EXPERIENCE SPRING AT THE GARDEN
Let the blooms begin! Celebrate the end of winter’s chill and discover inspiration as the Garden wakes up for spring. A spectacular field of more than 25,000 daffodils await. Wander the woodland trails in search of spring ephemerals. Enjoy garden beds blooming with spring bulbs as well as fragrant magnolias, lilacs, and more. Springtime experiences at New England Botanic Garden are unmatched in the region. Enhance your visit by exploring an exhibition or event, or take part in a program, drop-in activity, or tour to celebrate the growing season ahead.
SCIENCE OF THE SEASON
Unlike us, plants don’t use weather forecasting or groundhogs to know when winter ends and springtime begins. So how do they detect seasonal change? A plant uses its own set of tools to sense whether conditions are suitable for springtime growth. Molecules called phytochromes, a type of photoreceptor similar to those found in our eyes, enable plants to measure lengthening daylight as winter turns to spring. Researchers have found that these same molecules also help plants detect changes in nighttime temperatures. Longer days and warmer temperatures trigger genetic responses in plants that spur the growth of roots, stems, flowers, and seeds.
Exciting but fleeting, spring ephemerals are some of the first indicators that winter is behind us. At home in deciduous forests, these early-flowering perennial plants produce leaves, bloom, and set seed quickly after snow melts. Such a short growth cycle allows spring ephemerals to make the most of their days in the sun before trees like maple, ash, and cherry leaf out and fill the overstory. This window of opportunity is narrow, and once it’s past, spring ephemerals retreat to spend the rest of their time below ground where their rhizomes, corms, and tubers store the resources they need to emerge again next year.
Spring ephemerals are important to forest ecosyems. They provide an essential source of nectar and pollen for early insect pollinators like queen bumblebees, mining bees, flies, and gnats. Dutchman’s breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), an ephemeral native to New England, is a favorite among queen bumblebees. After overwintering in leaf litter and logs, the queen gains the energy she needs to rebuild her colony from these and other ephemerals.
Spring ephemerals native to the Northeast include trillium (Trillium grandiflorum, Trillium erectum, Trillium cernuum, Trillium undulatum), bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), trout lily (Erythronium americanum), Virginia blue bells (Mertensia virginica), and others. The best place to find these ephemerals at the Garden are the naturalistic areas such as the Inner Park and Shade Garden. Look for them from mid-March through April.
Spring ephemerals possess interesting adaptations to help them survive and thrive. One of our region’s earliest blooming and most fascinating spring ephemerals is skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus). Learn more about this plant and more in the Garden Blog.
Gardeners and farmers experienced the nuanced impacts of human-caused climate change firsthand, seeing how variability in temperature and precipitation impacts plant productivity, diseases, pests, and more. After cold winters, it may be easy to welcome warmer springs, but what does this warming trend mean for the future, especially as greenhouse gas emissions continue to heat the planet?
Warming temperatures can have ramifications that ripple through our ecosystems. Many animal and plant species have evolved over millennia to synchronize their life cycles with one another and the seasons. To be out of sync means trouble. For example, certain plants time their bloom with the emergence of specific insect pollinators each spring. If the plant blooms too early, insects may not be able to rely on its pollen and nectar for food and the plant may suffer in terms of its reproductivity. Environmental cues that trigger mating and migration can also be disrupted by climate change and the desynchronization caused by the seasonal shifts we are seeing.
As an organization committed to environmental stewardship, this knowledge strengthens our resolve and pushes us in our sustainability and conservation efforts. You can learn more about sustainability initiatives at Garden here.
SPRING EXPERIENCES
SPRING AWAKENS: A NEW ENGLAND SOCIETY OF BOTANICAL ARTISTS ILLUSTRATED EXHIBIT
April 4 – June 1
Discover the flowers, foliage, and fruits that come alive in the spring through illustrated artwork created by members of the New England Society of Botanical Artists.
ART IN MOTION: 25 YEARS OF SCULPTURE BY GEORGE SHERWOOD
Starting May 3
The stunning kinetic sculptural artwork of George Sherwood is making its return to the Garden this spring! Be on the lookout for more information on this exhibition you won’t want to miss.
NATURE PLAY DAYS | Youth & Family
Drop-in for free fun family activities this season. Use your imagination to create magical worlds and explore the great outdoors as we play games, read stories, craft, and make new friends.
FREE-DROP IN ACTIVITIES DURING APRIL VACATION WEEK | Youth & Family
Saturday to Thursday, April 19 to 24, 10AM – 4PM
MAILBOX ACTIVITY STATIONS | All ages
April 1 – May 31
You’ve got mail! Explore the Garden and search for all five mailbox stations. Each mailbox holds a different set of spring-themed nature challenges and activities to try on your own or with family and friends. Share your favorite Garden memories, try your hand at botanic illustration, enjoy a day of cloud watching, and more.
ART IN THE GARDEN TOTES | All ages
Borrow a tote and explore the Garden through wellness or art activities. Channel your creative side with guided meditation activities, poetry prompts, and more.
DISCOVERY BACKPACKS | Ages 3-12
Check out our Discovery Backpacks filled with exciting activities for your next springtime
SPRINGS BLOOM TOUR
Every Monday & Friday 11 – 11:45AM
Drop-in for a guided garden tour and explore our favorite springtime spaces and blooms. Learn more about our history, gardens, and plants of interest.
ART IN MOTION GOLF TOUR
Every Thursday, 11 – 11:45AM
Drop-in for a guided golf cart tour of George Sherwood’s sculpture exhibition. Space is limited, first come, first served.
