Fall Experiences
New England Botanic Garden is a must-see destination for fall foliage. One of nature’s most impressive transformations unfolds. From the moment you arrive, views of Wachusett Reservoir surrounded by autumnal color greet you. Once you enter the Garden, the formal and naturalistic garden spaces showcase an abundance of fall interest. Some good spots for leaf-peeping and photo-taking include Pliny’s Allée, with its rows of fothergilla, oakleaf hydrangea, witch hazel, and towering oaks. Venture deeper towards the Wildlife Refuge Pond and explore a diverse palette of native shrubs and trees capturing all the shades of autumn. And, of course, a stroll through the Inner Park reminds us there is no place as peaceful as woods in the fall. Plus, all season long, enjoy arts, culture, learning, dining, and shopping experiences that are full of autumn flavor.
THINGS TO DO
SCIENCE OF THE SEASON
OUR FALL FAVORITES
As you explore the Garden this season, keep a look out for these autumn stunners.
Hamamelis virginiana
American witch hazel is a deciduous, multi-stemmed woody shrub that grows prolifically in forests across eastern North America, as far west as Texas and Minnesota. In the fall, look for bright, wispy yellow flowers along this plant’s branches. You can see Hamamelis virginiana along Pliny’s Allee, throughout the Inner Park, and in The Ramble. Ozark witch hazel (H. Vernalis), Chinese witch hazel (H. Mollis), and several hybrid varieties are also present in The Ramble.
Liquidambar styraciflua
Commonly called sweet gum, this tree puts on a show that shouldn’t be overlooked. Its leaves, like five-pointed stars, turn hues from yellow to red to purple. New England Botanic Garden sits near the very northern edge of the sweet gum tree’s native range. While a few sweet gum trees grow in the Inner Park, the best place to find them is the Lawn Garden and The Ramble.
Cotinus coggygria
Native to temperate regions of Asia and Europe, smoke bush, or smoke tree as it’s commonly known, is a unique ornamental favorite for many gardeners. It produces large, feathery flowers like puffs of smoke, and its leaves are also a great source of fall color. In the Secret Garden, compare and contrast four different smoke bush cultivars including ‘Grace,’ ‘Young Lady,’ ‘Purple Smoke,’ and ‘Winecraft.’ You can also visit the Garden of Inspiration and The Ramble to enjoy the fiery fall foliage of the smoke bush.
Itea virginica
Commonly known as Virginia sweetspire, this spreading shrub has a native range that extends across eastern North America. In early summer, tiny white flowers cluster cylindrically on drooping stems. By fall, flowers are gone and the Virginia sweetspire’s dark green leaves turn brilliant shades of emerald, ruby red, and purple. Find Itea virginica near the Garden of Inspiration on either side of the entry to Pliny’s Allée, as well as in The Ramble, the Lawn Garden, and the Entry Garden.