ANNUAL REPORT
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Dear Friends of Massachusetts Horticultural Society,
I am delighted to present to you the annual repor for 2023, a year filled with remarkable achievements and profound impacts thanks to your unwavering support As we reflect on our accomplishments ove the past year, it is clear that Massachusetts Horticultural Society (MHS) has not only reinvigorated our Garden and facilities but has also extended our reach into the hearts and minds of ou community
Our dedicated team worked tirelessly to transform MHS into a place of wonder and inspiration for all
whether you were visiting for the first time or the hundredth. We extended our garden season, enhanced landscapes, and curated colorful and impactful garden highlights throughout the year. The positive reviews, exciting plantings, and continued growth are a testament to our commitment to excellence in horticulture and programs
One of our notable achievements was the extension of the Garden season into November, with the installation of holiday lighting and the Festival of Trees We also delighted our visitors with a breathtaking display of 53,000 tulips in the Trial Garden, an event we fondly called "Tulip Mania" This initiative not only attracted new visitors but left them with fresh-cut tulips as a reminder of their visit.
Throughout the year, our horticultural team worked diligently to create beautiful plantings and gardens, including the refresh of the landscape in front of the Education Building and the revitalization of the Goddess Garden with a stunning planting scheme Our collaboration with organizations such as PowerCorps, GBH, All American Selections, and the Yankee Dahlia Society further enriched our garden spaces and provided valuable experiences for our visitors
We expanded our Garden and Grounds staff to ensure the care and maintenance of every element in the Garden, with a focus on tree care, turf care, equipment maintenance, and more. Volunteers, both individual and corporate, played a vital role in helping us achieve our goals, contributing 2,831 hours of their time and dedication.
Looking ahead, we have exciting plans for 2024, including the planting of new garden spaces and the return of the New England Flower Show in September. Our continued growth and increased visitor numbers are a testament to the positive impact of our work.
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGECONT
In the Education Department, we expande offerings, including the Botanical Art Illustration program, and revamped Plantmobile schools program, offering divers engaging educational experiences for all ages
Our volunteer programs have seen tremen growth, with 49 new volunteers joining us i past year We deeply appreciate the dedicat our volunteers and corporate partners, who contributed to the success of MHS
In the Development Department, we experie strategic growth and expansion, thanks to generous support of our members and do Corporate partners sponsored key events grants supported various initiatives, allowing expand our teams and sustain a vibrant Garde
The Library continued to grow its collec manage its holdings, and serve as a val resource for research and knowledge-sharing dedicated team of volunteers donated over hours to the Library.
As we embark on fiscal year 2024, we committed to demonstrating the wise invest you have made in MHS Your sup membership, donations, and participation fueled our enthusiasm for the future.
Thank you for being part of our journey, an look forward to another year of growth, innov and positive impact.
Sincerely,
James Hearsum President & Executive Director
DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT REPORTS REPORTS
At Massachusetts Horticultural Society, we are committed to making a positive impact through horticulture, education, volunteerism, and development Your support and partnership continue to drive our mission forward, and we look forward to a promising future of growth and positive change Thank you for being part of our journey
POSITIVE IMPACT HIGHLIGHTS
Horticulture + Programs
Extended the Garden season, attracting new visitors and engaging existing ones.
Planted 53,000 tulips in the Trial Garden, creating a memorable Tulip Mania event
Collaborated with PowerCorps, GBH, All American Selections, and the Yankee Dahlia Society to enhance garden spaces
Expanded Garden and Grounds staff, ensuring the Garden's impeccable maintenance
Engaged volunteers and corporate partners, contributing 2,831 hours of dedicated service.
Planned exciting projects for 2024, including the Fall Flower Show and new garden spaces
Volunteers
Revamped the volunteer system with efficient onboarding and orientation processes
Welcomed 49 new volunteers, contributing fresh perspectives and dedication
Hosted 125 corporate volunteers, accelerating the Olmsted Asian Garden Restoration and Repurposing project
Celebrated volunteers at an appreciation event to express gratitude for their dedication and positive impact
Development
Experienced strategic growth and expansion, thanks to member and donor support
Received generous sponsorship from corporate partners for key events.
