Ah, springtime in Boston! Birds start singing, the Red Sox start playing, road construction starts up, duck boats and rowing teams are back on the Charles, rabbits are all over Brookline, and flowers appear seemingly everywhere! Let’s talk about some great places to get outside in the warming weather and see some spring Boston flowers!
The Public Garden
For me, the Boston Public Garden is one of the iconic outdoor areas to visit in Boston. The lawns provide sunny and well-shaded patches to relax, read, and watch the willows rustle over the pond. The area around the George Washington statue has a stunning flower display that evolves as the seasons wear on. You’ll see some dazzling tulips and many others as the year progresses. The perimeter beds around the Public Garden also have lilacs in the spring!
On the weekends around lunch, you’ll also have the ambiance of some live music from some buskers while watching families, couples, and furry friends stroll around the park! You are also very close to the Charles River Esplanade, Beacon Hill, and Commonwealth Avenue to continue exploring!
Charles River Esplanade
Oh, the cherry blossoms! In April-May, the cherry trees spring into spectacular form at this iconic spot in Boston. Coupled with the beautiful backdrop of the Charles River and sailboats returning to the water, the Charles River Esplanade is a must-see! Be ready to be dazzled by the Boston cherry blossoms and some of the onlookers donning their finest silks for a photo shoot. There is ample lawn space in the area, so bring a blanket, a book, and a beverage, and slow down for a while.
Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill, charm incarnate! Beautifully manicured flower boxes are some of the stars around Beacon Hill. Grab a coffee or other beverage and give yourself the luxury to have a stroll up and down the streets to find some Boston spring flowers. Focus on the area north of the Public Garden and west of Charles Street where you’ll find beautiful homes, charming streets, and the lovely Louisburg Square Park.
Commonwealth Avenue
During the spring, Commonwealth Avenue (you’ll hear it called Comm Ave) is rich with blooms! You’ll see tulips and many annuals in front of buildings, beautiful magnolias, wonderful wisteria, and dogwoods to boot! The area west of Massachusetts Avenue where the Commonwealth Avenue Mall starts is a great place to get started. Further east towards Kenmore Square, you can see some truly great tulip displays!
Beacon Street and Marlborough Street
The areas of Beacon St. and Marlborough St. east of Charlesgate are a beautiful mix of classic brownstones, lovely facades, pretty architecture, and gorgeous gardens and flower boxes. Here you’ll find a huge array of flowers that peak throughout the season like dogwoods, roses, rhododendrons, peonies, and so many more! These two streets parallel Commonwealth Ave. and similarly take to you right to the Boston Public Garden making for a great combination! Tip Don’t forget to look up to see the gorgeous architecture since the most ornate details are often on the tops of buildings.
Mount Auburn Cemetery
My first visit to Mount Auburn Cemetery left me awe-inspired by the beauty and variety of the landscape. Rolling hills, ponds, all the plant life you could want, birds, and a beautifully tranquil time await you here. All of our favorites are on display at Mount Auburn Cemetery: magnolias, cherries, dogwoods, and rhododendrons. If you’ve never visited, give yourself a chance to see what you’ve been missing!
The Arnold Arboretum
Another gem of the Boston area flower scene is the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University! The Boston Arboretum has meticulously manicured areas as well as more natural areas full of stunning displays of trees, wildflowers, and wooded paths. The magnolias and cherries are not to be missed during their peak! Roses and azaleas blaze under the sun. Crab apples are stunning and the area provides nicely rolling hills for a stroll. The lilac area is one of my favorite areas to walk down in the spring. Imagine, a path lined with all manner of lilacs lending their intoxicating scents. It’s just glorious! Lilac Sunday is a popular Mother’s Day event where the Arboretum hosts tours. It is also the only day where picnicking is permitted.
The Arboretum’s website has a great visiting page where you can see the organization of various collections, sign up for a tour, and plan what you’d like to see. Looking for a map of Arnold Arboretum? The printable map shows where each collection can be found.
Cambridgeport
Cambridgeport is a quiet area of Cambridge southwest of Central Square down to the Charles River. If you know the Shell Sign, that’s on the border of Cambridgeport. The streets here are very residential and lined with trees, flower gardens, and other greenery. A walk around the neighborhoods will bring you past all of our favorites: lilacs, dogwoods, magnolias, tulips, and wisteria. Many of the homes here have beautiful flower gardens that change with the seasons and are a great place to find spring Boston flowers. I lived in this area for a few years, and it’s not to be missed!
Brookline and Cottage Farm
Brookline has a similar feel to what I mentioned in Cambridgeport, though a little more upscale. You’ll get quiet residential streets with beautiful homes and lush flowers and greenery. A standout area here is the Cottage Farm Historic District with lovely homes and flowering trees! It’s common to be walking by and catch the scent of a copse of lilacs drawing you in! Springtime also brings the added joy of seeing oodles of bunnies around!
Fenway garden society victory gardens & James P. Kelleher Rose Garden
On your way to or from a Sox game (or any other time for that matter), consider stopping by the victory gardens at the Fenway Garden Society and the James P. Kelleher Rose Garden. The victory gardens are all planted and maintained by enthusiastic individuals. That enthusiasm shows when walking the aisles to see their stunning gardens. Anything you’d like to see is on display and many maintainers are open for a chat about their work.
The James P. Kelleher Rose Garden has a small walking path that traverses all manner of well-labeled and manicured roses. When things are in full bloom, this is a sight to see!
Other fun things to do in Boston
If you’re looking for other fun things to do in Boston consider
- Going to the Boston Ballet
- Going kayaking on the Charles River
Wrapping up
We love seeing the beautiful flowers all around the city. If you’re visiting the city, we think getting out to explore should be on your list of non-touristy things to do in Boston!
What are your favorite places to see flowers in the Boston area? What did I miss?
