New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill

Save the date! 🌳 The Garden’s annual Urban Tree Symposium will be on Friday, February 7, 2025. Dedicated to exploring the importance of urban forests and ways we can improve our green spaces, each symposium brings together experts in the fields of forestry, horticulture, biology, technology and more. Stay tuned for more information on speakers! Learn more about the upcoming symposium: https://bit.ly/3WmyU6c Image: A photo of a green tree canopy with text ‘Urban Tree Symposium’ and save the date information.

When the leaves begin to change, it's a sign to begin preparing for the colder months to come. Each fall, there are a handful of tasks CEO Grace Elton checks off as part of her yearly routine garden maintenance. Check out her tips and tricks in the latest column with the Telegram & Gazette. Read the column here: https://bit.ly/48h49Yc to nebg.org to view the PDF version. Image: Fallen leaves surround a blooming saffron crocus in the Vegetable Garden. Leaving the leaves can offer added insulation for plants among other advantages.

Popular for good reason, New England aster (𝘚𝘺𝘮𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘦-𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘦) is an important food source for the migrating monarch butterfly and a highly sought-after plant for bees and other pollinators. Asters can be found in fields, dry meadows, and grasslands across most of the United States. The flowers often range from deep purple to pink and occasionally can be found white. They can be found throughout the naturalistic spaces and meadows. Learn more about what's blooming, and plants of seasonal interest: https://bit.ly/3wLmYQO Image: Bright pink asters bloom in a section along the outskirts of the Wildlife Refuge Pond.

Fall is often when we start putting our gardens–and our gardening tools–to bed for the winter. With the season now winding down, there’s no better time to brush up on general maintenance tips and to show your trusty gardening tools some tender loving care. Check out some of our tips in our latest blog post. Read the post: https://bit.ly/4eNUjPY Image: Looking directly at one of the Garden’s tool sheds. The doors are open and buckets and other gardening tools are visible within.

The countdown to gnomes is hereeeee 🍄 Our mischievous friends will be back, with a few more mythical buddies, this November. The sneaky gnomes will be taking up residence once again in some of their favorite hiding spots around the Garden. Will you find them all? Learn more about Gnomevember: https://bit.ly/3XYBjc2 Image: A gnome who copied the look of Vincent van Gogh sits in the Cottage Garden last fall.

Night Lights tickets are now on sale for Garden members ✨ Members can now purchase their tickets for Night Lights: Color Cascade, running November 23 through January 5, on our website or by phone. Don’t forget! As a member you save 25% on tickets every evening, and 50% on tickets for December 2–4. Purchase your tickets at nebg.org/nightlights. Please be aware that there will be more traffic on the Garden’s website during this time and wait times may increase. If you have questions about Night Lights, please call 508-869-6745.

Next weekend, October 19 & 20, is the annual American Craft Fair! We can’t wait to see all the unique products handcrafted by this year’s vendors. Learn more and check out the vendor list: https://bit.ly/3dMwWMh

Join us on Wednesday, October 16, for our next Reflection and Remembrance Evening. Gather for a twilight memorial service to honor the memory of loved ones who have passed. During the evening, create personalized luminaria and share your light with others in this community memorial event. Registration is encouraged. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4ggtJAc Image: Luminaria bags rest on the floor of the Orangerie during the reflection evening in 2023.

What better way to learn than surrounded by nature? Two of our upcoming workshops feature some exciting projects unique to the Garden that you won’t want to miss out on. 🌰 On October 26, discover the Garden's innovative American chestnut restoration project with a hike through the woods and learn about the tree's place in the landscape and history. We'll end our session with a tasting of freshly roasted chestnuts, enjoyed during their peak season. 🍎 Embark on a journey through our newly restored heirloom apple orchard with industry experts and our knowledgeable horticulture staff on October 27. Explore the rich history and diverse characteristics of heirloom apples in this captivating tour, with opportunities to sample various heirloom and modern varieties. Learn more about these programs, and more, on our calendar: https://bit.ly/3wYrJYN Image: Land Steward Robert Graham plants a chestnut seed in one of the woodland areas of the Garden.

Hello gourd-geous 🎃 Unlock the art of 3D pumpkin carving with award-winning master sculptor Paul Dever in this hands-on, creative workshop on October 23. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience with traditional carving, this class offers a unique opportunity to elevate your skills and creativity. Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/3Y8NG4E Tickets will go fast for this unique event! Image 1: One of Paul’s carvings, a pumpkin in the shape of Frankenstein’s monster. Image 2: Sculptor Paul Dever works on a piece. Image 3: Paul with a class. The participants hold their carved pumpkins.