EXHIBITIONS AT NEW ENGLAND BOTANIC GARDEN
Exhibitions at the Garden celebrate the wonder of plants and the art and science of horticulture. Some exhibitions are annual events that return each year with a new twist to create exciting, one-of-a-kind experiences. Other exhibitions showcase talented artists whose imaginative and often thought-provoking work inspires visitors of all ages to connect with the natural world.
Explore our current exhibits as well as favorites from the past below!
CURRENT
Stay tuned for more information!
UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS
Stay tuned for more information!
TRAVELING EXHIBITIONS
This one-of-a-kind exhibit features portraits by local artists of diverse leaders in the field of horticulture who championed their causes throughout history. The exhibit arose from a desire expressed by Garden visitors, members, and staff to learn more about leaders, especially those from marginalized groups, who have made a difference in people’s lives by connecting them with plants, spanning across time, cultures, and geography. This exhibit is on display in the Visitors Center Lobby and the Southeast Link.
PAST EXHIBITIONS
PATTERNS IN BLOOM, AN ORCHID EXHIBITIONFebruary 10–March 17, 2024
Patterns In Bloom displayed thousands of living orchids in artful arrangements as well as the imaginative sculptural work of artist Molly Gambardella. *This is an annual exhibition.
HORTICULTURAL HEROES
June 1–30, 2024
This one-of-a-kind exhibit features portraits by local artists of diverse leaders in the field of horticulture who championed their causes throughout history.
Contemporary Paintings Inspired by the Garden by Marie Anthony
June 1–August 11, 2024
Join us to celebrate the work of Marie Anthony, an abstract artist located in Boston. This unique body of work focusing on botanical abstractions was directly influenced by the shapes and patterns she found here at the Garden. These dynamic oil paintings will adorn Milton Gallery.
NEW ENGLAND WILDFLOWERS
June 8–September 3, 2024
Come learn more about the native and introduced wildflowers found throughout New England in an illustrated exhibit featuring artwork created by the New England Society of Botanical Artists will adorn the Fern Gallery beginning June 8.
SEASONS OF CHANGE Photography Above the Garden
August 15–October 15, 2024
Photographer John Rich has spent the last year photographing the Climate Garden and the Garden of Inspiration from a unique perspective: from above. These images document what a year at the Garden looks like from an aerial view as the seasons change and the daylight shifts. John Rich’s stunning photographs will be on display in the Milton Gallery.
Enchanted Forest Nature-inspired Fairy Houses by Sally J. Smith
August 17 through October 31
Everyone’s favorite mythical creatures have returned to the Garden! Sally J. Smith’s intricately designed one-of-a-kind fairy houses have transformed The Ramble into a whimsical fairyland that is sure to leave you charmed. Experience the magic as you journey through our enchanted fairy forest exhibition, Enchanted Forest, featuring over 30 magical fairy houses built with natural and nature-inspired materials.
FLORA IN FLIGHT, Aerial Art by Patrick Shearn of Poetic Kinetics
June 22 through October 31
Experience a collaboration between art and nature as vast, fluid canvases of color dance overhead in the wind. This trilogy of kinetic art will transform spaces within the Garden into living tapestries that are sure to spark wonder and imagination.
GNOMEVEMVER
November 1-30
Standing over 2-feet-tall and 60-pounds, these concrete gnomes are cast from molds here at the Garden while artists from around New England creatively transform them into works of art with their own unique backstories.
YETI, SET, GOJanuary 6–March 31, 2023
Fifteen colorful, furry friends visited the garden in winter 2023! Placed throughout the Garden, visitors embarked on a yeti adventure to soak in the wintry views of our gardens and grounds.
ALLURE, AN ORCHID EXHIBITION
February–March, 2023
In 2023, our annual orchid exhibition showcased captivating plants that enticed pollinators in surprising ways. Allure displayed thousands of orchids and artist Kara Walker’s larger-than-life sculptures. *This is an annual exhibition.
