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Dogwood Days 2021: June 5-20 - the schedule
Wednesday, 19 May 2021 21:33
Dogwoods Days at the Mary May Binney Wakefield Arboretum is the annual celebration of the blooming legacy of Polly Wakefield’s collection of over 300 dogwood trees. This year’s Dogwood Days will take place over two weeks, and will feature smaller, more intimate events designed to showcase the spectacular late-spring bloom and appeal to all ages, including garden yoga and meditation, horticultural events and guided tours, sheep shearing, dogs and dogwoods “shows,” garden music and three special events for members.
The Mary May Binney Wakefield Arboretum is located at 1465 Brush Hill Road in Milton, MA 02186.
Please see below the daily schedule and brief summary of the events planned during Dogwood Days. The arboretum is open to visitors every day during Dogwood Days - $5 entrance fee; please note open hours as they may change from day to day. For those events where space is limited or membership required, there is a link for more information and to pre-register and purchase a ticket or membership.
For more information call 617-333-0924 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
SATURDAY JUNE 5: Open Hours 9:00am - 3:00pm - FAMILY AND KIDS’ DAY
Dogwood Days kicks-off with a weekend full of events for kids and families. Join us for a self-guided scavenger hunt, visits with the animals, kids’ arts, DIY picnic and games.
Some events require pre-registration; see schedule below:
7:00am - Sunrise Coffee and Birding - Register here.
The arboretum is home to a wide variety of birds, including songbirds, flycatchers and woodpeckers. Join Executive Director Mark Smith for a cup of coffee and an early morning stroll through the woods and formal gardens to catch a glimpse of the birds of the property; if we’re lucky, we may see the pair of pileated woodpeckers who are nesting here. Space is limited.
8:00am - Sun's up Sheep Shearing
Observe Kevin Ford, aka "The Blade," shear our three sheep, Dart, Bug and Ashe, using traditional method of long shears. He's fast, so it'll be quick but visitors can look up-close at the fleeces and hear about the process.
10:00 am - 12:00 pm - Animal Visits - Kids can go for a Hello Hunt to greet many of our animals at a series of "animal stations" where they can learn about and touch some of the smaller animals.
1:00pm - Dogs and Dogwoods
Our annual “Dogs and Dogwoods” is back - an informal dog show where every canine is a winner! Dogs must be well-mannered and kept on a leash at all times. Space is limited.
2:00pm - Guided tour - There will be a guided tour of the formal gardens each day during Dogwood Days including a stroll through hundreds of blooming kousa dogwood trees cultivated and planted by the late Polly Wakefield.
SUNDAY JUNE 6: Open Hours 9:00am - 3:00pm - FAMILY AND KIDS’ DAY
Dogwood Days’ opening weekend is full of events for kids and families. Join us for a self-guided scavenger hunt, visits with the animals, kids’ arts, DIY picnic and games.
Some events require pre-registration; see schedule below:
10:00 am - 12:00 pm - Animal Visits - see description above.
2:00pm - Guided tour - See description above.
MONDAY JUNE 7: Open Hours 9:00am - 3:00pm
1:00pm - Guided Tour - See description above.
TUESDAY, JUNE 8: Open Hours 9:00am - 3:00pm
1:00pm - Guided Tour - See description above.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 9: Open Hours 9:00am -3:00pm
1:00pm - Guided Tour - See description above.
5:00pm - Special Tour: Polly’s Dogwoods - Register here.
Join us for a fascinating educational tour to learn how Polly Wakefield got started in horticulture, and how and where her interest in kousa dogwoods began. After the tour, become a member and join the Wine, Cheese and Trees Trivia Tour at 6pm.
6:00pm - Wine, Cheese and Trees Trivia Tour - (Admission free with your membership; Membership required. - purchase your membership and register here.
Back by popular demand, the Wine, Cheese and Trees Trivia Tour is a fun way to learn about trees all while sampling fine wine and unique cheeses. Space is limited. Rain date: Thursday, June 10.
THURSDAY JUNE 10: Open Hours 9am - 3:00pm
1:00pm - Guided Tour - See description above.
FRIDAY JUNE 11: Open Hours 9:00am - 3:00pm
1:00pm - Guided Tour - See description above.
SATURDAY JUNE 12: Open Hours 9:00am-3:00pm - Conifer Day
Join us for a close-up look at the arboretum’s conifer collection, two conifer-focused classes and a special conifer tour of the Wakefield Arboretum.
10:00 am - Creating Hypertufa Containers for your Garden- Register here.
Join Michael Larkin from Harrisburg PA , Landscape Designer and Artesian for a demonstration on how to create unique Hypertufa containers for your garden. Hypertufa is a combination of portland cement and various aggregates mixed together to imitate natural Tufa stone. The containers can be used for growing succulents, alpines, and mini conifers. Michael has been making Hypertufa garden art for over 15 years and loves to teach gardeners how to make and enjoy them in their garden. Cost $10.
11:00 am - Pairing Conifers and Deciduous Plants - Register here.
