One of the closest sunflower fields near Boston is reopening for the season. Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s third annual Sunflower Spectacular begins Friday, Aug. 14, at the Garden at Elm Bank in Wellesley, where visitors can stroll among thousands of sunflowers and bring home their own freshly picked blooms.
Pick sunflowers in Wellesley
Timed tickets are required for the Sunflower Spectacular and include admission to the display area, three pick-your-own sunflower stems, and access to the Garden at Elm Bank’s 36 acres. The field features 12 sunflower varieties that will bloom in succession, with colors ranging from classic yellow and orange to plum and red.
Tickets are currently available through Sunday, Aug. 23, though the closing date will ultimately depend on flowering conditions and bloom availability. Massachusetts Horticultural Society may release additional tickets if the display remains open longer.
Admission costs:
- $5 for Massachusetts Horticultural Society members
- $20 for adults
- $10 for children
- Free for children ages 2 and under
Explore the gardens with kids
Beyond the sunflower field, visitors can explore hundreds of perennial flowers and seasonal displays throughout the Garden at Elm Bank. Highlights include the formal Italianate Garden, where panicle hydrangeas bloom among copper beech hedges; a wildflower meadow filled with cosmos and milkweed; and Weezie’s Garden for Children, featuring a pollinator patch and sensory garden.
Families can also register for sunflower-themed Little Sprouts sessions on Aug. 18 and Aug. 20. Designed for children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers, each one-hour program includes:
- A five-senses walk through the garden
- A sunflower art project
- A take-home sunflower kit
The Sunflower Spectacular offers an easy late-summer day trip for Bostonians looking to pick blooms, take photos, and enjoy the season’s peak color.
