Gardening in the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy Metropolitan Area

Photo found on Flickr, courtesy of monkeyatlarge.

The Beacon Hill Garden Club works to encourage public interest in horticulture and urban gardening, and to promote the cultivation, preservation, and improvement of the urban landscape through educational programs and direct financial support for organizations dedicated to environmental conservation and civic improvement.

The Garden Club of the Back Bay is committed towards the upkeep of street trees of the Back Bay with emphasis on planting and pruning.

Boston Park Advocates (BPA) is a volunteer-based, citywide network of park enthusiasts, committed to the upkeep of Boston’s parks and open spaces. The organization aims to share resources and information, raise public awareness, and strengthen the collective impact of its network members to influence public park policy and increase support for the range of urban parks and open spaces.

The Boston Schoolyard Initiative is a public/private partnership that involves schools and neighborhoods in the reconstruction of school grounds for recreation, academic learning and community use.

The Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation strengthens the capacity of parks and historic properties to manage cultural landscapes. Working in partnership with national parks, universities, government agencies, and non-profit organizations, the Olmsted Center provides a full range of technical assistance in cultural landscape research, planning, stewardship, and education.

The Esplanade Association is a non-profit collaboration of citizens working to protect, restore, and beautify Boston’s most popular urban park – the Charles River Esplanade.

The Friends of the Public Garden is a non-profit organization that aims to preserve and enhance the Boston Public Garden, Common, and Commonwealth Avenue Mall in collaboration with the Mayor and the Parks Department of the City of Boston.

The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts Inc. is a non-profit organization based in Boston which organizes programs, events and workshops that have focus on gardening and cultivation of plants in the Greater Boston area.

Members of the Acton Garden Club endeavour to advance the art of gardening and flower arranging and to provide opportunities for learning in the areas of horticulture, floral design, landscape design, and environmental issues by providing members with informative programs, by regularly staging Club flower shows, by maintaining a commitment to community service, and by encouraging participation in The Garden Club Federation of MA sponsored programs.

Spade and Trowel Garden Club is a small and friendly club active in educational, horticultural and civic projects. Club members attend monthly meetings and participate in projects and fundraisers.

The Village Garden Club of Andover is a non-profit member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts. The club’s program includes guest speakers within the community and throughout the state who share their expertise in horticulture, floral design, conservation, civic beautification, landscape design, and practical gardening. The club also provides seasonal, hands-on creative workshops, and flower arranging workshops.

The objective of the Arlington Garden Club is to advance the knowledge of horticulture arts and sciences, ecology, floriculture and conservation of natural resources and the environment through educational programs, lectures, exhibits, seminars, and written material.

The Ashland Garden Club is made up of residents of Ashland, Massachusetts, who are devoted to cultivating a beautiful town. Its members are committed to tend 17 areas of gardens and planters around town.

Ashland Community Gardens offers garden beds, where residents can maintain their own organic vegetable gardens.

The Massachusetts Horticultural Society is dedicated to encouraging the science and practice of horticulture and developing the public’s enjoyment, appreciation, and understanding of plants and the environment.

The objective of the Framingham-based New England Flower Society is to promote the conservation of temperate North American flora through education, research, horticulture, habitat preservation, and advocacy.

Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University provides and supports world-class research, horticulture, and education programs that foster the understanding, appreciation, and preservation of trees.

Northeast Organic Farming Association, MA Chapter, is a community including farmers, gardeners, landscapers and consumers working to educate members and the general public about the benefits of local organic systems based on complete cycles, natural materials, and minimal waste for the health of individual beings, communities and the living planet.

The Tower Hill Botanic Garden encourages interest in gardening and plant cultivation by organizing various courses, events and workshops for the residents of Boylston and the surrounding areas.

The UConn Plant Database is a combined effort by University of Connecticut, University of Massachusetts, University of Rhode Island, and University of Vermont. The website provides comprehensive, searchable information on plants of the New England region.

UMass Extension sponsors state-wide programs in Agriculture and Landscape, Natural Resources & Environmental Conservation, Nutrition Education and the Massachusetts 4-H Youth Development Program. These programs offer research and educational opportunities including workshops, conferences, distance education, training events, consultations, and applied research.

The purpose of the Bedford Garden Club is to stimulate among amateurs the knowledge and love of gardening, the protection of native trees and plants, and encouragement of civic planting.

The Belmont Garden Club offers gardening-focused workshops for its members, and pursues a variety of projects to help beautify the Town of Belmont. Activities include community plantings at various deltas in town, providing weekly arrangements to the Senior Center, monthly visits to the Belmont Manor Nursing Home, scholarships to college-bound Belmont residents for horticultural pursuits, tending the wildflower garden at the Main Library, and introducing and educating junior gardeners in gardening, flower arranging and community involvement.

