Cuttings Summer Fall 2025

Summer/Fall 2025

TRUSTEES

Matthew Larkin, Chair

Madeline Hooper, Vice Chair

John Spellman, Treasurer

Janet Laudenslager, Secretary

Adegboyega Adefope

Nicholas Arienti

Joanne Leonhardt Cassullo

Mary Copeland

Adaline Frelinghuysen

Lauretta Harris

Nancy Hickey

Ian Hooper

Tom Ingersoll

Jane Iredale

Daniel Kasper

Scott Lambert

Joanna Miller

STAFF

Executive Director

Mike Beck

Assistant Manager, Volunteers and Operations

River Begas

Camp Director

Margaret Leahy

Director of Education

Jennifer Patton

Director of Horticulture

Eric Ruquist

Director of Marketing Communications

Felix Carroll

Director of Operations

Ryan Richardson

Director of Special Events

Danielle Pellerin

Facilities Assistant

Sean McKenney

Felix Carroll, Editor

Ruth Hanavan, Assistant Editor

Julie Hammill, Designer

Jenna O’Brien

Linda O’Connell

Ramelle Pulitzer

Mark Walker

Robert Williams

Suzanne Yale K. K. Zutter

Trustees Emeriti

Jeannene Booher

Cathy Clark

Craig Okerstrom-Lang

Jo Dare Mitchell

Judie Owens

Martha Piper

Jean Rousseau

Gail Shaw

Horticulturist

Kessa McEwen

Manager of Membership and Development

Allie Woodard

Manager of School Programs

Arielle Coon

Marketing and Communications Assistant Ruth Hanavan

Office Manager Ruth Callahan

Seasonal Gardeners

Kevin Johnson, Shannon Welch, Claire Lynch

Visitor Center Manager

Kristine Romano

MISSION

We provide information, education and inspiration concerning the science, art and joy of gardening and its role in preserving the environment.

Established in 1934 as the “Berkshire Garden Center” and revered as one of the older public display gardens in the Northeast, Berkshire Botanical Garden is a not-for-profit, membership-supported educational organization encompassing 24 acres of land at the intersection of Routes 102 and 183 in Stockbridge, Mass. The Garden is open year-round for classes, lectures, workshops, and exhibits, and the display gardens can be visited daily through Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

BECOME A MEMBER

DIRECTOR’S CORNER | MIKE BECK

Dream a Little Dream

Most people garden while awake, when the sun is shining and the birds are chirping. But that doesn’t mean we can’t sometimes be GWD (gardening while dreaming).

My gardening year at home usually goes something like this: In February, I dream of all the stunning new fruits and vegetables I will grow, after getting inspired by countless glossy seed and plant catalogs. Then in early April, before much plant life has stirred, I dream of setting up crisp borders, sharp edging and immaculate lawns that will magically remain that way all summer long. Come June, I fantasize about relaxing in my garden, a book in hand, without the need to ever water or weed. In August I begin my reverie of the fall harvest, effortless and bountiful, and of a stress-free autumnal clean up. Then, in November, as I frantically get those last spring bulbs settled while the frozen soil is hurting my gloved hands, I dream of the promise of early spring flowers bursting from the soil in a few short months.

Needless to say, some of my many dreams remain unfulfilled, while others really do come true. That’s the beauty of gardening. We are rewarded just enough to keep going, to engage in backbreaking manual labor day after day for some fleeting reward of color and scent and taste.

Well, actually, that’s not quite fair. In reality, we are rewarded by gardens all the time. Just setting foot into a green space is scientifically proven to lower blood pressure and boost our immune response. We can take a deep breath, close our eyes and forget about the demands and chores of the

outside world. Whether you like to garden yourself, or just enjoy the product of others’ gardening efforts, it’s great to surround yourself with plants and immerse yourself in nature. And to dream.

This season, we invite you to do just that … daydream in our Garden! We offer plenty of dreamy spots where you can while away the hours, contemplating our beautiful landscapes. Wander through our Wildflower Meadow paths, sit in our Fernery overlooking the topiary garden, traipse past the Pond Garden and shade gardens, or set foot into our woodland stone amphitheater. While exploring the gardens, you will come upon the magical sculpture of Mark Mennin, who is providing some quite literal places of respite: pillowy daybeds made out of stone. Then step inside our Leonhardt Galleries to witness what over 40 world-class artists will present as their own garden daydreams, or perhaps observe the dreamy imagery of Frances Palmer’s ceramics full of blooms. You can join us for one of our outdoor Music Monday concerts and dream on your picnic blanket (perhaps after doing some shopping at our new Monday Farmers’ Market.). Or you can float through our Midsummer Night’s Dream garden party on July 19. Just always make sure to pinch yourself as you head back to your car. For even the sweetest dreams must end, and we wouldn’t want you DWD — driving while dreaming!

JUNE 1 TO DEC 7 2025

SEASON AT A GLANCE

JUNE 1 THROUGH SEPT. 1

GUIDED GARDEN TOURS

Offered daily at 11 a.m., weather permitting. A showcase of horticulture and garden design and a “museum of living things,” Berkshire Botanical Garden’s 24 acres feature dozens of display areas that are educational, functional and highly ornamental. Come and explore.

JUNE 3 | SUMMER BIRD WALK

With Ben Nickley of Berkshire Bird Observatory, at 8:30 a.m.

JUNE 6 | SUMMER BIRD WALK

With Ben Nickley, 8:30 a.m.

JUNE 6 THROUGH AUG. 11 ‘DAYDREAM’ IN THE LEONHARDT GALLERIES AND ‘SLEEPWALKERS’ IN THE GARDEN

Our indoor/outdoor summer exhibition, featuring works by some of the most renowned names in contemporary and modern art. Opening reception on Saturday, June 14, 5 to 7 p.m.

JUNE 9, 13, 16, 20

SUMMER BIRD WALK

With Ben Nickley, 8:30 a.m.

JUNE 20 | FAMILY FRIDAYS DRAG OF THE BERKSHIRES STORY HOUR

Captures the imagination and play of childhood’s gender fluidity and gives kids glamorous, positive and unabashedly queer role models. From 11 a.m. to noon

JUNE 20 | COCKTAILS IN GREAT GARDENS

The Gardens of Scott Lambert, in Stockbridge, from 5 to 7 p.m.

JUNE 23 | FARM IN THE GARDEN CAMP BEGINS!

At Farm in the Garden Camp, we nurture the seeds of stewardship by connecting children to the Garden, our food system, the environment, and one another. The camp season runs through Aug. 15.

JUNE 27 | FAMILY FRIDAYS GRUMBLING GRYPHONS PUPPET SHOW

Children become village dancers, monkeys, elephants, hippos, bees, crocodiles, spiders, and more, learning songs, chants, and movement to perform in the show. From 11 a.m. to noon.

JUNE 30 | FARMERS MARKET AND MUSIC MONDAYS

The market runs from 3 to 6 p.m.

The music performance features The Rejuvenators with special guest vocalist Wanda Houston, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

JULY 7 | FARMERS MARKET AND MUSIC MONDAYS

The market runs from 3 to 6 p.m.

The music performance features Glori Wilder, accompanied by The Moonflowers, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

JULY 11 | FAMILY FRIDAYS

With Animal Menagerie and the Sharon Audubon Society, 11 a.m. to noon. Features hands-on experience with hissing cockroaches, a turtle, a snake, and a bird.

JULY 14 | FARMERS MARKET AND MUSIC MONDAYS

The market runs from 3 to 6 p.m. The music performance features The Nate Martel Band, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

JULY 18 | FAMILY FRIDAYS

Terry A La Berry, renowned drummer for folk legend Arlo Guthrie, brings his magical tunes to captivate young hearts and create lasting memories for your family, 11 a.m. to noon.

JULY 19 | FÊTE DES FLEURS

Our annual gala, from 4 to 7 p.m. The theme: A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Expect an enchanting evening, where you will be transported into Shakespeare’s play with captivating theatrical performances, interactive activities and an atmosphere that immerses you in the magic of the season.

JULY 21 | FARMERS MARKET AND MUSIC MONDAYS

The market runs from 3 to 6 p.m. Music performance by Jessie and the Hoosie Hawks, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

JULY 25 | FAMILY FRIDAYS HISSING BOOTH

A unique, up-close-and-personal experience with snakes, reptiles and invertebrates. Learn about reptile physiology (what makes a reptile a reptile), specific fun facts about the invited species, both about their breeds and their individual personalities, how to care for them, and even some special notes about the animals with special needs. From 11 a.m. to noon.

JULY 28 | FARMERS MARKET AND MUSIC MONDAYS

The market runs from 3 to 6 p.m. Music performance by the Sören Smedvig Quartet, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

AUGUST 1 | FAMILY FRIDAYS TAMARACK HOLLOW AFRICAN DRUMMING

Performance followed by hands-on drumming workshops. From 11 a.m. to noon.

AUGUST 4 | FARMERS MARKET AND MUSIC MONDAYS

The market runs from 3 to 6 p.m. Performance by The BTUs, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

AUGUST 8 | FAMILY FRIDAYS WILLY WELCH

Expect songs, stories and puppets! From 11 a.m. to noon.

AUGUST 9 AND 10 | THE GROW SHOW

Celebrating 54 years of growing and showing. Enjoy vibrant floral arrangements and peak summer harvests in this upbeat, judged event featuring nearly 80 horticulture classes and five design categories. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

AUGUST 11 | FARMERS MARKET AND MUSIC MONDAYS

The market runs from 3 to 6 p.m. Performance by Mike Cobb and the Crevulators, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

AUGUST 15 | FAMILY FRIDAYS SHOW UP, KIDS

An outrageous, critically acclaimed, interactive family comedy show for 3 to 10-year-olds and their grown-ups. From 11 a.m. to noon.

AUGUST 15 THROUGH OCT. 5 | ‘WORKS BY FRANCES PALMER: TERRACOTTA AND FLORAL PHOTOGRAPHY’

This potter, gardener and photographer brings together three intimately connected aspects of her artistic life, showcasing her signature terracotta ceramics, platinum palladium photographs of garden flowers and luminous color photographs of floral arrangements. Opening reception on Aug. 15, 5 to 7 p.m.

AUGUST 16 | DRAWING ON THE LAND: A DESIGN SYMPOSIUM

Join Dean Riddle, Frances Palmer, Kathryn Herman, and Roy Diblick at Rockland Farm in Canaan, N.Y., for a day of engaging talks and inspiration focusing on ornamental garden design, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

AUGUST 18 | FARMERS MARKET AND MUSIC MONDAYS

The market runs from 3 to 6 p.m.

Performance by South Pleasant Revival, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

AUGUST 22 | COCKTAILS IN GREAT GARDENS

The Gardens of Jane Iredale, in Stockbridge, from 5 to 7 p.m.

AUGUST 24 | CONTAINED EXUBERANCE WALKABOUT

Stroll through the Garden beginning at 10 a.m. Enjoy mimosas and light refreshments as you mingle with featured designers, who will be on hand to share the inspiration and stories behind their vibrant container creations.

AUGUST 25 | FARMERS MARKET AND MUSIC MONDAYS

The market runs from 3 to 6 p.m. Performance by Rounders Revival, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

SEPTEMBER 12 | COCKTAILS IN GREAT GARDENS

The Gardens of Kenmore Hall, in Richmond, from 5 to 7 p.m.

OCTOBER 11-12 | HARVEST FESTIVAL

Our iconic fall festival dating back to our founding, featuring family fun and 50-plus regional artisan food and craft vendors. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

OCTOBER 18 THROUGH NOV. 30 | FLOCK: WATERCOLOR PAINTINGS BY ROBIN CROFUT-BRITTINGHAM

Featuring all of the paintings from “The Illuminated Book of Birds” (Timber Press), alongside a selection of works from Crofut-Brittingham’s ongoing fine art practice. Opening reception on Oct. 24, 5 to 7 p.m.

NOVEMBER 9 | ROOTED IN PLACE ECOLOGICAL SYMPOSIUM

A day of stories, seeds and stewardship, and exploring the deep connections between culture and biodiversity, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

DECEMBER 5-7 | HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE

Kick off the season with our Gallery of Wreaths Party on Friday, Dec. 5, 5 to 7 p.m. Then shop artisan goods, festive plants, garlands, and more at the Holiday Marketplace, open Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SEASON AT A GLANCE

STAY UP TO DATE ON OUR EVENTS!

What a Wonderful Day for a ‘DayDream’

Summer Exhibition Featuring Salvador Dalí, Annie Leibovitz, Yoko Ono, Jamie Wyeth, and More

Curated by James Salomon, the show invites visitors to step into a world of imagination — from June 6 through Aug. 11.

This summer, the lush grounds of Berkshire Botanical Garden offer more than their usual symphony of flowers and foliage. From June 6 through Aug. 11, the Garden’s Leonhardt Galleries will open a portal to the imagination with “DayDream,” a new exhibition that promises to be one of the most compelling cultural experiences of the Berkshires season.

