By Boston Globe Garden Writer Carol Stocker, who will answer your gardening questions live on-line Friday at 1 p.m.

Water everything well as rainfall was one third of normal last month!
To control recently hatched inchworms, spray your roses, blueberries and fruit trees with Spinosad, an organic bacteria found in Conserve, Bulls-Eye or Monteray Garden Spray. Or have your trees sprayed by a state certified arborist.
Spread a weed preventative such as Preen on garden beds and water it in before mulching.
Spray or pull dandelions before they set seed.
This is your last chance to reseed or oversee your lawn until September.

By Carol Stocker
Yesterday the Museum of Fine Arts concluded its three day festival of floral arrangements inspired by masterpieces. Some 50 works of art were interpreted in flowers by garden club members. The fun of attending this annual event is to select your favorite arrangements based on how well successfully or cleverly you think they reflect their assigned masterpiece.

Standouts ranged from Marisa McCoy and Katherine Coyle's interpretation of La Japonaise by Monet to Karen Knaub and Kitty Lurene's tribute to a white marble sculpture of artist Hortio Greenough's beloved grayhound. A white ceramic of the Virgin and Child from 1773 inspired Sue Hess and Heather Comerford of the Cohasset Garden Club, while Barbara Cobb and Vicki Spencer of the Weston Garden Club successfully tackled a painting by Felice Casorati.

Also of particular note were The Garden Club of the Back Bay's Donna Morressey and Nancy Stone's interpretation of Copley's 1796 portrait of John Quincy Adams. And Donna Johson and Judy Handley's depiction of a La Farge stain glass window using plant material was particularly witty. They are members of the Sudbury Garden Club.

I will be on line live this Friday at 1 p.m. to answer gardener's questions.

By Carol Stocker
Globe Correspondent

British royal wedding floral designer Shane Connolly is the star of this weekend's Art in Bloom, the annual flower festival which runs through Monday at the Museum of Fine Arts. He holds a Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales, making him an official supplier of flowers for royal events, including Prince Charles' 2005 wedding and Kate and Will's 2011 nuptials. He also doesn't believe in using Oasis, that green stem gripping sponge employed by most florists since the 1950's.

Q; What was your role in the Royal Wedding?
A: Confidentiality is a very big part of it. Shane Connolly and Company provided flowers for the church, the bride and bridesmaids, the reception at Buckingham Palace and dinner there that night. We had a team of 15 in total.

Q: Describe it.
A: It was a green and white color scheme. Live growing trees were very noticeable. The bridal bouquet contained lily of the valley, sweet William and hyacinth with myrtle from Queen Victoria's wedding. Myrtle is a symbol of a happy marriage.
Q: You literally used cuttings from the very same myrtle plant used in Queen Victoria's wedding bouquet in 1840?
A: Yes. The cuttings were from the same plant which is at her favorite former residence on the Isle of Wight.
Q: What will you be doing at the MFA for Art in Bloom this weekend?
A: I will be teaching two master classes to 24 people (sold out) and giving a lecture.

Q: What are the current trends in flower arranging?
A: I am an anti-trend person. My work has to reflect the individual, and be respectful of the environment. It excludes material that cannot be composted, such as Oasis. That makes you more inventive. You have to chose flowers that work with your containers. The flowers actually last longer with nice fresh water around the stems.
Q:How is flower arranging different in Britain?
A: It's considered a craft, whereas in America floral arranging is considered more of an art form. The fact that flowers are brought into the museum (where they are used to interpret artistic masterpieces) shows that. In England floral design is a craft equated with home cooking. If someone makes a painting of one of my arrangements, the painting is considered a work of art. But my arrangement is not.