The Friendly Garden Club of Beverly plants and maintains the Chris Landman Memorial Garden at the Beverly Public Library as well as all of the gardens at the library and Beverly City Hall. The Club raises funds for its community service projects with its annual Plant Sale, Open Meetings, and other Fundraisers.

Members of the Billerica Garden Club learn about gardening, and share gardening talents with members and with the community.

The objective of Gardeners’ Guild of Braintree is to promote interest and knowledge of gardening and beautification of the community.

The Bridgewater Garden Club invites experts for discources on horticulture, flower arranging, birds and animals, perennial and annual gardening. The club also offers scholarships from the revenue generated from plants sale to Area High School and College students living in Bridgewater or Raynham, majoring in marine, earth, environmental, agricultural, botany, forestry, conservation, urban planning, horticulture, landscape design, architectural engineering or ecology.

Members of the Brockton Garden Club work towards the advancement of gardening and conservation, the development of home grounds, the protection of forests, swamplands and the beautification of Brockton.

The Canton Garden Club aspires to promote interest in and knowledge of gardens, civic improvements, and the conservation of wildlife and natural resources.

The objective of the Carlisle Garden Club is to provide information and education on all aspects of gardening; to facilitate the exchange of knowledge based on experience; and to promote the civic beautification of Carlisle.

The Chartley Garden Club was established by residents of Chartley to share ideas, expertise and enthusiasm for gardening and nature. A variety of presentations are offered on subjects such as gardening, nature, landscaping and how-to’s.

The Garden Club of Chatham, Massachusetts, arranges garden tours and flower shows. Experts are invited to offer courses and workshops on gardening and landscaping. Periodic meetings are held where members share knowledge and experiences in plant cultivation.

The Community Garden Club of Cohasset‘s members work to promote interest in gardens, their design and horticultural perfection; to promote interest in conservation of natural resources; and to conduct formal programs for the advancement of these and related items.

The Chicatabot Garden Club strives to provide knowledge and appreciation of gardens and horticulture; to aid in the protection of native trees, plants and birds; and to encourage conservation and community beautification through civic planting and education.

The Dracut Garden club aims to encourage interest in all phases of home gardening and promote better horticultural practices, civic beauty and conservation of natural resources.

By arranging monthly meetings the Community Garden Club of Duxbury offers an opportunity to learn great gardening tips from the pros and watch floral designers in action. The website contains schedule of future events, and newsletter.

Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum provides a wide array of educational programs in ornamental horticulture, botanical sciences, workshops, garden walks, and hands-on classes. Blithewold also sponsors popular children’s camps during the summer and spring vacation weeks, giving children the opportunity to learn about the interaction of plants, and animals, with humans and the environment.

Boston Natural Areas Network works to preserve, expand and improve urban open space through community organizing, acquisition, ownership, programming, development and management of special kinds of urban land: Community Gardens, Urban Wilds and Greenways. In all of its efforts, BNAN is guided by local citizens advocating for their open spaces and assisting them to preserve and shape their communities.

The Emerald Necklace Conservancy brings people together to renew, enliven and advocate for the Emerald Necklace park system. Conservancy volunteers and program participants work on projects dedicated to park restoration and maintenance; events for families; public education; constituency-building and park advocacy.

This website created by an avid gardener offers valuable information on cultivation of plants, articles giving tips on gardening, and links to useful resources. She also chronicles her gardening experiences in her blog – Wholelifegardening.com

Heritage Museums & Gardens promotes and fosters the appreciation, preservation and stewardship of America’s culture and horticulture by connecting people, living collections, object collections and ideas.

The Easton Garden Club encourages interest in gardening among the residents of Easton by organizing garden walks, harvest fair, flower shows and workshops on gardening.

The Franklin Garden Club is an organization of individuals interested in the art of gardening and providing a beautification community service to the people of Franklin. Monthly meetings include educational lectures and hands-on workshops.

Members of the Greenfield Garden Club work to generate community interest in gardening; to help maintain public gardens, monuments, or other community properties; and to promote knowledge, awareness, and interest in gardening through public programs and demonstrations.

The Berkshire Botanical Garden is a not-for-profit, membership-supported educational organization encompassing 15 acres of cultivated land. The Garden’s mission is to fulfill the community’s need for information, education and inspiration concerning the art and science of gardening and the preservation and improvement of our local environment. The botanical garden has collections of 3000 species and varieties of plants that are indigenous to or thrive in the Berkshires.

