2014 New England Flower Shows & Festivals

A selection of popular New England flower shows and festivals for 2014. Make a weekend of it!  

Portland Flower ShowMarch 6–9, Portland, ME A garden lecture series, Children’s Discovery Garden, and thousands of plants are just a few of the highlights you’ll find at the Portland Co. Marine Complex. 207-775-4403; portlandcompany.comBoston Flower & Garden ShowMarch 12–16, Boston, MA Get an early shot of spring at New England’s largest flower show. Held at the Seaport World Trade Center. 781-237-5533; bostonflowershow.comNantucket Daffodil FestivalApril 25–27, Nantucket, MA This flower festival includes art shows, tours, parades, exhibitions, contests, lectures, and the annual flower show. daffodilfestival.comDaffodil FestivalApril 26–27, Meriden, CT See more than 650,000 blooming daffodils at this carnival of amusement rides, local food, music, and fireworks held at Hubbard Park. Catch the Arts & Crafts sale and Daffodils on Parade. 203-630-4259; daffodilfest.comDogwood FestivalMay 2–4, Fairfield, CT Features concerts, an arts-and-crafts show, a plant and garden boutique, and beautiful, blooming dogwoods on the grounds of Greenfield Hill Congregational Church. 203-259-5596; greenfieldhillchurch.comLilac SundayMay 11, Boston, MA At the Arnold Arboretum, picnic amid some 380 lilac plants. Tours, live music, family activities, art installations, and food vendors are available dawn to dusk. 617-524-1718; arboretum.harvard.eduNorthern New England Home, Garden & Flower ShowMay 16–18, Fryeburg, ME Meet home and garden exhibitors at the Fryeburg Fairgrounds. Buy your spring plantings; enjoy the cooking series, seminars, and tasty fair food. 800-359-2033; homegardenflowershow.comCelebration of Peonieslate May–early June, Manchester, VT Visit Hildene, the historic homestead of Robert Todd Lincoln, during the weeks that thousands of peonies are in bloom. Purchase heirloom plants and seeds to take home, too. 802-362-1788; hildene.orgNewport Flower ShowJune 27–29, Newport, RI Visit the Rosecliff mansion for a weekend of garden exhibits, a lecture series, workshops, and vendors. This year’s theme is “Journey: Grand Vistas.” 401-847-1000; newportmansions.orgFields of Lupine FestivalJune 1-15 Sugar Hill, NH The 21st annual Lupine Festival in the Fran­conia Notch area offers a vista of purple fields and pastures. Walk paths or take a wagon ride past the flowers; an open-air market on Main Street offers shopping, entertainment, and refreshments. Regionwide. 603-823-5661; franconianotch.orgRead more about the Lupine Festival at Sugar Hill!