Secured grants for various initiatives, including library expansion and sustainability programs
Funded the expansion of Horticulture and Education teams, promoting a greener future
Education
Introduced the MHS Botanical Art and Illustration program, offering a Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration (CBA)
Revamped the Plantmobile schools program with new topics for a diverse educational experience
Successfully launched older adult's hands-on programming catered to assisted living and senior communities
Provided valuable learning experiences for members, visitors, and students alike.
Functions
Managed 93 events, with 64 weddings
Earned recognition as "Best Outdoor Venue" by Boston Magazine.
Library
Acquired over 3,000 items from renowned landscape architect Patrick Chassé's horticultural library.
Added 1,031 items to the online catalog and mended/conserved 134 items
Published online finding aids for MHS assets and processed Publication Permissions Agreements
Received donations of cash, books, periodicals, pamphlets, and ephemera
Dedicated Library volunteers donated 1,043 hours.
Ongoing projects include inventory and research aids, the Historical Correspondence Project, and continuous review of Library assets.
HORTICULTURE
This year’s goal involved the re-invigoration of our gardens and facilities while extending seasonal interest within the site Our plan was to tend to, repair, and revitalize MHS’ existing spaces; upgrade landscapes with an exciting palette of new colors and cultivars; and to find ways to inspire and dazzle those that are seeing the Garden for the first time, or the 100th time We offered moments to collect information, learn, reflect, and find community. We also extended the Garden season, both early and late, and ensured that there were horticultural gems, and ways to engage visitors at each moment.
Winter saw us cleaning, organizing, sorting, and starting our spring plant production Our humble production facilities saw some of the much-needed improvements including the addition of grow racks, grow lights, adjusted rolling benches, new flooring and thorough disinfection. There are still many more improvements on the list, but two of the three facilities were used this season for the production and growing of 24,143 plants.
Of the 24,143 plants that came through the production facility, 4,456 were earmarked for the plant sale but the majority of plants were grown from seed or plug and were planted in the Garden Plantings included Italianate spring and summer plantings; Weezie’s pollinator beds and seasonal color additions; All American Selections of annuals, perennials, herbs and vegetables for the Trial and Seed-to-Table Vegetable Gardens; plants for the Gatehouse, plants for Goddess Garden, additions for the Herb Garden and front of the Manor House as well as many new plant combinations in Bressingham
Some of the projects we worked on during the spring and summer included a refresh of the landscape in the front of the Education Building which includes permanent plantings of Allium ‘Lavender Bubbles’, Callicarpa ‘Pearl Glam’ and Ilex ‘Hellerii’. The Goddess Garden was refurbished with a lemon/lime/coral planting scheme which includes Cotinus ‘Ancot’, Kniphofia ‘Lady Luck’, Lespedeza ‘Gibraltar’, Mahonia aquifolium, and Rosa ‘Flower Carpet Coral’
PLANNING + PLANTING
Erin Fogarty joined MHS in May 2022 as Conservation and Historic Gardens Horticulturist managing the restoration and repurposing of the Olmsted Asian Garden Erin leads groups of volunteers including corporate groups and students from PowerCorps to accomplish tasks in the Olmsted Asian Garden and throughout the Garden at Elm Bank.
Garden and Grounds staff increased this year with the addition of one permanent staff and two temporary staff Understanding the needs of the Garden helped us to hire people that fill our knowledge gaps, including those proficient in tree care, turf care, equipment maintenance, and snow removal. Additional seasonal staff lend brute force strength in the removal of weeds, clearing of invasive plants, and raking of lawns and paths. Regular volunteers, large corporate volunteer groups, and crews from PowerCorps Boston help us to achieve our goals – these groups have, along with staff, cared for every element of the Garden
GROUNDS PROJECTS
Chandler Simental, who joined the team in June 2023, now serves as Grounds Supervisor He leads Garden projects including irrigation and lawn maintenance as well as equipment repairs and construction of site amenities and upgrades.