Curated by the ever-inventive James Salomon, “DayDream” gathers an extraordinary roster of artists — legends of the 20th century alongside today’s boundary-pushing visionaries — inviting visitors to leave behind the weight of the everyday and enter a world where creativity knows no bounds. Salvador Dalí’s surrealist visions will hang in conversation with Annie Leibovitz’s iconic photography. The whimsical musings of Roz Chast and Will Cotton will mingle with the meditative abstractions of Ellsworth Kelly. In total, more than 40 artists will fill the gallery space with works in painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media.

But this isn’t your typical white-walled art show. “In a world that demands your focus,” says Salomon, “I invite you to the Garden and daydream.” That simple mantra became the heartbeat of the exhibition, a call to step away from obligation and distraction, to rediscover the power of reverie.

Coinciding with DayDream is renowned sculptor Mark Mennin’s outdoor exhibit, “Sleepwalkers” (see accompanying story).

A Curator Who Knows How to Dream

James Salomon knows a thing or two about wandering off the beaten path. His career spans gallery ownership, design, architecture, film, and writing. Currently serving as director of design projects for Achille Salvagni Atelier, a design firm with showrooms in Rome, London and New York, Salomon’s roots trace back to the avant-garde art scene of 1990s Paris. There, he cut his teeth as an intern at the legendary Galerie Maeght before moving on to New York’s Mary Boone Gallery, where he spent a decade helping shape contemporary art’s cutting edge. His connection to Berkshire Botanical Garden is a story of kindred spirits. In 2018, he curated BBG’s “Beautiful Strangers,” an outdoor exhibition inspired by a Kevin Morby song. This time, “DayDream” was born from an unexpected moment while driving and listening to

Left: Jose Alvarez (D.O.P.A), “Dragon Hunter, #18,” 2023

The Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Daydream.” “Aha! I knew right away that was the vibe,” Salomon recalls. “Playful, wistful, full of possibility.”

An Invitation to Wander

Visitors to “DayDream” can expect an experience that’s more than visual. Salomon took a delightfully unorthodox approach when putting together the exhibition catalogue. Each artist was asked to share their own personal “daydream.” The results, he hints, are as revealing as the artworks themselves. (See sidebar.)

“They are really leaning into this assignment,” Salomon says. “Some are poignant, some hilarious. It’s a window into their imaginations — what they hope for, what they long for. That’s where the magic lives.”

Among the artists sharing their dreams are Yoko Ono, whose conceptual pieces have long invited audiences to engage with hope and possibility, and Jamie Wyeth, whose paintings often explore both the ordinary and the fantastical. Roz Chast’s humorous illustrations and Will Cotton’s candy-coated fantasies are sure to inject levity and joy, while works by Ellsworth Kelly and Peter Lindbergh bring a sense of elegance and quiet contemplation.

A Community Celebration of Art

None of this would be possible without the passion and support of BBG’s leadership. Board Chair Matt Larkin and Trustee Joanne Cassullo have championed “DayDream” from the start, recognizing its potential to become a highlight of the region’s cultural calendar.

“I just love Joanne and Matt,” Salomon says. “And I’m happy to produce this for them and the Berkshire community. It will be a fun summer show, full of surprises.”

With the combined efforts of Salomon, Larkin, Cassullo, and the BBG team, “DayDream” offers something rare: an invitation to suspend time, to let go of obligations, and to float through an exhibition that honors both the power of the subconscious and the joy of simply letting one’s mind wander.

Plan Your Visit

“DayDream” runs from June 6 through Aug. 11, in the Leonhardt Galleries. The galleries are open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering visitors ample time to explore — and to daydream.

An Eclectic Gathering of Artists

The lineup for “DayDream” reads like a who’s who of modern and contemporary art, with works by Jose Alvarez, Alice Aycock, Dozier Bell, Ross Bleckner, William Binnie, Roz Chast, Donna Cooper, Will Cotton, Salvador Dalí, EV Day, Peter Dayton, Marc Dennis, Joel Gaitan, John Gauld, Peter Gerakaris, Ann Getsinger, April Gornik, Isca Greenfield-Sanders, Jane Hammond, Rachel Hovnanian, Ellsworth Kelly, Jerome Lagarrigue, Annie Leibovitz, Peter Lindbergh, Nancy Lorenz, Maynard Monrow, Michele Oka Doner, Yoko Ono, Cate Pasquarelli, Richard Pasquarelli, Hunt Slonem, Kim Swift, Anastasia Traina, Vadis Turner, Tuan Vu, Cynthia Wick, Jamie Wyeth, Rob Wynne, Darius Yektai, and Rachel Youn.

Their works will spill across media and genres, reflecting diverse interpretations of the theme — from surreal and introspective to playful and ironic. It’s a rich tapestry of artistic expression set against the backdrop of Berkshire Botanical Garden’s serene landscapes.

Jane Hammond, “Return of the Swans,” 2016 Image courtesy the artist and Lelong Gallery.

Hunt Slonem, “Great Moths IO,” 2019

Daydreams Shared

‘DayDream’

Artists Take Us to Where the Mind Wanders

High Beam, a Childhood Memory

by Jamie Wyeth

“High Beam, a Childhood Memory” is a dream that takes place on the Maine coast, with numerous drive-in restaurants lining U.S. Route One as it meanders up the coastline. My brother Nicky and I are on our yearly trip from our small family home in Chadds Ford, Pa., to Maine. We would have a contest to see who could spot the first Maine seagull. Our father, after driving nearly 10 hours, pulls into one of those drivein restaurants to celebrate our arrival. As we enter the parking lot, Nicky and I, prone atop the cargo of easels, paint, etc., peer out of the station wagon’s rear window into the massive grille of a very grand automobile. We nearly pass out with excitement when we realize that the big vehicle is not filled with a family of hungry travelers like ours, but instead is occupied by the gulls. Then I awake from this dream.

While those U.S. Route One drive-ins have faded from the memories of most, they still linger in my dreams. It feels almost mandatory for me to paint it before it fades away like a watercolor from my mind as well.

Do I Dream?

Michele Oka Doner

It happens most nights, and more often than ever with the accretion of years resulting in layer upon layer upon layer of hopes and fears now deposited on my interior scaffolding, the place where dreams are born. I compare this activity to that of an ocean mollusk that secretes nacre that will harden and catch light, resulting in a lustrous shelly growth. Just like dreams, the nacre layers are not continuous. Instead they resemble a landscape of plateaus with contiguous fingerprint patterns of meanders. The edges of these plateaus are quite irregular: a line of crystalline staircases that refract light like a prism.

Who would have thought mother of pearl was related to dreaming? Both begin in dark places, unseen. Both are produced by living organisms. And both have imperfections, blemishes. Yet they are capable of producing reflection, or even radiance.

A perfect pearl rarely occurs in nature, a dream without bumps, pits or even color is also rare.

Jamie Wyeth’s “Child Dream” (2025, acrylic, oil, and charcoal on gesso panel). Courtesy of the Artist and Somerville Manning Gallery

Look Out for ‘Sleepwalkers’

Stone Beds for the Daydreaming Mind

This summer, visitors to Berkshire Botanical Garden will be invited to sit, lean back — and daydream. Nestled quietly among the trees and pathways from June 6 through Aug. 11, “Sleepwalkers,” a new outdoor exhibit by sculptor Mark Mennin, offers a place to do just that.

Three monumental stone sculptures, each weighing more than 6,000 pounds, rest in the landscape like ancient relics crossed with soft clouds. Two are carved from deep green granite, the third gleams in white marble. Mennin, a master of monumental stone carving, has shaped these massive blocks into forms that suggest cushions or beds — tactile, inviting and unmistakably human in scale and presence.

“They are three large granite or marble ‘beds’ that are representational of clouds,” Mennin explains. “These are beds, which already kind of hover between a narrative and a function.” That duality — between story and utility — runs through “Sleepwalkers.”

Mennin imagines passersby drawn to the sculptures as places to pause, sit or even recline. “I call it the covert functionality of a horizontal piece,”

he says. “It makes horizontality very appealing to me. I think the more of a figure carver one is, the more functional the work becomes as something to lie in or sit on. And so it’s more interactive than ‘please-don’t-touch’ museum objects.”

For Mennin, that invitation to touch is essential, especially in a natural environment. While he doesn’t intentionally carve for comfort, he believes that when he shapes a humanscale depression in stone, “it should be inviting to that.” The result? Sculptures that inhabit the realm of figurative art as much as they do functional design.

The lone white marble piece in “Sleepwalkers” connects to Mennin’s earlier works in the Garden’s permanent collection. In the pieces “Classical Interiors,” he transformed recycled granite columns into two statues that function as chairs. Those statues sit side by side in the Garden’s arboretum.

For Mennin, who lives and works in Bethlehem, Conn., the connection between stone and the human experience has always been personal. “I’ve wanted to carve stone since I was nine years old,” he says. A childhood trip to Italy with

his parents — both accomplished art historians and musicians — sparked his fascination with sculpture. Surrounded by ancient statues and classical folklore, young Mennin imagined they held some kind of black magic. “I just wanted to be involved in that world,” he says.

Years later, he found himself in Carrara, Italy, where the ancient marble quarries have supplied sculptors since Roman times. “Once I was in Carrara, it was game over,” he says. “Humans will always have a relationship with the ancients — and with the prehistoric, too,” he adds. “My connection to the past makes me feel more like a human being.”

Mennin’s work reflects that timeless connection. His sculptures — whether they resemble baths or beds — blur the line between art and life. They evoke something primal yet refined. His surfaces are smooth and welcoming; his forms monumental and grounding. Though rooted in traditional stone-carving techniques, his designs feel contemporary and timeless. Whether installed in public spaces, private gardens or galleries, his sculptures offer a sense of permanence and calm — always reflecting on the relationship between human beings and the natural world.

Having previously exhibited at the Garden in 2018’s “Beautiful Strangers: Artists Discover the Garden,” Mennin returns with “Sleepwalkers” to invite visitors into a moment of stillness. To sit. To recline. To drift.

Because sometimes, even a 6,000-pound stone cloud can make you feel lighter.

Mark Mennin’s “Button 10” is one of three pieces in his outdoor

this summer at Berkshire Botanical Garden.

exhibit

Works By Frances Palmer | August 15 – October 5

Terracotta and Floral Photography

Frances Palmer — potter, gardener and photographer — will bring an immersive new exhibition to the Leonhardt Galleries from Aug. 15 through Oct. 5. Frances Palmer will bring together three intimately connected aspects of her artistic life, showcasing her signature terracotta ceramics, platinum palladium photographs of garden flowers and luminous color photographs of floral arrangements.

A self-taught potter for nearly four decades, Palmer has long explored the relationship between earth and bloom. She began growing flowers in her

Connecticut garden specifically to arrange in her handmade vessels and photograph in her studio. “The pottery and the flowers are the two halves of my earthly paradise,” Palmer says. “I honestly can’t imagine one without the other.”

Visitors will encounter Palmer’s warm, expressive terracotta pots — some of which will be thoughtfully composed using blossoms grown at BBG. Her photographs, known for their dreamy, meditative quality, reveal a deep reverence for the ephemeral beauty of flowers and the everyday magic of the natural world. Palmer’s work has been featured in

The New York Times Style Magazine, Vogue, House & Garden, and Veranda, and is held in collections around the world. She is the author of “Life in the Studio” (Artisan Books), and her newest book, “Life with Flowers: Inspiration and Lessons from the Garden” (Artisan Books), offers a deeper look into her creative process and garden philosophy.

“I love the scale of Berkshire Botanical Garden and the beautiful setting,” she says. “The exhibition will, in a way, serve as a conversation or dialogue with the Garden’s living landscape.”

Flock:

Watercolor Paintings by Robin Crofut-Brittingham

October 18 — November 30

Opening reception on Oct. 24, 5 to 7 p.m.

This exhibition will feature all of the paintings from “The Illuminated Book of Birds” (Timber Press), a new book written and illustrated by Robin Crofut-Brittingham, alongside a selection of works from her ongoing fine art practice.

Crofut-Brittingham’s work is grounded in a long-standing interest in natural history. What began as quiet notes in sketchbooks — observations, scribbled bird facts, myth fragments, and found images — has grown into a visual archive that now takes the form of a richly illustrated book featuring birds from around the world and interesting factoids about each one.

Each painting in “The Illuminated Book of Birds” is a page of research made visible: a conversation between science and story, observation and imagination. The book is both part of and a natural extension of the artist’s broader practice.

Come and see the original paintings from the book, featuring over 300 hand-painted birds from around the world.

The Unicorn Theatre

The Larry Vaber Stage Berkshire Theatre Group presents The Berkeley Repertory Theatre Production of

written and performed by Ari’el Stachel directed by Tony Taccone

The Colonial Theatre

by Agatha Christie directed by Gerry McIntyre

The Unicorn Theatre

The Larry Vaber Stage

written by and featuring Renée Taylor directed by Elaine May

World Premiere

The Unicorn Theatre

The Larry Vaber Stage

by Bernard Pomerance directed by Eric Hill

Meet a BBG Member

10-ish Questions for Kevin West

Available beginning this August in our Visitor Center Gift Shop.

