Join us for a self-guided tour of some popular nurseries and other destinations on the Massachusetts/Rhode Island Border.  Our tour will feature NorthStar Farm Perennials & Groundcovers where we will be treated to a special open house held just for The Underground. Avant Gardens will also be a special tour destination for unusual plants. Other points of interest will be listed and maps will be provided to all registered attendees.

Please note this tour is for landscape professionals (in the trade) only.
 
Location: NorthStar Farm Perennials & Groundcovers
1154 Main Road
Westport, MA 02790 

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Featured Nursery

NorthStar Farm Perennials & Groundcovers
Special Underground Open House from 9:00-4:00
(light fare and beverages will be provided)
1154 Main Road
Westport, MA 02790
508-636-0866
NorthStar Farm Perennials & Groundcovers in Westport, MA, is a 5 acre farm founded in 2006 and owned and operated by Steve Hancock (member of The Underground). They are a wholesale grower of quality perennials, groundcovers, ornamental grasses and herbs. The 2 acre gutter-connected greenhouse was originally built to grow hydroponic lettuce but now houses all manor of wonderful perennials.  The nursery will hold an open house between 9:00-4:00 and Steve will point out some great plant selections that you will want to consider for this season.

Directions:
From Metro-West area:
Rte. 128/95 South. Stay on Rte.128 at the 95 split. Follow until the Rte.24 exit (exit 4). Follow Rte. 24 for approx. 35 miles and take exit 4 onto Rte. 195 East towards Cape Cod (**this is a LEFT hand exit). QUICKLY get into the right lane and take exit 10 onto Rte 88 South (Horseneck Beach). Follow thru 3 traffic lights. At the 4th light turn right onto Hixbridge Rd. This is very short.....follow to the end. Turn left onto Main Rd. We are at 1154(on the left) and will have a maker out at the end of our dirt laneway to lead you in.

From Boston area:
Take Rte. 93 South and stay on 93 when Rte 3 splits to the left. Follow 93 South towards Milton and get into the left lane fairly quickly. Look for the Rte. 24 South exit (left exit) and follow directions from above from the start of Rte. 24.

West of Boston near 495:
495 South to Rte. 24 South. Follow Rte. 24 to exit 4 (Left Exit) onto Rte. 195 East towards Cape Cod. Quickly get into the right lane and take exit 10 onto Rte. 88 South (Horseneck Beach). Follow thru 3 sets of lights. Turn right at the 4th light onto Hixbridge Rd. This is very short. Turn left onto Main Rd. We are a few hundred feet up on the left at #1154......we will have a sign or marker out to lead you in our dirt laneway.

Please note that some destinations listed below may change.

Other Nurseries to See

Avant Gardens
Hours from 9:00-5:00
710 High Hill Rd.
Dartmouth, MA 02747
508-998-8819
Avant Gardens in Dartmouth, MA, is owned and operated by Kathy and Chris Tracey. It is a small family run nursery that propagates what they sell. The choice plants they grow can't be had that easily. They grow a tremendous variety of plants (many they don't even list), but do not propagate in great quantities. They aim to cater to the more adventurous gardeners with their unusual selections. They have established some delightful gardens and their mixed borders artistically combine the unusual trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals that they sell at the nursery.

Other Points of Interest

Westport River Vineyards
Hours from 11:00-5:00
417 Hixbridge Road
Westport, MA 02790
1-800-993-9695
Westport River Vineyards began in 1982 when Bob & Carol Russell bought an old dairy farm in Westport, Massachusetts. The winery opened to the public during the summer of 1991.  Westport Rivers is a family owned vineyard and winery producing estate grown wines from New England's largest vineyard. Their wines include traditional method sparkling wine, Chardonnay, Rosé of Pinot Noir, Riesling and other Alsatian varietals. They are best known for sparkling wines which rival any from around the globe. Public tours are at 1 & 3 pm and are free. They will have the wine tasting bar ready for our attendees. Tastings are $7.

Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum
Hours from 10:00-5:00
101 Ferry Road
Bristol, RI 02809
401-253-2707
Located on Narragansett Bay, 25 minutes east of Providence and 60 minutes south of Boston, Blithewold is one of the finest garden estates in New England. Your exploration of Blithewold will take place during 'Daffodil Days' http://www.blithewold.org/events-specialevents.htm Also taking place on this day is the Antique Flowerpots Roadshow from 11:00-1:00. Please sign up in advance for this lecture which is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Admission to the grounds only is $10 for adults

New Bedford Whaling Museum
Hours from 9:00-5:00
8 Johnny Cake Hill
New Bedford, MA 02740
508-997-0046
The New Bedford Whaling Museum is the largest museum in America devoted to the history of the American whaling industry and its greatest port. Through exhibits, publications, and programs, the Museum brings to life the whaling era and the history of the local area. It houses the most extensive collection of art, artifacts, and manuscripts pertaining to American whaling in the age of sail - late eighteenth century to the early twentieth, when sailing ships dominated merchant trade and whaling. Admission $10 for adults, children $6. Parties of 10 or more can get a $1 ea. discount admission.

Other Happenings

Island Night at the Zeiterion Theatre
Hours from 6:30-8:30ish
684 Purchase Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
508-997-5664
Calling all Islanders, Parrotheads and Beachbums! Bring yourself and your friends for a taste of summer! Wear your best Island attire! Come ready to party! Join us for a FUN raiser to benefit the Zeiterion! Tropical Tailgate Tent Party 6:30 to 8:30ish (hey, it's the islands, no one keeps time) then.. dance your way into 'Z' party with legendary Buffett band 'Changes in Latitude'! Email us your craziest Island photos and music to islandnight@zeiterion.org. Your photos will be part of the pre-show antics! Tickets are $75 which gets you into the Party-- great Island Jambalaya, 2 tropical drinks, a lei and 'latitudes of Buffett attitudes' --Experience Island Night 2008 and support the Z! Buy tickets at http://tickets.zeiterion.org/

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Event Cancellation Policy 

Cancellations

You may cancel this event by notifying us (by email or phone) up to the time of the event.  Please be sure to let us know you are not coming so that we do not incur any unnecessary expenses.

Weather Cancellations

Program cancellations due to inclement weather will be announced in advance of the event (typically by email). If you think that your program may be cancelled please call us at 508-872-3792 to confirm.

Paying by Check

If paying by check for any merchandise, please make checks payable to The Underground and mail it along with a printed copy of your online registration form to the address below.

The Underground
P.O. Box 2440
Framingham, MA 01703-2440

All checks must be received prior to this event. We will not be taking payment at the door.

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Notice Regarding Audio/Video Recording of Events

When you enter an Underground event (program, workshop or tour), you will be entering an area where photography, video and audio recording may occur.

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