Elm Bank Horticulture Center

MassHort’s 36-acre hands-on horticulture center offers adults and children the opportunity to experience, enjoy and learn about plants and the environment. The center includes various garden spaces from the historic Italianate Garden to the educational New England Trial Garden to the whimsical Weezie’s Garden for Children. Several plant societies and garden clubs have also installed permanent demonstration and display gardens at Elm Bank.

A beloved tradition of the Society is the New England Spring Flower Show, which has brought color and visual warmth to springtime Boston every year since 1871.

MHS maintains a library that is one of the oldest horticultural resource centers in the world and is renowned for its collection of books related to early agriculture, horticulture, and landscape design.

Joining the Massachusetts Horticultural Society is the perfect way to grow your gardening skills throughout the year. Our membership section gives you everything you need to know about how to sign up.

MHS is continually developing education programs for children of all ages and backgrounds to spark appreciation and learning. Each year MHS provides a variety of uniquely designed projects, courses, and curricula to more than 30,000 school children.

For adult gardeners and gardeners to-be, the MHS horticultural education and information department offers courses, lectures and workshops year-round to members and non-members alike. In addition, ongoing educational activities, information services, and special seasonal events add to the Society's broad-based programs.

MassHort’s Master Gardeners provide horticultural information to the gardening public at various festivals and community events. They operate the year-round MG Help Line on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 617-933-4929. In addition, the walk-in Plant Clinic is open seasonally from May through September. Questions are also answered by Master Gardeners during the New England Spring Flower Show at the HortInfo Station.

MHS also upholds a long tradition of recognizing excellence in its various awards programs. These include the MHS Honorary Medals, Visiting Gardens Awards and the annual New England Spring Flower Show Awards.

Funding for the society’s operations comes from an endowment, proceeds from the flower show, membership, an annual fund, and grants from foundations, corporations, and government sources. A board of trustees and overseers also provides governance and support, and a dedicated team of volunteers helps carry out numerous activities.

For more detailed information on MHS programs, please visit the other sections of this site, or call 617-933-4900.