North Shore Horticultural Society

01/27/2026

Tonight's NSHS meeting and potluck dinner cancelled due to snow. See you in February!

01/07/2026

Winner of Distinguished Service Medal 2026 from the Garden Club of America, Uli Lorimer, Director of Mt. Auburn Cemetery, who presented to NSHS last year
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DEhDbxQHW/

We are pleased to announce that the Garden Club of America (GCA) has announced the recipients of its 2026 national medals, the highest honor bestowed upon individuals and organizations by the GCA for distinguished achievements in areas related to its purpose.

Native Plant Trust’s own Director of Horticulture Uli Lorimer is among the honorees, being awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his dedication to the conservation of native plant species and the restoration of native plant communities. With a long-standing tradition of celebrating extraordinary efforts to protect and beautify the planet, The Garden Club of America will present the medals at its 113th annual meeting in April 2026 in New York City. Congratulations Uli!

Photo: Uli Lorimer at Garden in the Woods, Patrick Rogers Photography

10/28/2025

Tonight: 10/28: Master gardener, Bonnie Power, with degrees in Zoology talks to us about an under appreciated group of insects, "Spiders In the Garden"! Presentation starts at 7:30, while social time starts at 7pm (PS Not sure I appreciated this critter when it appeared in my house!)

05/22/2025

Tonight NSHS is still holding its Annual Plant Auction at 6pm at Sacred Heart Church 62 School St in Manchester-by-the-Sea!! Hope you will brave the rain and join us!! The community as well as members are invited.

03/20/2025

Very interesting! Wish I still had my bat detector that detected ultrasonic sounds so I would know when we water all of my houseplants

A 2023 study from Tel Aviv University flipped the script on plants, catching them making ultrasonic “popping” sounds when stressed. Using sensitive microphones, researchers recorded tomato and to***co plants under three conditions: well-watered, dehydrated, and stem-cut. Healthy plants stayed quiet, but stressed ones—especially dehydrated—churned out up to 40 clicks per hour, detectable over a meter away. Published in Cell, the team found each stress type produced unique sound patterns, which machine learning decoded with 70% accuracy. These 28-100 kHz bursts, beyond human hearing (20 kHz max), might stem from air bubbles collapsing in water-starved xylem tubes. Could insects or animals tune in? This sonic discovery hints plants aren’t silent—they’re screaming, and nature’s eavesdropping.

03/11/2025

https://www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/libraries-at-rhs/articles/sarah-backhouse-creator-of-first-pink-daffodil

Narcissus ‘Mrs R. O. Backhouse’ holds a special place in horticultural history as the first true pink daffodil ever bred. For her remarkable work, Sarah Backhouse was named as a ‘genius’

02/27/2025

Planning your summer garden? Looking to add blueberries to your diet? Join us Thursday, February 27 at 7pm for tonight's presentation by Barb McIntosh, "Blueberries in the Home Garden". Sounds yummy to me!