Week-long celebration of estate’s iconic dogwoods kicks off June 5th
Friday, 29 May 2015 15:39
The Mary M. B. Wakefield Charitable Trust will host its 6th annual Dogwood Days open garden celebration at the historic Wakefield Estate in Milton MA from Sunday, June 5 through Sunday, June 12, 10:00am – 4:00pm daily.
The opening day of the week-long celebration, Sunday, June 5, will feature a number of gardens in addition to the Wakefield Estate that will be open to the public as part of The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program.
The 22-acre Wakefield Estate is home to some 300 kousa dogwood trees, propagated and planted by the late Mary “Polly” Wakefield, who developed a number of kousa cultivars during her lifetime. Mary Wakefield designed the garden rooms and allees of her estate using hundreds of dogwood trees to provide it form and structure.
The Wakefield Estate and The Garden Conservancy Open Days partnership aims to preserve America's exceptional gardens for the education and enjoyment of the public. In the effort to increase public knowledge about the importance of these historic landscapes, hundreds of exceptional gardens nationwide are selected to participate in The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program.
Reservations are not required and the Open Days program is rain or shine. Admission is $5 per garden; proceeds will benefit The Garden Conservancy and the educational programs of the Mary M. B. Wakefield Charitable Trust. Visitors can buy a book of tickets to all gardens by starting their tour at the Wakefield Estate, 1465 Brush Hill Rd in Milton, or pay $5 at each site. To see a list of the selected gardens and directions, see The Garden Conservancy’s website: www.gardenconservancy.org, or call the Wakefield Estate at 617-333-0924.
Dogwood Days at the Wakefield Estate features guided tours, open gardens, and a tree and plant sale, and several special events throughout the week that include:
Thursday, June 18
6:00-7:30pm: Wine, Cheese and Trees Tour --Enjoy light refreshments while strolling the formal gardens and learn about the history of the estate’s signature trees. Donation suggested; RSVP at 617-333-0924.
Saturday, June 20
11:00am: Bonsai Workshop
Learn how to create your own bonsai using local trees. All materials provided; participants will create the own bonsai. $25/members; $35/non-members. Registration required; call 617-333-0924 x22.
Sunday, June 21
1:00pm: 5th Annual Dogs and Dogwood Days– Bring your dog for a stroll among the dogwoods, enjoy a hotdog off the grill, and join the informal dog show -- entries receive a ribbon!
2:00: Local Craft Beer Sampling – Bring Dad out on Father’s Days to sample some great locally brewed craft beers.
For more information and a schedule of events visit www.wakefieldtrust.org or call 617-333-0924.