Q:How did you get into this profession?
A: I am a native of Belfast and I have always enjoyed gardening, though I read psychology at university. I started helping with flowers for friends in the business when I was 23. Then I decided it would be nice to be paid.
Q: You were at Art in Bloom ten years ago. How did last week's bombing affect your attitude toward the event this visit?
A: It made me more determined to come. Beauty is part of life and there is no better memorial than that life continues. I was in Japan the year after the sunami. It was a different kind of disaster. But the people were hungry for beautiful things again. Beauty makes people feel hopeful

Art in Bloom runs through Monday, April 29. Some 50 works of art from across the Museum’s encyclopedic collection will be interpreted in flowers, including John Singer Sargent’s iconic painting The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit, the recently conserved sculpture of the Roman goddess Juno, and contemporary artist El Anatsui’s sculptural work Black River.

Drop-in Ikebana floral demonstrations and gallery tours will be offered during Art in Bloom on Saturday, April 27, followed by a Member’s Night from 6–9 p.m. that evening. On Sunday, April 28, the MFA will host a Family Day featuring family-friendly programming, art-making activities, storytelling, and live entertainment. Additionally, local artist Robert Guillemin (“Sidewalk Sam”) will be at the MFA collaborating with visitors to leave their mark on the Museum’s steps using sidewalk chalk. This year’s featured speaker will be Shane Connolly, who received worldwide acclaim for the elegant and inspired floral décor he created for the 2011 royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. Connolly will conduct two master classes with hands-on floral instruction on Saturday, April 27, and Sunday, April 28. He will also present a lecture and demonstration on Monday, April 29, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a book signing. All presentations by Connolly are ticketed events. Daily events include continuous demonstrations of floral arranging for the home, outdoor walking tours exploring the architecture and neighboring gardens of the MFA, and free gallery tours highlighting the floral arrangements throughout the Museum.

Also included is a ticketed “Elegant Tea” available Saturday through Monday in the newly renovated William I. Koch Gallery, one of the Museum’s grandest spaces. Guests at the afternoon tea, hosted by Cunard Line—operator of the famous ocean liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth. The full schedule of events is listed below.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Ticketed Events

· Shane Connolly Master Class I

Saturday, April 27, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Hands-on floral arranging with one of Britain’s renowned floral designers. Tickets are $200.

· Shane Connolly Master Class II (advanced)

Sunday, April 28, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Hands-on floral arranging for advanced students. Tickets are $200.

· Shane Connolly: A Year in Flowers

Monday, April 29, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Connolly presents a floral demonstration and lecture, followed by a book signing. Tickets are $55.

· “Elegant Tea” in the William I. Koch Gallery

12:30 and 2:30 p.m. daily

Reservations required

Adult tickets: $30; children 12 and under: $10

Famed for its legendary white-gloved afternoon tea services, the renowned Cunard Line will host “Elegant Tea.” Guests will enjoy the finest teas and canapés during a traditional British-style afternoon.

Special Events

Free with Museum admission, no reservations required. Museum admission is free for MFA members.

· Ikebana Floral Demonstrations

Saturday, April 27, 3–4 p.m.

Each of the three Ikebana design schools will present one floral creation.

· Members’ Night

Saturday, April 27, 6–9 p.m.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

A members-only viewing with tours, shopping, and dining.

· Family Day

Sunday, April 28, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Art-making activities and performances for children of all ages.

· Gardens of New York

Sunday, April 28, 3–4 p.m.

A presentation by Maureen Bovet, who lectures on world gardens.

· Designing a Garden for All Seasons

Monday, April 29, 3–4 p.m.

A presentation by Suzanne Mahler, a recognized garden writer and lecturer.

Daily Events

Free with Museum admission, no reservations required. Museum admission is free for MFA members.

· Art in Bloom Gallery Tours

10 a.m.–3 p.m.

A tour of the collections and floral arrangements throughout the galleries.

· Designing with Flowers

Noon–3 p.m.

Continuous demonstrations of flower arranging for the home.

· Outdoor Walking Tours

1–2 p.m.

The MFA’s architecture and neighboring gardens are among the highlights of this tour.