Kevin West of Monterey is a writer, gardener, cook, and food consultant. His newest book, “The Cook’s Garden: A Gardener’s Guide to Selecting, Growing, and Savoring the Tastiest Vegetables of Each Season,” will be published in August by Knopf. Kevin will lead a class at BBG this fall and will be among the featured speakers at our annual Rooted in Place ecological symposium in November.

We had questions. He had answers:

You come from a family of farmers and gardeners from Blount County, in eastern Tennessee. Did they pass down any old-school tricks that you still swear by today?

My family loves a saying, and many of them stay with me in the garden. From my mom: “A seed wants to grow,” meaning don’t stress because plants are programmed to flourish, and we just help them. And: “The flavor’s in the garden,” meaning homegrown vegetables taste better because healthy, organic soil is the mother of all flavor, and some varietals that are easily grown are naturally more delicious, such as Jimmy Nardello peppers, Spanish Roja garlic, Country Gentleman corn, and Northeaster pole beans. Finally, “What grows together goes together” describes my approach to cooking: Walk out to the garden and pick what looks best. It will all come together as a delicious supper. Those three sayings are my new book in a nutshell.

But you asked about tricks. Here’s a good one from John Coykendall, the master gardener at Blackberry Farm, who isn’t kin but is a Blount County neighbor. He told me, “Over sow and under cover.” Meaning, sow seeds more thickly and cover them less deeply than you think you should. I sow lettuce seeds almost touching and barely sprinkle them with soil. They come up fast and thick, and you eat the thinnings.

What’s your favorite “garden-to-table” ritual? Is there a moment when you feel like all the hard work in the dirt pays off?

Hard to beat the first tomato sandwich of the year, made with a homegrown Brandywine or Cherokee Purple. But really, my reward comes almost daily — every time I go out to the garden to pick something, even if it’s only a bowl of salad greens.

If vegetables had personalities, which one in your garden would be the life of the party?

Herbs! Each of them, all of them, singly and in masses. Man cannot live by herbs alone, it’s true, but they improve everything they touch. The “Scarborough Fair” bouquet — parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme — is a good place to start, though I’d swap sage (the Thanksgiving herb) for versatile summer savory. But don’t get me started on herbs. I give them an entire chapter, with recipes for green sauces, salads, little herb drop biscuits to serve like gougères, fennel-lamb meatballs, lemon-thyme pound cake, and more. I used to sprinkle pinches of herbs over my cooking. Now I use handfuls. An herb garden makes one lavish.

Is there a vegetable you thought you didn’t like — until you grew it yourself and tasted it fresh from the garden?

I never met a vegetable I didn’t like, probably because I was lucky to be raised on homegrown vegetables. But I’ve cooked for plenty of vegetable skeptics and have had good success converting them — with turnips, of all things.

Turnips are so sweet and fine the day you pull them, just delicious. In spring, I’ll quickly braise little turnips with their greens on the stovetop. In fall, I slice turnips and bake them in cream with thyme. You can ferment them, too, like dill pickles. People will say: I didn’t think I liked turnips.

Kevin West with his grandparents Eloise and John West, around 1977 on their farm in Blount County, Tennessee.

Kevin West’s garden in Monterey, Mass., served as a prime source for his new book.

What’s a vegetable you always recommend people grow for flavor — but they never believe you until they taste it?

A little winter squash bred by Michael Mazourek of Cornell University. It’s called Honeypatch and looks like the Mini-Cooper version of a butternut. It’s a masterpiece, a future heirloom. Bake it as you would other winter squash, face down, then fill the cavity with heavy cream. The cream soaks in. You won’t believe the flavor.

Is there a single bite from your garden that instantly transports you back to your childhood?

Cherry tomatoes — when I was nine, I called them tommy-toes.

What’s a flavor combination from the garden that people don’t usually expect — but totally works?

Cucumbers and potatoes. I toss new potatoes, boiled in their jackets, with first-pick cucumbers roll-cut into chunks. They are a pair of contrasts: warm and cool, crisp and smooth, fruit and tuber, chlorophyll and earth. They complete each other. My perfect-10 potato salad would also include a bit of purslane, an edible garden weed, and a scattering of sky-blue borage flowers, which taste like cucumbers.

Do you have a favorite garden tool or gadget that makes you wonder, “How did I ever garden without this?”

The Korean hand hoe, or homi, is a wonder. Its short, curved blade has the ground-skimming shape of a scythe, except it skims just beneath the surface, slicing roots. Weed seedlings topple in its wake, like tall timber behind Paul Bunyan.

Is there a vegetable whose flavor changes so much depending on when you pick it, that it’s like growing two different crops?

Swiss chard: The young leaves are spinach-y. The mature stalks are crisp and tangy, like celery pretending to be sorrel. Blanch the stalks, toss them

with the steamed greens, and dress for a warm salad. Or else bake them for a gratin. Fun fact: chard and beets are genetic twins, the same species and subspecies, which makes sense when you consider the chard-like look of beet greens and the beet-like color of red chard. So the same plant is really giving three different crops. The leaf vegetable came first, historically speaking, and was grown in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Swiss chard is a misnomer, the result of a linguistic mistake first made by French and later absorbed by the English — but that’s another story.

You’re all about savoring what you grow — what’s one vegetable you think tastes better eaten raw, straight from the garden, than in any dish?

Peas — both English green peas for shelling (my favorite variety is Champion

of England, which will climb a 10-foot trellis) and Sugar Snap peas with their edible pods.

Bonus question, for extra credit: If you could swap gardens with any grower — past or present — for a season, whose garden would you love to tend, and why?

Masanobu Fukuoka’s. The Japanese farmer-philosopher wrote the “One Straw Revolution,” a cornerstone text for permaculturists, and his garden to-do list was more like a don’t-do list: Don’t weed, don’t water, don’t worry. (His secret was mulch — lots of mulch.) He called himself a lazy farmer. I aspire to be so lazy.

Photo: Kevin West

You’re Invited

Cocktails in Great Gardens

Presented by Berkshire Botanical Garden

This summer, experience an enchanting evening in bloom with Cocktails in Great Gardens — a rare opportunity to sip, savor and stroll through some of the most exquisite private gardens in the region. Enjoy a cool beverage and snacks in a relaxed, elegant atmosphere, all while exploring extraordinary landscapes not usually open to the public.

Summer 2025 Garden Series Lineup

Join us from 5 to 7 p.m. on these special Friday evenings:

June 20

The Gardens of Scott Lambert

Stockbridge

August 22

The Gardens of Jane Iredale

Stockbridge

September 12

The Gardens at Kenmore Hall

Richmond

Space is limited, and these events sell out quickly — reserve your spot today and toast to summer in style.

Tickets: Members: $40/Non-Members: $60

Live Music and a Farmers Market, Too

Farm Fresh Meets Foot-Tapping Fun

There’s a new reason to love Mondays this summer in the Berkshires.

Berkshire Botanical Garden is thrilled to announce the launch of its brand-new Farmers Market, running every Monday from June 30 through Sept. 1, from 3 to 6 p.m. The market will take place on the lawn of the Garden’s Education Center — rain or shine — and promises a lively, local celebration of community, music and mouthwatering food.

Shoppers can expect a delicious spread of fresh-picked produce, artisan cheeses, and other locally sourced goodies, all offered by a rotating cast of regional farmers and food crafters. Want to know who’s setting up shop each week? Head to BerkshireBotanical.org for weekly vendor updates.

But that’s not all — while stocking up on summer’s best flavors, you can also enjoy live music drifting across the Garden grounds, thanks to Music Mondays, the Garden’s concert series running in tandem with the market. Bring a blanket, sip something cool and let the sweet sounds of some of the region’s most talented musical performers set the tone for a perfect summer evening.

And if shopping and swaying to live music builds up your appetite, you’re in luck: Kevin Kelly, founder of After Hours GB, will be on-site each week serving up a tempting selection of eats that pair perfectly with the festive vibes.

“It’s the ultimate summer mash-up,” said BBG Executive Director Mike Beck. “Local farmers, live music, fresh food, and a beautiful setting — it’s everything we love about summer, all in one place.”

The BBG Farmers Market and Music Mondays are the perfect weekly stop for families, foodies, music lovers, and anyone looking to slow down and soak in the season. So mark your calendars, grab your market tote, and come celebrate summer with us.

Music Monday Lineup

Barefoot dancing on the lawn is always encouraged. Performances run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are also available at the door. Bring your chairs and picnic blankets to enjoy a night of music.

June 30 — The Rejuvenators with Wanda Houston

New Orleans funk and soul.

July 7 — Glori Wilder and the Moonflowers

A rich, soulful sound featuring a growing catalog of original, captivating music.

July 14 — The Nate Martel Band

Rock ‘n soul, a powerful and dynamic sound that is distinct and versatile.

July 21 — Jessie and the Hoosie Hawks

An eclectic mix of rock, pop, country, and more hits from yesterday and today.

July 28 — Soren Smedvig Quartet

Dynamic jazz, including standards spanning generations.

August 4 — The BTUs

A Berkshire institution built on the foundation of a solid groove.

August 11 — Mike Cobb and the Crevulators

A genre-blending band that fuses Americana roots with the fiery spirit of Spanish rebel music, creating original songs rich in storytelling and rhythm.

August 18 — South Pleasant Revival

A powerful college trio formed in 2024 at UMass Amherst, including acoustic covers and original music.

August 25 — Rounders Revival

An evening of light-hearted and uplifting acoustic music steeped deeply in the folk-americana traditions of universal storytelling and soulful harmonies.

Glori Wilder The BTUs Mike Cobb and the Crevulators Nate Martel Wanda Houston

Get the Buzz on Volunteering!

The 2025 season is in full bloom at BBG, and our beautiful campus is buzzing with activity! If you’ve walked our paths, you’ll notice that a lot of the action comes courtesy of BBG Volunteers. We have a wonderful corps of active Volunteers who use their energy, interests and talents to help make BBG the very special place it is.

If you would like to get more involved with us, we’d love to hear from you. We have many ways for friends and neighbors to volunteer, and you don’t have to be a hands-on gardener. You can be a Tour Guide, a Docent in our galleries, a Greeter in the Visitor Center, a helper at special events, and more. If you do want a chance to dig in literally, you can be a seasonal gardener and work with our amazing Horticulture staff. We have openings for occasional Volunteers, and we especially welcome those who can work a fourhour shift on a regular, weekly basis. We even have opportunities year-round, as our galleries remain open through the winter and we are expanding our cold weather curriculum.

If you’re looking for a way to get more involved in the Berkshires’ cultural community, we’re ready to welcome you into our friendly Volunteer family. It’s a fun way to make new connections and a meaningful contribution to the success of BBG.

To learn about Volunteer opportunities at BBG, contact River Begas at rbegas@berkshirebotanical.org or 413-305-1714, ext. 28.

Lauretta Harris President, BBG Volunteer Association

Notes from a Tour Guide Take a Walk Through Daylily History

By Chris Ferrero

There is a time every summer when I feel the need to be out in the gardens every day to catch windows of bloom that can speed by way too fast.

By definition, that’s especially true of daylilies. If you don’t venture out daily to pick off the spent blooms, you can miss the chance to admire the beauty of your favorite cultivar.

But if you’ve planted a diverse collection of Hemerocallis, you can enjoy a long season of fascinating form and color, from the first bloomers popping in mid-June to the lazy latecomers of August.

Daylilies are stars in a home landscape, and not just because of their stunning beauty. Their easy-going nature allows them to enjoy the light shade of high canopies almost as readily as they soak up full midday sun. And their fleshy roots not only tolerate most soil types, but they store up water during wet spells so they can thrive in drought, making them sturdy soldiers in a climate change-challenged landscape. They are mostly pest-resistant, except for their appeal to deer, which is frustrating but worth the effort to use repellent sprays.

“Symphony Stout” (1941) is called the patriarch of daylilies. You’ll find A. B. Stout’s name in several hybrids along the Walk.

Berkshire Botanical Garden celebrates this genus with an unusual garden called the Daylily Walk, designed by former Horticulture Director Dorthe Hviid and installed in 2003. It features 200 hybrids of Hemerocallis along a gently curving path that literally takes you through history, because they are arranged in chronological order by their year of introduction, from 1893 to 2006. About a third predate 1970, making them historical cultivars, according to the American Hemerocallis Society.

Hviid recalls when she arrived in 1992 there were four very old daylily beds in that area, and they were overcrowded and succumbing to encroaching shade. She supervised a group of interns in identifying them, which took a couple seasons of bloom. They saved perhaps 100 hybrids from the original collection.

She enlisted the help of her Horticulture Advisory Committee in envisioning a new design, and she recalls

it was Marianne Lipsky, a noted daylily hybridizer, who suggested a chronological presentation. This was an unconventional approach for a public garden; New York Botanical Garden, for example, organizes its daylily beds by color.

BBG’s collection grew with input from several influential daylily experts. BBG volunteer Betsy Thompson helped Hviid select important hybrids. She then searched out and donated many of them to fill in the collection. Thompson’s connections were also likely the source of another 25 hybrids donated by a Bostonbased collector.

