Even in the temperate Northern climate it is possible to consider succulents as attractive outdoor additions to the home or formal garden. In this lecture, Harnek Singh will speak in the Far Barn at the Polly Hill Arboretum, 809 State Road in West Tisbury, on August 28 at 5:30 about his many years of creative design as a Horticulturist at Wave Hill in Riverdale, NY where he is the head of the Cactus/Succulent Greenhouse. He will share the details of what he looks for in plants before choosing them for seasonal succulent displays, including how leaf texture, color, maintenance needs, and propagation ease are carefully considered in these succulents and their companion plants. $10 for Polly Hill members, $20 for the general public. Registration is required: bit.ly/PHA-Succulent-Lecture
Bringing plants into cultivation can serve many purposes, including the benefits of increasing urban landscape biodiversity as well as preserving the genetics of species of conservation concern in safe sites. Plant exploration has many ethical, legal, natural, and physical challenges to navigate, but ultimately is a satisfying endeavor that seems to be taken on only by a small collaborative group of the most passionate plant nerds. Join Adam Black, Director of Horticulture and Plant Conservation at Bartlett Research Labs and Arboretum, as he chronicles the various exhilarating adventures, unexpected complications, and comical situations he has encountered in both far-flung regions of the world as well as the surprisingly under-explored regions of the US. The program will take place at the Polly Hill Arboretum Far Barn, 809 State Road in West Tisbury, on August 14 at 5:30 pm. $5 for Polly Hill members, $10 for nonmembers. Registration is required: bit.ly/PHA-PlantExploration-Lecture
For over 90 years, the School of Professional Horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden has educated and trained motivated individuals to become horticulturists of the highest caliber. The call to educate and train horticulturists is growing louder particularly as climate change reshapes the field. This transformation brings forth new environmental challenges and opportunities, underscoring the need to recruit and develop horticulturists equipped with the knowledge and skills to address global demands. Discover the rich history of one of the nation’s premier horticulture programs with Richard Smith, Director of NYBG’s School of Professional Horticulture. The talk, at the Polly Hill Arboretum’s Far Barn on August 7 at 5:30, is $10 for Arboretum members, $20 for nonmembers. Registration is required: bit.ly/PHA-SOPH-Lecture
Jared Barnes, Ph.D., started gardening when he was five years old, and since then he has enthusiastically pursued how to best cultivate plants and cultivate minds. In this inspiring Polly Hill Arboretum lecture in the Far Barn on July 24 at 5:30 pm, Dr. Jared Barnes will share how he educates students about native plants at Stephen F. Austin State University, his explorations in the wild looking for native plants, and his success growing them in east Texas. $5 for Polly Hill Arboretum members, $10 for nonmembers. Registration is required: bit.ly/PHA-Cultivating-Lecture
Join Jazen’s Art Studio for a special Paint Party at Polly Hill Arboretum. Follow along with Jaz and paint an Arboretum landscape scene that you can admire in your home for years to come. All supplies will be included. Space is very limited; advanced registration is required and expected to sell out. Please meet at the Education Center & Botany Lab. $50. Proceeds benefit Polly Hill Arboretum and help make it possible to hold future affordable and free educational programs for our community. Thank you for your support! Sign up HERE
Join Polly Hill Arboretum docent Nancy Weaver for a special tour to celebrate Polly Hill’s birthday. In memory of Polly Hill and her love of plants, Nancy will tell stories of Polly and highlight some of her favorite places around the Arboretum. Please meet at 10 am at the Visitor Center. The Polly Hill Arboretum is located in West Tisbury on Martha’s Vineyard. Free for Arboretum members, $5 for nonmembers. Register HERE.
Enjoy an easy, mindful walk through beautiful Polly Hill Arboretum trees in a peaceful winter setting. These walks are led by Shanta Gabriel, who has worked in the field of alternative health for 40 years and has been leading groups in nature for over a decade.Sign up for one class or all. Rain dates will be held on the following Thursday. Please meet at our Visitor Center. Remember to dress accordingly, this program will be held outdoors.
Proceeds benefit Polly Hill Arboretum and help make it possible for us to hold future affordable and free educational programs for our community. Thank you for your support!
In every season the Polly Hill Arboretum on Martha’s Vineyard offers something of beauty and interest to visitors. At this time of year, plants display unique textures, structure, cones, and berries. The Arboretum is offering staff-led winter walks on three Saturdays, December 16 and January 13, beginning at 10 am.
In order to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 and RSV viruses, each tour is limited to 12 or fewer adults (no children under 12, sorry). Please do not attend a tour if you don’t feel well, or if you have recently been exposed to someone with a known case of COVID-19. Guides will wear masks, and we ask that all visitors wear masks for the duration of your time on the Arboretum grounds, for the safety of yourselves, other visitors, and our volunteer docents. Please practice social distancing between other visitors and your tour guide.
To register, visit www.pollyhillarboretum.org. Sorry, we cannot allow groups larger than the allotted number of slots. No children under 12. No dogs. Free for members, $5 for nonmembers.
Please check your email (the address you signed up with) on the evening prior to your tour to make sure you have not received a cancellation notice. Cancellation may result from inclement weather, or at the discretion of the Arboretum for any reason deemed appropriate by staff.
If you need to cancel or reschedule, please email info@pollyhillarboretum.org 24 hours prior to your scheduled tour (excluding weekends). This will allow us to fill unused slots or cancel tours that have insufficient registration. We appreciate your consideration in notifying us.
Want to fill meadow, woodland, or wildflower areas with beautiful native plants? The Polly Hill Arboretum on Martha’s Vineyard is now offering MV native plants sold as plugs. Landscape plugs, grown in narrow sleeves, are an economical way to add more native plants to your home landscape. Small, but strong due to their 5″ root depth, they will establish quickly in your garden. Native plants provide important food and habitat for local fauna and pollinators, and increase the ecological health of your neighborhood. Plugs will be available during limited ordering windows in spring and fall. Check the Plant Sale section of the Arboretum website for more information beginning June 9, and to place your order. They will pack your plugs in mulch and deliver them to a pickup area, ready for planting right away.
Randall’s Island is known for sports and outdoor music as well as a place for health and social institutions. However, most New Yorkers are unaware that the island is also home to many acres of wetlands, woodlands, meadows, and ornamental gardens that create beauty and sanctuary in a landscape surrounded by the bustle of New York City. Landscape and garden designer Veronica Tyson-Strait will share the Randall’s Island that she knows: an oasis for birds, butterflies, and anyone seeking refuge. She will also share strategies to enhance biodiversity in your own garden. This program on September 21 at 5:30 pm is co-sponsored by the Polly Hill Arboretum and by the Dukes Soil Conservation District and The Nature Conservancy. In person, in an open air building. $5 PHA members, $10 nonmembers – space is limited.