Discussing tree work and removal plans with Barlett Tree Experts
Hand planting tulip bulbs for the first Tulip Mania in April 2023
Working on tractor projects in Bressingham Garden
PROGRAMS & EXHIBITS
Our program & exhibit calendar flowed seasonally, and we offered colorful, impactful garden highlights Staffing, strategic partnerships, and planning have helped to move us forward with wonderful reviews, exciting plantings, and continued growth and polish in the Garden.
November had us installing holiday lighting, closing out the wedding season, and prepping the Hunnewell Building for installation of Festival of Trees which included an extended lighting path throughout much of the formal garden areas. Later in the month we received shipments from bulb suppliers and planted 53,000 tulips in the Trial Garden beds. With the theme of extending the garden season, we hosted Tulip Mania from April 17-May 17; each visitor left with fresh cut tulips to take home, as a reminder of their visit
A new model of plant sale, with a published list, internet pre-orders and order pickup and day-of sales on May 13. The plant sale made over $9,000 in presales, and a few thousand extra on pickup day. The sale table lingered a bit in the Garden –sales totaled $15,000 to 259 customers
For the Ribbit the Exhibit installation, which was on view from Memorial Day through Labor Day, frog sculptures were installed throughout the Garden; 26 new frogs and 2 existing frogs gathered to create 18 fun filled vignettes. Leafy plants in all shades of green were installed to complement the sculpture and lend mystery to the back stories of each character. The Hartley Botanic Greenhouse became “The Hopatorium” where frog scientists gathered data related to frog camouflage, hoppiness, and leaf stickicity. Low tech interactive displays, interpretive signage, and QR code plant lists helped us to disseminate information to visitors and engage them in the upgrades we’ve been diligently accomplishing A new initiative, also meant to excite and extend the season, a small collection of heirloom mums has been amassed and is slated for display in the Hartley Greenhouse this fall – we hope that the joyous forms will eventually be a seasonal draw for us, as we continue to learn to train the mums, with pinching and timing.
Festival of Trees
MHS Plant Sale
SUMMER2023 GARDENEXHIBIT
From May – September frogs popped up in the Garden to help with mowing, trimming, and watering plants. They also played music and relaxed in many niches and corners of the Garden
GROWING PARTNERSHIPS
In FY23, we partnered with many wonderful organizations that helped us achieve our goals.
PowerCorps joined us for 21 sessions during this financial year, including hands on training throughout our gardens in skills such as planting, weeding, and turf preparation Group size ranged from 5 – 30 participants resulting in 770 “man hours” maintaining our gardens Their impact is seen in Bressingham, Italianate Garden and Olmsted Garden among other garden spaces
Our newest partnership with Yankee Dahlia Society has been one of the most colorful and talked about this season Founders Misty Flores and Carol Palmer have been onsite several times this summer to plan, plant, and monitor the garden The dahlia border, containing representatives of each class of dahlia, was planted at the end of June It contains 163 dahlias which have captured the interest of our visitors and staff.
GBH, has become a new friend to us, and has engaged us as the “talent” for the “Ask the Expert” series on gardening We’ve hosted 2 virtual events in FY 23 with over 900 registrants at each which is the highest number of attendees for the series
MHS continues an active partnership with All American Selections, a program that collects seeds and cuttings from plant breeders who wish to introduce their plants into cultivation Each Wednesday of the growing season, we offered a program called “Judge with Us” where visitors were invited to walk the trial garden and discuss the merits of each of the new cultivars lending feedback in our trialing process In FY23 we participated in seven categories of trials, including flowers/ornamentals from seed, grown inground, flowers/ornamentals from seed, grown in containers, vegetables/edibles from seed, grown in-ground, and perennials grown inground Not only do the trials provide for wonderful color in the trial garden they also yielded 8725 pounds of produce that was sent to our community foodbank
EDUCATION
Our Education Department has seen great growth and successes that have provided many new learning experiences for members, visitors, and students alike. It’s so hard to pick just a few of our moments from the season! One of our biggest additions this year was the transfer of the Friends of Wellesley College Botanic Gardens (WCBG) Botanical Art and Illustration program. In late summer, we released the first classes under the MHS Botanical Art and Illustration program This program, initially started by the Friends of WCBG two decades ago, has evolved over the years into a nationally recognized and rigorous course It is grounded in the convergence of fine art and scientific accuracy, providing a comprehensive experience.