Hviid laid out the distinctive, curving path and completed the installation in 2003. The result still brings her joy, she says, because of both the vibrancy of color from a distance and the nuanced charm of form and color that merits closer examination.

At the very top of the Walk is the omnipresent orange species Hemerocalis fulva, which many call the “ditch lily.” You might guess it’s native because of

its ubiquity along country roads, but it’s actually an eastern Asia native introduced by early European settlers that quickly escaped into the wild and is considered invasive in many areas in the Northeast. Yet we need to honor H. fulva, because she is considered the daylily matriarch, the source of most of our favorite hybrids.

Just below H. fulva is Apricot, the very first hybridized daylily, introduced in 1893 by school teacher George Yeld. Its success made way for 60,000 more hybrids. As you toddle down the path, each cultivar is clearly labeled, and the names themselves are arresting.

Some names suggest a cultivar’s ancestry, or its type. Take the “spiders” along the walk, including Spider Miracle (1986) and Itsy Bitsy Spider (1990). Some names evoke other aspects of their time, like the perhaps musically inspired Aquarius (1972) and Purple Rain (1995). And that early Apricot inspired many other mouth-watering names, like Lemon Crisp (1970), Almond Puff (1990) and White Lemonade (1992).

shown here in mid-July, features more than 200 historic and modern cultivars from more than 120 years of hybridizing.

Left: The Daylily Walk in mid-June, with “Globemaster” Allium bridging the bloom gap between daffodils and daylilies. By late July, the daylily show is spectacular.

What fun it is to spot favorites in the walk-through timeline. I’ve always loved Hyperion for its lemon color and beautiful fragrance. It’s been in my gardens for decades, but to find it near the top of the path and discover it was introduced in 1921 gave it even more value to me.

If you visit the Daylily Walk, consider finding a cultivar from your birth year along the walk. You may have to come back to catch a photograph of your cultivar in bloom (but you have to come back to see a different panorama of blooms along the Walk anyway, right?).

Then, if you can find it in a garden center or online, wouldn’t it be terrific to add it to your home garden as a special celebration of, well, you?

Chris Ferrero, a gardening speaker, writer, consultant, and Cornell Master Gardener, serves as a volunteer tour guide here at BBG. Garden tours are held at 11 a.m. daily during the season (weather permitting).

Far left: The Daylily Walk,

How We’re Cultivating a Love for Learning

By Arielle Coon

This spring, classrooms across Berkshire County were blooming — not just with knowledge, but with plants and the quiet confidence that comes from getting your hands in the dirt. At the center of it all is the education team from Berkshire Botanical Garden, who are turning science lessons into sensory experiences, and school gardens into springboards for curiosity, collaboration and community pride.

From kindergartners to curious middle schoolers, students in seven schools are digging deep into what it means to grow food and grow together. Whether it’s third and fourth graders at Muddy Brook Elementary learning about herbs and harvests, or middle schoolers at Reid and Herberg exploring the vegetables inside sushi rolls before rolling their own, the BBG team is using hands-on gardening and food education to make science come alive.

Our students aren’t just learning about where food comes from — they’re creating it. There’s something so powerful about a child tasting a vegetable they grew themselves.

In classrooms from Richmond to Pittsfield, BBG educators Margaret Leahy, Claire Lynch and I spent this spring integrating curriculum with creativity. Herberg Middle Schoolers learned the art of papermaking from recycled materials, connecting sustainability to everyday life. At Richmond Consolidated School, the BBG team spent Mondays and Thursdays with Kindergarten through fourth grade students, teaching them how to nurture young plants — and, in the process, nurturing a deep sense of responsibility and wonder.

Meanwhile, the learning continued beyond the classroom walls. BBG has expanded our spring Youth Field Trips, with 300 children visiting BBG this season. Kids can enjoy a guided Garden tour with hands-on workshops that dig into topics like composting, pollinators and the power of soil.

Summertime Fun!

Now with summer upon us, the Garden is transforming into a haven of fun and exploration through our Farm in the Garden Camp. With a dedicated crew of counselors, campers will dive into everything from animal husbandry and pond ecosystems to growing veggies and cooking up communal feasts on “Farm Fest Fridays.” It’s a week of muddy knees, belly laughs and the kind of friendships that only summer can grow.

Families are also invited to the party. Family Fridays return this summer to BBG’s outdoor amphitheater, offering joyful, all-ages entertainment every Friday at 11 a.m. — including puppet shows, drumming circles, story hours, and more. It’s laughter, music and sunshine — and it’s free with Garden admission. (See the Season at a Glance calendar on pages 2 and 3.)

This year has also brought an exciting partnership with the Berkshire Bird Observatory. Naturalist Ben Nickley is working with campers to install and monitor birdhouses using Cornell’s NestWatch program, documenting everything from nesting patterns to hatchling success. Nickley will also lead weekly bird walks in June — a unique chance to explore the Garden through YOUTH EDUCATION

“Our students aren’t just learning about where food comes from — they’re creating int. There’s something so powerful about a child tasting a vegetable they grew themselves.”

the Garden, our food system, the environment, and one another.

Among our Education staff is Camp Director Margaret Leahy (above) who, with her team of counselors, spends the summer providing time, space and guidance for children to connect to

the eyes of its feathered residents.

As part of our environmental outreach, we’ve been working with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission on flood mitigation design efforts for Depot Brook in the Berkshire town of Washington. This project included a native plant program led by BBG horticulturist Kessa McEwen and educator Margaret Leahy, who partnered with the Washington Girl Scouts to support floodplain restoration and stream bank stabilization.

What Worries Us?

But as much as the BBG education team is growing, we’re also grappling with deep uncertainty. Many of the grants that have sustained our youth programs — including the 2025 Farm to School Grant and 21st Century Community Learning Centers — are being slashed or could be on the chopping block due to national funding cuts. These cuts disproportionately impact low-income students and those with the highest need for afterschool support.

Afterschool and summer programs are lifelines. They give students a safe space to build community and connect with the world around them. Now, more than ever, BBG is calling on our local community to help sustain our vital work. Contributions will directly support the school programs and summer camp scholarships that empower youth to explore nature, learn through doing and grow into compassionate stewards of the land. If you’d like to plant a seed of support, donations can be made by reaching out to Jennifer Patton at jpatton@ berkshirebotanical.org. Every gift, large or small, helps keep the Garden gates open to the next generation of growers, dreamers and doers.

Arielle Coon is BBG’s manager of School Programs. She can be reached at acoon@ berkshirebotanical.org.

‘Way Ahead of the Curve’

In celebration of its newly installed solar panels (see related story), BBG partnered with the Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF) on April 13 to present the 2025 Solar Film Forum, centering on the challenges and opportunities in integrating solar projects with regenerative farming practices. During the event, the emcee, Lillian Lennox, BIFF’s festival programmer and member of the Roaring Brook Family Foundation’s Board of Trustees, shared with the crowd the following high praise for BBG’s education work with children: I did want to just say what an extraordinary organization BBG is, and to recognize the stewardship, the amazing projects … but I wanted to especially recognize that they were way ahead of the curve in recognizing that youth need engagement with the land, and they have a Farm in the Garden program, which has been going for many, many years, where children learn how to raise crops and take care of small animals, and basically learn how to be little farmers, regenerative farmers. And I can say both my daughters spent their entire summers at BBG, and they loved it, and they became counselors, and now they’re green builders, regenerative farmers and really beautiful community activists.

So, think of the next generations and youth engagement with the land. Our children and our youth need as much help and support as they can, and as [the film] ‘Common Ground’ showed us, this is a really wonderful, excellent conduit for mental and physical health and well-being, to really be engaged with land-based practices.

HORTICULTURE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Planting Knowledge, Cultivating Futures

Shawn Hart swipes through the photos on his phone until he lands on the one he’s looking for: rows of homegrown gleaming bok choy, their leaves a luminous green, his pride and joy. “I’m just so psyched on it,” he says, holding out the image.

From early September through April, something special takes root each year at Berkshire Botanical Garden. This is where people like Hart come, hungry for education, transformation and community. The Horticulture Certificate Program at Berkshire Botanical Garden has become a haven for professionals, aspiring professionals and devoted home gardeners alike — people who are ready to deepen their connection to the land, gain practical skills and, in some cases, radically reshape their lives.

BBG honored a bumper crop of graduates — 19 in all — at a ceremony on May 4.

Hart of Red Hook, N.Y., is a former New York City corporate professional who traded suits and skyscrapers for overalls and open fields. He and his wife now run a budding flower farm — plus veggies, fruit trees and honey — on their nine acres. “They say if you’re not killing things, you’re not learning,” Hart joked, reflecting on his first year of farming.

“This whole course has been helping me get rid of some of the gaps in knowledge.”

The Horticulture Certificate Program was a pivotal step in what he calls “Shawn 2.0” — a homestead-based lifestyle that’s as rewarding as it is labor-intensive.

“The course helped tremendously,” he said, pointing out the practical tools and professional framework he gleaned for managing crops and improving productivity. “It’s applied knowledge — you just go home and do it.”

Offered as a non-credit adult

enrichment program, the curriculum is rigorous and immersive. It includes 90 hours of classroom instruction and 15 hours of practicum, covering everything from soil science and

The Horticulture Certificate Program was a pivotal step in what Shawn Hart calls “Shawn 2.0.”

Garden designer Tyler Horsley leads the Landscape I class for the level 1 Horticulture Certificate Program.

plant health care to sustainable garden maintenance, propagation and landscape design. Classes are taught by experienced horticulturists and landscape designers and feature lectures, hands-on workshops and field study.

The program is structured in two levels: the foundational Certificate in Horticulture and the Advanced Certificate in Horticulture and Design. Classes meet on weekday evenings with occasional weekend workshops, making the program accessible to working adults.

The program “was like receiving a master class introduction to the plant world,” said James Oates, who retired from a career in advertising and publishing and now lives in Austerlitz, N.Y. “What began as post-retirement curiosity blossomed into a profound connection with nature. For any gardener — novice or seasoned — this immersive program doesn’t just teach you plant names and techniques; it transforms how you see the living tapestry of the natural world. The garden becomes both classroom and sanctuary, where scientific knowledge and artistic appreciation grow side by side.”

Another recent graduate of the Level 1 program, Laura Dunne, splits her time between Housatonic and New York City, with a professional background in cybersecurity and a personal passion for gardening rooted in childhood memories. “As a kid, I gardened with my dad,” she shared. “I didn’t appreciate it at the time.”

After his passing and years living in the city, Laura and her partner purchased a Berkshires property with plenty of garden space. She enrolled in the Certificate in Horticulture program, she said, “to learn how to manage the property and sort of integrate myself with nature again.” This year, she’s planting vegetables, a cut flower bed and native perennial borders.

“I cannot believe how much I’ve learned,” she said. “I’m weeding and I’m like, ‘Oh, I’m seeing all the things I never saw before.’ It’s like I have a new set of eyes.”

“It’s

She’s especially focused on creating a low-maintenance, sustainable garden. “I’m going back to those classes and thinking, how do I plant things that will hold water, require less maintenance and use integrated pest management techniques.”

Another Level 1 graduate, Jane Rebhuhn, an architect and engineer from Poughkeepsie, N.Y., enrolled in the program with a clear goal: to design gardens that offer more than beauty.

“Gardens are a meditation space,” she said. “We’re in a crazy society right now. Everybody is stressed, and people don’t realize that their own front yard could be a

With her horticulture certificate in hand, Jane Rebhuhn now envisions helping people create gardens that not only nourish the body with food but soothe the mind.

calming, healing space.”

She envisions helping people create gardens that not only nourish the body with food but soothe the mind. “I want to help people understand how they can benefit from a garden, beyond hiring a landscaper to mow the grass.”

For Advanced Certificate graduate Kessa McEwen, a BBG horticulturist, the program opened an unexpected creative avenue: drawing. The Advanced Certificate program, which is more design-focused and client-facing, has given McEwen the indispensable skills to turn ideas into paper plans — an essential part of garden consulting and design. “I thought I couldn’t draw. Now I’m like, ‘Wow, I can actually draw things,’” she laughed.

Advanced Certificate graduate Kessa McEwen says the program has given her the indispensable skills to turn ideas into paper plans — an essential part of garden consulting and design.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2025 GRADUATES OF THE HORTICULTURE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Level I

Tiffany Alos, Livia Caesars, Felix Carroll, Laura Dunne, Brynna Hall, Kyra Hart, Shawn Hart, Claire Lynch, Victoria Manieri, James Oates, Jane Rebhuhn, Ellen Weitzler, Jonathon Williams Level II

Matthew Acciani, Kenneth Conway, Sylwia Ketchen, Victoria Martins, Kessa McEwen, Elizabeth Strohbeck

like I have a new set of eyes,” says Laura Dunne.

Bursting with Creativity

Contained Exuberance Returns

“Contained Exuberance” returns to Berkshire Botanical Garden this season, featuring imaginative container gardens tucked throughout the grounds and inspired by this year’s theme, “Daydreaming.”

