Boston Flora

Tag: Polly Hill Arboretum

  • Wednesday, July 18, 12:00 noon – Black Oaks in Peril

    Dr. Neil Hendrickson, PhD Forestry of the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories (Northeast) will visit Martha’s Vineyard to address the subject of infestation to our native black oaks, (Quercus velutina) by the cynipid, ‘crypt’ gall wasp, (Bassettia ceropteroides). Anyone who has an interest in the landscapes, trees and natural beauty of Cape Cod and The Islands is invited to attend this free lecture at The Polly Hill Arboretum. Dr. Hendrickson will be accompanied by Mark P. DiBiase, MCA & Arborist Representative for Bartlett Tree Experts on Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth, MA. The information session is sponsored by the local offices of the F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Co. Inc.

    For more information, you may contact Mark at mdibiase@bartlett.com or by calling 508-693-4846 or 508-540-3903. Since Wednesday is the Gardens of Martha’s Vineyard tour day, this program may work well into your schedule.

  • Thursday, July 19, 10:00 am – Behind the Plastic Curtain

    Want to know what goes on in the Polly Hill Arboretum greenhouse and nursery? Here’s your chance to get more than just the tantalizing glimpse most visitors experience. Led by collections and grounds manager Tom Clark, we’ll stroll right past the “Employees Only” sign and explore the inner workings of the Arboretum’s plant production facilities. We’ll look at the nuts and bolts, hear about the impact these new facilities have had on the development of the Arboretum’s living collection, and see some of the results of PHA’s plant exploration trips to Japan and the Southeast, and local collecting here on the Vineyard. The excursion takes place Thursday, July 19, beginning at 10 in the morning in West Tisbury. $5/free for PHA members. For more information, visit www.pollyhillarboretum.org.

  • Tuesday, July 24, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Gertrude Jekyll and the Country House Garden

    Join author and landscape historian Judith Tankard on Tuesday, July 24 at 4 pm at the Polly Hill Arboretum for this talk about her latest book, Gertrude Jekyll and the Country House Garden. This is the first book in over two decades devoted to one of the most important garden designers of the twentieth century. Gertrude Jekyll laid the basis for modern garden design and is credited with popularizing an informal, naturalistic look in counterpoint to the rigid, formal landscapes of the Victorian era. Also known as a prolific and influential writer, Jekyll contributed more than one hundred articles to Country Life and designed three gardens for the publication’s founder, Edward Hudson. As a result, the Country Life archive has an unrivaled record of her work. Tankard, who has spoken twice in the past for The Garden Club of the Back Bay,  has mined this archive resulting in a treasure trove of text and images showcasing the more than 350 gardens created by Jekyll. Book signing and light refreshments to follow.  $20/$15 for PHA members. Generously sponsored by Donaroma’s Nursery.  Register at www.pollyhillarboretum.org.

  • Wednesday, July 18, 7:30 pm – The Gardens of Chanticleer

    In recognition of the contributions of Lisina and Frank Hoch, the Polly Hill Arboretum in West Tisbury has established an annual lecture in their honor focusing on great American gardens. They are pleased to welcome William (Bill) Thomas, director of Chanticleer, located in Wayne, Pennsylvania as the inaugural speaker on Wednesday, July 18, beginning at 7:30 pm. Chanticleer, a pleasure garden, is the most creative garden in America. The garden is visually and sensually exciting; filled with artistic spaces full of inspiring plant combinations, magnificent container plantings, and the artistry of the garden’s staff from woodworking to stone carving to metalworking. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how this spectacular garden continues to evolve.  $10/$5 for PHA members. Generously sponsored by Heather Gardens. Register at www.pollyhillarboretum.org.

  • Wednesday, July 11, 7:30 pm – Extraordinary Secrets of Trees

    Perhaps you plan a trip to Martha’s Vineyard in July.  If so, don’t neglect this terrific evening lecture at the Polly Hill Arboretum in West Tisbury on Wednesday, July 11 beginning at 7:30 pm. Have you ever looked at a tree? Of course, we see them every day; however have you ever really seen the wondrous traits of your favorite trees? Join author and educator Nancy Ross Hugo for this illustrated talk based on her recent book Seeing Trees: Discover the Extraordinary Secrets of Ordinary Trees. Focusing on widely grown trees, this captivating book describes the rewards of close observation of trees, and with stunning photographs illustrates some of the most visually interesting tree structures, including leaves, flowers, buds, leaf scars, twigs, and bark. Trees will never look quite the same again.  $10/$5 for PHA members. Generously sponsored by Bartlett Tree Experts.  Register on line at www.pollyhillarboretum.org.

