Boston Flora

  • Tuesday, June 30, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern – Designing the Lush Dry Garden, Online

    On June 30 at 2 pm Eastern on Zoom, Cricket Riley will share the inspiration behind the book Designing the Lush Dry Garden and discuss how personal experience, place, and climate shape the way we design and experience our landscapes. She will explore what it means to create gardens that are vibrant, resilient in the face of a changing climate, and expressive of individual values and aesthetics. The talk will highlight influences from the Ruth Bancroft Garden as well as practical design strategies and thoughtful plant choices that balance beauty with sustainability, offering attendees approachable ideas they can adapt to their own spaces. Cricket will also touch on how observation, experimentation, and seasonal change inform successful garden design over time. The Garden Conservancy presentation will conclude with an interactive Q&A, inviting audience members to ask questions and explore how the concepts, tools, and inspiration from the book can be applied to their own unique landscapes and gardening goals.

    CRICKET RILEY is co-owner of Lush Dry Gardens, a landscape design firm specializing in low-water garden design, and worked at the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek, CA, from 2017 to 2025. During her tenure she held multiple roles, including founding and serving as Director of the Design Services department. She was the primary instructor for the Dry Garden Design Certificate Program, which she co-created with Alice Kitajima in 2020.

    ALICE KITAJIMA’s deep connection to gardens and landscape design began early, inspired by her father, who immigrated to Los Angeles to design and install Japanese-style gardens. After completing her forestry and music studies at the University of California, Berkeley, she worked at botanical gardens and arboreta across the United States. As Program Director at the Ruth Bancroft Garden, she led the education department with a passion for helping people build meaningful, lasting connections with plants.

    You will receive the webinar link directly from Zoom. A recording of this webinar will be sent to all registrants a few days after the event. We encourage you to register, even if you cannot attend the live webinar. $5 Conservancy members, $15 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.gardenconservancy.org/events/web26-designing-the-lush-dry-garden

  • Wednesday, June 24 & Saturday, June 27, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm Eastern – Balancing Native & Non-Native Plantings, Online

    Hear practical, approachable tips for incorporating native plants into your landscape alongside non-native favorites. Native plants play a critical role in supporting pollinators and wildlife, strengthening biodiversity, and creating plant communities adapted to local conditions. Non-native species contribute structure, seasonal interest and continuity. Learn how to integrate them for a balanced, thriving landscape. This two part Zoom presentation with Marie Chieppo is offered by the Native Plant Trust on June 24 & June 27 for $25. Register at https://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/balancing-native-and-non-native-plantings/

  • Thursday, June 25, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Plymouth Public Library Foundation Garden Tour

    Start at Plymouth Public Library’s Dr. Richard M. Shiff Garden at 132 South Street in Plymouth at 10 am and meet sponsors and fellow non-profits. Talk to a Master Gardener, have your soil tested, and learn more about the wonderful resources available to you in our community.

    At noon, the tour commences and all ticketed guests are free to visit the five gardens at their own pace. Each of these gardens is extraordinary and as an added bonus a Plein Air artist will be on-site to add yet another colorful and breathtaking element to the tour!

    There will be opportunities galore to take home a beautifully decorated birdhouse, fabulous gift certificate and so much more — thanks to the generosity of our community!

    All proceeds will be used to continue the work to improve the Dr. Richard M. Shiff Garden and create an oasis for all to enjoy! $30 in advance, $40 on day of tour. Click HERE to purchase in advance, or to make a donation.

  • Tuesday, June 23, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Eastern – Plants’ Scents and Sensibilities, Online

    Why do flowers have distinct scents, and why do plants produce smells in the first place? This Native Plants Trust online program on June 23 at 7 pm explores these questions by examining how plants communicate and protect themselves. We’ll also investigate the remarkable ways plants perceive their surroundings—sensing, responding, and moving in ways that are largely invisible to humans. The session is led by Daphne Minner, Garden Coach and Botanical Educator. $25. Register at https://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/plants-scents-and-sensibilities/

  • Saturday, June 27, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – A Summer Walk in the Gardens of York

    Spend a special day enjoying a scenic walking tour through some of the finest gardens in York, Maine. This leisurely stroll covers approximately 1.2 miles, guiding you through nine beautiful residential gardens, each offering its own charm, creativity, and inspiration.

    Along the way, take in sweeping views of the water, thoughtfully designed landscapes, and the warm hospitality of friendly hosts. The tour concludes with a special Art in Bloom surprise, adding an extra touch of beauty and creativity to the experience.

    Please join us in supporting the Piscataqua Garden Club, as they present this wonderful event as part of their Centennial Celebration. Tickets are $30 – $150. Purchase through Eventbrite HERE. Ticket pick up will be at Olde Yorke Historical Society, 3 Lindsay Road in York.