SPRING EQUINOX DINNER
Thursday, March 20
Indulge your palate with special dining experience that honor plants, local agricultural, and the craft of cooking. The dinner will be set against a backdrop of blooming flowers and soft, warm lighting, for an ambience that honors the balance between winter’s comforts and spring’s promise.
PLANT SHOWS
Learn from expert growers while enjoying dazzling plant displays, unusual plants for sale, lectures, demos, and more.
Sunday, April 13 | New England Dahlia Society Tuber Sale
Saturday, April 26 | Bay State African Violet Society Sale & Small Display
Saturday, May 17 | Massachusetts Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society Show & Sale
Saturday, June 21 | New England Rose Society Show & Sale
ECHOES OF THE WILD: AN EVENING OF SOLO PIANO
Saturday & Sunday, May 17 – 18, 7 – 8:30 PM (doors open at 6:30 PM)
Join Pianist Julia Scott Carey for a special solo piano performance of music inspired by the breathtaking landscapes of the country’s national parks and wild spaces.
SEEDS OF SORCERY: APRIL VACATION
Saturday, April 19th through Thursday, April 24th, 10 AM – 4 PM
Journey into a world of magic this April break as you explore our transformed drop-in activity room and enroll in our supernatural science classes. Whether you are practicing spells, mastering herbology, or studying fantastical beasts, there’s an adventure waiting for every young sorcerer.
SPRING DISCOVERIES
Monday to Friday, April 21 – 25, 9AM – 3PM | AGES 7–10
This full-day drop-off program is just for kids. Unleash your sense of adventure, uncover the amazing science of plants, and explore nature’s hidden stories all around us. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!
AUTHOR TALK with TONY AVENT
A Rock and Roll Life – Favorite Chlorophyllians I’ve met along the way
Saturday April 12, 11 AM – 12:30 PM
Join renowned plantsman Tony Avent as he shares captivating stories of the remarkable plants and unforgettable moments that have shaped his legendary career. Filled with horticultural adventures and botanical inspiration, you won’t want to miss this engaging lecture!
THE WONDROUS WORLD OF FIREFLIES with SARA LEWIS
Wednesday May 14, 7:00 – 8:30 PM
With 30 years of global research and advocacy, biologist Sara Lewis, reveals the science behind their glowing lights and extraordinary lives. Discover how human activities threaten these dazzling insects and how we can help protect them.
What’s Blooming Now
Over the course of a calendar year, thousands of plants flower at the Garden. Learn more about what you may discover on your visit by checking out what’s in bloom this spring on our Bloom Calendar.
Spring Showstoppers
Daffodils (Narcissus)
One of the Garden’s most popular seasonal displays, the Field of Daffodils is a dramatic sight to behold. The field, looking out over the Wildlife Refuge Pond, has been growing and expanding for around twenty years. Because of the spreading nature of daffodils, it now includes well over 25,000 plants. Today, a variety of cultivars ranging in color from bright to buttery yellow can be seen each season. The earliest to bloom, Narcissus ‘Rijnveld’s Early Sensation’, usually shows color the first weekend in April. The Field of Daffodils isn’t the only location to discover these cheery harbingers of spring. Visitors can find a diverse array of daffodil varieties within formal garden beds as well. Blooms persist the longest when spring temperatures remain on the cooler side.
Tulips (Tulipa)
These large, showy flowers are a staple of the season. Tulips grow best in sunny, well-drained locations. Prized for their bright and varied colors, tulips were the subject of the first economic bubble in history. You can find tulips throughout the formal gardens, including the Winter Garden, the Garden of Inspiration, The Court: A Garden Within Reach, Secret Garden, and The Ramble.
Hellebores (Helleborus)
These evergreen to semi-evergreen herbaceous perennials have flowers that range from green, white, and yellow to pink and burgundy. Some varieties almost verge on black. Hellebores flower very early in spring and attract pollinators with blooms that can persist over a month long. You can find hellebores in The Cottage Garden, the Garden of Inspiration, the Shade Garden, and Lawn Garden.
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
A stunning eastern North American ephemeral with crisp green foliage and beautiful cerulean blossoms, this plant grows in most soils and shady locations. It is great for the shade garden and forest floor plantings. You can find bluebells flowering in The Cottage Garden and the Inner Park from late April to early May.
Magnolias (Magnolia)
Magnolia trees are a staff and visitor favorite at the Garden. Different species and cultivars with flowers that range from white to pink, purple, and yellow can be found throughout the property. Among the first magnolias to bloom is the large Magnolia × loebneri ‘Merrill’ in the Cottage Garden. This stately tree, a hybrid between M. stellata and M. Kobus, has showy white flowers tinged with subtle pink coloration.
Bearded Iris (Iris germanica)
The showy blooms and lance-shaped leaves of this iris create an exciting contrast with other plants in the garden. A classic, elegant addition to a perennial border, they stand out as individuals in any grouping. Usually 2-3 feet tall, they grow on fleshy rhizomes and usually bloom in late May. You can find a collection of irises along the Perennial Path and in the Nadeau Garden of Inspiration.
Trillium (Trillium spp.)
New England is home to four different species of trillium (Trillium grandiflorum, Trillium erectum, Trillium cernuum, Trillium undulatum). These simple perennials are some of the most familiar and cherished wildflowers in the Northeast. Native from Quebec to Minnesota and south to Alabama and Georgia, these spring ephemerals are some of the first blooms to grace forest floors come springtime. Single flowers emerge as early as April with three petals. With great white trillium (Trillium grandiflorum), the white petals turn a pink blush color after they have been pollinated.