Garden in the Woods (180 Hemenway Road, Framingham) is the Society’s botanic garden, showcasing an unrivaled collection of both rare and common native plants in a dramatic woodland setting. Your journey through the heart of the 45-acre property takes you from glacier-carved ridges into steep-sided valleys with a pond, a bog, and a meandering stream—a stunning canvas for a series of naturalistic gardens that display the colors and textures of native plants as the seasons unfold. In the newly expanded Curtis Woodland Garden, sweeps of color highlight the dramatic landforms of the forest floor in early spring, as our nationally recognized collection of trilliums, as well as hepaticas, trout lilies, and other spring ephemerals bloom. A new meadow garden features plants that colonize the region's old farm fields, including gray goldenrod and New England aster, which make for an especially glorious late-summer display. You’ll also enjoy gardens focused on New England's typical habitats, a place for family activities, and our Garden Shop. During the growing season, the shop offers the largest selection of native plants in New England, plus garden books, tools, and eco-friendly gifts for kids and adults."
Snacks and drinks are available at the Garden Shop, which sells a beautiful selection of native plants as well as tools and gifts. Visitors are welcomed to picnic on the patio outside the education building.
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Hours:
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April 2024 through October 15, 2024: Garden in the Woods and its Garden Shop open every day, including holidays, from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Last admission is a half hour before closing
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Mid October –April 17: Botanic Garden paths and trails and the Garden Shop, are closed to the public.
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A free smartphone audio tour guides you through 45 aces of plant displays. The app is available from Google Play and Apple's App Store. Downloading it in advance is suggested.
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Admission:
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$18.00 Adult (ages 18 - 64)
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$15.00 Seniors (65+)
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$8.00 Youth (Ages 5 - 17)
Active servicemen and their spouses admitted free with valid military ID.
Veterans receive 50 percent discount with proof of service.
Members at the Individual with Garden Access level and higher levels admitted free.
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There are several trails in the Garden, but the answers to all of the questions can easily be found by following the main Curtis Trail. The journey is about a one mile loop. Most plants are labeled in the Garden. North American plants that are rare and endangered have red labels. Plants that are not endangered have brown labels and usually include information about the plant's family and native range.
See how many of the following questions you can answer. Email us your answers and then log your find.
Note: We have not been to The Garden in 2024 and we realize that some of the exhibits have changed. We only expect you to find answers that are available!
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1
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42° 20.465
71° 25.618
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Who wrote the saying on the bronze plaque?
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2
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42° 20.428
71° 25.595
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What will provide more effective screening along the fence line?
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3
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42° 20.400
71° 25.648
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What is an important source of nectar for hummingbirds?
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4
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42° 20.400
71° 25.676
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"We can never get enough of _________?"
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5
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42° 20.428
71° 25.692
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How many ecosystems does New England have?
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6
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42° 20.460
71° 25.700
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What has minimal water flow and high levels of tannin and acids?
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7
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42° 20.438
71° 25.700
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What geologic feature occurs in just a few places in New England ?
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8
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42° 20.458
71° 25.691
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What would happen if the pitcher plants stems filled with rainwater?
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9
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42° 20.478
71° 25.695
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The pitch pine/scrub oak community is often referred to as a pine _______?
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10
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42° 20.464
71° 25.705
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What happened here?
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11
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42° 20.516
71° 25.680
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What kind of dinosaur lives here?
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12
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42° 20.551
71° 25.660
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Decomposing logs that help new plants take firm hold are known as _____ _____?
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13
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42° 20.531
71° 25.598
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What does RPG stand for? This area has moved. The answer is Rare Plant Garden.
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14
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42° 20.480
71° 25.647
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Rain gardens will attract insects but will not create a problem with _____?
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