Edible Wild Plants of the Vineyard
Saturday, May 17
12:30 – 3:30pm
PHA and Slow Food Martha’s Vineyard are pleased to welcome Russ Cohen, wild foods enthusiast and professional environmentalist, for a day devoted to the art of finding and preparing wild foods. In this tour Cohen will guide participants on an exploratory journey to forage for wild edible plants growing on the Arboretum grounds. As he identifies suitable plants, Cohen will discuss what part is edible, when to harvest, and how to prepare, as well as safety factors and conservation. Cohen will be a guest at a special MV Slow Food potluck later in the day, which is open to program participants. Cohen’s book Wild Plants I Have Known ... and Eaten will be available for sale. $36/$30 for PHA and MV Slow Food members. Preregistration strongly recommended, space is limited to 30. To sign up for potluck, contact Cathy Walthers at 508-645-3820
Versatile Viburnums
Saturday, May 24
10am – noon
Join PHA executive director Tim Boland for an exploration of the beauty, diversity, and value of viburnums. From our native Island species to many garden worthy selections found within the collections of the PHA, this group of versatile flowering shrubs offers many opportunities for garden use. Join Tim for a lecture followed by a tour of the flowering collections, which should be at peak bloom. The new book, Viburnums: Flowering Shrubs for Every Season, by woody-plant guru Mike Dirr will be available for purchase. $24/$20 for PHA members
PHA: Plants, People, and Opportunities
Thursday, May 29
10am – noon
Volunteers are very important people at the Polly Hill Arboretum. As the Arboretum grows, volunteer opportunities continue to increase. Spend a morning with volunteer coordinator Nancy Weaver, executive director Tim Boland, and other PHA staff for this across-the-board introduction to the many ways you can become involved at the Arboretum. Participants will review the history of the Arboretum, tour the plant collections, and take a look at what goes on behind the scenes. Many of our most valuable volunteers began with this popular class and went on to be trained through our docent program. Open to all. No Fee. Call Nancy to register.
Kick the Habit: Chemical Free Lawns
Saturday, May 31
10am – 11:30am
PHA and The Vineyard Conservation Society welcome Paul Tukey, founder of SafeLawns.org, an international coalition promoting environmentally friendly lawn care, for a lively discussion on organic lawns. Perfect lawns are often treated with an arsenal of chemicals, but at what expense? Yours, your children’s, our environment’s? Based on his best-selling book, The Organic Lawn Care Manual, Paul will offer great information on how you can kick the chemical habit and turn your lawn into an ecosystem teeming with life. Tukey, publisher of People, Places, & Plants magazine, is on a national campaign to educate consumers about natural alternatives, including organic fertilizers, weed killers, biological pest controls, water conservation and environmentally friendly turf grass.
The Polly Hill Arboretum is a 70 acre public garden with a mission to further the experimental tradition in horticulture established by Polly Hill by sharing knowledge of plants through educational programs, research, and plant conservation. The Arboretum promotes environmentally informed horticultural practices that allow for diversified, resilient, and beautiful gardens without the use of intensive chemical inputs.
The Vineyard Conservation Society is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to preserving the environment of Martha's Vineyard through advocacy, public education and resource protection. An alarming rate of development, insufficient waste management planning and chemicals in lawn care products and fertilizers are contributing to pollution of our aquifer (our shared drinking water supply), and our streams and ponds.
The Vineyard Lawn Initiative will offer the public alternative lawn care options that will reduce inputs of nitrogen and other contaminants in our water.
Preservation of the Island's land and water is not possible without the help of community members like you.
Together we can make a difference. Please join us on May 31 from 10am – 11:30am at the Polly Hill Arboretum. $10 fee
Observing and Drawing the Landscape
Wednesday, June 11
1-4pm
Diane Nicholls, painter, illustrator, and landscape historian, returns to PHA with her popular workshop series. Participants will learn art techniques to record observations of the natural landscape. Drawing lessons will include perspective, sketching, and developing a “personal shorthand.” Diane will also present methods for keeping a daily sketchbook. Each class can stand on its own, or, taken as a series, the sessions augment each other. Please bring the following: 11”x 17” newsprint pad, a small (6”x 8”) sketch book, pens and drawing pencils. $36/$30 for PHA members per class. $130/$108 for the entire series. Please register in advance.