· Enter-to-Win a Cunard Line Tour

Cunard will offer Art in Bloom attendees an enter-to-win opportunity for a private tour and luncheon for one winner and three guests aboard Queen Mary 2 during one of the ocean liner’s future Boston visits.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Art in Bloom is free with Museum admission. Advance ticket purchase is required for the Shane Connolly lecture and master classes and “Elegant Tea.” Tickets may be purchased at www.mfa.org/artinbloom, by calling 1-800-440-6975, or in person at the MFA ticket desks. For the full event schedule, visit http://www.mfa.org/programs/series/art-bloom.

Join the conversation about the about the MFA on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mfaboston and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mfaboston, and watch MFA-related videos on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/mfabost

Art in Bloom originated at the MFA in 1976 and since then has been replicated at museums throughout the country. The three-day event attracts more than 15,000 visitors, and is one of the most highly attended events at the Museum. It is organized by the Museum’s volunteer group, the MFA Associates, an organization of 75 members formed in 1956, who contribute more than 40,000 volunteer hours to the Museum annually. In addition to presenting this annual event, their activities include funding MFA grants and School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) scholarships from Art in Bloom proceeds, providing assistance at the Sharf Visitor Center Desk, leading daily gallery tours, creating regional membership outreach programs, organizing events, and arranging flowers in the MFA’s public space.

Open seven days a week, the MFA’s hours are Saturday through Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.; and Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 9:45 p.m. Admission (which includes one repeat visit within 10 days) is $25 for adults and $23 for seniors and students age 18 and older, and includes entry to all galleries and special exhibitions. Admission is free for University Members and youths age 17 and younger on weekdays after 3 p.m., weekends, and Boston Public Schools holidays; otherwise $10. Wednesday nights after 4 p.m. admission is by voluntary contribution (suggested donation $25). MFA Members are always admitted for free. The MFA’s multi-media guide is available at ticket desks and the Sharf Visitor Center for $5, members; $6, non-members; and $4, youths. The Museum is closed on New Year’s Day, Patriots’ Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. For more information, visit www.mfa.org or call 617.267.9300. The MFA is located on the Avenue of the Arts at 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.

Carol Stocker
Globe Correspondent

Highlights Including Family Day, Guided Gallery Tours, Lectures, and Floral Demonstrations when the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), all are part of this weekend's Art in Bloom, a festival of floral arrangements inspired by masterpieces on view in the Museum’s galleries. These displays are created by New England garden club members and professional designers.

The event, now marking its 37th anniversary, kicks-off Saturday, April 27, and runs through Monday, April 29. Some 50 works of art from across the Museum’s encyclopedic collection will be interpreted in flowers, including John Singer Sargent’s iconic painting The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit, the recently conserved sculpture of the Roman goddess Juno, and contemporary artist El Anatsui’s sculptural work Black River.

Drop-in Ikebana floral demonstrations and gallery tours will be offered during Art in Bloom on Saturday, April 27, followed by a Member’s Night from 6–9 p.m. that evening. On Sunday, April 28, the MFA will host a Family Day featuring family-friendly programming, art-making activities, storytelling, and live entertainment. Additionally, local artist Robert Guillemin (“Sidewalk Sam”) will be at the MFA collaborating with visitors to leave their mark on the Museum’s steps using sidewalk chalk. This year’s featured speaker will be Shane Connolly, who received worldwide acclaim for the elegant and inspired floral décor he created for the 2011 royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. Connolly will conduct two master classes with hands-on floral instruction on Saturday, April 27, and Sunday, April 28. He will also present a lecture and demonstration on Monday, April 29, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a book signing. All presentations by Connolly are ticketed events. Daily events include continuous demonstrations of floral arranging for the home, outdoor walking tours exploring the architecture and neighboring gardens of the MFA, and free gallery tours highlighting the floral arrangements throughout the Museum.

Also included is a ticketed “Elegant Tea” available Saturday through Monday in the newly renovated William I. Koch Gallery, one of the Museum’s grandest spaces. Guests at the afternoon tea, hosted by Cunard Line—operator of the famous ocean liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth. The full schedule of events is listed below.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Ticketed Events

· Shane Connolly Master Class I

Saturday, April 27, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Hands-on floral arranging with one of Britain’s renowned floral designers. Tickets are $200.

