Berkshire Botanic Garden

Stockbridge, MA. . .Berkshire Botanical Garden announces its 2011 theme, Out on a Limb along with a lineup of informative and fanciful exhibitions and events as it celebrates its 77th year providing garden information and inspiration.

The display gardens open May 1, 9 am-5 pm with the first annual Roy Boutard Day celebrating the vision and leadership of the Garden’s director from 1954-1984. This free, community celebration marks the start of the season with a 1 pm tour and tales of the Garden led by horticulturist David Burdick, followed by a reception at 2 pm with a traditional Mai Bowle punch.

Also on May 1, the Garden launches its season with the opening of “Out On a Limb: Architects Take a Bough,” featuring an installation of six tree houses created by noted architects and designers. This exhibition is sponsored by Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, Ltd. The Out on a Limb theme continues June 11 with the opening of “Bird Necessities,” an exploration by artists and designers of how to provide birds with shelter, food, water and habitat. Both installations will remain in place through Columbus Day.

The Garden’s 34th annual Plant Sale, “Furnishing Your Garden,” is scheduled for May 6-7. Over 5,000 plants in every category appropriate to northeastern gardens will be on sale. The sale is highlighted by a dramatic plant display à la Chelsea flower Show by designer David Dew Bruner. Specialty vendors from the Berkshires and Hudson, New York will provide an exceptional selection of plants, garden gifts, home furnishings and antiques. Hours are Friday, May 6 11 am–5 pm and Saturday, May 7 9 am-5 pm. Early buying is available to Garden members Friday, May 6, 8 to 11 am. Free admission. The Plant Sale is sponsored by Ed Herrington, Inc.

Cocktails in Great Gardens, a popular series of Friday evening visits to spectacular private gardens, provides a rare opportunity to roam private spaces with the host gardeners themselves in the waning light of the summer day. This year’s dates are June 17 in Lenox, MA, July 15 in Great Barrington, MA and August 19 in Stockbridge, MA. Admission is limited and reservations are required. Members $20 / Nonmembers $ 25; all three great gardens:
$50 /$65.

2011 is the year of the rose at Berkshire Botanical Garden, where guest gardener Michael Marriott, rosarian for David Austin Roses has redesigned the rose garden with beautiful, fragrant hardy English Roses. A July 16 rose garden celebration will include a 2:30 pm lecture by Mr. Marriott on naturally healthy roses, followed by a reception at 4 pm. Members $30 / Nonmembers $35. Reservations are required.

The Garden’s annual Fête des Fleurs, a dazzling midsummer garden gala held at the height of the season’s bloom, will be hosted at Berkshire Botanical Garden on July 23. Gala tickets will be available through the Garden’s web site or by calling 413-298-3926.

The Grow Show on August 6-7 is a spin off on best-in-show gardening featuring categories ranging from home raised blooms to vegetables as art in a new twist combining flower show tradition with garden whimsy. There will also be a photography competition with the area’s best photographers. Hours are August 6, 1-5 pm and August 7, 10 am-5 pm. The Grow Show is held in conjunction with “Contained Exuberance,” a popular annual exhibition of container gardens highlighted by an instructive tour with the designers August 6 at 11 am.

Families have been flocking to the Garden’s beloved Harvest Festival for over 75 years. This year’s festival, scheduled for October 1-2, 10 am-5 pm, promises to live up to its reputation as a Berkshire mainstay, with new attractions, live music, a world-class silent auction (Saturday only), one-of-a-kind gifts, locally grown produce and fun for all ages.

The year concludes with the Garden’s Holiday Marketplace, where a twinkling winter wonderland is abuzz with holiday cheer. Choose from