A Garden Lover’s Martha’s Vineyard
Thursday, June 12
5 – 7pm
A book launching party! Join gardening expert and author C.L. Fornari for the debut of her new book, A Garden Lover’s Martha’s Vineyard. Fornari’s full-color book features tours of Island gardens—large and small and in-between—from formal layouts in Edgartown to Victorian–inspired gardens in Oak Bluffs to casual up-Island gardens. Of course the Polly Hill Arboretum is a featured stop! Fornari’s book also contains, gardening solutions and resources, instructive sidebars, and wonderful photographs. Enjoy wine and cheese at this book-signing reception. No Fee.
New England Stone Walls
Saturday, June 14
10am – noon
From rugged coastline, granite ledges, and lichen-covered glacial boulders to the signature stone walls that ribbon our forests and fields, the New England landscape is defined by stone. Martha’s Vineyard is no exception: the presence of stone walls in our landscape reflect the history of the Island and its people. Join Robert Thorson, professor of geology at the University of Connecticut, for a closer look at the cultural and environmental history of stone walls. After an illustrated talk he will lead the group on a tour to explore the stone walls on Arboretum grounds and the adjoining property of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum (MVM). Thorson’s book, Stone by Stone: the Magnificent History in New England's Stone Walls, will be available. $24/$20 for PHA and MVM members. Co-sponsored by the MVM.
Deciduous Azaleas in the Spotlight
Tuesday, June 17
10am – 11am
Time to take more notice of deciduous azaleas! Slumbering for years in the shadow of flamboyant, show-off rhododendrons, these little-known but more-than-deserving flowering shrubs give off intoxicating fragrances, bloom in a rainbow of colors, and collectively flower for more than half the year. Join collections and grounds manager Tom Clark for this tour of the collection as he sheds some light on these splendid garden plants deserving of wider appreciation. $5/free to PHA members
Summer Solstice Celebration
Saturday, June 21
3 – 7pm
Join in the revelry as we welcome summer with this fun-filled family event. Ten years ago the Arboretum made its public debut with a gala open house. At our 4th annual Summer Solstice Celebration we once again invite our community to share a special day at the Arboretum. There will be music, dance, puppet-theater, storytelling, and more. Free food, tours, and a scavenger hunt will make this another memorable day. Come share in Polly’s magical landscape. Admission is free. Parking is at the MV Ag Hall with shuttle service provided.
Magnificent Magnolias
Tuesday, June 24
10am –11am
Magnolias with their showy, fragrant flowers were one of Polly’s favorites. As a result, the Arboretum has more than 40 different types. Longtime PHA staff members Suzy Zell and Nancy Weaver will lead this tour highlighting as many magnolias as time allows, including the most asked about tree at the Arboretum, an awe-inspiring magnolia selection made by Polly Hill. Come discover more about these wonderful trees. General cultural suggestions including propagation and pruning will also be covered. $5/free to PHA members.
Observing and Drawing the Landscape
Wednesday, June 25 (See June 11 listing )
1-4pm
Propagating Trees and Shrubs from Cuttings
Saturday, June 28
9am – noon
Cuttings produce plants genetically identical to the parent and were one of Polly’s favorite ways for sharing superior plants. Join Jack Alexander, longtime Arnold Arboretum propagator, to learn the basic techniques for propagating woody plants from softwood cuttings. After an introductory lecture, participants will collect cuttings from the Arboretum grounds, and then return to the greenhouse to begin propagating! You will leave with a small box of cuttings. Please bring a pair of hand pruners; an apron would also be a welcome accessory. You are welcome to bring your lunch and converse with the instructor following the workshop. $45/$40 for PHA members. Please pre-register; space is limited to 12. An assumption-of-risk release form must be signed to participate in this workshop.
Stunning Stewartia
Wednesday, July 2
10am - noon
Stewartias are notable for their multi-season appeal—sumptuous flowers, beautiful fall color, and attractive bark. Many types of stewartia thrive in abundance at the PHA, where Polly assembled a nationally recognized collection. To learn more this splendid small flowering tree, join executive director Tim Boland for this class and tour. It should be peak flowering time. You will come away determined to find a place for these wonderful trees in your own garden. Stewartia trees will be available for sale at the Visitor Center. $24/$20 for PHA members
The Art and Craft of Chanticleer
Wednesday, July 9
7:30pm at the Far Barn
Chanticleer, a pleasure garden near Wayne, Pennsylvania, is the most creative garden in America, says PHA director Tim Boland. The garden contains artistic spaces full of inspiring plant combinations, but innovative plantings are not the only thing that sets Chanticleer apart. From woodworking to stone carving to metalworking, the artistry of the garden’s staff embellish the garden. Join Dan Benarcik for a look at the extraordinary art and craft of Chanticleer. Benarcik, Chanticleer horticulturist and skilled woodworker, writes for many garden publications and gives classes on building garden furniture. (For information on his PHA workshop, “The Garden Chair,” see the classes & workshops section of this brochure.) $8/$5 for PHA members.
