Nine Great New England Plant Places to Visit
Here are nine of our favorite plant destinations in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Bridge of Flowers
Bridge of Flowers, a converted trolley bridge spanning the Deerfield River in Shelburne Falls, MA, is the home of a collection of native shrubs, trees and flowers that offer a continuous bloom from Spring through Fall.
Buttonwood Farm
Buttonwood Farm, located in Griswold, CT, has acres of sunflowers that bloom in July. Their Sunflowers for Wishes fund raiser benefits Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut, a non-profit organization devoted to making wishes possible for children with life-threatening medical conditions. You can make donations in exchange for sunflowers and hayrides. And they have a terrific ice cream stand.
Fisher Museum
Fisher Museum at the Harvard Forest in Petersham, MA offers 23 dioramas portraying the history of land use in central New England. These dioramas are a must see for anyone who enjoys trees.
Garden In the Woods
Garden in the Woods, located in Framingham, MA, grows wildflowers in their natural settings. Easy walking path let you see the bounty of New England plants. They offer guided tours for groups and schools.
Glass Flowers
The Glass Flowers collection at the Harvard Museum of Natural History at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA includes three thousand glass models of over eight hundred species of plants. These realistic life-size models can be appreciated by amateur flower lovers as well as and professional botanists. Enjoy the Harvard Museum of Natural History after you see the glass flowers.
Logee's Greenhouses
Logee's Greenhouses in Danialson, CT is a commercial greenhouse featuring many types of plants (orchids, fragrant, fruiting, tropical, sun room and more). Logee's is not your usual greenhouse - it's one of a kind.
Stone Hedge Gardens
Stone Hedge Gardens at 56 Richardson Corner Road in Charlton, MA (Map) is a small complex run by Barbara Rogers (She's on the red mower in the first photo below) and her husband Paul. Most of her plant material is home grown and all of it is very high quality. Her annuals and vegetables usually sell out by Mother's Day so shop early. You won't believe the low prices.
I buy calendulas here every year. See more about Stone Hedge Gardens.
Margaret C. Ferguson Greenhouses
Margaret C. Ferguson Greenhouses at Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA. is a great place to escape to on a cold January or February day. It's tropical room is misted, warm and humid. This place is magical.
Tower Hill Botanical Garden
Tower Hill Botanical Garden is owned and operated by the Worcester County Horticultural Society and is located in Boylston, MA. It's a classy place with beautiful grounds, formal gardens, trails, greenhouses, a library, a cafe and many programs for all ages.
