Events FYI
All meetings are in-person, weather permitting
In the event that there is a schedule change or cancellation members will be notified via email, the website, and social media
In the event that there is a schedule change or cancellation members will be notified via email, the website, and social media
i
November 2026
Annual Meeting
Speaker
Tony Reznicek
"Botanical Beauties of Türkiye"
Tony Reznicek
"Botanical Beauties of Türkiye"
When:
Where: Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton, MA
10:30am: Meet and Greet
11:00am: Annual Meeting
12pm: Potluck lunch - details TBA
1:00pm: Tony Reznicek
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_Reznicek)
11:00am: Annual Meeting
12pm: Potluck lunch - details TBA
1:00pm: Tony Reznicek
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_Reznicek)
October 2026
Traveling speaker:
Tim Alderton
Outstanding North Carolina Mountain Wildflowers
This talk will take you from the northwest corner to the southwestern border of North Carolina. Some species will be familiar as they reach their southern limits, while others can only be found in the southern Appalachian. Thousands of species grow in this area. We will only touch on some of the best of these and most charismatic species that you can find from the highest peaks to the moist woodland coves and other unique ecosystems that occur in these mountains.
Botanizing in the Croatan National Forest (not Croatian!!)
The Croatan National Forest is known for a diversity of plant species, especially predatory ones. This flora includes some garden favorites as well, but also orchids, shrubs, and lots of other species that make their home in the sandy poor soils of the coastal plain under the long leaf pine savannahs. We will explore some of these hardy plants in this extreme habitat where wet and dry often meet.
When:
Where: Meeting Room, Fire Station, Littleton, MA
10:30am: Meet and greet
11:00am: Outstanding North Carolina Mountain Wildflowers
12pm: BYO lunch and beverage
1:00pm Botanizing in the Croatan National Forest
Snacks to share: last name G-M
11:00am: Outstanding North Carolina Mountain Wildflowers
12pm: BYO lunch and beverage
1:00pm Botanizing in the Croatan National Forest
Snacks to share: last name G-M
September 2026
Panel Discussion and Seedling Sale
When:
Where: Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton, MA
10:30am: Meet and Greet
11:00 am: Panel Discussion on "Unusual Perrennialsa and Annuals led by Susan Leigh Anthony
12pm: BYO Lunch and beverage
12:45pm: Seedling Sale (may start earlier)
Snacks to share: A-F
11:00 am: Panel Discussion on "Unusual Perrennialsa and Annuals led by Susan Leigh Anthony
12pm: BYO Lunch and beverage
12:45pm: Seedling Sale (may start earlier)
Snacks to share: A-F
LOOK BELOW TO LEARN WHAT OUR CHAPTER HAS DONE OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS AND CHECK OUT UPCOMING EVENTS
Private Garden Tour
August 2026
When:
Where: Southwestern part of Boston
Members are invited to visit a private garden in the greater Boston area. For more information please visit the members' page.
An email will be sent out to members with more information
An email will be sent out to members with more information
Tour of the Blue Garden
July 2026
When:
Where: The Blue Garden, Newport, Rhode Island
Private Tour of The Blue Garden in Newport, Rhode Island, details TBA.
See https://thebluegarden.org/.
A historic recreation of a fabled Gilded Age garden, all in blue flowers with touches of white. Reservations necessary by April 21 to Susan Anthony, programs.nargsne@gmail.com
See https://thebluegarden.org/.
A historic recreation of a fabled Gilded Age garden, all in blue flowers with touches of white. Reservations necessary by April 21 to Susan Anthony, programs.nargsne@gmail.com
New Hampshire Members
Open Garden Day
June 2026
When:
Where: Home of Sally and John Perkins, Salem, New Hampshire and Pleasant Street United Methodist Church garden, and Home of George and Sally Newman, Bedford, New Hampshire
10:00am - 3:00pm
Open Garden for NARGS members in Salem, New Hampshire, to view the extensive rhododendron and azalea collection of Sally and John Perkins on Canobie Lake. Continue to their nearby church, Pleasant Street United Methodist, where the couple was instrumental in designing and planting three gardens that should be in bloom. Wrap up your outing with a stop at George and Sally Newman's in Bedford, where you'll view over 500 native species, including those planted in Bog, Swamp, and Woodland. A greenhouse is home to tropical orchid species and Carnivorous plants.