· Shane Connolly Master Class II (advanced)

Sunday, April 28, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Hands-on floral arranging for advanced students. Tickets are $200.

· Shane Connolly: A Year in Flowers

Monday, April 29, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Connolly presents a floral demonstration and lecture, followed by a book signing. Tickets are $55.

· “Elegant Tea” in the William I. Koch Gallery

12:30 and 2:30 p.m. daily

Reservations required

Adult tickets: $30; children 12 and under: $10

Famed for its legendary white-gloved afternoon tea services, the renowned Cunard Line will host “Elegant Tea.” Guests will enjoy the finest teas and canapés during a traditional British-style afternoon.

Special Events

Free with Museum admission, no reservations required. Museum admission is free for MFA members.

· Ikebana Floral Demonstrations

Saturday, April 27, 3–4 p.m.

Each of the three Ikebana design schools will present one floral creation.

· Members’ Night

Saturday, April 27, 6–9 p.m.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

A members-only viewing with tours, shopping, and dining.

· Family Day

Sunday, April 28, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Art-making activities and performances for children of all ages.

· Gardens of New York

Sunday, April 28, 3–4 p.m.

A presentation by Maureen Bovet, who lectures on world gardens.

· Designing a Garden for All Seasons

Monday, April 29, 3–4 p.m.

A presentation by Suzanne Mahler, a recognized garden writer and lecturer.

Daily Events

Free with Museum admission, no reservations required. Museum admission is free for MFA members.

· Art in Bloom Gallery Tours

10 a.m.–3 p.m.

A tour of the collections and floral arrangements throughout the galleries.

· Designing with Flowers

Noon–3 p.m.

Continuous demonstrations of flower arranging for the home.

· Outdoor Walking Tours

1–2 p.m.

The MFA’s architecture and neighboring gardens are among the highlights of this tour.

· Enter-to-Win a Cunard Line Tour

Cunard will offer Art in Bloom attendees an enter-to-win opportunity for a private tour and luncheon for one winner and three guests aboard Queen Mary 2 during one of the ocean liner’s future Boston visits.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Art in Bloom is free with Museum admission. Advance ticket purchase is required for the Shane Connolly lecture and master classes and “Elegant Tea.” Tickets may be purchased at www.mfa.org/artinbloom, by calling 1-800-440-6975, or in person at the MFA ticket desks. For the full event schedule, visit http://www.mfa.org/programs/series/art-bloom.

Join the conversation about the about the MFA on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mfaboston and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mfaboston, and watch MFA-related videos on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/mfabost

Art in Bloom originated at the MFA in 1976 and since then has been replicated at museums throughout the country. The three-day event attracts more than 15,000 visitors, and is one of the most highly attended events at the Museum. It is organized by the Museum’s volunteer group, the MFA Associates, an organization of 75 members formed in 1956, who contribute more than 40,000 volunteer hours to the Museum annually. In addition to presenting this annual event, their activities include funding MFA grants and School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) scholarships from Art in Bloom proceeds, providing assistance at the Sharf Visitor Center Desk, leading daily gallery tours, creating regional membership outreach programs, organizing events, and arranging flowers in the MFA’s public space.

Open seven days a week, the MFA’s hours are Saturday through Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.; and Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 9:45 p.m. Admission (which includes one repeat visit within 10 days) is $25 for adults and $23 for seniors and students age 18 and older, and includes entry to all galleries and special exhibitions. Admission is free for University Members and youths age 17 and younger on weekdays after 3 p.m., weekends, and Boston Public Schools holidays; otherwise $10. Wednesday nights after 4 p.m. admission is by voluntary contribution (suggested donation $25). MFA Members are always admitted for free. The MFA’s multi-media guide is available at ticket desks and the Sharf Visitor Center for $5, members; $6, non-members; and $4, youths. The Museum is closed on New Year’s Day, Patriots’ Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. For more information, visit www.mfa.org or call 617.267.9300. The MFA is located on the Avenue of the Arts at 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.