Running through Labor Day, the season-long showcase features the imaginative work of some of the region’s top garden designers.

“The containers will pair perfectly with this year’s theme,” said BBG’s Director of Horticulture Eric Ruquist. “Each designer has taken ‘Daydreaming’ into an entirely original direction that’s personal, playful, beautiful, and universally inspiring.”

On Sunday, Aug. 24, at 10 a.m., guests are invited to a special “Walkabout” event. Visitors can sip mimosas and other refreshments while mingling with the featured designers, who will be on hand to share the stories and inspiration behind their living artworks. The event is free with Garden admission.

This year’s lineup of talent includes Hilary Collingwood of Moonflower Farm (Sheffield, Mass.); Rebekah Lamphere of Hartland Designs, Inc. (Petersburgh, N.Y.); Susan Nock of Thistle (Boston); Nick Spain of Studio Nick Spain (West Stockbridge, Mass.); and Scott Robinson of Scott Robinson Plantsman (Salisbury, Conn.).

Left: Last year’s Contained Exuberance included works by Rob Gennari of Glendale Botanicals.

Above and left: Containers designed Hilary Collingwood of Moonflower Farm.

‘I Feel

the Need to Feed’

Amy Butterworth Retires (but She’ll Never Leave)

On Friday, Feb. 28, her last official day as a paid staff member of Berkshire Botanical Garden, Amy Butterworth was dressed to impress — or perhaps to amuse. Red boots, a mink stole flung over her shoulder, and a petticoat swishing as she made her rounds, all purchased years ago at Harvest Festival tag sales. At her desk, a conga line of well-wishers, presenting flowers and good tidings, came to pay her respect. Amy took it all in, a faux martini in one hand and a fake cigarette in the other.

What was this outfit called?

“Regal,” she declared with a grin.

After a lifetime intertwined with the Garden — first as a child roaming the grounds, then as a volunteer and finally as an employee — Amy Butterworth retired. But if you think you’ve seen the last of her at BBG, think again. “I’ll be back for every art opening, plant sale and major event,” she promised with her trademark combination of warmth and mischief.

“You’ll all be saying, ‘What the hell?’”

Amy’s last official title at BBG was Operations Manager, but on her final day, she proudly wore all five of her accrued name tags: Membership Director, Operations Manager, Membership Coordinator, Office Manager, and, at last, Retired. It was the culmination of a career that began in 2014 — officially, anyway. Amy had already put in two decades as a volunteer by then, often holding court at the legendary Opportunity Dress Shop during BBG’s iconic Harvest Festival.

“I’ve attended more than 60 Harvest Festivals,” she said. “First as a kid, then with my own kids, Jancy and Tim. They’ve never missed one.” Amy’s family connection runs even deeper. Her mother

was on the BBG board in the mid-1960s, and Amy herself took classes as a child with BBG’s famed director, Roy Boutard. “My mom used to bring us here just to play in the gardens,” she recalled. “We had free rein.”

For Amy, BBG has always been as much about people as plants. And though she wasn’t out there digging in soil, her work behind the scenes was its own kind of cultivation — ever patient, thoughtful, intentional, resourceful, madcap, and deeply rooted in care.

Ask anyone on staff, and they’ll tell you: Amy is the Garden, the unflappable fixed point, the portal to the soul of this place. Her calm, honest wisdom has been her calling card since day one. But so has something else.

“I feel the need to feed,” she would often say. It’s not just about snacks — though she’s prepared countless ones for staff and Garden events — but about nurturing the BBG community. Maternal, merry, creative, homespun, professional: Amy embodies everything this community garden strives to be.

“I’m really all about people enjoying the experience here,” she said, “showing them more about the Garden than they may have known.”

Executive Director Mike Beck, who hired her shortly after he arrived, called Amy “a smiling, happy presence. She’s worn many hats here and made all of our lives better.”

For Margaret Leahy, BBG’s camp director, Amy’s next chapter will be “joyful, because she brings joy.” And Visitor Center Manager Krissy Romano called Amy the “best co-worker ever.”

So what’s next for Amy Butterworth?

Plenty. She’s envisioning “lots of pottery” (her number one hobby for the past 20 years), volunteering at the Humane Society walking dogs and giving time to the local food pantry in Great Barrington. She’ll spend more time with her husband Brian — himself retired — and with the sprawling Butterworth clan. Her four sisters all live nearby, as does her son. She’s hoping her daughter moves back soon, too (“please, please, please”).

“I’m not in the least frightened,” Amy said of retirement.

She joked that she’s looking forward to cleaning her house and getting some neglected exercise.

On the evening of her retirement party inside the Fitzpatrick Greenhouse — home of the annual Bulb Show — Amy looked around at the friends and colleagues who had gathered. “I love you guys all so much,” she said. “I have never enjoyed working at any place more than here.”

It wasn’t goodbye. It was just “See you soon.”

She’ll be as regal as ever.

Amy Butterworth has worn many hats — and name tags — in her time at Berkshire Botanical Garden.

Berkshire Botanical Garden Executive Director Mike Beck and Trustee Chair Matt Larkin, beside the Education Building where 102 solar panels were installed this spring.

Watts Going On?

Our New Solar Project Is Complete

Berkshire Botanical Garden has made a significant step toward sustainability with the installation of a state-of-the-art solar panel system. The new system, which includes 102 solar panels on the roof of BBG’s Education Building, went online in April.

“Berkshire Botanical Garden has been a valuable resource to our community dating back to 1934,” said BBG Executive Director Mike Beck. “As an organization that shares information about sustainability, it is vitally important that our operating systems are as environmentally sound as possible, to set an example for our visitors and the larger community.”

The $121,000 project was paid for through a generous $45,132 match from Tern Foundation’s TernSOLAR Challenge Grant Program. BBG raised $45,132. The remainder was paid for through a 30 percent IRS credit that became available under the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act.

Tern Foundation’s TernSOLAR challenge grant program is designed to expand renewable energy use in Massachusetts communities, making solar technology more accessible to nonprofit organizations. Grants are offered to dynamic nonprofits whose leaders engage creatively with their

“As an organization that shares information about sustainability, it is vitally important that our operating systems are as environmentally sound as possible, to set an example for our visitors and the larger community.”

Visit our gift shop!

Here you can find gifts, garden-related items and tools, souvenirs, Herb Associates oils, vinegars and jellies, plus snacks and cold beverages. The Gift Shop is open Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., May through October.

communities and also consider future generations and the natural environment in their strategic priorities and sustainability planning. Since 2010, Tern Foundation has funded more than 30 solar projects and associated environmental education initiatives.

A utility interconnection agreement with utility provider National Grid allows any excess electrical production to offset electrical use throughout BBG’s grounds and buildings The panels will generate power to offset more than 67 percent of BBG’s previous electricity use, in a carbon-neutral way. BBG will realize about $13,000 in annual savings at current electricity prices.

Beck said the presence of an on-site photovoltaic array can serve as a powerful tool for educating and inspiring BBG’s 40,000 annual visitors about the benefits of carbon-neutral, renewable energy. The solar panel array’s location is at the hub of much of BBG’s adult and youth educational programming, including the Horticulture Certificate Program, the spring and summer Farm in the Garden youth day camps, the annual Mother’s Day weekend Plant Sale, the mid-summer Grow Show, the fall Harvest Festival, and December’s Holiday Marketplace.

Located in the BBG Visitor Center.

Berkshire Botanical Garden and MassDOT Join Forces to Combat Invasive Species Along Route 7

In an urgent and visible response to the growing threat of invasive plant species, Berkshire Botanical Garden (BBG), with the support and permission of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, led a volunteer initiative to manually remove invasive vegetation — primarily bittersweet, buckthorn, garlic mustard, and honeysuckle — from the roadside at mile marker 15.5 on Route 7 in Great Barrington.

The community-focused action took place on Friday, May 2, with BBG staff and a team of volunteers, including students from the Environmental Science program at Taconic High School in Pittsfield.

“Invasive species are winning the war on our native plants — and it’s time to fight back,” said Jennifer Patton,

BBG’s Director of Education. “Even one stretch of cleared land can begin to shift the balance, both ecologically and psychologically. This isn’t about one day of work — it’s about waking up to the urgency of the problem and empowering people to become part of the solution.”

SUPERB PLANTS, EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OUTSTANDING QUALITY, SELECTION & VALUE

We offer hardy field-grown plant materials, including Chinese or Kousa dogwood; the native Berkshire strain of Cornus florida; native birch; hybrid lilacs; viburnums; hydrangea paniculata selections; American Fringe trees; witchhazels; blueberries; winterberries; espaliered fruit trees; mature apple and pear trees; extensive selection of herbaceous, tree and Itoh or intersectional peonies.

OPEN DAILY 9-5

Invasive species of plants spread aggressively, displacing native plants, degrading wildlife habitat and destabilizing ecosystems. While one day’s work cannot solve the problem, BBG hopes to inspire sustained, cooperative efforts across the region.

The removal work included a team of volunteers and students from the Environmental Science program at Taconic High School in Pittsfield. We also received a visit — and a helping hand — from MassDOT Division 1 Director Francisca Heming, along with her colleagues Michael Fabiano and Brian Ducey.

“MassDOT Highway thanks Berkshire Botanical Garden and Taconic High School for their efforts to clean our roadways,” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “The agency values its partnerships with local organizations and schools that help make our roadways safe and beautiful.”

Following the cleanup, the Garden held a giveaway on Sunday, May 4, of bare root trees — including White Oak, Eastern Pine, Silky Dogwood, and Sugar Maple. These native trees offer longterm environmental benefits for people, pollinators and the planet.

“Restoring balance starts with action — on the roadsides, in our backyards and in our minds,” said Patton. “The invasive removal project and the tree giveaway are two sides of the same coin: clearing what doesn’t belong and planting what does.”

What Can We Do About Invasives?

Invasive species like oriental bittersweet, Japanese knotweed, honeysuckle, buckthorn, and multiflora rose are aggressive, resilient and extremely difficult to eradicate once established. However, there are natural and ecologically sensitive strategies that can help manage or suppress them. These methods often require patience and persistence and a combination of techniques.

Manual Removal and Mechanical Control

• Hand pulling (for young plants or shallow-rooted species): Remove roots completely.

• Repetitive cutting or mowing throughout the growing season: This can deplete the root reserves.

• Girdling: For woody invasives, cutting a ring through the bark can eventually kill the tree without herbicides.

Soil Solarization

• Especially for Japanese knotweed and bittersweet: Cover affected areas with heavy black plastic or silage tarps in summer. This solarizes the soil, cooking roots and rhizomes.

• Leave in place for six to 12 months.

Restoration with Native Plants

• Replant aggressively with native species after removal. Choose competitive natives adapted to the site conditions

• These species help crowd out invasives and rebuild soil health.

Horticulturist Jen Werner will lead a class, “Invasives: Plants and Insects,” on Saturdays, Jan. 10 through 31, here at BBG. Learn more about it in the listings section ahead.

HOLIDAY MARKET PLACE

Saturday & Sunday, December 6–7

Preview Party, December 5, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Legendary Gallery of Wreaths

Artisan Craft Vendors • Children’s Activities

Holiday Blooming Plants and Garlands

Succulent Arrangements

Autumn in Full Bloom

Our Annual Harvest Festival

As the hills turn gold and crimson and the scent of woodsmoke mingles with crisp October air, one of the Berkshires’ most beloved traditions prepares to welcome fall in all its glory. Berkshire Botanical Garden’s annual Harvest Festival, a cornerstone of the region’s seasonal calendar, returns Oct. 11 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, bringing with it a festive swirl of color, community, and classic autumn charm.

Now in its latest incarnation of a tradition that dates back to the 91-yearold Garden’s very founding, the event will once again transform the 24-acre grounds at 5 West Stockbridge Road into a bustling celebration of harvest season.

“It’s a true Berkshire moment,” said Berkshire Botanical Garden Trustee Chair Matt Larkin. “Whether you’re here for the live music, the food, the crafts, or just the fall foliage, there’s something for everyone.”

A Feast for the Senses

Festivalgoers can expect a full lineup of family entertainment, including live music and games, plus a curated selection of more than 80 regional artisans and food vendors. A highlight this year is the Garden’s botanical bakery, dishing out sweets, treats, chili, and bisque alongside a festive beer garden and a variety of food trucks sure to satisfy any craving.

A huge plant sale offers green thumbs the chance to take home something special for their own gardens, while a new twist on the traditional tag sale — the accessorize sale — will feature a stylish array of clothing, belts, scarves, jewelry, and shoes.

Each year, the array of offerings promises a fresh and vibrant experience.

“We’re reimagining some aspects of the event while keeping the heart of it the same,” said Director of Special Events Danielle Pellerin.

“Whether you’re here for the live music, the food, the crafts, or just the fall foliage, there’s something for everyone.”

–Matt Larkin, BBG Board Chair

For the Young and the Young-at-Heart

Families can look forward to hands-on fun with games, a lively obstacle course and plenty of space to roam and explore. And with continuous entertainment throughout the weekend, there’s always something around the next corner to discover.

