By Meaghan Flaherty, Trustees Staff
Grape Hyacinths at Stevens Coolidge House & Gardens. Image: The Trustees
As Massachusetts shakes off the vestiges of winter, spring is unfurling at special places across the state. The Trustees’ 12 public gardens can be found in every corner of the Commonwealth, from Cape Cod and the Islands to the Berkshires. Be sure to visit one or more this spring and summer for programs, for painting, or just to soak in the beauty.
Trustees Director of Horticulture Joann Vieira shares, “after such a long, snowy winter, there’s a real sense of joy and relief in witnessing the landscape awaken. Each day brings a new flush of color, and we’re on the cusp of that full, vibrant, almost dizzying kaleidoscope of bloom that draws everything into celebration—birds, bees, frogs, bears, and people alike.”
Joann and the horticulture team across the state view spring as one of the most exciting seasons. She adds, “It’s the busiest time for our team, but also the most enthralling, as the foundation for the season’s vision is set into motion.”
A child plays at Armstrong-Kelley Park. Image: The Trustees
Spring In The Southeast
One of our newer public gardens, Armstrong-Kelley Park in Osterville recently underwent an extensive restoration to refresh the grounds and make it more accessible and welcoming. In spring, the rhododendrons burst into bloom and visitors can be found in quiet contemplation by the water garden or playing with children around the beloved Liam’s Train.
The Allen C. Haskell Public Gardens in New Bedford offers six acres of paths to wander and explore local horticulture favorites and exotic rarities. Kristin McCullin, Trustees Senior Horticulturist for Southeast Gardens, notes one of her favorite tree flowers, “Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’, blooms here in late April. It has a heavenly, sweet, and mild lemony fragrance.”
Magnolia 'Elizabeth' at Allen C. Haskell Public Gardens. Image: The Trustees
Delightful Displays
Across the state at Naumkeag in Stockbridge, the Gilded-Age “cottage” is preparing for its annual celebration of spring at the Daffodil & Tulip Festival. Eight acres of gardens burst with colorful spring bulbs, vibrant container displays, and seasonal decorations. Visitors can stroll the grounds, explore the first floor of the house, and purchase their own bulbs to welcome spring. The festival runs April 18 – May 10, click for tickets.
Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens in North Andover is welcoming spring with its own celebration. From Thursday, April 30 through Sunday, May 3, explore the gardens of blooming tulips and budding trees, along with dreamy daffodils and other spring bulbs. This family-friendly event also includes a kid’s craft station, wildflower seed bar, and more. Reserve your ticket to this special event.
As you enjoy these public gardens and more this spring, watch for restoration and planting projects as the year progresses. Joann shares, “What makes a garden so compelling is its constant evolution—the interplay of weather, timing, and the countless livin
Daffodils at Naumkeag in Stockbridge. Image: The Trustees
Introducing Garden Explorer
This winter, The Trustees launched Garden Explorer, a searchable portal providing access to detailed information about the plants and horticultural richness of five of our most treasured public gardens. Garden Explorer enables you to discover our gardens’ plants either by searching on their common or botanical names, browsing an alphabetical list, or pinpointing them on an interactive map of each garden.
This online document of our living collections—years in the making—helps inspire Trustees Members, visitors, and researchers from around the world as they plan and plant their gardens. Read more about Garden Explorer and learn how to use the tool at this recently published blog.
Wherever you find yourself this spring—whether enjoying the bursts of color at one of our properties, researching Garden Explorer, or shopping our plant sales—as you plan and plant your gardens, we hope you find peace, beauty, and joy.