.By Carol Stocker
Globe Garden Correspondent

Six designers re-imagine the traditional potting shed in DOWN TO EARTH, the feature exhibit for the 2013 season. Opening is Saturday, May 4th from 5:00pm -7:00pm. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served with a tour of the garden accompanied by the architects who designed the sheds.
Members $25, Nonmembers $35

RSVP required. To reserve tickets over the phone call The Garden at (413) 298.3926.

All proceeds benefit the Berkshire Botanical Garden.

2013 DOWN TO EARTH Potting Shed Designers:

John Carchedi
Aaron Dunn
Stephan Green
Jonathan Keep
Dexter Mason
Andy and Peggy Matlow

Carol Stocker will be available to answer gardening questions live online Friday April 26 1-2 p.m.

Spring is here and Boston Globe garden writer Carol Stocker will chat with readers on Friday, April 19 at 1 to 2 p.m. about their gardening questions.

By Carol Stocker...The big annual opening and sale of native trees, shrubs and perennials happens this Saturday, April 13, at the New England Wild Flower Society headquarters at Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham. This is perhaps the best opportunity in the country to purchase locally grown indigenous plants available nowhere else. All plants are responsibly propagated. The beautiful gardens contain the country's largest collection of native plants.10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit www.newenglandwild.org for more information.

Nasami Farm, 128 North Street, Whately, will open for the season April 20. This extension of NEWFS sits on 75 beautiful acres in the Pioneer Valley. Here most of the hard to find woody material for homeowners and landscape professions is propagated. The Garden shop offers plants, horticultural books and local artisan products.

Spring is coming and Boston Globe garden writer Carol Stocker will chat with readers on Friday, April 5 at 1 p.m.

By Carol Stocker....
“Evenings with the Experts” at the Cambridge Public Library... Now in its fourth year, this series has been well attended by gardeners and gardening enthusiasts of all ages who care about biodiversity and want to make a difference by improving the ecological value of their landscapes. Come. Get inspired. Every garden matters; every landscape counts. Lectures are on the first Wednesday of each month from February through June, and begin at 7:00pm.

April 3: Landscape Design with the Climate in Mind

Sue Reed, author of "Energy-Wise Landscape Design" discusses how to manage our landscapes to save energy and reduce our carbon footprint—essential actions in this era of climate change. You can: reduce costs for home heating and cooling; save energy on your gardens and grounds; and choose products with lower embedded energy costs. Your property is full of opportunities to conserve, even if you’re not doing a major renovation or landscape redesign. Ms. Reed is an author and landscape architect.

May 1: Go Botany! Plant ID for the 21st Century

Imagine identifying plants in the field with your iPad or smart phone. Go Botany is the new definitive on-line Flora of New England for just that. Botanist Elizabeth Farnsworth will introduce and demonstrate this richly illustrated interactive key to over 3,500 native and naturalized plants of our region. This tool also includes PlantShare for reporting discoveries, exchanging checklists, and more. This evening will equip you to ID and better understand the many plants you encounter.

On Thursday May 16th, the Beacon Hill Garden Club will host its 84th annual tour of the Hidden Gardens with a first ever President’s Luncheon at the Hampshire House and release its new book, The Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill: Creating Green Spaces in Urban Places. This year’s tour combined with the President’s Luncheon and the sale of the new book are expected to reinvigorate the tour and raise significant money for charitable grants.

This year’s tour on Thursday, May 16th will open the gates to twelve hidden gardens and four “ribbon” gardens that are viewed from the street. It is a self-guided tour and takes place rain or shine from 9:00am-5:00pm. Tour tickets ($35) and VIP Tickets ($75 includes tour ticket, President’s Luncheon and gift) are available for purchase online at www.beaconhillgardenclub.org. Tour tickets can also be purchased at select Charles Street stores and on the day of the tour for $40 at the Hostess Booths on Charles Street. Advance reservations are required for the President’s luncheon where tour guests will enjoy a sumptuous spring buffet while overlooking Boston’s beautiful Public Garden. All tour guests are invited to enjoy complimentary tea and refreshments at the Church of the Advent and shop the Tour Boutique. The Beacon Hill Garden Club will be using Square technology so that customers can conveniently pay for tickets, gifts and books with their credit card on Tour Day.

