The Gardens at Elm Bank, home of Massachusetts Horticultural Society (Mass Hort), will open on Friday, May 3. The 36-acre property and gardens are located on the Elm Bank Reservation at 900 Washington Street (Route 16) in Wellesley.
For the kids
Family programs will be offered Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5 in Weezie’s Garden for Children. Staff- led activities will engage 3 – 6 year-olds in the science and wonder of the natural world. Programs meet at 11am and usually last 30 minutes. All ages welcome, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
Looking further ahead, two events for plant lovers will take place at Elm Bank on Saturday, May 11, 2019, 9am – 3pm — the Mass Hort Gardeners’ Fair and Herb Plant Sale of the Herb Society of America.
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The Mass Hort Gardeners’ Fair
The Gardeners’ Fair is an opportunity to find rare and unusual perennials, trees and shrubs; ready-to-plant herbs and vegetables; and tomato varieties by the dozens. Visitors can also hear talks by experts and find unique garden tools, garden ornaments and accessories, and more. The fair will feature sales of unique specimens from local plant societies including the Herb Society Plant Sale, and an Ask the Master Gardener booth hosted by the Massachusetts Master Gardeners. Admission is $5 per car for the general public, free for Mass Hort members.
Herb Plant Sale
You can find the Herb Plant Sale of the New England Unit of the Herb Society of America on the lawn across from the Teaching Herb Garden at Elm Bank. In addition to herb plants, native plants, and free plants for visiting children gardeners, the Society will offer a special selection of “vintage garden” items to add a bit of history and character to your own personal garden landscape. Item will include decorative garden stakes, water trough planters, rustic garden tools, antique wooden and metal signs, old milk cans, distressed planters, flower pots, and much more.
Both the Gardeners’ Fair and the Herb Plant Sale events are open to the public (although Mass Hort members can get in an hour early at 8am, and their admission is free — membership has its privileges).
Bates and Hunnewell students to plant garden at Glen Grove
In a collaboration between Wellesley Green Schools and the Outdoor Clubs of Hunnewell and Bates elementary schools, a Native Wildlife Garden is in the works on the grounds of Glen Grove senior housing apartments. So far the students, led by Bates parent Susan Zelenko and Hunnewell parent and WPS substitute teacher Lisette Neergaard Colón have led students in the first steps toward creating a garden geared toward supporting local insects, birds, and other wildlife. Children measured the area, then removed a soil sample, which was sent to the University of Massachusetts (UMass) soil testing lab for evaluation. As the group waits for the UMass lab’s report about the organic makeup of the soil in the planting area, they are in the process of researching native trees, shrubs, and plants that can be expected to thrive in the space.
Also at the Gardeners’ Fair…
Allandale Farm, Boston’s oldest working farm, will bring a wide selection of heirloom and hybrid tomato plants grown right on the farm. Peppers, eggplants, cucumbers and other starter plants will also be available.
The Gardeners’ Fair provides fun and shopping for the whole family. In the afternoon, there will be live music, a food truck, and wine and beer. Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day with special family activities as part of our Bird Bonanza throughout the garden.
More on Mass Hort programs
New this season, Mass Hort will offer themed activities on the second Saturday of each month May – August. Be sure to check out Bird Bonanza on May 11 for bird-related crafts and activities, as well as adult-level lectures. Visitors may also want to explore the Library and Archives, renowned for its books related to early agriculture, horticulture and landscape design, rare books, and seed and nursery catalogs. The library is open on Thursdays 10am – 1pm and by appointment.
The Gardens at Elm Bank will be open Tuesday through Sunday, 10apm to 4pm Admission is $10, free for Mass Hort members and children 12 and under. More information about the gardens, membership, and programs can be found at www.masshort.org.
Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s mission is to develop the public’s enjoyment, appreciation, and understanding of plants, gardens, design, and the environment. Mass Hort is a 501 (c) (3) educational nonprofit and is supported by membership, sponsorships, and donations.