Timing and other gardens or nurseries TBA, but save the dates!
Optional stop: Lake Street Garden Center in Salem, New Hampshire
(rain date Saturday, June 13)
Open Garden for NARGS members in Salem, New Hampshire, to view the extensive rhododendron and azalea collection of Sally and John Perkins on Canobie Lake. Continue to their nearby church, Pleasant Street United Methodist, where the couple was instrumental in designing and planting three gardens that should be in bloom. Wrap up your outing with a stop at George and Sally Newman's in Bedford, where you'll view over 500 native species, including those planted in Bog, Swamp, and Woodland. A greenhouse is home to tropical orchid species and Carnivorous plants.
Timing and other gardens or nurseries TBA, but save the dates!
Optional stop: Lake Street Garden Center in Salem, New Hampshire
(rain date Saturday, June 13)
Garden Tour at Chanticleer
May 2026
May 2026
When:
Where: Chanticleer, Wayne, Pennsylvania
Private Tour with Lisa Roper of Chanticleer. a pleasure garden in Wayne, Pennsylvania, exploring the Ruins and Gravel Garden that she oversees
Gather at Admissions: 10:15 am
Reserve your own ticket in advance at www.chanticleergarden.org and enjoy the rest of the day in the garden on your own.
Look for details about a group dinner by reservation that evening in upcoming newsletters.
Gather at Admissions: 10:15 am
Reserve your own ticket in advance at www.chanticleergarden.org and enjoy the rest of the day in the garden on your own.
Look for details about a group dinner by reservation that evening in upcoming newsletters.
Rare Plant Auction
May 2026
When:
Where: Reuben Hoar Library, 35 Shattuck Street, Littleton, MA
10:30 am - Social Time, Last name N-Z, please bring a snack to share; Set up for Rare Plant Auction
11 am - Discussion of the plants we've brought to the Auction
12 pm - Bring your own lunch and beverage, conversation
12:30 pm - Plant Auction (may start sooner if people are ready)
11 am - Discussion of the plants we've brought to the Auction
12 pm - Bring your own lunch and beverage, conversation
12:30 pm - Plant Auction (may start sooner if people are ready)
Sakonnet Plant Fair
May 2026
When:
Where: Meeting House Lane, Little Compton, Rhode Island
Experience the celebrated rural plant fair! Don't miss out—the early bird truly catches the worm!
Member presentations and discussions April 2026
When:
Where: Reuben Hoar Library, 35 Shattuck Street, Littleton, MA
10:30 am Gather for conversation and refreshments in the Sturtz Room of the Reuben Hoar Library in Littleton, MA. BYO beverage. Last name G-M, please bring a snack to share.
11 am Judy Leamy will present “The History of Garden Pots from Ancient Civilization to the Present Day ”
Judy Leamy is a long-time gardener, having started as a child in the UK, under the guidance of her parents and grandparents. Her favorite style of gardens is the Cottage Garden, but she appreciates all types, from the rambling and unkempt to the meticulously manicured.
When she is not gardening, she is travelling or singing in choirs in Boston and beyond.
12 pm BYO lunch, conversation, show and tell
1 pm Susan Leigh Anthony will lead a panel discussion on "Fragrant Plants"
11 am Judy Leamy will present “The History of Garden Pots from Ancient Civilization to the Present Day ”
Judy Leamy is a long-time gardener, having started as a child in the UK, under the guidance of her parents and grandparents. Her favorite style of gardens is the Cottage Garden, but she appreciates all types, from the rambling and unkempt to the meticulously manicured.
When she is not gardening, she is travelling or singing in choirs in Boston and beyond.
12 pm BYO lunch, conversation, show and tell
1 pm Susan Leigh Anthony will lead a panel discussion on "Fragrant Plants"
Woodland Treasures
March 2026
When:
Where: Littleton Fire Station, 20 Foster Street, Littleton, MA
10:30 am Social Time - Last name, A-F, please bring a snack to share
11 am John Lonsdale of Edgewood Gardens in Exton, Pennsylvania, speaks to us in person about "Woodland Treasures"
12 pm Bring your own lunch and beverage, conversation, show and tell. Time to explore and purchase the plants John will bring along.
