Boston Flora

Tag: Polly Hill

  • Thursday, June 5, 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm – Art in the (Polly Hill) Arboretum Opening Reception

    Art in the Arboretum is an exhibit designed to showcase views and interpretations of the Polly Hill Arboretum, 795 State Road in West Tisbury, by 11 artists who are full-time residents, seasonal residents, or regular visitors to the Island. This year’s show will feature photographs, sketches, and paintings. The weatherproof replicas, along with information about each artist, will be displayed on the grounds in the location where the original piece was inspired. The exhibit will be on display through October 31, 2025. An opening reception and tour are scheduled for June 5 from 4:30 – 6 pm. The cost is included with $10 admission to the Arboretum, free for PHA members. For more information visit https://www.pollyhillarboretum.org/event/art-in-the-arboretum/?instance_id=2556

  • Tuesday, January 30, 10:00 am – 11:00 pm – Polly Hill’s Birthday Tour

    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.

  • Tuesday, April 12, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm – Gravel Gardening, Online

    Join the Polly Hill Arboretum and Andrew Bunting, Vice President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, as he shares the transformation of his front yard into a gravel garden. His front garden has experienced many iterations over the years, from a cottage garden, to a meadow garden, and now a gravel garden. Bunting will cover how the garden was designed; details of the installation process, as well as how he went about plant selection and follow-up care. He will discuss the success and shortcomings to date. Andrew will also share the gardens that have influenced his garden such as the works of Jeff Epping, Lisa Roper, etc.

    This presentation is virtual. A Zoom link will be provided after registering. $10; FREE for PHA members. Proceeds benefit Polly Hill Arboretum. Register here: bit.ly/Gravel-Gardening

  • Wednesday, April 2, 7:00 pm – American Oaks: A Genus to Love

    American Oaks are diverse, display complex ecological relationships, and play an important role in ecosystem stability.  Join Grow Native Massachusetts on Wednesday, April 2, at 7 pm at the Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway in Cambridge, to examine this wonderful genus, with an emphasis on the oaks of eastern North America.

    Tim Boland, Director of the Polly Hill Arboretum in Martha’s Vineyard, will discuss their evolutionary history, importance to flora and fauna, and challenges in a rapidly changing climate. They also have a deep connection to humanity, and are revered for their resilience, age, and multiple uses. Admission is free.  Image from www.forestertreeservice.com. For more information visit www.grownativemass.org. 

    http://forestertreeservice.com//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/OAK-1.jpg

  • Saturday, October 13, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – The Science, Art, and Lore of Pickling

    Who doesn’t love the zesty crunch of a pickle? Before refrigeration pickling (acidic preservation) was more than just a delicious addition to a meal, it was an essential strategy for safe food storage.

    Judith Sumner, author of American Household Botany: A History of Useful Plants, 1620-1900, will uncover the history of pickling with “receipts” gathered from early New England cookbooks. She will explain the antimicrobial properties of herbs and spices as well as present the wide range of foods that can be pickled. Ready to pickle at home? Modern pickling recipes and methods will also be presented.  The program will take place Saturday, October 13 beginning at 1 pm at The Polly Hill Arboretum in West Tisbury. $25/$15 for PHA members. For directions and information visit www.pollyhillarboretum.org.

  • Saturday, October 13, 10:00 am – 11:00 am – Inspirational Women of Botany

    Herbalists, midwives, gardeners, cooks: Women have been expert practical botanists since pre-history. Many also became recognized professional botanists who contributed widely to plant science. From authoring the first botany textbooks to establishing the science of ecology, women botanists did it all! Join author Dr. Judith Sumner to explore the continuing role of women in botanical studies, conservation, landscape design, and horticulture including the significant work of the Polly Hill Arboretum’s own Polly Hill. Come celebrate the many important roles of women in practical and scientific botany on Saturday, October 13, beginning at 10 am, at the Arboretum in West Tisbury. $20/$10 for PHA members. For more information visit www.pollyhillarboretum.org.

  • Wednesday, August 1, 7:30 pm – Shopping for Paradise: Gathering Perspective in the Pursuit of Plants

    Shopping for plants has gotten confusing. With the unending new plant varieties available, how do you distinguish real value from novelty? How do you discern great plants from the not-so-good, and does buying the best plants lead to the best gardens?

    Join Patrick Cullina at the Polly Hill Arboretum in West Tisbury, Martha’s Vineyard, on Wednesday, August 1 beginning at 7:30 pm as he explores methods for navigating the nursery, shopping for the garden, and strategies for selecting beautiful plants one might otherwise miss. Cullina is a consultant, horticultural designer, and photographer who previously served as vice president of horticulture and park operations for Friends of the High Line in New York City as well as vice president at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. $10/$5 for PHA members. Sponsored by Middletown Nursery. To register, visit www.pollyhillarboretum.org.

  • Friday, July 20, 10:00 am – Nature’s Partners: Pollinators, Plants, and You

    One of the oldest, most interesting, and important phenomena in the natural world is pollination by insects: the transfer of genetic material among plants by bees, flies, butterflies, and beetles. Insect pollinators are critical to both natural plant communities and human food production – yet for many, knowledge of pollinators stops with the honey bee.

    Entomologist Paul Goldstein and Nature Conservancy ecologist Matt Pelikan team up to introduce the science of pollination, discuss how people interact with the Island’s insect pollinators, and present ways to enhance native pollinator diversity in order to better harmonize landscape management and agriculture, at the Polly Hill Arboretum on Friday, July 20 at 10 am. No Fee.  For more information visit www.pollyhillarboretum.org.

  • 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 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.