for nonmembers. Register at www.nebg.org.

    Deborah Chud is a retired Massachusetts physician turned garden maker, consultant, and educator, who specializes in coaching home gardeners (in-person and virtually). Her years of research on the world’s most famous New Perennial gardens (including New York’s High Line, Chicago’s Lurie Garden, the Oudolf Meadow at Delaware Botanic Garden, and Oudolf Garden Detroit) have generated a unique database of New Perennial plant combinations and fostered the creation of her own highly unusual New Perennial garden.

  • Sunday, January 14, 8:30 am – 10:00 am – Forest Bathing in the Conservatory

    If you’re not into forest bathing in the snow, try an indoor equivalent at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill on January 14. Relax and refresh through mindfulness practices, sensory awareness, and nature. A guided experience in the Orangerie where you will walk around the conservatory and stop and sit together. We will focus on our senses to develop an immediate connection with the plants. This is a very relaxed, slow, and mindful way of walking. The walk should last about 1.5 hours and we will finish with a Shinrin Yoku tea and a small snack. The conservatories are warm so you can dress in comfortable clothing. Instructor Nadine Mazzola is an award winning author, Certified Forest Therapy Guide and founder/director of New England Nature and Forest Therapy Consulting based in Massachusetts. She is also a trainer, mentor and advisor for the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs (ANFT). Nadine’s training includes special knowledge in guiding people of all ages in Shinrin-Yoku, “Forest Bathing,” walks and the body of scientific knowledge demonstrating the benefits of spending time in nature as a wellness practice and an effective way to manage stress. She has come to know the healing and support that nature can offer us through her own personal wellness journey.

    Also an artist, she facilitates Expressive Arts classes at the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, often incorporating elements of forest therapy throughout. She works with a wide variety of populations including the corporate business world, wellness professionals, people affected by cancer, students, special needs and seniors. Nadine is available for consulting, private or group forest bathing half-day and full-day workshops, and speaking engagements.

    $30 for NEBG members, $40 for nonmembers. Register at www.nebg.org

  • Friday, January 12, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm – Create an Art Journal

    Learn to create your own art journal for creative inspiration using book binding techniques. In this New England Botanic Garden class on January 12 from 10:30 – 1, you will learn simple book binding methods of creating multiple signatures with a simple stitch binding, how to bind the signature together to make a thicker book, and a unique, simple way to make a hardcover.  Your journal can be made with blank papers or bring along your own artworks and favorite decorative papers to incorporate into an original book.

    Instructor Linda Snay was born in Connecticut and has always been drawn to the world of art.  She discovered watercolors at a young age and was encouraged by art teachers.  She studied art in college and went on to graduate from Eastern Connecticut State University with a BA, double major in Studio Art and Art History.  After moving to Massachusetts, her career led to positions in education in museums and art centers, and she is currently a teaching artist leading engaging art classes for both children and adults.  She works in various media, including watercolor, acrylic, oil, and pastel.  She is a member of Arts Worcester and participates regularly in exhibitions in Central Massachusetts

    $60 for NEBG members, $75 for nonmembers (includes admission to the Garden). Register at www.nebg.org

  • Saturday, October 14, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm – Cacao at the Garden

    Join The New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill for a special program on October 14 from 10:30 – 12:30 that will highlight the ceremonial aspects of cacao.  During this program, you will participate in guided meditation and reflection, sample ceremonial cacao, and learn more about its spiritual and scientific properties.

    Instructor: Rachel Goldberg

    As a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) and Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner (ELI-MP), Rachel integrates her devotion to energetic health with intuitive pattern recognition skills and iPEC coaching tools to facilitate attitudinal awareness for her clients. Creating a safe space for her clients to withdraw from external pressures and witness their patterns without judgment, Rachel’s coaching practice empowers her clients to radically accept what currently is, while making clear focused decisions for moving forward. Working as a team, Rachel supports her clients in designing and achieving goals born from their authentic spirits.

    Rachel’s greatest passion is cultivating intimate connections through ceremony. Connection between self and spirit, humanity, and nature, and most of all, unconditionally loving and accepting connection between people. She believes the art of ceremony is one of the most potent ways to create a sacred space in which each soul feels seen, heard, and witnessed. A space in which to surrender to vulnerability and expression. After having developed a ceremonial practice over the past five years with cacao as her guide, Rachel is honored to spread this heart-opening medicine to the western world. To foster and nurture intimacy among those called to take the journey. To hold space as we drop from the busy and guarded head space into the raw and open-heart space.

    $45 Member Adult; $60 Adult (includes admission to the Garden)