1 pm Panel discussion on “Designing Your Rock Garden” led by Dianne Huling, who notes, “I am very good at growing but definitely not designing. I am currently planting my two rock gardens and thought, "Oh no! Do I have to think about color, bloom time, height, and a host of other issues?!” Come with your ideas and get some insights from fellow members.
11 am John Lonsdale of Edgewood Gardens in Exton, Pennsylvania, speaks to us in person about "Woodland Treasures"
12 pm Bring your own lunch and beverage, conversation, show and tell. Time to explore and purchase the plants John will bring along.
1 pm Panel discussion on “Designing Your Rock Garden” led by Dianne Huling, who notes, “I am very good at growing but definitely not designing. I am currently planting my two rock gardens and thought, "Oh no! Do I have to think about color, bloom time, height, and a host of other issues?!” Come with your ideas and get some insights from fellow members.
“A passion for Conifers”
February 2026
When:
Where: Reuben Hoar Library, 35 Shattuck Street, Littleton, MA
10:30 am - Social time - Last name N-Z, please bring a snack to share.
11 am - Christie Dustman speaking on "A Passion for Conifers"
Christie Dustman is the owner of Christie Dustman & Company Inc., a landscape design/build and maintenance company in the Boston area. Christie has won design awards, teaches at multiple venues, including the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, and is on the national stage. Her personal garden has been showcased on tours and was featured in Fine Gardening magazine in 2021. She is a Certified Landscape Designer with a passion for conifers and design that is meaningful and functional.
Here is Christie's website - christiedustman.com
12 noon - BYO lunch and beverage, conversation, show and tell
1 pm Member Share: Hands-on Winter Seed Sowing with Estelle James and Priscilla Williams
Learn how to sow seeds of plants that need a period of cold stratification to germinate. We'll use low-tech methods and work with nature, no special equipment required. Each participant will leave with prepared containers that can be placed directly outdoors. If you have them, bring seeds of any plant that needs this treatment to germinate; otherwise, we'll provide seeds from the NARGS Seed Exchange.
Please sign up to participate so we can provide sufficient materials. Contact Estelle, estellejames58@gmail.com
Estelle James is the NARGS NE Chapter President, a Master Gardener, and a long-time plant propagator. Priscilla Williams holds a Certificate in Conservation Horticulture from Native Plant Trust. She founded and operated Pumpkin Brook Organic Gardening for 22 years, where Estelle still works part-time. Together, they grew thousands of plants from seed for clients.
11 am - Christie Dustman speaking on "A Passion for Conifers"
Christie Dustman is the owner of Christie Dustman & Company Inc., a landscape design/build and maintenance company in the Boston area. Christie has won design awards, teaches at multiple venues, including the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, and is on the national stage. Her personal garden has been showcased on tours and was featured in Fine Gardening magazine in 2021. She is a Certified Landscape Designer with a passion for conifers and design that is meaningful and functional.
Here is Christie's website - christiedustman.com
12 noon - BYO lunch and beverage, conversation, show and tell
1 pm Member Share: Hands-on Winter Seed Sowing with Estelle James and Priscilla Williams
Learn how to sow seeds of plants that need a period of cold stratification to germinate. We'll use low-tech methods and work with nature, no special equipment required. Each participant will leave with prepared containers that can be placed directly outdoors. If you have them, bring seeds of any plant that needs this treatment to germinate; otherwise, we'll provide seeds from the NARGS Seed Exchange.
Please sign up to participate so we can provide sufficient materials. Contact Estelle, estellejames58@gmail.com
Estelle James is the NARGS NE Chapter President, a Master Gardener, and a long-time plant propagator. Priscilla Williams holds a Certificate in Conservation Horticulture from Native Plant Trust. She founded and operated Pumpkin Brook Organic Gardening for 22 years, where Estelle still works part-time. Together, they grew thousands of plants from seed for clients.
