The heat is bearing down on Massachusetts, New England and the whole east coast, what a great time to relax at a nearby public garden and pick up some great design ideas for your next landscaping project.

Today I’m highlighting some public gardens in Massachusetts, so make some iced tea and cucumber sandwiches and head out to for a serene afternoon looking at nature and landscape design.

1. Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge, Ma. Called “a glistening community gem” by Virginia Small, author of the book Great Gardens of the Berkshires, the Garden’s mission is to fulfill the community’s need for information, education and inspiration concerning the art and science of gardening and the preservation and improvement of our local environment.
2. The Arnold Arboretum in Boston, Ma.  The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is the oldest public arboretum in North America and one of the world’s leading centers for the study of plants. Administered by the Office of the Provost of Harvard University and a link in Boston’s Emerald Necklace of parks, the 265-acre Arnold Arboretum is a unique blend of respected research institution and beloved public landscape.
3. Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich, Ma. Heritage provides a memorable experience of beauty, exploration and discovery for all ages, which inspires visitors to return and share the excitement with family and friends.
4. Mount Holyoke Botanic Garden in South Hadley, Ma.  The primary mission of the Mount Holyoke College Botanic Garden is to maintain a diverse, well-documented and accurately labeled living plant collection that supports and enhances teaching and research for the faculty and students of Mount Holyoke College.
5. Garden in the Woods in Framingham, Ma.  This ever-changing living museum—New England’s premier wildflower garden—has more than 1,000 native plant species, with many rare and endangered native specimens throughout the gardens, as well as the unique “New England Garden of Rare and Endangered Plants.”

Related posts:

1. Open To The Public – Landscaped Gardens – An Adventure
2. Landscape Ideas – Visit Maine Gardens
3. 5 More NH Gardens to Visit

Tagged as: Arnold Arboretum, Berkshire Botanical Garden, Botanical garden, Design, Garden, Landscape architecture, Massachusetts, New England