The Cactus and Succulent Society of Massachusetts, as a group, has participated in the New England Spring Flower Show several times, winning blue ribbons and other awards. Its members also compete individually in the amateur horticulture division of the Flower Show. Regular meetings usually feature a speaker, slide show; plant show; socializing time; plant raffle and/or auction; and a short business meeting.

The Charles River Conservancy is an advocacy group committed to the refurbishment of the Charles River basin parklands.

The objective of Hamilton-Wenham Garden Club is to evoke an interest in all phases of gardening, to aid in the protection and conservation of natural resources, and to promote civic beauty.

The Walnut Hill Garden Club members work towards the greening and beautification of the community’s public spaces. The club also arranges meetings, flower shows and workshops to educate members and residents about the latest techniques in gardening.

The Hanson Garden Club invites an expert speaker who can educate its members on various gardening topics, or a workshop in which all members will participate.

The Garden Club of Harvard is a non-profit, hands-on garden club which comprises of members having gardening skills ranging from beginner to master. The club organizes meetings and workshops, to exchange ideas and learn about new trends in landscape design, vegetable gardening, horticulture, conservation, and flower arranging.

Gardening enthusiasts of Haverhill and nearby can share knowledge on plant cultivation, enrol in workshops and attend monthly lectures at the Haverhill Garden Club.

Members of the Garden Club of Hingham are devoted to promoting interest in gardening, horticulture, artistic floral design, landscape design, conservation of natural resources and to conduct formal programs for the advancement of these and related aims.

The Holliston Garden Club members work to disseminate the knowledge of gardening and floral design, to aid in the protection and conservation of natural resources, and to promote the beautification of Holliston. You can join the club if you are a gardening enthusiast of if even if your focus is (more specific) on perennials, annuals, landscape or floral design, civic improvements or conservation.

The purpose of the Hudson Garden Club is to promote a greater interest in gardening, horticulture, conservation, flower arranging, and to cooperate in civic betterment. Meetings are held monthly, usually with a Guest Speaker who is an expert on a specific subject.

The Jamaica Plain Garden Club members meet regularly to share landscaping and planting ideas.

The Lexington Field and Garden Club is a dedicated group of individuals who share the common interest of gardening.

The Lincoln Garden Club members work together to provide community service to the Town and share their knowledge of gardening. Regular meetings feature topics such as plant materials, gardening tips, landscaping, conservation, unusual and spectacular gardens, and flower arranging demonstrations.

Lincoln residents – Know more about invasive plants in your area and learn tips on how to control them.

PlantNative is dedicated to moving native plants and naturescaping into mainstream landscaping practices. Members of the organization work with nursery owners, landscape professionals and consumers to increase both the supply and demand of native plants, and thereby reduce their cost through economies of scale. The website includes how-to information and directory of resources.

This page has a list of plants prohibited in Massachusetts.

The main objective of the Garden Club of Mansfield is to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening among amateurs, to contribute to civic improvement and to enhance the beauty of Mansfield.

The Marblehead Garden Club is a volunteer organization dedicated to the care and cultivation of the historically inspired gardens surrounding the Jeremiah Lee Mansion. The club is also committed to self-sustaining organic gardening.

Members of the Colonial Garden Club of Marlborough are encouraged to participate in beautification, workshops on horticulture education and conservation activities.

Maynard Community Gardeners is devoted to town beautification, meeting and working with other gardeners in Maynard, Massachusetts, and the surrounding towns.

The Methuen Garden Club organizes monthly meetings focused on sharing of latest gardening information. The club also facilitates an annual free plant swap and potluck, a Christmas Yankee swap and potluck, and a hands-on workshop every year. The club maintains the gardens at Town Hall at the Searle’s Building.

Members of the Rockport Garden Club take care of over a dozen garden sites in Rockport. The Rockport Garden Club works towards creating awareness in civic beauty, conservation, community service, ecology and flower arranging.

The Millis Garden Club strives to enhance the natural beauty of Millis surroundings through horticultural education of members.

The Milton Garden Club’s core mission is to promote interest in gardening among the residents of Milton through hands-on workshops, lectures by expert gardeners and meetings where members share the latest techniques in plant cultivation. The club also undertakes various community projects.

The Norwood Evening Garden Club brings together enthusiastic gardeners from Norwood, Walpole, Westwood and surrounding towns with the aim of learning more about horticulture and floral design; sharing knowledge and expertise with each other and with the public; making communities in Norwood more beautiful through civic projects.