Since the Beacon Hill Garden Club released its last book eleven years ago, urban gardening is playing a much larger role as city dwellers look to bring “green” into their daily lives and beautify their outdoor spaces, however small and limiting. It is with this sensibility that the Beacon Hill Garden Club Book Committee created its fifth edition, The Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill: Creating Green Spaces in Urban Places (88-page, full-color, hard bound book, 111 color photographs, $35). This edition unlocks the secrets and shared wisdom of club members through the photography of Peter Vanderwarker and Thomas Lingner/The Able Lens. It is a primer for all urban gardeners who want to learn more about how character, walls, paving, levels, gates and doors, ornaments, furniture, light, color and plants can elevate any outdoor space into an urban oasis. The book will be released in May and available for purchase on Tour Day and through the organization’s website.

To find out more, please visit www.beaconhillgardenclub.org.

The Beacon Hill Garden Club has donated more than $1MM in its eighty-five history. It's contributions to over 200 local, state and national horticultural and conservation organizations have improved the urban landscape of Boston and beyond. This non-profit organization comprised of less than 100 members has raised money through its Annual Tour of the Hidden Gardens and through the publication of four Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill books.

By Carol Stocker
Garrison, NY: Jenny Young du Pont will become President and Chief Executive Officer of the Garden Conservancy on April 8, Benjamin F. Lenhardt, Jr., Chairman of the Board, announced today.

Mr. Lenhardt added, “We enthusiastically welcome Jenny to the Garden Conservancy. The Board of Directors has great confidence in her ability to move the organization forward as we implement the pillars of our ambitious new strategic plan: save, share, educate, and advocate. She brings proven talents, varied skills, and an impressive resume as the executive director of Miracle House of New York, an attorney in the U.S. and London, and a leader on philanthropic and nonprofit boards.”

Ms. du Pont said, “I’m delighted about this opportunity to work with the Garden Conservancy and to build on its twenty-three years of accomplishments. It’s an exciting time for the organization to expand its garden preservation and education programs, including Open Days. I look forward to working with the Garden Conservancy’s board, staff, Fellows, members, and volunteers, as well as with organizations and gardens in communities across the country.”

Since 2010, Ms. du Pont has been a legal and strategic consultant advising clients on business development, marketing, legal issues, and investor relations. Her clients have included various media, technology, and financial firms.

From 2007 to 2009, she served as Executive Director of Miracle House of New York, Inc., a nonprofit social services agency in New York City. Previously, she was an in-house attorney for Plymouth Rock Assurance Corporation in Boston, MA, and practiced law at Covington & Burling and Sidley & Austin in Washington, D.C. and London, England.

Ms. du Pont also has an extensive record of philanthropic work. A former Trustee of Phillips Exeter Academy, she has also served as a Director and Overseer for the Conservation Law Foundation in Boston, and an Overseer for Hancock Shaker Village in Hancock, MA. She is currently president of the Exeter Association of Greater New York, a class officer and fundraiser for her class at Princeton, and a Director and Secretary of the American Friends of the British Museum. She earned a joint JD/MSFS degree, magna cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center and the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, an AB in History cum laude from Princeton University, and graduated with high honors from Phillips Exeter Academy.

She lives with her husband and their four children in Tarrytown, New York.

About the Garden Conservancy
Since its founding in 1989 by renowned plantsman Frank Cabot, the Garden Conservancy has done more than any other national institution to save and preserve America’s exceptional gardens for the education and enjoyment of the public. Five of the gardens with which the Garden Conservancy is working are National Historic Landmarks and seventeen are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1995, the Garden Conservancy launched a national garden-visiting program, Open Days, through which more than 300 private gardens now open their gates to thousands of visitors every year. The Conservancy also presents lectures and symposia in a number of regional centers to provide its members, horticulturists, landscape professionals, and the public a source of contemporary ideas relevant to gardening, design, and preservation.

