Massachusetts Horticultural Society
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| Abbreviation | MassHort |
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| Motto | Commune Bonum (Latin) "Common Good" |
| Formation | 12 June 1829 |
| Founder | William H. Sumner |
| Founded at | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Location | |
| Slogan | "Come, Learn, and Grow with MassHort" |
| Website |
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The Massachusetts Horticultural Society, sometimes abbreviated to MassHort, is an American horticultural society based in Massachusetts. It describes itself as the oldest formally organized horticultural institution in the United States. In its mission statement, the society dedicates itself to encouraging the science and practice of horticulture and developing the public's enjoyment, appreciation, and understanding of plants and the environment. As of 2014, it had some 5,000 members.
The society was established in 1829 in Boston as the Boston Horticultural Society, and promptly began weekly exhibits (in Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market) of locally grown fruit and later vegetables, teaching the newest horticultural techniques and breeds, including the local Concord grape in 1853. It continued this tradition from 1871 through 2008 with its annual New England Spring Flower Show.
In 1831 the society bought a 72-acre (290,000 m2) estate called "Sweet Auburn" for an arboretum, garden, and cemetery. Although the horticultural garden never materialized, in 1835 the site was incorporated as Mount Auburn Cemetery. Until 1976, the society received one-fourth of the proceeds from the sale of Mount Auburn's cemetery lots.
In its early years, the Society met in various locations in Boston. Starting in 1845, the society has built for itself three successive exhibit halls, each named "Horticultural Hall." The first was located on School Street; the second on Tremont Street, and the third on Massachusetts Avenue. Since 2001 the society's headquarters have been at the Elm Bank Horticulture Center (36 acres) in Wellesley. The 36 acres (150,000 m2) encompass multiple gardens including an acre-sized one designed by prominent UK plantsman Adrian Bloom. Other gardens include the Weezie's Children's Garden, an Italianate Garden, a floral and vegetable trial gardens run as part of the All-America Selection group, and specialty gardens built around rhododendron, daylilies, herbs and natrive plants.
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