The Garden Chair: A Workshop
Thursday, July 10
9am – noon
Join Dan Benarcik, Chanticleer horticulturist and skilled woodworker, for a hands-on workshop to build an iconic piece of furniture: The Garden Chair. Adapted for the garden from a famous Gerrit Rietveld design, this timeless and comfortable chair is suitable for any garden setting. Benarcik has created his own adaptation from a version popularized in the garden at Wave Hill in the Bronx. Using red cedar and stainless steel hardware, participants will create their own durable, useful, and handsome outdoor chair. Materials and instruction will be provided. Your enthusiasm and a cordless drill are all you need to supply. Pre-registration required; limit is 8 participants. $200/$185 for PHA members.
Observing and Drawing the Landscape
Wednesday, July 9
1-4pm
Diane Nicholls, painter, illustrator, and landscape historian, returns to PHA with her popular workshop series. Participants will learn art techniques to record observations of the natural landscape. Drawing lessons will include perspective, sketching, and developing a “personal shorthand.” Diane will also present methods for keeping a daily sketchbook. Each class can stand on its own, or, taken as a series, the sessions augment each other. Please bring the following: 11”x 17” newsprint pad, a small (6”x 8”) sketch book, pens and drawing pencils. $36/$30 for PHA members per class. $130/$108 for the entire series. Please register in advance.
Defiant Gardens: Making Gardens in Wartime
Sunday, July 13
7:30pm at the Far Barn
“Gardens promise beauty where there is none, hope over despair, optimism over pessimism, and finally life in the face of death.” Join landscape historian Kenneth Helphand in this lecture featuring his award-winning and deeply moving book Defiant Gardens: Making Gardens in Wartime. Gardens created by civilians and soldiers during wartime are examples of what he calls “defiant gardens.” Using first-person accounts, testimonies, interviews with survivors, published memoirs, and photographs, Helphand has explored the significance of gardens to the human spirit during wartime. Helphand, a professor of landscape architecture at the University of Oregon, has authored three other books on landscape design. Book signing will follow lecture. $8/$5 for PHA members
On the Road with a Gardener’s Diary
Wednesday, July 16
7:30pm at the Far Barn
People, places, and plants! Horticulturist and author Erica Glasener has hosted HGTV’s A Gardener’s Diary for thirteen years. In her role as host, she interviews gardeners from all walks of life. Her curiosity about the reason people garden, as well as her enthusiasm about plants, makes her a natural at facilitating the stories gardeners want to tell. In this talk Glasener will share stories of the intriguing people who have created the wonderful gardens featured on her show. Glasener, an enthusiastic home gardener, also writes about plants and gardening in her home state of Georgia and is a frequent contributor to national gardening publications. $8/$5 for PHA members
Shrubs for the Mixed Border
Thursday, July 17
10am – noon
Shrubs are essential in the layered planting plan of a mixed border. From leafy backdrop to star performer, they perform multiple functions and combine beautifully with perennials and grasses. Join Erica Glasener of HGTV’s A Gardener’s Diary for this workshop covering the best shrubs for the mixed border and how to use them to advantage. Glasener will begin with a presentation on shrubs that provide color, form, and texture to the summer garden. Following her presentation, Glasener and her friend and colleague Laura Coit will lead the group through the Arboretum on a walk-and-talk focusing on shrubs in artful seasonal combinations with an emphasis on the Homestead Border. $24/$20 for PHA members
Observing and Drawing the Landscape
Wednesday, July 23 (See July 9 listing)
1-4pm
Sustainable Garden Design
Thursday, August 7
9am – noon
Although “sustainable” was not the buzzword it is today, Polly Hill’s practical approach prefigured this modern trend. To learn more about the sustainable home garden, join Jules Bruck, assistant professor of landscape design at University of Delaware, for this design workshop. Bruck will discuss the sustainable garden, regionally appropriate plants, and professional techniques used to create inviting outdoor spaces, followed by an Arboretum tour to identify examples of sustainable practices and well-designed spaces. Participants will create an original garden design. Bring a large pad of tracing paper, pencils, erasers, and a thick Sharpie marker. You are also welcome to bring your lunch and converse with the instructor following the workshop. $36/$30 for PHA members
Native Trees: History and Use
Tuesday, August 12
10am – 11am
The Arboretum’s native trees and plants have stories to tell. Join Karin Stanley, PHA staff member and amateur historian, for this tour highlighting the native trees and shrubs on our grounds. Knowing the cultural history of these plants gives them an identity that distinguishes them from “just part of the woods.” Learn the wide range of uses these plants have had over the years and how this reflects the history of the human societies that have used them. $5/free to PHA members