Major support for the Conservancy comes from its more than 4,000 members, including more than 300 patrons in the Conservancy’s Society of Fellows. In 2010, the Conservancy successfully completed a $15 million Campaign to Save America’s Exceptional Gardens, establishing an endowment fund to provide permanent support for the organization’s mission.

In April 2012, the Garden Conservancy received the prestigious Historic Preservation Medal from the Garden Club of America “in recognition of outstanding work in the field of preservation and/or restoration of historic gardens or buildings of national importance.” In 2009, the Conservancy received the Organizational Excellence Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

By Carol Stocker
Boston's famous flower show has been signaling the wind-down of winter since 1834. This year's version, The 2013 Boston Flower & Garden Show, blooms indoors at the Seaport World Trade Center through Sunday. March 17.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, Saturday March 16, 9 .m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, March 17, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets for the show are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors, $10 for children 7-17. Children under six are free. For more information, visit bostonflowershow.com.

The theme "Seeds of Change" embraces both environmental concerns and the down home pleasures of vegetable gardening. The dozens of scheduled presentations will include tips on how to raise chickens and keep bees - two of the fastest growing environmental hobbies. Ecologists will lecture on controlling invasive species and reusing water. Local chefs will show how to grow, use and preserve herbs and produce. Whether your interests are pickling or pruning, you can learn about it here.There will also be plenty of pops of color, such as Deborah Trickett's lecture on creating "Jaw-Dropping, Traffic-Stopping, Get-Your-Neighbors-Talking Container Gardens."

Most appreciated will be the instant gardens in full bloom. Favorite returning exhibitors include Miskovsky Landscaping of Falmouth, Earthworks of Leverett, Heimlich Nurseries of Woburn and Peter R. Sedeck of Lakeville who includes exotic birds in his Eden-like designs. Some gardens will be large and some will be very small. Debi Hogan and Warren Leach of Tranquil Lake Nursery in Rehoboth will contribute one of their crowd pleasing miniature gardens where one inch represents one foot in scale and a begonia does a good imitation of a Japanese maple tree while nasturtium seedlings stand in for lotus leaves.

The roots of the Boston flower show go back to 1834 when the Massachusetts Horticultural Society held its first large show in Faneuil Hall, primarily for farmers and gentlemen to exhibit their homegrown produce, especially new fruit varieties. The Concord grape was introduced at the 1854 exhibition. The Society ran the show for 137 years before its financial melt down in 2009.This resurrected version of the show is produced by Paragon Group of Needham with long-time director Carolyn H. Weston. But Mass Hort, under new leadership and currently in the black, still has an important role. It oversees all the amateur competitions, including a floral design show and an Ikebana International Exhibit. Seven small gardens, called vignettes, trace Mass Hort's long history, including its role in the creation of Mount Auburn Cemetery in 1831, the Window Gardening Movement of the 1870s, the School Yard Experiment of 1891 and the Victory Gardens of WWII. The noteworthy designers include Julie Moir Messervy, Paul Miskovsky and Marisa McCoy.

There will also be educational children's activities and plenty of experts from government agencies and the state Master Gardener's Association on hand for your questions.

Boston Globe garden writer Carol Stocker answered questions from readers about the Boston Flower and Garden show and the early planting season on March 13 at 1 p.m.

Boston Globe gardening guru Carol Stocker will talk about invasive weeds at the Boston Flower & Garden Show Thursday 3:30 p.m. at the Seaport World Trade Center. The flower show continues there through Sunday. She will also answers gardening questions live on line Friday 1-2 p.m. at Boston.com

By Carol Stocker

Sick of snow? The 2013 Boston Flower & Garden Show offers a down payment on Spring at the Seaport World Trade Center Wednesday, March 13 through Sunday. March 17.

Boston's famous flower show started in 1834. This year's version, The 2013 Boston Flower & Garden Show, blooms indoors at the Seaport World Trade Center Wednesday, March 13 through Sunday. March 17.

