American Horticultural Society

Mad Gardeners Symposium (Falls Village, CT)

Mad Gardeners, Inc. is an organization of professional horticulturists and serious home gardeners. The Corporation is formed for charitable, scientific, and education purposes, including to promote and foster the appreciation and understanding of horticulture, botany, and related environmental and ecological concerns; to conduct educational programs and forums; to promote public education, the development of students, and the improvement of professional skill in the field; to provide support to schools, arboreta and other organizations qualified under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and conduct any other activities and perform any and all acts which may be necessary, useful, suitable, or proper for the furtherance of the foregoing purposes.

Van Gogh: Painting with Flowers (Bronx, NY)

NYBG becomes the canvas for the colorful brush strokes of one of the world’s most revered artists during Van Gogh: Painting with Flowers, where you’ll revel in the beauty of the flowers that inspired the Dutch master’s iconic paintings. Find yourself immersed in botanical displays and large-scale art as you wander through a breathtaking lawn of monumental sunflowers, and see the expressive masterpieces bloom in recreations made of living flowers. You’ve seen the paintings, now see them come to life in a way that only NYBG can deliver—and let Vincent van Gogh’s unforgettable world of art and nature envelop you in a vibrant daydream during this botanical celebration of the internationally acclaimed painter.

The Orchid Show: Mexican Modernism (Bronx, NY)

Our annual celebration of all things orchid carries you to the vibrant setting of Mexico City for The Orchid Show: Mexican Modernism. Set off on a journey where the fusion of tradition and contemporary artistry takes center stage amid awe-inspiring displays of orchids, and wander through lush landscapes brought into vivid relief with thousands of flowers that showcase Mexico’s diverse ecosystems and rich cultures. Among bright arrangements of orchids in settings inspired by the bold, multicolored designs of Mexican modernist architect Luis Barragán, come visit CDMX—without ever leaving the Bronx.

Watercolor Workshop: Holiday Snow Scene (Washington, CT)

Celebrate the start of the holiday season with a watercolor workshop featuring an enchanting New England snow scene. Each student will create a 8”x 6” winter themed painting, perfect for printing your own holiday greeting cards or for giving as a special gift. Watercolorist Betsy Rogers-Knox provides step-by-step demonstrations and individual instruction in this fun, one day workshop. Join us and learn to capture the seasonal beauty of a quintessential New England winter landscape. All levels welcome.

Dried Wreath Making Workshop (Washington, CT)

Create your own fabulous dried winter wreath using locally sourced materials in this seasonal workshop. Join Beth Crowell of Meadow Rue Gardens as she shares her experience of drying flowers and offers advice for growing and preparing your own plants for drying. After a demonstration of proper assembly techniques, enjoy creating your own wreath with choice natural materials provided by Meadow Rue Gardens. Using a 14 inch metal base, you will craft a luxurious 24 inch artisanal wreath that will warmly welcome your favorite people into your home this season. Participants should bring their own clippers. All other materials provided.

Sumi-e Brush Painting: Birds and Branches (Washington, CT)

Sumi-e is a traditional Japanese watercolor technique that uses minimal brush strokes and charcoal ink to create paintings that capture the delicate beauty of nature. Gain confidence in the basic techniques of sumi-e as you learn to create original ink paintings featuring birds and branches. Because the process of sumi-e is immediate, you will have time to practice loading your brushes, trying different brush strokes and getting comfortable using ink on paper before starting on your final paintings. While we will be using black ink, colors will be available to those who wish to experiment. All levels are welcome.

Roman Gardens (Washington, CT)

The story of ancient Roman gardens is remarkably complete even after two thousand years. We are surprisingly well informed about these gardens, not only on their design but also the actual plants with which they were furnished. Ancient writings, wall paintings and modern archeological excavation have all contributed to building a highly accurate picture of what the gardens looked like in antiquity. We are further blessed with a few villa and town house gardens in Pompeii and its environs that have been excavated virtually intact, some with their ancient sculptures still displayed in the original positions. A few have even been replanted with the same plants in the same positions where they originally grew. Join Hollister House Garden’s George Schoellkopf for a look at the world of Roman gardens based on what actually survives and what we have learned from ancient literature and modern archeological excavation.

Fall Mushroom Cultivation Workshop (Washington, CT)

Celebrate the autumn equinox and learn how to grow mushrooms in your own backyard! Join us as we explore the fungal kingdom with Willie Crosby of Fungi Ally. He will introduce us to six wild mushroom species and share mushroom science and lore before diving into techniques you can use at home to cultivate mushrooms outdoors. Learn how to inoculate logs, wood chips and stumps for years of delicious mushroom harvests. Then get hands-on practice preparing and inoculating your very own shiitake log to take home. Your shiitake log will continue to produce crops of mushrooms for several years. All workshop materials included. Additional mushroom spawn and grow kits will be available for purchase. Attendance is limited, so reserve your place early.

Garden Journaling: Berries and Pods (Washington, CT)

Early autumn at Hollister House Garden is a study in abundance. The garden is a showcase for colorful berries, interesting pods and a variety of fruits. After a step-by-step demo and exercise in the barn, we’ll explore the garden and capture these autumn treasures in our journals. Whether you are a new or experienced journal keeper, artist Betsy Rogers-Knox will provide plenty of drawing and watercolor tips to expand your garden record keeping.

Harvest Festival (Stockbridge, MA)

The Harvest Festival will include continuous family entertainment; a botanical bakery serving sweets, treats, chili, and bisque, a beer garden, food trucks, games, 80+ craft vendors, an obstacle course, hay rides, a huge plant sale, live music performances, and more

BBG’s Harvest Festival has earned a reputation for being a quintessential Berkshire family event celebrating the autumn harvest when the 24-acre Garden is transformed into a vibrant hub featuring family fun and 50+ regional artisan food and craft vendors.