11th Annual David H. Smith Memorial Lecture
Gardening Earth’s Green Mantle
Wednesday, August 13
7:30pm at the Far Barn
Now is the time to adopt land stewardship practices that foster a healthier and more beautiful world for all living things. Join arboretum director and environmental advocate Ellie Altman for this lecture on living and gardening graciously on our planet. Altman expands the definition of gardening to embrace conservation concerns: ecological restoration, land development, agriculture, and habitat protection to inspire the adoption of a land ethic. While the heightened awareness of mankind’s impact on the planet emphasizes loss and deterioration, Altman focuses on nature’s resilience and the human desire to understand and celebrate nature. Altman holds graduate degrees in landscape architecture and education; since 1977 she has served as executive director of Adkins Arboretum, a native garden dedicated to the conservation of mid-Atlantic coastal plain plants on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. $8/$5 for PHA members
Native Plants of Chappaquiddick
Saturday, August 16
10am – noon
Join Arboretum staff for this annual visit to Chappaquiddick to explore the wealth of native plants along the trails near the Chappy Community Center. From bog and wetland plants near Brine’s Pond to species common to the fields and woodlands we always find interesting plants to identify and enjoy. Learn the natural and cultural history of some of these plants and how their presence may indicate past uses of the land. Meet at the Chappy Community Center. (Call ahead to carpool from the Chappy ferry.) $24/$20 for PHA and CIA members. Co-sponsored by the Chappaquiddick Island Association.
Making Herbal Salves
Tuesday, August 19
1pm – 3pm
Holly Bellebuono of Vineyard Herbs returns to PHA for her popular salve-making workshop. This fun hands-on workshop starts with a walk to identify and collect medicinal herbs and weeds on the Arboretum grounds. Then participants make their own oil infusions and beeswax-based ointments. Learn practical knowledge on when and how to use herbal salves and take home your useful creations. Supplies included. $40/$35 for PHA members. Please pre-register.
Backyard Birding and Global Warming
Wednesday, August 27
7:30pm at the Far Barn
A favorite sign of spring is the arrival of the harbingers—the birds we await each year. Migratory birds are returning earlier each year in Massachusetts. The evidence is in our own backyards. We pleased to welcome back conservation biologist Dr. Richard Primack to discuss further evidence of how global warming and urban development is disrupting the seasonal routines of the natural world. What does this mean for the future? Can plants and animals adapt to the change? Using historical records, journals from avid birdwatchers, and other research and fieldwork, Primack will focus the impact of climate change on bird migration, breeding behavior, and blooming times, and the potential impact on our natural communities. $8/$5 for PHA members.
Serene and Sensuous Plants for the Garden
Friday, September 12
7:30pm at the Far Barn
Ferns, mosses, and grasses are the canvas on which nature paints its portraits. Whether it is a lush forest floor, boggy carpet, or rustling prairie, these plants create a subtle backdrop for nature’s showier offerings. Join William Cullina, curator of the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden, for a visual tour of some of his favorite native ferns, mosses, and grasses. He will also share ideas for using these plants in our own gardens to create a level of sophistication unmatched by any flowers. Cullina is an award-winning author of several popular books including his newly published Native Ferns, Moss & Grasses: From Emerald Carpet of Amber Wave, Serene and Sensuous Plants for the Garden featured in this talk. Book signing will follow lecture. $8/$5 for PHA members.
Growing Wildflowers from Seed
Saturday, September 13
9am – noon
Growing plants from seed was Polly Hill’s passion: she loved observing the process of growth from seed to mature plant. In the fall as seeds ripen, the time for collecting, cleaning, storing, and sowing seeds begins. Join William Cullina, curator of the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden, to learn how to collect, process, and grow your own wildflowers from seed. He begins with an overview of seed development, collection, and processing followed by a hands-on demonstration in our greenhouse of seed cleaning and sowing. He will also discuss strategies for germinating difficult species. Please pre-register, space is limited to 12. $40/$35 for PHA members.
Fall Plant Sale
Saturday, September 13
10am – 2pm
Whether you’re a budding gardener or already have two green thumbs, the Arboretum’s first annual plant sale will have something for you. Arboretum staff have chosen and grown plants that are noted not only for their superior ornamental qualities but also for their adaptability to island life. We plan to offer a selection of trees, shrubs, and perennials including many Island natives.
Download the Whole Schedule with Adobe Acrobat: 2008 Lectures and Workshops
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