This program boasts a Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration (CBA), offering a wide range of courses taught by the lead instructor, Sarah Roche, and other local and international experts. The curriculum emphasizes the scientific tradition, techniques, and historical context of classical botanical art and illustration, creating an enduring legacy for art and science enthusiasts These offerings have allowed us to deepen our department's commitment to fostering a better understanding and appreciation of the natural world while catering to a wider audience
This summer also saw a complete revamp of the Plantmobile schools program. This transformation brought in five new topics, expanding the curriculum to a total of seven captivating subjects tailored to students from PreK to 5th grade. From Natural Dyes to Ecosystems, soils to a child’s spin on Botanical Art These programs enhance our outreach capabilities and ensure a more diverse and engaging educational experience for the younger generation. The department also celebrated the successful launch of our older adult's hands-on programming This program allows us to cater to the interests and hobbies of those in assisted living, i iti d
Magnolia pods Betsy Rogers-Knox
VOLUNTEERS
Our organization has experienced an inspiring transformation in our volunteer programs. We implemented a revamped volunteer system, complete with an efficient onboarding and orientation process that ensured our volunteers had the tools they needed to understand the opportunities available and make a meaningful impact. This year we welcomed 49 new volunteers through this process who were eager to engage with our mission and vision. We are grateful for the fresh perspectives and dedication they brought to our team. Volunteers across the organization collectively contributed 2,831 hours of their time This number has continued to grow over the years and with our new volunteer software in place, we have continued to see an uptick in volunteer sessions as well as a more streamlined communication and recording process
This season we were very excited to welcome our corporate volunteers back to the Garden. We hosted 125 corporate volunteers who generously devoted their time and skills to our various initiatives. Many hours were spent on the current Olmsted Asian Garden Restoration and Repurposing project to accelerate this garden landscape transformation.
A highlight of the season was our September volunteer appreciation. It served as a heartfelt gesture of gratitude for the incredible work done by our volunteers throughout the season. Volunteers across the organization chatted and celebrated another great season in the Garden. As we look back on this season's accomplishments, we have the deepest appreciation to all our volunteers, new and seasoned. The collective impact of their dedication has brought such a positive attitude and we can’t wait to see what the next season will bring
DEVELOPMENT
MHS experienced a sustained period of strategic growth and expansion. We are grateful to our incredible supporters who have led us on this journey to success
Our corporate partners played a pivotal role by generously sponsoring key events, including our Festival of Trees, the 2023 Garden Opening and the Honorary Medals Awards Dinner.
Additionally, we received grants that provided essential support for our expanding Library, work in the Olmsted Garden, the Manor House Sustainability program, exciting new features in Weezie’s Garden for Children, and significant upgrades to our three greenhouses.
It is in large part due to member and donor support that we were able to expand our Horticulture and Education teams. This critical support also helped sustain a Garden that has never been more vibrant and enabled us to pursue a state-of-theart composting system - another year of going greener! The lasting impact of these contributions will continue to be felt as we introduce new volunteering, education, and conservation programs
orticultural Society Your vents, and visits to the m for the future growth of etter place o continued tment in us
Garden Educator Libby Wilkinson builds a vermicompost bucket with students from a local school group, one of many that Libby educated this season
FUNCTIONS
2023 brought us a busy event season in the Garden The events team managed 93 events from October 2022 through September 2023 with 64 (69%) of them falling between May and September Since raising the rental rates, non-wedding events declined. However, Boston Magazine awarded The Garden at Elm Bank as the “Best Outdoor Venue” for weddings!
