Friday, July 11 – Sunday, July 20 – 11th Annual Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival
The Cape Cod Hydrangea Society (CCHS), in conjunction with the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce and Heritage Museums and Gardens, announce that the 11th Annual Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival takes place from Friday, July 11 to Sunday, July 20. In addition, the Fest Kickoff Party is happening on Thursday, July 10, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Hyannis Country Garden in Hyannis.
Heritage Gardens in Sandwich is a major stop on the tour, including both its Display Garden and the North American Hydrangea Test Garden. These lovely gardens are maintained by CCHS members, as directed by Mal Condon, “The Hydrangea Guy”, Curator of the Hydrangea Gardens at Heritage, and CCHS member and past-president. Hydrangea U also takes place at Heritage Gardens on Friday, July 11th.
A total of ten CCHS member gardens are open during the Festival, with varying dates and times according to homeowner preferences. Starting on Tuesday, July 15, the Bowkers’ garden in E. Sandwich is open, as well as JoAnn Piscillo’s in Brewster. On Wednesday, July 16, C.L. Fornari’s garden in Sandwich is open, and Mal Condon is appearing at the Piscillo garden at both 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.; and again at the Michaelson’s Woods Hole garden, on Friday, July 18, at both 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. All ten CCHS member garden locations can be found in the CCHS Hydrangea Fest brochure, or by visiting www.capecodhydrangeasociety.org.
CCHS docents are available to answer questions at each CCHS garden location. In addition, local artists are painting in some gardens while visitors tour the grounds.
Local non-profit organizations based in many Cape Cod towns benefit from all garden tour proceeds. Several participating nurseries and home centers also offer promotions during the Fest, particularly Hyannis Country Garden. An overall event schedule is now available at www.capecodchamber.org, with addresses of all participating gardens posted on this site.
Private garden tours are $5 per person per garden, and all gardens are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on specified days, rain or shine. This year a souvenir Hydrangea Fest ‘Passport’ can be found at any CCHS garden, and attendees can get it stamped at most participating gardens.