The Osterville Garden Club works towards generating interest in gardens among the residents of Osterville, improving of home grounds, beautification of the villages, general horticulture, and conservation.

Mattakeesett Garden Club of Pembroke undertakes the beautification of the town of Pembroke by planting and maintaining trees and gardens.

The Pepperell Garden Club is a charitable organization that encourages the study and practice of horticulture, landscape design, and floral design. It aids in the beautification of the town of Pepperell and helps protect and conserve natural resources. The club provides both financial and hands-on support to a variety of municipal, educational, and environmental organizations throughout the region.

Plymouth residents can gather the latest information on gardening and landscaping by attending workshops and meetings arranged by the Evening Garden Club of Plymouth.

The Plymouth Garden Club‘s objective is to learn about horticulture, flower arranging and environment and to put knowledge to use in homes and community of Plymouth wherever it is applicable.

The mission of the Reading Garden Club is to encourage an active interest in horticulture and conservation among the amateur gardeners in the community, and to further the knowledge of beautifying town and home.

Members of the Salem Garden Club are devoted to the advancement of gardening, development of home grounds, civic beautification, and aiding in the protection of forests, wild flowers, and birds.

The Somerville Garden Club members strive to promote home gardening as well as the horticultural possibilities of Somerville’s public spaces.

The Sutton Garden Club works to encourage interest in all phases of home gardening, promote better horticultural practices and use the acquired skills and knowledge of the membership to benefit the town and residents through community projects and to promote a spirit of good will.

The Tewksbury Garden Club serves the town of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, by providing community service and gardening maintenance for the town.

The Garden Clubs of Topsfield preserve and promote the rich agricultural and horticultural heritage of the character of the town. The clubs also undertake community gardening projects, educational programs, conservation activities and social events centered on gardening, and appreciation for natural resources.

The Waltham Garden Club offers a wide range of projects and activities for those who love plants, flowers and gardens. The club organizes many educational and fun events like the Christmas holiday design program, the fall floral arrangement workshop, or general meetings where we hear about a variety of topics like the creation of a Rose Parade float or enjoy a photo tour of Boston’s Emerald Necklace.

The purpose of the West Newbury Garden Club is to encourage and cultivate an interest in gardening, to aid in the protection and conservation of natural resources, to encourage the study of horticulture and flower arranging, and to promote civic beauty.

This is a video clip introducing the Westborough Garden Club.

The Westford Garden Club aims to promote interest in horticulture, in the environment and in sharing gardening knowledge. Informative programs are provided to advance gardening, flower arranging and personal well being.

The Wollaston Gardn Club works to encourage the love of gardening, the study of horticulture, and the development of floral and landscape design skills. Regular meetings are held to aid in the protection and conservation of Quincy’s environment; and to promote, encourage and support civic beautification throughout the City of Quincy.

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 growable in New England. Society activities include chapter meetings, flower and foliage shows, plant sales, garden tours, seed and cutting exchanges, and communication through printed and online publications.

COGdesign is a non-profit service organization offering quality landscape design for community-based groups; meaningful professional experience for student and practicing landscape designers; volunteer opportunities for those interested in strengthening communities by creating and improving neighborhood green spaces.

The Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association is a non-profit organization that works towards the propagation of knowledge about all aspects of plant cultivation and gardening.

The CELS Kathleen M. Mallon Outreach Center in conjunction with University of Rhode Island College of the Environment and Life Sciences and RI Cooperative Extension offers access to research-generated knowledge and assistance to address a broad range of socioeconomic and environmental issues citizens to communities, government agencies or businesses. The Botanical Gardens feature evergreen plantings, perennials, a mini-orchard, vegetable and herb beds, a sustainable rose garden, a children’s garden, ericaceous plantings, a water garden and much more.

The Plymouth County Conservation District strives to bring USDA conservation help to farmers. The Conservation District is a local environmental agency dedicated to wise land use and conservation of natural resources. The organization arranges Tree & Shrub Sale in the early spring and Bulb Sale in late summer.

The Allston – Brighton blog helps residents keep themselves updated about the latest happenings in their community.

The Wellesley College Botanic Gardens comprises of the Alexandra Botanic Garden and the H. H. Hunnewell Arboretum. The Alexandra Botanic Garden has specimen trees and shrubs from around the world in a picturesqe landscape. The H. H. Hunnewell Arboretum has several different habitats, including a maple swamp, meadow, and fragments of different forest types, with mostly native species. Other specialized gardens include a green roof planted with native species, a dwarf conifer garden, and a butterfly garden.