“You don’t have to fly to Europe for an Italian-style garden wedding. Just take a quick drive to Wellesley, where you’ll find the Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Garden at Elm Bank. The venue’s 36 acres of lush gardens are perfect for photo ops and cocktail hour; the historical indoor and tented venues swathed in twinkling lights, meanwhile, appeal to nature lovers and hopeless romantics alike But first things first: the ceremony. For that, the romantic Olmsted-designed Italianate Garden (one of two Italianate gardens open to the public in the Bay State) is a no-brainer”
From Boston Magazine, July 2023
LIBRARY
The MHS Library, established in 1829, is the oldest horticultural library in the United States and is widely emulated With the dramatic growth of the United States and horticulturally related research, the Library adapted its mission and the scope of its holdings to focus on preserving its legacy and historical assets, serving our members and the public, and collecting the most significant contemporary works related to horticulture, with an emphasis on the Northeast.
During fiscal year 2023, the Library continued to grow its Collections, manage its holdings and make them available to the public and staff for enjoyment and research. In addition to regular acquisitions, the Library was pleased to acquire the horticultural library of renowned landscape architect Patrick Chassé, consisting of over 3,000 items Our team of multi-talented Library volunteers donated 1043 hours this fiscal year.
Accomplishments
Added 1031 items to the online catalog
Mended and conserved 134 items
Added 259 books to the Collections
Serviced local, national and international research requests
Processed Publication Permissions
Agreements that feature MHS assets
Received donations of cash, books, periodicals, pamphlets and ephemera
Rehoused
The Portrait and Bust Collection
Recently acquired plans
Published online finding aids for Society Portraits
Manuscript and Reports
Honorary Medals
Sprague, Isaac, Blood-root, Sanguinaria canadensis. ca. 1876–1882, Lithograph, Armstrong & Co Sprague lived in Wellesley, Massachusetts and was the foremost botanical artist of his day Society’s Collections
Ongoing Projects
Inventory and research aids for the Library’s vertical files
The Historical Correspondence Project
Inventory of recently acquired plans
Inventory of MHS Archives
The second installment of the Edwin Hale
Lincoln Negative Collection
Continuous review of Library assets to accommodate new acquisitions
MHS IN NUMBERS
2,831 Volunteer Hours 64 Weddings
4,054 Tulip Mania Attendees
14,024 Garden Guests
13,000 Festival of Trees 2022 Attendees
827 lbs Produce donated to local food bank
2,286 Adult Class Attendees
259 Books added to MHS Library Collections
2,318 New Plants in Bressingham
6.5k Instagram Followers
15k Facebook Likes
3,585 Plants Grown for Weezie’s
53,100 Tulips Planted 12.5% over Compost Revamp Campaign Goal
24,143 Plants Came through our Hands
MANOR HOUSE
OCTOBER 2022
NOVEMBER 2022
DECEMBER 2022
JANUARY 2023
MAY 2023
JUNE 2023
JULY 2023
Leased Manor House as a filming location for an AMC Network program
Hired crew to scrape, sand, re-putty, prime and paint the Manor House windows and trim on the Italianate side
Performed an updated structural assessment as well as a new set of asbestos and lead paint testing
Interviewed asbestos and roofing contractors to help determine the scope of work, and collect initial estimates
Hosted Manor House: Look and Learn, as part of Boston Design Week
Started discussions to meet with freelance project managers to take on the project
Hired Susan Boyle from Hub Testing and engaged her team to create an asbestos removal plan
To celebrate the $600,000 awarded by the state and engage our supporters in the next phase of the project, we hosted Manor House: Look and Learn, as part of Boston Design Week 2023. Matthew Dickey, who has grown a large online following on his account Streetscape Curator joined us for the evening event to share information on the original designers Carrere and Hastings. Guests had the exclusive opportunity to look inside the building, as we opened the French doors on the terrace for public viewing - the first time in many years!