A Berkshire Tradition

More than just a festival, the event is a celebration of community and seasonality — an annual gathering that captures the spirit of the Berkshires in full autumnal bloom. It’s the time of year when neighbors reconnect, visitors return and the Garden becomes a village unto itself.

As the Garden opens its gates for this year’s Harvest Festival, it invites locals and leaf-peepers alike to enjoy a weekend of simple joys, shared stories and the rich, earthy beauty of fall in Stockbridge. Admission is free for children under 12, and all are welcome to bring their autumn spirit and a hearty appetite.

Now booking for 2025 and 2026. Please call our director of special events: 413-652-4321 or email events@berkshirebotanical.org

GROUND/ WORK 2025

JUNE

28, 2025–OCTOBER 12, 2026

Discover remarkable outdoor sculptures situated across the Clark’s campus meadows and woodland trails. Ground/work 2025 features specially commissioned works by leading international artists Yō Akiyama, Laura Ellen Bacon, Aboubakar Fofana, Hugh Hayden, Milena Naef, and Javier Senosiain exploring global conceptions of craft: the means by which artists transform the world around them.

Ground/work 2025 is made possible by Denise Littlefield Sobel. Image: Laura Ellen Bacon portrait by Alun Callender

Saturday, August 9, 1–5 p.m. & Sunday, August 10, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

All ages and experience levels are welcome to enter this blue-ribbon event. Submit your own entries in the show or stop by and take in the talents of regional gardeners, flower designers, and photographers.

Continuing 55-year tradition of growing and showing! FREE

Pre-register Floral Design and Horticulture entries at BerkshireBotanical.org 5 West Stockbridge Road (Rtes. 102/183) Stockbridge, MA • 413-298-3926

Horticulture Certificate Program and Advanced Certificate in Horticulture and Design

FALL 2025 — WINTER SPRING 2026

Berkshire Botanical Garden’s Horticulture Certificate Program AND the Advanced Certificate in Horticulture and Design are two levels of a non-credit, adult enrichment program designed for the professional, aspiring professional or serious home gardener. Students can choose to either take classes towards receiving a certificate or audit individual classes of interest.

Taught by inspiring horticulturists and landscape designers, these in-depth classes provide a strong foundation for all horticultural pursuits, whether you are exploring or advancing career goals or simply acquiring or expanding your knowledge, skills and enjoyment of gardening. Classes include lectures and hands-on workshops/design studios.

Visit BerkshireBotanical.org for more information or to register.

Level I Certificate In Horticulture

Level I courses cover material essential for a foundation in good gardening practices. This certificate provides a strong foundation for all horticultural pursuits, whether exploring or advancing career goals or simply expanding knowledge skills and enjoyment of gardening. The Level I Certificate in Horticulture requires completion of all seven Level I courses and a garden practicum. (approximately 90 hours plus 15 practicum hours)

FALL SEMESTER 2025

Herbaceous Plants

Tuesdays, Sept. 2 through 23, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Members: $215/Non-Members: $240

Ornamental Woody Plants

Tuesdays, Sept. 30 through Oct. 21, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Members: $215/Non-Members: $240

Soil and Soil Amendments

Tuesdays, Oct. 28, Nov. 11, 18, 25 on ZOOM, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Nov. 4 in person, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Members: $215/Non-Members: $240

Plant Health Care

Tuesdays, Dec. 2 through Jan. 6, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Members: $215/Non-Members: $240

SPRING SEMESTER 2026

The Science of Plant Propagation

Saturday, Jan. 3 and Sunday, Jan. 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Members: $215/Non-Members: $240

Introduction to Natives and Invasives

Tuesdays, Jan. 13 through Jan. 27 on ZOOM, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Thursdays, Feb. 5 through 19 on ZOOM, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Members: $215/Non-Members: $240

Landscape Design I

Tuesdays, March 3 through April 14, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Members: $310/Non-Members: $350

Level 2 Certificate In Horticulture & Design

Upon completing the Level I Horticulture Certificate Program, students can work towards an advanced certificate. Level 2 courses expand a student’s horticulture and design knowledge. The Level 2 Certificate in Horticulture and Design requires completion of all ten Level 2 courses.

Prerequisite: Level I Certificate in Horticulture or equivalent.

Changes in schedule may occur, and additional qualifying courses may be added. Certain classes may qualify for Continuing Education Credits. Visit BerkshireBotanical.org for the most up-to-date information.

Pat Hogan will lead the art class “Putting It All Together” on Wednesdays, July 9 through Aug. 13, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., as well as “Mixing the Autumn Palette” on Wednesdays, Oct. 15 through Nov. 19, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

See details in the listings ahead.

JUNE THROUGH DECEMBER 2025

Berkshire Botanical Garden’s summer and fall classes include arts and science-based classes, cooking, wine tasting, experiential learning, and study tours. Please join us for one or more of these exciting classes.

Scan now to explore our program listings online and to register or visit BerkshireBotanical.org.

Classes, Lectures and Workshops

ONLINE Our online classes are offered over Zoom. Students receive class log-in information and materials lists, when applicable, once they’ve registered.

IN-PERSON The location of onsite classes is subject to change. Students will be notified as soon as possible if classes require a change in location.

HYBRID These classes are held both online and in person. They feature the lecture portion of class online and a hands-on component in-person and outdoors.

OFFSITE These classes are held off-site.

HHORTICULTURE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

This symbol denotes Horticulture Certificate Program classes, workshops and lectures open both to students seeking credit towards one of BBG’s horticulture certificates as well as the general public. Please visit BerkshireBotanical.org or call 413-357-4657 for additional information.

ADVANCED HORTICULTURE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

HaThis symbol denotes Advanced Horticulture Certificate Program classes, workshops and lectures open both to students seeking credit towards one of BBG’s horticulture certificates as well as the general public. Please visit BerkshireBotanical.org or call 413-357-4657 for additional information.

JUNE

Community Read: “The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating” OFFSITE at Stockbridge Library

Thursday, June 5, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Free

Join author Elisabeth Tova Bailey over Zoom at the Stockbridge Library to discuss the book with other community members. The book recounts the author’s observations of a Neohelix albolabris land snail that lived in a terrarium beside her bed while she was bedridden due to dysautonomia, mitochondrial disease and chronic fatigue syndrome. The snail’s presence provided her with a chance to explore its unique anatomy and behavior, offering comfort and a sense of connection as she navigated her illness.

Tour of Native Plant Trust and Andrews Greenhouse OFFSITE

Tuesday, June 24, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tour begins at 10:30 a.m.

Members: $110/Non-Members: $130 With Transportation: Members: $120/Non-Members: $150

Join us for a day of discovery and inspiration. Our first stop is the Native Plant Trust’s Garden in the Woods in Framingham, a living museum of native plants in a stunning woodland setting. From there, we’ll take a scenic detour to the Montague Bookmill, a quirky bookstore housed in an 1842 gristmill, where you’ll have time to browse and enjoy lunch at the charming Lady Killigrew Café (lunch not included). We’ll end the day exploring the vibrant selections at Andrews Greenhouse, a local favorite for plant lovers. Optional Transportation: Travel with us on the BBG van for an additional $10. Meet at BBG at 8:30 a.m.; we’ll return by approximately 4:30 p.m.

Kitchen classes are sponsored by Guido’s Fresh Marketplace with stores located in Great Barrington and Pittsfield.

Evening Firefly Watch  IN-PERSON at BBG

Friday, June 27, 8 to 9:30 p.m.

Members: $15/Non-Members: $25 per adult, children under 12 FREE

Experience a magical summer firefly light show with Nicaela Haig as you learn about the lives and habitat needs of fireflies and view their ephemeral glowing light. After a brief indoor introduction, we’ll take a twilight stroll around the gardens and meadows for firefly viewing while keeping our eyes open for the stars and planets, and listening for twilight birds and mammals. Participants will also learn ways to support firefly health in their yard and community.

Forest Bathing

IN-PERSON at BBG

Saturday, June 28, 2 to 4 p.m.

Members: $25/Non-Members: $40

Forest bathing, or Shinrin Yoku, is centered around opening oneself to the healing power of the natural world. Studies have shown that forest bathing helps lower stress and anxiety, strengthen immune function, improve cardiovascular and metabolic health, and boost overall well-being. Through a two-hour guided session, led by Zach Rissman, participants can slow down and experience deep rest, relaxation, presence, and healing. Come join us to connect more deeply with yourself, other like-minded people and the natural world.

Curator and Artist Talk, ‘DayDream’

IN-PERSON at BBG

Saturday, June 28, 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Members: $25/Non-Members: $40

This summer, Berkshire Botanical Garden will transform into a haven for artistic reverie with “DayDream,” a new exhibition featuring works by some of the most renowned names in contemporary and modern art. “DayDream” runs from June 6 through Aug. 11, in the Leonhardt Galleries, and invites visitors to escape the everyday and immerse themselves in the boundless possibilities of the imagination. Curator James Salomon will invite several artists from the exhibition to join him for a gallery conversation about their art.

JULY

Putting It All Together Art Class

IN-PERSON at BBG

Wednesdays, July 9 through Aug. 13, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Members: $285/Non-Members: $310

Capture the lively spirit of late summer in this art class led by Pat Hogan. This time of year in the Garden offers a wonderful opportunity to observe the energy and rhythm of people at work and play. In this class, students will sketch quick gesture studies of figures tending the beds, wandering the maze and soaking in the scenery. Then, they’ll return to the studio, where these dynamic figures will breathe life and movement into watercolor landscapes.

Serving the Berkshires since 1981

Sunset Yoga in the Garden

IN-PERSON at BBG

Thursdays, July 10 through Sept. 11, 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.

Members: Free/Non-Members: Free

Yoga in the Garden is returning to the Fitzpatrick Lawn at sunset. This free outdoor program is appropriate for all skill levels and is a perfect way to end the day. Classes are led by Kathi Cafiero, a Kripalu-certified and Legacy Yoga Teacher, who has been teaching the physical and spiritual benefits of yoga for over 25 years. This is her twelfth season at BBG. Please bring your own mat and props. No bathroom facilities are available. In the event of inclement weather, class cancellations will be posted by 3 p.m. on the day of the class Please check the Programs page at BerkshireBotanical.org for the latest updates.

Wines of France: A Pre-Bastille Day Celebration

IN-PERSON at BBG

Thursday, July 10, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Members: $60/Non-Members: $80

Join Dare Bottleshop & Provisions and fellow wine lovers for an intimate evening at the BBG Center House as we raise a glass to the best of French wine at the height of the summer season! This engaging seminar will take guests on a journey through France’s most iconic wine regions — one sip at a time. Explore a thoughtfully curated selection of wines representing diverse styles, grapes and terroirs, all while learning about the history and modern-day significance of French wine in the global landscape. Perfect for wine enthusiasts of all levels — from curious beginners to seasoned connoisseurs. A cheese and charcuterie board will be provided to complement the tasting, and special event sale pricing will be available on all featured wines, courtesy of Dare.

GLENDALE

Sakonnet and Issima Tour by Bus OFFSITE

Wednesday, July 23, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Members: $180/Non-Members: $210

Join us for a full-day summer escape to coastal Rhode Island. We’ll begin with a private tour of Sakonnet Garden in Little Compton, R.I. — a hidden gem nestled in a native seaside landscape. Designed as an intimate, cottage-style garden, Sakonnet features winding paths, enchanting outdoor “rooms” and creative plantings that reflect decades of thoughtful experimentation with light, space and color. After our garden tour, we’ll head to Groundswell Café & Bakery in Tiverton for a relaxing lunch (at your own expense), then finish the day with a visit to Issima Nursery, known for its unique selection of hardy, under-cultivated, and garden-worthy plants. A chartered bus will provide round-trip transportation.

AUGUST

Mount Greylock Summit Tour OFFSITE

Sunday, Aug. 10, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Members: $60/Non-Members: $80 (with transportation $70/$90)

Park at the summit and join Ted Elliman for a walk along the high-elevation trails of Mount Greylock, where we’ll explore the red spruce–balsam fir zone — an ecosystem rarely found in Massachusetts and most prominently represented here at the mountain’s peak. Along the way, we’ll examine a range of montane flora uniquely adapted to this environment, including mountain ash, Bartram’s shadbush, hobblebush, heart-leaf birch, large-leaf goldenrod, twisted-stalk, Labrador tea, mountain wood-fern, and many other species that thrive in the cool, spruce-fir forests of Greylock’s upper slopes. Optional Transportation: Travel with us on the BBG van for an additional $10.

Drawing on the Land: A Design Symposium

Saturday, Aug. 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Rockland Farm, Canaan, N.Y.

Join Dean Riddle, Frances Palmer, Kathryn Herman, and Roy Diblick for a symposium on ornamental garden design. This program will be hosted at Rockland Farm in Canaan, N.Y., in a restored barn located amidst a beautiful garden. All four speakers will focus on design from different perspectives. Lunch is included, and a garden tour and reception will follow the program.