Annual Meeting and Catered Lunch November 2025
When:
Where: Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton, MA
Marsha Russell, long-time dedicated chapter member and extraordinary propagator,
Presents
Spring Ephemerals
Growing Ferns in Zones 5-6
October 2025
When:
Where: Reuben Hoar Library, 35 Shattuck Street, Littleton, MA
10:30 am - Social Time, Last name A-F, please bring a snack to share
11 am - Traveling Speaker, Judith Jones, Proprietor of Fancy Fronds Nursery in Gold Bar, Washington, will speak on Growing Ferns in Zones 5-6
12 pm - Bring your own lunch and beverage - Show and Tell, bring along a plant
1:00 pm - Program to be determined
11 am - Traveling Speaker, Judith Jones, Proprietor of Fancy Fronds Nursery in Gold Bar, Washington, will speak on Growing Ferns in Zones 5-6
12 pm - Bring your own lunch and beverage - Show and Tell, bring along a plant
1:00 pm - Program to be determined
NARGS TRAVELING SPEAKER
FALL 2025
When:
Where: Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton, MA
Paul Cumbleton, former head of the Alpine section at the Royal Horticultural Society Garden, Wisley in the UK, will give two talks:
Alluring Alpines
Our Odyssey with Bulbs*
*A joint talk co-presented with Colin Everett
1030am: Gather for conversation and refreshments, BYO beverage
Last name A-M, please bring a snack to share
11 am: Alluring Alpines
12.15 pm: Short business meeting followed by lunch
1 pm: Our Odyssey with Bulbs
Our Odyssey with Bulbs*
*A joint talk co-presented with Colin Everett
1030am: Gather for conversation and refreshments, BYO beverage
Last name A-M, please bring a snack to share
11 am: Alluring Alpines
12.15 pm: Short business meeting followed by lunch
1 pm: Our Odyssey with Bulbs
Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
Annual Seedling Sale
Community Room
Goodnow Library, Sudbury
Annual Seedling Sale
Community Room
Goodnow Library, Sudbury
10.30 am: Gather for conversation and refreshments, BYO beverage. Last name N-Z, please bring a snack to share.
11.00 am: Panel Discussion on "Seed Cleaning" led by Jan Sacks and Marty Schafer.
12.15 pm: Short business meeting, followed by lunch.
1 pm: Annual Seedling Sale
11.00 am: Panel Discussion on "Seed Cleaning" led by Jan Sacks and Marty Schafer.
12.15 pm: Short business meeting, followed by lunch.
1 pm: Annual Seedling Sale
Annual Rare Plant Auction
When:
Where: Littleton Fire Station, 20 Foster Street, Littleton, MA
10:30am Come for a social time in the Meeting Room.
BYO beverage, last name A-M, please bring a snack to share.
11:00am Short business meeting followed by a discussion of special plants we’ve brought for the auction.
Take notes!
Noon BYO lunch
12:45pm Auction (may start earlier if everyone is ready)
BYO beverage, last name A-M, please bring a snack to share.
11:00am Short business meeting followed by a discussion of special plants we’ve brought for the auction.
Take notes!
Noon BYO lunch
12:45pm Auction (may start earlier if everyone is ready)
"A Rock and Roll Life-Favorite Chlorophyllians I've Met Along the Way"
with Tony Avent
When:
Where: New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, 11 French Drive, Boylston, MA
The North American Rock Garden Society - New England Chapter (NARGSNE)
in partnership with
New England Botanic Garden
is excited to present
"A Rock and Roll Life - Favorite Chlorophyllians I've Met Along the Way" with Tony Avent
Mr Avent is the founder of Juniper Level Botanic Garden and Plant Delights Nursery Inc.
www.juniperlevelbotanicgarden.org
www.plantdelights.com
NARGSNE members have been invited to sign up in advance.
To register for Mr Avent's talk at no cost (which includes an all-day entry to NEBG) members have been sent a direct email link.
Public registration begins on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 12pm. For more details, visit New England Botanic Garden - nebg.org
in partnership with
New England Botanic Garden
is excited to present
"A Rock and Roll Life - Favorite Chlorophyllians I've Met Along the Way" with Tony Avent
Mr Avent is the founder of Juniper Level Botanic Garden and Plant Delights Nursery Inc.
www.juniperlevelbotanicgarden.org
www.plantdelights.com
NARGSNE members have been invited to sign up in advance.
To register for Mr Avent's talk at no cost (which includes an all-day entry to NEBG) members have been sent a direct email link.