OLMSTED ASIAN GARDEN
Over the past year, MHS staff has worked hard on rehabilitating the Olmsted Garden We have continued clearance of woody invasive plants, aided by over 230 volunteer hours; stabilized cleared areas using silage tarps and conservation lawn seed, and used our tractor to wrench long- fallen trees out of the pond. All this has been
ORIGINAL FLAGSTONE PATH
POWERCORPS VOLUNTEER IN THE OLMSTED GARDEN
of great assistance to the (soon upcoming) milestone for which we are most excited: welcoming visitors safely into the area for the first time in years Over winter, we were thrilled to discover the garden’s original flagstone path matrix – which remains almost wholly intact under the soil line – and began excavating it in spring. With this completed, we will begin developing a small loop on its footprint to allow visitors to experience the garden – and are so excited for you to join us.
STAFF
James Hearsum
President & Executive Director
Zee Camp
Membership Associate
Meghan Connolly
Marketing Specialist
Karen Daubmann
Director of Garden & Programs
Lindsay Dias
Events Department Associate
Allison Dush
Director of Education & Guest Experience
Erin Fogarty
Horticulturist - Conservation & Historic Gardens
Gay Hughes
Admissions Associate
Mary-Ann Janjigian
Admissions Associate
Jennifer Jones
Director of Finance & Administration
John Kelly
Facilities Assistant & Custodian
Charlene Lans
Admissions Associate
Elaine Lawrence
Director of Development
Asia Lugo
Garden Events Manager
James Marlowe
Horticulturist
Miriam Miranda
Staff Accountant
Chelsey Munsey
Event Sales & Production Associate
Maureen O’Brien
Library & Archives Manager
Fred Oppermann
Facilities Assistant
Melissa Pace
Garden Educator
TRUSTEES
Finley Perry Chair of the Board
James Hearsum
President and Executive Director, ex officio
Gretel Anspach Vice Chair
Dan Daly
Craig Klein
Treasurer
Graham Luce
Lynne MacDowell*
Suzanne McCance
William McConnell IV
Barbara Millen
Susan S. Mooney
FRIENDS COUNCIL
David Barnett
Bethany Berk
Joanne Caccavale
Stephanie Chlan
Abby R Coffin
Christine Duminuco
Elaine Fiske
Beth Gray-Nix
Richard Hohmann
Maureen M. Horn
Lisa Howe
Francis W Hunnewell
Penni Jenkins
Heidi Kost-Gross
Annette Lee
Jeanne Leszczynski
Suzanne Mahler
Robert Marzilli
Marisa McCoy
Wayne Mezitt
Janet Oberto
Julia B O’Brien
Liz Pruitt
Event Sales Associate
Eric Salhaney
Admissions Associate
Chandler Simental
Skilled Gardener & Garden
Machinery Operator
Eileen Sprague
Botanical Program Assistant
Trevor Topham
Skilled Gardener & Garden
Machinery Operator
Mette Wiegell
Garden Events Manager
Libby Wilkinson
Garden Educator
Nora Yang
Garden Events Manager
Jun Zhang
Maintenance Gardener
Darrol Roberts
George Schnee
Carol Spinelli
Helen R. Strieder
Thaddeus Thompson
Carolyn D Waterman
Terry Windhorst
Melanie Perillo
Holly Perry
Betsy Ridge
Art Scarpa
Connie Smith
Robert (Bob) Smith
Karin Stanley
Paul M Steen
Suzanne Thatcher
Eliot A Wadsworth
Caroline H.B. Whitney
FINANCES
BALANCE SHEET
E X P E N S E
Gifts, Grants and Contributions
Garden Festivals and Admissions Facility Rental (Non-Function)
MISSION
Massachusetts Horticultural Society advances individual, community and planetary flourishing by inspiring, teaching and facilitating people to grow plants together.
Massachusetts Horticultural Society seeks to help people change their lives and communities for the better through growing plants together. MHS disseminates information on horticulture and related sciences through its Library, educational programming, exhibitions and community outreach initiatives. Through these, MHS seeks to engage guests with the importance of plants, gardens and natural landscapes in their lives and help them to become active growers and gardeners themselves. As America’s first established horticultural society, MHS has been practicing horticulture ‘for the public good’ since 1829.