Tickets for the show are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors, $10 for children 7-17. Children under six are free. For more information, visit bostonflowershow.com.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, Saturday March 16, 9 .m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, March 17, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Director Carolyn H. Weston said that this year's theme "Seeds of Change" embraces both environmental concerns and the down home pleasures of vegetable gardening. Favorite returning exhibitors include Earthworks of Leverett, Heimlich Nurseries of Woburn and Peter R. Sedeck of Lakeville who includes exotic cranes and parrots in his Eden-like design. Miskovsky Landscaping of Falmouth will have a Rhode Island Red rooster (one of the state's mottos is "Be a rooster booster!") This large landscape will also feature a bocce court, vegetables grown from seed and 150 kinds of plants.

Thinking small, Debi Hogan and Warren Leach of Tranquil Lake Nursery in Rehoboth will contribute one of their crowd pleasing miniature gardens where one inch represents one foot in scale and a begonia does a good imitation of a Japanese maple tree while nasturtium seedlings stand in for lotus leaves.

This resurrected version of the show is produced by Paragon Group of Needham with the participation of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, which runs the non-professional competitions, including major flower shows.

Boston Globe garden writer Carol Stocker will answer your questions about gardening, landscaping, flower shows, houseplants and more Friday, March 1 from 1 to 2 p.m. live. Start the month in a gardening frame of mind!

By Carol Stocker - This beautiful 20th edition is an outstanding recreation of landscapers' backyard installation complete with blooming trees, shrubs and quite a bit of horticultural education for both young and old. There is also a stunning show of floral arrangements. It all runs at the Providence Convention Center through February 24.

A Food and Wine Festival concurrently runs 1 to 5 p.m. daily. Tickets to both events are only $20. Tickets for just the flower show exhibits and horticultural speakers start at $16. Hours Saturday are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Children six to 12 are $7 and children under six are free.

Exhibitors include last year's award winners, Tranquil Water Gardens, Earth and Water Landscape, The Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association, which has an excellent educational display on restoring life to urban landscapes, Dominas Agway, Metamorphosis Design and Novak Garden Design, plus the Rhode Island Wild Plant Society which is another stand-out for subtlety and educational value.

You can park at the nearby Providence Place Mall, which has restaurants and shopping, for only $1 for the first three hours (or $5 for 4 hours). Or call 1-800-USA-RAIL about the discount rate for the nearby Amtrak station.

For more information visit www.flowershow.com.

By Carol Stocker

The Boston Flower & Garden Show will return to the Boston Seaport World Trade Center March 13 to 17. But if you don't want to wait that long for a glimpse of spring, you can hop down to the Providence Convention Center for The Rhode Island Flower Show, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary Feb. 21 to 24 with a major effort.

This is a flower show that includes a Food and Wine Festival which runs 1 to 5 p.m. daily and was well received when it debuted last year. Providence prices are famously moderate, so tickets to both events are only $20. Tickets for just the flower show exhibits and speakers start at $16. Hours Thursday to Saturday are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Children six to 12 are $7 and children under six are free. Tickets for the Wednesday night Preview Party are $75.

Exhibitors include last year's award winners, Tranquil Water Gardens, Earth and Water Landscape, The Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association, Dominas Agway, Metamorphosis Design and Novak Garden Design, plus the Rhode Island Wild Plant Society which won last year's Roger and Elizabeth Swain Award.

An excellent speaker's line-up includes Kevin O'Connor of "This Old House," designer Julie Moir Messervy, author of "The Toronto Music Garden," NY Botanic Garden's director of exhibitions Karen Daubmann, rosarians Mike and Angelina Chute, authors of "Roses for New England," Mary Anne Brady of Cranesbill Nursery in Swansea, and TV host Melinda Myers.

You can park at the nearby Providence Place Mall, which has restaurants and shopping, for only $1 for the first three hours (or $5 for 4 hours). Or call 1-800-USA-RAIL about the discount rate for the nearby Amtrak station.

For more information visit www.flowershow.com.