SUZAN OSBORN, VIEWS FROM THE GARDEN
April 1–May 31, 2023
Suzan Osborn is a local artist who has spent over 35 years studying and painting the gardens and landscape of the Garden. VIEWS FROM THE GARDEN featured more than 20 floral landscape oil paintings.
CHIAOZZA A SCULPTURE EXHIBITION
June 1–October 15, 2023
CHIAOZZA was an exhibit of imaginative, colorful sculptures and wall works displayed across the Garden. Visitors discovered the surprising creative parallels between growing plants and making art.
GROW, FORAGE, EAT, A NEW ENGLAND SOCIETY OF BOTANICAL ARTISTS ILLUSTRATED EXHIBIT
July 1–October 1, 2023
This exhibition showcased a wide variety of wild and cultivated plants we eat featuring stunning artwork created by the New England Society of Botanical Artists (NESBA).
MYTHS, MAGIC, AND MONSTERS
September 1–October 31, 2023
Myths, Magic and Monsters brought a world of wonder featuring the mythical, magical, and monstrous creatures that have inspired fascinating legends and captured human imaginations for centuries.
GNOMEVEMBER
Through the month of November
Every year in the month of November gnomes visit the garden! Artists from around New England submit proposals to creatively transform the gnomes into works of art with their own unique backstories. *This is an annual exhibition.
PRISMATIC, AN ORCHID EXHIBITIONFebruary 12–March 20, 2022
In 2022 our annual orchid exhibition featured orchids and artwork inspired by color and light. The exhibition combined dazzling plant displays, including 1,400 colorful orchids and vibrant art installations. *This is an annual exhibition.
UPROOTED
April 23–November 1, 2022
Uprooted was a nature inspired exhibit featuring land art by W. Gary Smith. The stunning sculptures were from natural materials collected at the garden, and celebrated the connections between people and nature.
ROOTED, A NEW ENGLAND SOCIETY OF BOTANICAL ARTISTS ILLUSTRATED EXHIBIT
June 4–October 30, 2022
Forty-one NESBA member artists worked to create fifty-seven unique works of art that depict the parts of plants we don’t typically see, their roots!
ENCHANTED FOREST
September 10–October 30, 2022
Enchanted Forest featured over 20 nature-inspired fairy houses intricately created by the artist Sally J. Smith. Visitors were transported into the fairies’ world with immersive elements to explore.
GNOMEVEMBER
Through the month of November
Every year in the month of November gnomes visit the garden! Artists from around New England submit proposals to creatively transform the gnomes into works of art with their own unique backstories. *This is an annual exhibition.
YARNSTORMJanuary 16–March 31, 2021
The global phenomenon known as “yarnbombing” took over the Garden in 2021! This collaborative community exhibit featured trees, benches, statues, and more, decorated with colorful knitted and crocheted art created by local artists.
THE NEW ENGLAND SOCIETY OF BOTANICAL ARTISTS SPRING BLOOM ILLUSTRATIONS EXHIBIT
April 1–May 31, 2021
NESBA member artists worked to unique works of art that showcase illustrations of spring blooms! These illustrations hung in the Milton Gallery and were also available for sale.
WILD HIDEAWAYS
June 1–September 30, 2021
In 2021 the Garden brought the indoors outside with Wild Hideaways! Visitors explored a fantastical collection of interactive, outdoor hideaways inspired by art and nature, custom designed by local landscape architects and artists.
WICKED WINGS
September 11–October 31, 2021
Wicked Wings was an interactive exhibition of sculptures depicting the wings of enchanting creatures both real and imagined. The works were located throughout the gardens.
GNOMEVEMBER
Through the month of November
Every year in the month of November gnomes visit the garden! Artists from around New England submit proposals to creatively transform the gnomes into works of art with their own unique backstories. *This is an annual exhibition.
*Please note: Annual exhibitions are subject to change and some exhibitions may not be repeated.