Public registration begins on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 12pm. For more details, visit New England Botanic Garden - nebg.org
“Annuals and Perennials for the Rock and Gravel Garden” - Zoom talk by Helen O’Donnell
When:
Where: Littleton Fire Station, 20 Foster Street, Littleton, MA
Helen O’Donnell of The Bunker Farm in Dummerston, Vermont, will present “Annuals and Perennials for the Rock and Gravel Garden.” In her talk, Helen will highlight some of her favorite annuals and perennials best used in rock and gravel garden conditions, many self-seeders, and some unexpected plants! Helen studied at Great Dixter under the tutelage of Fergus Garrett on two occasions. She has become a knowledgeable and enthusiastic plantsperson. She operates a nursery as part of the farm, raising animals and producing maple syrup.
10:30am - Gather for conversation and refreshments
Last Names A-M - Please bring a light snack to share; BYO beverages
11:00am - Zoom talk begins
12:15-1:00pm - Bring your own lunch
1:00pm - Panel Discussion - Ernie Flippo and Rosemary Monahan on “Favorite Gardening Tools”
10:30am - Gather for conversation and refreshments
Last Names A-M - Please bring a light snack to share; BYO beverages
11:00am - Zoom talk begins
12:15-1:00pm - Bring your own lunch
1:00pm - Panel Discussion - Ernie Flippo and Rosemary Monahan on “Favorite Gardening Tools”
“The Chanticleer Gravel Garden” -
Zoom Talk by Lisa Roper
When:
Where: Sturtz Rm, Reuben Hoar Library, 35 Shattuck Street, Littleton, MA
For the past ten years, Lisa Roper has managed the Gravel Garden at the renowned public garden Chanticleer in Wayne, Pennsylvania. The gravel garden is a stunning and unique landscape, a gently sloping site planted with a mix of fine-textured grasses, gray-leafed Mediterranean plants, drought-tolerant perennials, annuals grown from seed, and hardy succulents.
Ms. Roper will discuss how form, texture, and color are carefully considered in her design choices. She will introduce some of her favorite plants, cover planting techniques, discuss the importance of “editing," and explain how she uses photography to inform design decisions.
10:30am - Gather for conversation and refreshments
Last Names N-Z - Please bring a light snack to share; BYO beverages
11:00am - Zoom talk begins
12:15-1:00pm - Bring your own bag lunch
1:00pm - Judy Leamy will lead a discussion on “Seed Catalogs & Websites and Plant Catalogs & Websites”
Ms. Roper will discuss how form, texture, and color are carefully considered in her design choices. She will introduce some of her favorite plants, cover planting techniques, discuss the importance of “editing," and explain how she uses photography to inform design decisions.
10:30am - Gather for conversation and refreshments
Last Names N-Z - Please bring a light snack to share; BYO beverages
11:00am - Zoom talk begins
12:15-1:00pm - Bring your own bag lunch
1:00pm - Judy Leamy will lead a discussion on “Seed Catalogs & Websites and Plant Catalogs & Websites”
“The Chanticleer Gravel Garden” -
Zoom Talk by Lisa Roper
When:
Where: Sturtz Rm, Reuben Hoar Library, 35 Shattuck Street, Littleton, MA
For the past ten years, Lisa Roper has managed the Gravel Garden at the renowned public garden Chanticleer in Wayne, Pennsylvania. The gravel garden is a stunning and unique landscape, a gently sloping site planted with a mix of fine-textured grasses, gray-leafed Mediterranean plants, drought-tolerant perennials, annuals grown from seed, and hardy succulents.
Ms. Roper will discuss how form, texture, and color are carefully considered in her design choices. She will introduce some of her favorite plants, cover planting techniques, discuss the importance of “editing," and explain how she uses photography to inform design decisions.
10:30am - Gather for conversation and refreshments
Last Names N-Z - Please bring a light snack to share; BYO beverages
11:00am - Zoom talk begins
12:15-1:00pm - Bring your own bag lunch
1:00pm - Judy Leamy will lead a discussion on “Seed Catalogs & Websites and Plant Catalogs & Websites”
Ms. Roper will discuss how form, texture, and color are carefully considered in her design choices. She will introduce some of her favorite plants, cover planting techniques, discuss the importance of “editing," and explain how she uses photography to inform design decisions.