Members: $120/Non-Members: $150

Dean Riddle first fell in love with the native plants of the southern Appalachians. That passion led him to spend a year interning at Hillier Nurseries in Hampshire, England, where he cared for a renowned collection of shrubs and trees. Still, tucked in the back of his mind were memories of his grandmother’s garden — bursting with ripe tomatoes and colorful zinnias. Later, when he found himself in the Catskills, he planted a kitchen garden for his friend Kate Pierson, singer of the B-52s. “I had gone from being a snooty horticulture student, obsessed with orchards and rare woody plants, to growing a kitchen and flower garden where I could simply go out and pick fresh lettuce,” he told The New York Times. Since 1990 he has run a small garden design/ build company in the Catskills and Hudson Valley. Riddle is the author of the book “Out in the Garden: Growing a Beautiful Life” (HarperCollins). He lives in Livingston Manor, N.Y.

Roy Diblick is co-owner of Northwind Perennial Farm in Burlington, Wis. He has been growing traditional and native perennials since 1978. His garden designs emphasize plant relationships to maintenance strategies and costs. Diblick’s design and planting projects include the Louis Sullivan Arch for the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago and the lakeside plantings at the Shedd Aquarium. He recently designed the perennial plantings for Scott Byron’s new garden design for the Chicago History Museum and a 12,000-square-foot gravel garden for the Argonne National Laboratory, which houses the world’s biggest computer. His book “The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden” (Timber Press) highlights his perennial gardening practice.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY. Space is limited.

Frances Palmer has been working in ceramics since 1987. Though trained as an art historian, she has always been drawn to creating with her hands. She began as a printmaker, but over time her creative practice evolved to include pottery and gardening — two disciplines that, like printmaking, transform ideas into tangible form. Palmer doesn’t create or cultivate to keep things for herself; instead, she finds joy in sending her work out into the world for others to use and appreciate. Her ceramics—whether everyday dishware or distinctive vases — are functional pieces of art, thoughtfully handmade and intended for daily life. Each one, regardless of size or shape, is treated as a unique expression. She feels honored to know that her work is part of people’s lives across the country, especially when it’s present during shared meals, celebrations, and the simple joys of gathering with others.

Kathryn Herman is the principal at Kathryn Herman Design, based in New Canaan, Conn. With 28 years of experience, she brings a rich horticultural background, a deep appreciation for architecture and insights gained from extensive global travel to her residential and commercial projects across the United States and internationally. Her thoughtful and sophisticated designs have earned widespread recognition, including multiple Palladio and Stanford White Awards, as well as honors from the Connecticut and New York Chapters of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Her work has been featured in leading publications both in the U.S. and abroad, including Veranda, House & Garden UK and Architectural Digest. In 2012, Kathryn was inducted into the New England Design Hall of Fame for her contributions to landscape architecture in the region. She was named a “Star of Design” by the Pacific Design Center in 2017, and in 2018 she received the prestigious Arthur Ross Award.

Native Habitat Restoration

SEPTEMBER

Herbaceous Plants H

IN-PERSON at BBG

Tuesdays, Sept. 2 through 23, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Members: $215/Non-Members: $240

This intensive four-session class led by Lee Buttala explores the world of herbaceous plants, from their identification, selection and use in the garden through their basic botany, life cycle and propagation. Participants are asked to create a final project highlighting a genus or plant family related to the curriculum.

A part of the Level 1 horticulture core curriculum, this class is essential for the committed gardener and includes lectures, hands-on activities, field study, and group discussion. The class aspires to give participants a deeper understanding of annuals, perennials and ornamental vegetables and their role in the garden. Students should dress for outdoor field study. All students participating in this class as part of the Horticulture Certificate Program are required to complete a final project.

Frances Palmer Gallery Talk

IN-PERSON at BBG

Friday, Sept. 5, 6 to 7:15 p.m.

Members: $25/Non-Members: $40

Gallery talk led by artist, writer and gardener Frances Palmer, whose exhibition, “Works by Frances Palmer: Terracotta and Floral Photography” runs from Aug. 15 through Oct. 5, in the Leonhardt Galleries. A reception to follow.

Drafting for Garden Design a H

IN-PERSON at BBG

Saturdays, Sept. 6 through 27, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Members: $215/Non-Members: $240

This four-week studio-intensive course introduces the fundamental drafting skills needed to accurately document and communicate scaled site plans. Students will become familiar with essential tools and materials, including reference books, drafting supplies, media types, line weights, lettering styles, and how to read and use scale. Through live demonstrations and hands-on exercises, students will practice professional drawing techniques and begin drafting basic site plans while also exploring the art of map-making. In the second half of the course, the focus will shift to developing a personalized landscape graphics palette — learning how to illustrate trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcovers, along with hardscape elements like stone terraces. Taught by Tom Smith of Springfield Technical Community College.

The Cook’s Garden IN-PERSON at BBG

Saturday, Sept. 6, 2 to 4 p.m.

Members: $25/Non-Members: $40

Kevin West, author of “The Cook’s Garden: A Gardener’s Guide to Selecting, Growing, and Savoring the Tastiest Vegetables of Each Season,” will lead a talk on growing your own garden and incorporating homegrown produce into everyday cooking. The event includes a kitchen demonstration.

Create

a Butterfly Garden IN-PERSON at BBG

Saturday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m. to noon

Members: $25/Non-Members: $40

Attracting butterflies to your yard with native plants is a rewarding way to support local wildlife, increase the ecological value of your property and connect with the natural world. Led by Duncan Himmelman, learn how to design a butterfly garden and discover plants that provide nectar for adult butterflies and foliage for their caterpillars. Leave with two simple garden plans that create beautiful sanctuaries for these colorful pollinators.

Native Plants for Year-Round Interest

IN-PERSON at BBG

Saturday, Sept. 13, 1 to 3 p.m.

Members: $25/Non-Members: $40

Transform your garden into a stunning, season-spanning landscape with the power of native plants. Instructor Duncan Himmelman will guide you through the beauty and benefits of incorporating native trees, shrubs and perennials into your outdoor spaces. Discover a wide range of plants perfectly suited to your local environment — bringing vibrant color, rich texture and ecological value from spring through winter. Whether you’re refreshing your garden or starting from scratch, this class will inspire and inform your next planting season.

Introduction to New Works

FÊTE DES FLEURS

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

SATURDAY, JULY 19 | 4 TO 7 P.M.

Plants for the Winter Garden, Talk and Book Sale/Signing

IN-PERSON at BBG

Saturday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m. to noon

Members: $25/Non-Members: $40

Discover how to bring beauty, structure and interest to your garden — even in the depths of winter. Join acclaimed plantsman Warren Leach for an inspiring talk based on his new book, “Plants for the Winter Garden,” a comprehensive guide to designing and planting gardens that shine through the coldest months. Warren will highlight a wide range of cold-hardy trees, shrubs and perennials that add interest with colorful twigs, buds, berries, seed pods, and even blooms. He’ll also share his expert design tips for using structural elements like stone walls, pathways and frost-resistant containers to enhance your winter landscape.

Designing a Children’s Garden: Nurturing Wonder in Nature

IN-PERSON at BBG

Saturday, Sept. 20, 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Members: $25/Non-Members: $40

Whether or not you have children in your life, your home landscape can — and should — spark curiosity, imagination and joy. This uplifting program is designed to awaken a lifelong love of nature by transforming your garden into a place of discovery and delight. Learn creative strategies for revealing the hidden corners of your yard, making them more inviting and full of wonder. Explore ways to welcome fascinating creatures like pollinators and amphibians — not just as harmless guests, but as essential players in a healthy ecosystem. And, of course, enjoy a lively tour of whimsical and unusual plants that captivate the senses and ignite the imagination — the perfect additions for gardeners of all ages. This brand-new program was created especially for BBG by Chris Ferrero, who brings over a decade of experience and has delighted audiences with more than 20 garden talks for home gardeners. Come ready to be inspired.

The Inner Harvest: A Meditation Gathering for the Autumnal Equinox

IN-PERSON at BBG

Saturday, Sept. 20, 5 to 6 p.m.

Members: $20/Non-Members: $30

Take time to explore your “inner harvest” during this season of autumn — a natural moment for both letting go and gathering in. Join mindfulness facilitator Sandrine Harris for a gently guided experience that includes outdoor walking, quiet sitting and meditative reflection, inviting you to connect deeply with the rhythms of the season and the transitions within your own life.

Flowers on Paper: Plant Dyes and Book Art IN-PERSON at BBG

Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27 and 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Members: $170/Non-Members: $190

Join Berkshire artist and writer Suzi Banks Baum in BBG’s Mother Earth Lodge for a hands-on art workshop. We will harvest from the grounds of BBG just as the gardens reach their glorious peak of color. Expect to immerse yourself in the world of natural dyes and make intimate rituals of floral art. You will depart with a beautiful hand-bound book to inspire your creative practice. Along with harvesting and preparation of dyes, participants will be offered a daily centering meditation and writing prompts. A short materials list will be provided upon registration. There will be a materials fee of $15 per person, payable on the day of the workshop. Participants should bring an apron and their lunch.

Understanding Woody Plants H

IN-PERSON at BBG

Tuesdays, Sept. 30 through Oct. 21, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Members $215/Non-Members: $240

This four-session course, taught by Jenna O’Brien, will focus on the “bones” of the garden with a survey of ornamental woody plants for residential landscape design. Students will become familiar with the many garden-worthy woody plants that thrive in Zone 5, including ornamental shrubs, small flowering trees, shade trees, and broadleaf and needle evergreens. The course covers plant identification, selection, siting, cultivation, and possible design uses. Students should dress for outdoor field study. All students participating in this class as part of the Horticulture Certificate Program are required to complete a final project.

OCTOBER

New England Native Plant Design a H

Thursdays, Oct. 2 through 23, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Members: $215/Non-Members: $240

This four-week course, led by Bridghe McCracken, will help students better understand the principles and practices of ecological gardening with a focus on native plant communities. Students will learn the native plant palette, resources needed to identify these communities and habitats and methods of introducing native plants into gardens. Identifying and controlling invasive plant species, in addition to restoring areas that have been impacted by invasives, will also be highlighted. Gardeners will learn how to enhance garden spaces with native plants that create sustainable and low-maintenance gardens.

Mixing the Autumn Palette Art Class

IN-PERSON at BBG

Wednesdays, Oct. 15 through Nov. 19, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Members: $285/Non-Members: $310

As the leaves ignite in fiery reds, golden yellows and rich siennas, Berkshire Botanical Garden becomes a living canvas — just waiting to be captured in paint. Join acclaimed artist Pat Hogan for a six-week immersion into the art of autumn, where you’ll learn to mix the season’s signature hues, explore the power of a limited palette, and master techniques like glazing with transparent pigments to bring glowing depth to your work. Each session invites you to slow down, observe, and draw inspiration from the garden’s ever-changing tapestry. Whether you’re new to painting or looking to deepen your skills, this class is a colorful celebration of nature’s most dramatic season.

KitchenQi

IN-PERSON at BBG

Saturday, Oct. 25, 9 a.m. to noon

Members: $90/Non-Members: $110

Join Carole Murko of Love.Eat.Heal for a soul-nourishing fall KitchenQi workshop. Fall invites us to slow down, breathe deeply and let go. In Chinese medicine, it’s the season of the Metal element, linked to the lungs and large intestine — organs that help us release what we no longer need. It’s also a time when feelings of grief and reflection can naturally arise. In this calming and supportive workshop, Murko will guide you through gentle Qigong practices that open the lungs, deepen your breath and support emotional release. You’ll also join her in the kitchen to prepare a seasonal, healing menu designed to strengthen Lung Qi and offer warmth from the inside out. Come celebrate the gifts of autumn through mindful movement, intentional breathing and nourishing food — each step helping you reconnect with clarity, balance and the power of letting go.

Herbal

Alchemy: Crafting Oxymels for Wellness and Immunity

IN-PERSON at BBG

Saturday, Oct. 25, 1 to 3 p.m.

Members: $70/Non-Members: $90

Discover the magic of oxymels with Nicole Irene of The Enchanted Altar Apothecary in this engaging, hands-on workshop. Oxymels — traditional herbal remedies made from raw vinegar and honey — have been used for centuries to boost immunity, ease inflammation, aid digestion, and support the body’s natural balance. In this immersive class, you’ll learn how to craft your own nourishing blends using fresh and dried herbs, produce, botanical-infused vinegars, and raw local honey. We’ll explore the healing properties of plants, the folklore and seasonal wisdom behind them, and how to create remedies that align with the rhythms of nature. You’ll leave with your own custom-made oxymels, recipes and the knowledge to carry this beautiful tradition into your daily wellness routine. Ideal for herbal enthusiasts, home gardeners, kitchen witches, and anyone curious about herbal medicine — this class is an invitation to reconnect with the earth, the plants, and your inner healer.

Soil and Soil Amendments H

HYBRID

Tuesdays, Oct. 28, Nov. 11, 18 and 25 ONLINE, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 4 IN-PERSON, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Members: $215/Non-Members: $240

Healthy gardens start with healthy soil. In this five-session course, soil expert Monique Bosch will guide students through the essentials of soil science and its impact on plant growth — from drainage and pH to nutrient availability. You’ll learn how to assess your own soil, identify and improve problem areas, and amend soils for different gardening needs. Topics include fertilizers and amendments, composting techniques, moisture management, and the benefits and drawbacks of mulching. Before the first class, students are asked to obtain a soil test and bring the results to share and discuss.

