O is for Organizations on the A to Z Challenge

  • Post published:04/17/2013
  • Post comments:3 Comments
Our Annual Rose Viewing – designed to delight and edify

O is for Organizations. We gardeners have all sorts of enthusiasms, about plants, about conservations, and about education. There are many Organizations that support those enthusiasms. I belong to the Massaachusetts Horticultural Society which is headquartered in Wellesley. There Mass Hort has a library, classrooms, and wonderful gardens from the Italianate Garden to the delightful Weezies Garden for Children. Founded in 1829 this organization isty is “dedicated to encouraging the science and practice of horticulture and developing the public’s enjoyment, appreciation, and understanding of plants and the environment.” I wrote about Mass Hort here.

I belong to the New England Wildflower Society, one of the oldest conservation organization in the United States. Founded in 1900 mission of the  New England Wild Flower Society is to conserve and promote the region’s native plants to ensure healthy, biologically diverse landscapes.  Members have access to  classes, and the beautiful Garden of the Woods in Framingham and the Nasami Farm native nursery in Whately. And much more

I also belong to the American Horticultural Society because my interest in supporting botanical education is more than just regional.

There are also plant societies where you can learn everything there is to know about hostas or rhododendrons or irises. I did attend a meeting of the New England Rose Society but most of the people attending that meeting were competitive men who were mostly interested in raising roses for exhibition, no matter how much poison it took. That may be an unfair characterization of the whole organization, but I did not continue. I recently learned that the New England Rose Society has brought its Rose Library to Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boyleston. Books are available to NERS members and members of Tower Hill.

You can also join the organizations that support public gardens like Tower Hill Botanic Garden and the Berkshire Botanical Garden. We are gardeners are always learning – in our own gardens, and in the gardens that have been created for our delight and edification. What is your nearest botanical or public garden?

 

Weezie’s Garden plaque at the Mass Horticultural Society

To see what else begins with O click here for the A to Z Blogger Challenge.

This Post Has 3 Comments

  1. Christy

    Hi Pat…you belong to some great organizations! I belong to the Master Gardener group in my town. I’ve met some wonderful people and made some great friends through this organization!

  2. Jason

    Though i live in Illinois, I’m a fan of the New England Wildflower Society. First, I’ve visited and loved their Garden in the Woods. Also, I love the books William Cullina when he was Director there.

  3. Pat

    Christy – I know lots of wonderful and helpful Master Gardeners, but alas, I am not one.
    Jason – NEWFS and William Cullina are tops in my my book!

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