10:30am - Gather for conversation and refreshments
Last Names N-Z - Please bring a light snack to share; BYO beverages
11:00am - Zoom talk begins
12:15-1:00pm - Bring your own bag lunch
1:00pm - Judy Leamy will lead a discussion on “Seed Catalogs & Websites and Plant Catalogs & Websites”
“The Chanticleer Gravel Garden” -
Zoom Talk by Lisa Roper
When:
Where: Sturtz Rm, Reuben Hoar Library, 35 Shattuck Street, Littleton, MA
For the past ten years, Lisa Roper has managed the Gravel Garden at the renowned public garden Chanticleer in Wayne, Pennsylvania. The gravel garden is a stunning and unique landscape, a gently sloping site planted with a mix of fine-textured grasses, gray-leafed Mediterranean plants, drought-tolerant perennials, annuals grown from seed, and hardy succulents.
Ms. Roper will discuss how form, texture, and color are carefully considered in her design choices. She will introduce some of her favorite plants, cover planting techniques, discuss the importance of “editing," and explain how she uses photography to inform design decisions.
10:30am - Gather for conversation and refreshments
Last Names N-Z - Please bring a light snack to share; BYO beverages
11:00am - Zoom talk begins
12:15-1:00pm - Bring your own bag lunch
1:00pm - Judy Leamy will lead a discussion on “Seed Catalogs & Websites and Plant Catalogs & Websites”
Ms. Roper will discuss how form, texture, and color are carefully considered in her design choices. She will introduce some of her favorite plants, cover planting techniques, discuss the importance of “editing," and explain how she uses photography to inform design decisions.
10:30am - Gather for conversation and refreshments
Last Names N-Z - Please bring a light snack to share; BYO beverages
11:00am - Zoom talk begins
12:15-1:00pm - Bring your own bag lunch
1:00pm - Judy Leamy will lead a discussion on “Seed Catalogs & Websites and Plant Catalogs & Websites”
Photos taken by our February 15, 2025 speaker, Lisa Roper!
NARGSNE SeedEx Packeting hosted by Vivien B
When:
Where: Norwood, MA
Hostess will provide soup
If unable to attend, seeds can be mailed to members
Please visit our membership page for Vivien's contact information to receive the exact address location.
If unable to attend, seeds can be mailed to members
Please visit our membership page for Vivien's contact information to receive the exact address location.
Annual Meeting
November 2024
Talk by Panayoti Kelaidis, Senior Curator of the Denver Botanic Gardens
When:
Where: Sturtz Room at the Reuben Hoar Library, 35 Shattuck Street, Littleton, MA
Listen to a talk, in-person, by Panayoti Kelaidis, Senior Curator of the Denver Botanic Gardens and immediate past President of NARGS.
10:30 am Gather for conversation and refreshments.
BYO beverage.
Last name A-M: Please bring a light snack to share.
11:00 am “Glimpses from the Eaves of the World: The Himalayas"
12:15 pm Annual Meeting
1:00 pm Catered Lunch
The October Newsletter will have more information about reserving your lunch. Members are also welcome to bring a bag lunch.
10:30 am Gather for conversation and refreshments.
BYO beverage.
Last name A-M: Please bring a light snack to share.
11:00 am “Glimpses from the Eaves of the World: The Himalayas"
12:15 pm Annual Meeting
1:00 pm Catered Lunch
The October Newsletter will have more information about reserving your lunch. Members are also welcome to bring a bag lunch.
NARGS NE welcomes 2024 Traveling Speaker Christopher Gardner
When:
Where: Littleton Fire Department Meeting Room, 20 Foster Street, Littleton, MA
Chris Gardner, author and travel guide to exotic sites, NARGS traveling speaker for Fall 2024. In-person, Littleton Fire Station.
Members N-Z bring a snack to share
11:00 am
“Flora of the Silk Road”
12:30 pm
BYO Lunch and Beverage
1:00 pm
“Flora of the Mediterranean”
Members N-Z bring a snack to share
11:00 am
“Flora of the Silk Road”
12:30 pm
BYO Lunch and Beverage
1:00 pm
“Flora of the Mediterranean”