The Trustees of Reservations is a statewide nonprofit conservation organization managing landscapes of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological importance. The website includes a searchable guide to sites open to the public, information about conservation and legal mechanisms for protecting land.

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department provides residents and visitors with clean, green, safe, and accessible open space in more than 2,200 acres of park land throughout the city including parks, playgrounds, athletic facilities, city squares, urban wilds, street trees, three active cemeteries, 16 historic burying grounds, and two golf courses.

The Bridge of Flowers is open from April 1 through late fall and is located off Route 2 on the Mohawk Trail in the village of Shelburne Falls. It spans the Deerfield River, connecting the lovely towns of Shelburne and Buckland. An annual plant sale is also held on the bridge, usually in May.

This website has all the information you need about Bristol County Agricultural High School. The school offers programs on landscaping are gardening. The institution also organizes periodic plant sale.

The Mount Holyoke College Botanic Garden encompasses the Mount Holyoke College campus, including an arboretum and numerous gardens, as well as the Talcott Greenhouse. The Mount Holyoke College Botanic Garden hosts a variety of events focusing on horticulture, throughout the academic year.

The Smith College Botanic Garden features thousands of plants including those grown under glass in the Lyman Conservatory or outdoors in various gardens. Botanic Garden activities and collections include not only plants but also books and other resource materials, an international seed exchange, research and conservation, and diverse events.

Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens consists of a huge glass conservatory filled with butterflies, moths and tropical vegetation. The conservatory also offers a huge variety of plants for sale.

The Charles H. Smith Greenhouses at Roger Williams Park houses a great variety of beautiful plants and flowers. The Roger Williams Park Botanical Gardens also provides horticultural education to public.

The mission of Hebert Arboretum is to display a wide diversity of trees and other plants in formal landscapes and larger natural areas for people’s enjoyment, refreshment, inspiration and better understanding of the living world. It offers educational programs, promotes land preservation and environmentally sound gardening and landscape practices, and is compatible with a variety of other community activities.

Larch Hill is a regional greenhouse devoted to the culture, growing, occasional breeding and exhibiting of orchids throughout New England at the various orchid society shows.

The Bay State African Violet Society provides a forum for African violet enthusiasts to share their interest in the propagation and culture of the gesneriads. Activities of the society include annual Spring Flower Show and Sale; the annual Dinner Meeting in October with a program on AVs presented by a well-known speaker; and other activities such as potting clinics.

The Bonsai Society of Greater Springfield offers a hands-on approach to the art of Bonsai, through instruction, activities and sharing personal experiences. Regular meetings feature a large range of Bonsai topics, from basic care techniques to preparation for Bonsai display in local areas and events.

The Massachusetts Buxton Branch of the American Begonia Society members include novices and experts, and meetings provide in-depth information about begonia species and cultivars, propagation techniques, and growing tips.

Garden enthusiasts of Grafton get together and share knowledge about gardening. The Grafton Garden Club arranges programs and workshops covering all aspects of plant cultivation.

Members of the Lenox Garden Club are committed to enhance their knowledge of horticulture, flower arranging, civic beautification, conservation and the environment.

The Massachusetts Arborists Association (MAA) is a professional trade organization that serves the commercial arboriculture industry. The MAA advances the goals of its members through education, research support, certification and promotion of the value of arboriculture to the public.

The Massachusetts Association of Lawn Care Professionals is the official association of lawn care professionals throughout Massachusetts. Its primary goal is to serve as an information resource to association members, legislators and Boards of Health, as well as the general public.

The Massachusetts Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. is a nonprofit organization whose members are businesses and individuals who are committed to promoting environmental awareness and the highest standards of the Massachusetts nursery and landscape industry.

The Massachusetts Orchid Society is a non-profit educational organization of individuals who share an interest in orchids. The MOS holds monthly meetings throughout the year, encompassing a broad range of topics.

New England Daylily Society is a local daylily club associated with Region 4 of the American Hemerocallis Society (AHS). The society organizes a members’ sale and auction of daylilies in May and a public sale and auction in August of each year. NEDS provides support to two AHS display gardens, one at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Elm Bank facility in Wellesley, MA, and the other at Heritage Plantation Gardens in Sandwich, MA.

The website of New England Rose Society includes an overview of events and shows, membership details, rose photo gallery, and articles about rose culture.

The objective of the New Meadows Garden Club is to foster knowledge of home gardening, decorative arrangements and an interest in civic projects. The club engages in a wide variety of activities in Topsfield and in conjunction with the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts.

Patriot Daylily Society is an educational group focused on sharing of knowledge on cultivation of daylilies, based in Bedford, Massachusetts. The website provides event schedule, photographs and news.