NOVEMBER

Rendering a H IN-PERSON

at BBG

Saturdays, Nov. 1 through 22, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Members: $215/Non-Members: $240

Bring your garden designs to life through rendering — a vital drawing skill that adds depth, detail and visual impact to your work. This four-week, handson course is ideal for garden designers ready to move beyond basic drafting. Taught by Tom Smith of Springfield Technical Community College, the class focuses on developing lifelike visual representations that help communicate design concepts clearly and persuasively. With the class structured as a studio workshop, students will explore the artistic side of landscape design using B-range pencils and techniques like illustrative rendering, including sections, elevations, and plan obliques. Whether you’re a budding designer or a creative gardener, this class will sharpen your visual communication skills. Completion of Drafting for Garden Design or equivalent coursework is a prerequisite.

Chainsaw Skills Workshop for Beginners

IN-PERSON at BBG

Saturday, Nov. 1, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Members: $200/Non-Members: $235

Led by expert arborists Melissa LeVangie Ingersoll and Bear LeVangie, this hands-on workshop will teach you how to use a chainsaw safely and effectively. This workshop is perfect for beginners or those with limited chainsaw experience who want to build confidence using this powerful tool. You’ll learn personal protective equipment (PPE); chainsaw anatomy and basic maintenance; handling reactive forces; additional tools for chainsaw use; hazard identification and escape planning; and log analysis and cutting techniques (including bucking, limbing and cutting tips). Through a mix of lectures and practical exercises, you’ll gain skills in chainsaw operation, safety and productivity. You’ll also have the opportunity to cut logs either on the ground or elevated on sawhorses. All equipment will be provided. If you have your own chainsaw or PPE, feel free to bring them. Dress appropriately for the weather with long sleeves, pants, and sturdy boots. Bring a packed lunch. By the end of the workshop, you’ll feel more confident and knowledgeable in operating a chainsaw with a strong focus on safety and effective techniques.

Chainsaw Skills Workshop Level 2

IN-PERSON at BBG

Sunday, Nov. 2, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Members: $200/Non-Members: $235

If you’ve already taken a chainsaw safety course and are comfortable with the basics, this workshop is designed to help you build confidence and take your skills to the next level. Ideal for the part-time chainsaw operator, this hands-on course goes beyond cutting firewood and introduces advanced techniques like directional felling of small standing or downed trees. You’ll learn how to apply different types of notches to guide the outcome of your cuts with greater accuracy and control.

Led by expert arborists Melissa LeVangie Ingersoll and Bear LeVangie, the workshop blends classroom instruction with field-based learning. We’ll review essential topics including personal protective equipment, the anatomy of a chainsaw, reactive forces, basic maintenance, and useful tools that complement safe operation. In the field, you’ll identify hazards, plan escape routes, analyze log binds, and practice techniques such as bucking, limbing and notching. You’ll also gain experience implementing cubing plans, creating secure felling setups, and applying practical tips for working more efficiently. Participants will actively cut logs, practice felling notches, and take down small trees under supervision. By the end of the course, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how to operate your chainsaw safely and effectively, with a focus on technique, planning, and control. Prior participation in a chainsaw safety course is required. All equipment will be provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own chainsaw and personal protective gear if you have it. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather, including long sleeves, pants and sturdy boots. Don’t forget to bring a bag lunch and plenty of water for the day.

The Beauty of Beaujolais:

A Beaujolais Nouveau Day Celebration

IN-PERSON at BBG

Thursday, Nov. 20, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Members: $60/Non-Members: $80

Join Dare Bottleshop & Provisions and fellow wine lovers for an intimate evening at BBG’s Center House as we celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau Day — historically celebrated on the third Thursday of November — with a deep dive into one of France’s most charming and expressive wine regions: Beaujolais. This engaging seminar will take guests on a journey through the rolling hills of Beaujolais via their wine glasses, showcasing a dynamic range of styles — from the fresh, fruity energy of Nouveau to the structured elegance of Crulevel wines. Along the way, we’ll explore the region’s unique grapes, winemaking traditions, and its evolving place in today’s wine world. A cheese and charcuterie board will be provided to complement the tasting, and special event sale pricing will be available on all featured wines, courtesy of Dare.

steve earle

shawn colvin & rodney crowell los lobos pure prairie league together on stage sat jun 14 at 8pm sat jun 21 at 8pm fri jun 20 at 8pm thu

ROOTED IN PLACE

ECOLOGICAL SYMPOSIUM

A Day of Stories, Seeds and Stewardship, Exploring the Deep Connections Between Culture and Biodiversity

Sunday, November 9, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Berkshire Botanical Garden

Members: $85/Non-Members: $105

This fall, take a step into the heart of cultural ecology with BBG’s annual Rooted in Place

Ecological Symposium, an immersive day-long gathering. This dynamic symposium invites nature lovers, gardeners, farmers, educators, and environmental stewards to explore how stories, seeds and land connect us all. Lunch is included.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Abra Lee

Cultivating the Untold Stories of Black Gardeners and Growers

Horticulturist, author, and storyteller Abra Lee will headline the symposium with a keynote address that brings to life the often-overlooked history of Black Americans in horticulture. Drawing on her forthcoming book, “Conquer the Soil: Black America and the Untold Stories of Our Country’s Gardeners, Farmers, and Growers” (Timber Press), Lee will share riveting narratives — from one of the first Black plant shop owners of the Roaring Twenties to a true tale of espionage with roots in the Harlem Renaissance. Lee, a Georgia native with a degree in ornamental horticulture from Auburn University, has made it her mission to unearth and amplify these hidden histories, connecting cultural heritage to ecological legacy.

Nature. Reimagine Culture. Grow Community.

FEATURED SPEAKERS AND PRESENTERS

K Greene & Douglas Muller

Hudson Valley Seed Company

Seed stewards and co-founders of the beloved Hudson Valley Seed Company, Greene and Muller will discuss their mission to protect heirloom and open-pollinated seeds while celebrating the art and ethics of seed stewardship.

Kevin West Author, Gardener, Cook

With a passion for preserving food culture, West will explore how growing and preserving food connects us to place, memory, and sustainability.

FARMING WHILE BLACK

A panel discussion on the feature film about the rising generation of young black farmers.

Rooted in Place is a call to action for how we engage with the land and each other. Through storytelling, seed knowledge and the wisdom of those rooted in the work of ecological restoration, this event offers an opportunity to learn, connect and grow.

CHERISHING PLACE: A GUIDED MEDITATION TO CLOSE THE SYMPOSIUM

With community facilitator Sandrine Harris of Emergent Nature.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY. Space is limited.

Thanksgiving Centerpiece Workshop IN-PERSON at BBG

Friday, Nov. 21, 6 to 8 p.m.

Members: $90 /Non-Members: $110 (includes cost of supplies)

Kick off the holiday season with a night of creativity, connection and seasonal beauty. In this hands-on workshop, Hilary Collingwood of Moonflower Farm will guide you step-by-step in designing a stunning Thanksgiving centerpiece. Whether you’re hosting dinner or simply want to bring a little autumn magic into your home, you’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind arrangement — and the skills to make more. All vessels and plant materials are provided.

Crafting a Holiday Wreath from Fresh and Dried Botanicals

IN-PERSON at BBG

Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 22 or 23, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Members: $100; Non-Members: $130

If you have visited the legendary Gallery of Wreaths at the Berkshire Botanical Garden Holiday Marketplace, you may have wondered how wreath designers create their botanical masterpieces and whether you can craft your own. This three-hour program on your choice of Saturday or Sunday will combine a classroom introduction with guided hands-on practice using 14-inch balsam wreath forms, after which you will take home your own decorated holiday wreath. Chris Ferrero will lead this class, starting with a slide program introducing principles, techniques and creative ideas. Then participants will be assigned workstations in the same studio used by BBG’s wreath designers, several of whom will be on hand to help you select materials and practice optimal construction skills. Experience with a hot glue gun is recommended.

DECEMBER

Plant Health Care H

IN-PERSON at BBG

Tuesdays, Dec. 2 through Jan. 6, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. (12 hours)

Members: $215/Non-Members: $240

Deepen your understanding of what keeps plants thriving — and what threatens their health. In this comprehensive course led by horticulture expert Jen Werner, you’ll explore the many factors that influence plant vitality, from pests and diseases to environmental stressors. Learn essential diagnostic skills and discover how thoughtful site preparation, smart plant selection and strategic placement can prevent common problems before they start. You’ll also gain practical insights into managing issues using biological, chemical and cultural methods, with an emphasis on sustainable, integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Perfect for gardeners, landscapers or anyone looking to boost their plant care knowledge.

Herbal Holiday Gifts Workshop

IN-PERSON at BBG

Saturday, Dec. 6, 2 to 4 p.m.

Members: $70/Non-Members: $90

Celebrate the season with a hands-on herbal gift-making experience. Join herbalist and artist Nicole Irene for an inspiring workshop where you’ll craft a variety of thoughtful, nature-based gifts perfect for the holidays — or any occasion. Using herbs and botanicals, you’ll create beautiful, wellness-focused offerings that nourish both body and spirit, while deepening your connection to the earth and the art of giving.

The Winter Solstice: A Meditation Gathering

IN-PERSON at BBG

Saturday, Dec. 6, 4 to 5 p.m.

Members: $20/Non-Members: $30

Step into the stillness of the season with a peaceful candlelit meditation, guided by mindfulness facilitator Sandrine Harris. As the sun reaches its lowest point and winter quietly begins, we’ll gather in the cozy warmth of BBG’s Center House, surrounded by art and gentle light. Together, we’ll explore the beauty of slowing down, tuning in and welcoming the introspective energy of the solstice. No meditation experience is needed — just an open heart and a willingness to pause. Embrace this sacred seasonal shift with intention and inner calm.

Plant Design Studio a H

IN-PERSON at BBG

Saturdays, Dec. 13 and 20, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Members: $215/Non-Members: $240

Bring garden spaces to life through thoughtful, creative planting design in this immersive two-day studio course. Led by Tom Smith of Springfield Technical Community College, this hands-on workshop will guide you through the fundamentals of designing planting plans for both private and public landscapes. Through a series of engaging exercises, you’ll explore how to shape outdoor spaces using plant form, color and texture. You’ll also consider plant characteristics in relation to site-specific conditions and draw design inspiration from architectural styles, balancing aesthetics with horticultural needs. The course includes collaborative project work, individual presentations and constructive critiques designed to support your growth as a designer. Whether you’re new to planting design or looking to refine your skills, this participatory class offers valuable tools and inspiration.

CREATING BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES BLACK BARN FARM

JANUARY

Science of Plant Propagation H

IN-PERSON at BBG

Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 3 and 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

BBG Members: $215/Non-Members: $240

Learn about the art and science of plant propagation with Adam Wheeler, grafting guru at Broken Arrow Nursery. Focus on the basic botany needed to understand and successfully propagate plants. Sexual and asexual propagation methods, including sowing seeds, cuttings, grafting, layering, and division, will be covered. Students will learn the fascinating science behind propagation, along with the various techniques used to create new plants.

Invasives: Plants and Insects a H

Saturdays, Jan. 10 through 31, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Members: $215/Non-Members: $240

In this four-week course, horticulturist Jen Werner will guide you through the complex world of invasive species — both plant and insect. You’ll explore how and why certain species become invasive, the role of government agencies in determining invasive status, and current regulations for controlling their spread. The course includes a closer look at several recent invasive arrivals in our region, with practical information on identification, host plants and methods of control or mitigation. You’ll also learn how to stay informed about new threats and evaluate the most effective strategies for prevention and management at your own site. Foundational topics like pest life cycles, diagnostic clues, and integrated pest management techniques are woven throughout to support a holistic understanding of invasive species control.

Natives and Invasives: An Introduction H

ZOOM

Tuesdays, Jan. 13 through 27, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. AND Thursdays, Feb. 5 through 19, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Members: $215/Non-Members: $240

Join plant experts Duncan Himmelman and Jen Werner for a thought-provoking six-week online course exploring the complex relationship between native and invasive plants. Through engaging live Zoom sessions, you’ll learn how native species support healthy ecosystems — and how invasive plants disrupt natural balances, outcompete local flora and degrade habitats for wildlife. Whether you’re a gardener, land manager or concerned environmentalist, this course will provide essential knowledge and practical insight into identifying, managing and protecting plant communities in a rapidly changing world.

Discounts on merchandise from BBG’s gift shop and plant sale and at participating garden centers

Unlimited free admission into the Garden

Entrance into the American Horticulture Society: free admission into 300+ botanical gardens

Member rates for adult and youth programming and select events

Free subscription to BBG’s magazine, Cuttings, and a digital subscription to Better Homes & Gardens

413-298-4532 membership@berkshirebotanical.org