Last Call for the New England Spring Flower Show
Each year, the non-profit organization Massachusetts Horticultural Society sponsors a spring flower show guaranteed to rid you of the winter blahs, just in time for the actual arrival of what many consider nature’s most agreeable season.
This year’s New England Spring Flower Show, the 134th annual event, began last Saturday and is heading into its final weekend at Boston’s Bayside Expo Center (200 Mount Vernon Street, Boston, 617-474-6000). Hours for the general public are 10am–9pm on Saturday and 10am–6pm on Sunday, the last day of the exhibit.
The invigorating theme of the show is Rhapsody in Green, which aims to promote the always commendable environmental goal of creating “sustainable, eco-friendly gardens.” In keeping with that mission, the flower show will feature a number of demonstrations, lectures, and tours this Saturday and Sunday to help attendees get smarter about horticulture, put their green thumbs to work, and optimize their exhibit experience.
Scheduled weekend demonstrations fall into two categories, floral and horticulture, and each is led by an expert in the relevant field. The Floral Demonstrations and Horticulture Demonstrations calendar list everything you need to know to determine if you’re in a rose or orchid state of mind, or would prefer a little dirt and/or pruning instead. Those are just a sample of the topics covered.
During Saturday’s lectures, knowledgeable presenters will spread the word about bulls-eye perennials, water gardens, fallscaping, potentially harmful plants and insects, and greenways. And, on Sunday, there will be an encore of the Saturday lecture on greenways. Review the Lectures at a Glance schedule for additional details about these learning tools, including the location and exact time of sessions.
Unlike the demonstrations and lectures, which are free, tours are priced at $20 per person for the general public, with group tours also offered. To their credit, however, they are led by so-called “celebrity” lecturers and master gardeners capable of delivering the most informative and interesting guidance possible.
The guides are even primed to answer any question asked about gardening. Since advance registration is required, check the Guided Tours page for instructions on how to arrange some quality time with this weekend’s experts, author Stephanie Cohen on Saturday and certified Master Gardener Tom Frost on Sunday.
It’s also good to know the Massachusetts Horticultural Society allows visitors to use both cameras and video cameras while enjoying exhibits, although tripods are forbidden. Moreover, not only can interested parties purchase tickets online, at the door, or at many local Borders bookstores, but the society has some of the best bargains I’ve ever encountered if non-members choose to join the organization at the same time.
For instance, four adult tickets to the show cost $80 ($20 per ticket); yet, a family membership, which includes four adult tickets, costs just $85. That’s an unbelievable value, not to mention all of the advantages and extras members receive, such as a one-year subscription to Horticulture magazine and access to exclusive privileges.
Other non-member tickets to the New England Spring Flower Show range in price from $10 for children aged 4–12 years old to $17 for seniors and members of the military. Students pay only $12, as well. Just remember to bring proper identification to receive special discounts. [More Information]
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