  • Thursday, July 5, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Joys of Butterfly Gardening

    Butterflies are welcome visitors to our gardens. Join Susie Bowman, teacher/naturalist at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary and avid gardener, at the Polly Hill Arboretum on Thursday, July 5, from 10 – noon, to learn how to attract more of these beautiful insects to your garden. She will introduce the basic needs of butterflies and how to plan or modify gardens to meet these needs. Susie will illustrate with images of island butterflies that frequent specific plants at the Felix Neck butterfly garden. The program will conclude with a walk to the Polly Hill homestead border. Butterfly-friendly plant list included!

    $20/$10 for PHA members.  To register, visit www.pollyhillarboretum.org.

  • Tuesday, July 17, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm – Gardens of Martha’s Vineyard

    Join the Polly Hill Arboretum on Tuesday, July 17, from 9 – 4, for a special tour of some spectacular Vineyard gardens.  Begin at the Bressler Garden on Oyster Pond.  This small garden incorporates shrubs, grasses, native plants, and perennials, including 85 lavender plants, on the shore zone at Oyster Pond. From there, proceed to the Geiger Garden in Chilmark (pictured below,) tucked away in the woods, featuring an elaborate water garden.  Lunch will be served at the Polly Hill Arboretum, and from there you will proceed to the Coyne Garden in West Tisbury, located on Looks Pond, the former garden of Nina Schneider, a contemporary of Polly’s.  Then, on to “The Folly,” the Biggs Garden in West Tisbury, hidden off Lambert’s Cove Road.  The large stucco Italianate home features a variety of formal and informal garden areas. The price of $135 ($100 for PHA members) includes transporation, lunch, and a $30 donation to PHA.  To register, visit www.pollyhillarboretum.org, or call 508-693-9426.

  • Thursday, June 14, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Floral Photography

    The wonders and beauty of nature are often difficult to photograph. If you plan to be on Martha’s Vineyard on Thursday, June 14, from 4 – 6, join photographer Katherine Rose at the Polly Hill Arboretum to improve your photographic skills through a variety of techniques. Instruction will include understanding your camera’s controls and capabilities, the color of light, long shots versus close-ups, and developing a point-of-view for all your shots. Your own eye is the guide for this late afternoon photo foray at the Arboretum. Katherine was garden photographer for the Boston Globe for ten years and has taught photography at the university level and at Featherstone for the last thirteen years. Pre-register at www.pollyhillarboretum.org, since space is limited. $30/$20 for PHA members.

  • Tuesday, June 12, 10:00 am – 11:00 am – Meet the Heaths!

    The rhododendrons are just one branch of an interesting and attractive family tree. Join Polly Hill Arboretum staff for a look at the heath family (Ericaceae) at PHA on Tuesday, June 12, from 10 – 11. There’s more to this family than our 523 (not that we’re counting!) beloved rhododendrons. On this walk we will tour the living collection and meet the relatives, discovering many lesser-known ericaceous plants including native shrubs, evergreen groundcovers, and summer-blooming trees. $5/free for PHA members.  For more information, visit www.pollyhillarboretum.org.

  • Tuesday, June 26, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Edgartown: The Tree Tour!

    Enough about the distinguished Federal and Greek Revival homes of Edgartown— have you experienced the tree tour?! Join Polly Hill Arboretum collections and grounds manager Tom Clark for this informative and fun walking tour of the many glorious mature trees of Edgartown. In the midst of the mantle of green that envelops downtown Edgartown, the hydrangeas and picket fences, many unique and fine specimen trees await discovery. Expect the famous Pagoda Tree and so much more. Call 508-693-9426 to pre-register and for carpool and meeting location. $20/$10 for PHA members.