  • Friday, June 19, 10:30 am – 2:30 pm – Mushrooms for Beginners

    Mushrooms are tremendously diverse and play an important ecological role. In this June 19Native Plant Trust class at Garden in the Woods in Framingham, we will first learn about basic fungal biology and identification from Thomas Roehl and then head out to the Garden for a mushroom foray. After lunch, we will identify our finds using field guides and microscopes. Bring a bag lunch and a hand lens if you have one. $100. Register at https://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/mushrooms-for-beginners/

  • Friday – Sunday, June 19 – 21 – Blooming Art 2026 at the Old Mill

    A Celebration of Art & Flowers!   The Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club’s iconic ‘Blooming Art’ event will take place this year at The Old Mill in West Tisbury (690 Edgartown-West Tisbury Road) on  June 19, 20, and 21.  All art on display will be for sale.  All funds raised during this event will benefit the Club’s Charitable initiatives.  The MVGC looks forward to your attendance and your support!   

    The Club’s ‘Blooming Art’ event showcases creations of island artists paired with interpretive floral arrangements by our MV Garden Club members under the roof of the charming and historic Old Mill located in West Tisbury which is owned and maintained by the MV Garden Club. The Club, which is the Island’s oldest conservation organization, takes great pride in hosting this event for the enjoyment of our Island Community and visitors who attend.   

    A Little Background:  ‘Blooming Art’ is modeled after the Boston Museum of Fine Arts  ‘Art in Bloom’ show, which is an annual celebration of floral arrangements inspired by the Museum’s many masterpieces.  Beginning in the early days of the MVGC Blooming Art event, The Old Mill was transformed into a gallery filled with the art of Vineyard artists displayed along with interpretive floral arrangements created by Garden Club members.  All artwork is for sale and the proceeds from the ‘Blooming Art’ event, will go towards supporting the Club’s charitable initiatives, including the Garden Club’s Scholarship Fund and the Old Mill Preservation Fund.

    For information on times, admission costs, and parking, visit https://www.marthasvineyardgardenclub.org/blooming-art-2026.html

  • Saturday, June 20, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Historic Homes, Gardens & Houses of Worship Tour

    For the last 23 years, Sagadahoc Preservation, Inc. (SPI) has annually opened some of Maine’s most beautiful and historic homes and gardens to the public. This year’s tour, to be held on Saturday, June 20, will also feature several of Bath’s historic houses of worship.

    From 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., attendees are invited to visit private gardens and historic homes and buildings, featuring many of the city’s striking architectural styles including Federal, Greek Revival and Italianate.

    A self-guided map allows participants the opportunity to tour the properties at their leisure, and the Montsweagers musical group will be on hand performing live.

    All proceeds go to support SPI and its mission of preserving and protecting Bath’s architectural heritage, and in particular the iconic and historic Winter Street Center.

    Advance tickets are $40 for this rain or shine event ($45 the day of the tour) and may be purchased until June 18 on-line. All tickets are picked up the day of the event at the Winter Street Center, 880 Washington Street, Bath, Maine, starting at 10:00 a.m. As a charitable event, all ticket purchases are considered donations and are non-refundable. For tickets, visit https://www.sagadahocpreservation.org/house-and-garden-tour

  • Sunday, June 21, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm – Worcester’s Gardenscapes

    Join Worcester Garden Club for an exclusive tour of eight private Worcester area gardens, not normally open to the public.

    Sunday, June 21, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

    Join the Worcester Garden Club for a self-guided tour of eight private Worcester-area gardens — beautiful spaces rarely open to the public. Explore at your own pace. Discover hidden landscapes, inspired plantings, and thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces across the city.

    TICKET OPTIONS

    Garden Tour Only — $40

    Access to all eight private gardens

Self-guided; tour at your own pace

    Garden Tour + Secret Garden After-Party — $125

    Access to all eight gardens

Entry to a bonus Secret Garden location

Cocktail After-Party from 4:00–6:00 PM in a private setting

    CHECK-IN & WRISTBAND PICKUP (REQUIRED)

    All guests must check in at:

    Coal Mine Brook Park
    616 Plantation Street
    Worcester, MA

    Rolling check-in between 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Pick up your wristband and printed tour program

Begin your tour anytime after check-in

Wristband required for entry to all gardens

    EVENT DETAILS

    Held RAIN or SHINE

No refunds

Attendance is limited

Same-day tickets available at Coal Mine Brook Park between 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM (subject to availability)

    DON’T MISS LADY FERN FARM!

    While picking up your wristband, don’t miss Lady Fern Farm. We’ll be joined by this woman-owned native plant nursery specializing in Northeast native plants that support local ecosystems. Shop perennials and shrubs and receive expert guidance for building a resilient, wildlife-supporting garden.

    QUESTIONS?

    Email: WGCgardenscapes@gmail.com

    Proceeds from this tour support the Worcester Garden Club’s Civic Projects Program, which provides annual funding to local nonprofits for horticulture-based projects that beautify our community and for initiatives that educate young people.

    To purchase tickets online visit Eventbrite HERE.

  • Saturday, June 20, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Paint with Wool

    Gore Place in Waltham is pleased to once again welcome Rachel Benson from The Fiber Web to run a needle felting class at the Farm. Come create a bucolic landscape featuring sheep!

    No experience necessary. Rachel will guide you step-by-step through the process. All supplies will be provided. Participants will take home their felt painting as well as have the option to purchase needle felting supplies to try new projects at home.

    Space is limited and tickets sell out quickly, so reserve your spot today at https://goreplace.org/whats-on/painting-with-wool

    This program is intended for ages 13 and up. Gore Place members $35, nonmembers $40.