Landscape designer Christie Dustman and Arboretum Director Debbie Merriam will do a presentation focused on pairing conifers with a variety of deciduous plant material. They will use the Wakefield Arboretum as the backdrop for this conversation and discuss existing pairings and how the landscape could be enhanced by additional plantings. Cost $10.
1:00pm - Dogwood Days Conifer Tour
1 pm - 4 pm OFFSITE! Visit joint ACS members Christie Dustman and Patti Ryan's garden, The Art-Full Garden, located just 10 minutes from the Wakefield Arboretum. It is an urban property brimming with conifers, companion plants, boulders, rusty objects, and sculpture. Coincidentally their garden is featured in the 200th edition of Fine Gardening Magazine by Taunton Press, the current edition now on newsstands.
SUNDAY JUNE 13: Open Hours 9:00am - 3:00pm - GARDEN YOGA AND WELLNESS DAY
Join us for a day focused on health and wellness in the outdoors: garden yoga, sound mediation, and walking our forest labyrinth.
9:00am - Morning Yoga - Register here.
Enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenating outdoor yoga session in the early light of the summer landscape on Sunday, June 13 at 9:00 am. Certified instructor Samantha Wechsler will lead a class designed for all levels of practice. Bring your own mat and dress in comfort-able clothing. The session is held outdoors, and we recommend face masks and social distancing. This session is weather-dependent and will be postponed in the event of inclement weather. Cost $20.
10:30am - Sound Meditation - Register here.
Come experience and enjoy the unique experience of a meditation sound journey, including crystal bowls, rain maker & other sound instruments. Sound baths benefits can include feelings of relaxation, feeling restored & refreshed. Bring your yoga mat, water bottle and warm layers of clothing. The session is held outdoors, and we recommend face masks and social distancing. This session is weather-dependent and will be postponed in the event of inclement weather. Cost $20.
MONDAY JUNE 14: Open Hours 9:00am - 3:00pm
1:00pm - Guide Tour - See description above.
TUESDAY JUNE 15: Open Hours 9:00am - 3:00 pm
1:00pm- Guided Tour - See description above.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 16: Open Hours 9:00am - 3:00pm
1:00pm - Guided Tour - See description above.
5:00pm - Special Tour: Polly’s Dogwoods - Register here.
Join us for a fascinating educational tour to learn how Polly Wakefield got started in horticulture, and how and where her interest in kousa dogwoods began. Space is limited. After the tour, enjoy Garden Music at 6:00pm.
6:00pm - Garden Music - Register here.
Join your friends to enjoy the enchanting light of the late afternoon with our popular Garden Music event. Singer and songwriter extraordinaire Eric Martin will play some of his bluesy repertoire. $10 per person. Space is limited. Rain date: Thursday, June 17.
THURSDAY JUNE 17: Open Hours 9:00am - 3:00pm
1:00pm - Guided Tour - See description above.
FRIDAY JUNE 11: Open Hours 9:00am - 3:00pm
1:00pm - Guided Tour - See description above.
SATURDAY JUNE 19: Open Hours 9:00am - 12:00pm
2:00pm - Members’ Dogwood Beer Garden - (Admission free with your membership; Membership required - purchase your membership here) Register here.
Join your friends and neighbors for an afternoon beer garden surrounded by the beauty of the arboretum with activities for the whole family. Enjoy live music, kids activities, farm animals and delicious locally crafted draft beer. Space is limited and membership required.
New Annual Membership levels and benefits: $75/individual / $125/family. Learn more about membership here!
Your membership supports the educational programs of the Mary May Binney Wake-field Arboretum, which includes providing outdoor environmental education to over 2000 elementary school students each school year.
SUNDAY JUNE 20: Open Hours 9:00am - 12:00pm
1:00 - 4:00pm - Summer Solstice Boxed Picnic - (Admission free with your membership; Membership required - purchase your membership here) Register here.
Become a member to be our guest and enjoy a boxed picnic here at the arboretum to celebrate the summer solstice - the longest day of the year and the first official day of summer. It's also a terrific way to celebrate Father's Day together again! Bring the family and a blanket and enjoy the beautiful grounds surrounded by flowering kousa dogwoods.
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Dogwood Days Begins June 5 with Family Weekend, Dogs and Dogwoods!
Tuesday, 18 May 2021 15:35
In addition to being a celebration of our kousa dogwoods, the first weekend is also a celebrations of families - both human and canine! Join us for a Sunrise Coffee and Birding, Sun's Up Sheep Shearing, and one of our favorite events: Dogs and Dogwoods - this year being celebrated on both Saturday and Sunday with the highlight of the day at 1:00 pm - a low-key and fun dog show where everyone gets a ribbon!
Bring a blanket and a picnic and enjoy a fun day topped off with a stroll among the dogwoods.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SATURDAY JUNE 5: Open Hours 9:00am - 3:00pm - FAMILY AND KIDS’ DAY
Dogwood Days kicks-off with a weekend full of events for kids and families. Join us for a self-guided scavenger hunt, visits with the animals, kids’ arts, DIY picnic and games.
Some events require pre-registration; see schedule below:
7:00am - Sunrise Coffee and Birding - register here.
The arboretum is home to a wide variety of birds, including songbirds, flycatchers and woodpeckers. Join Executive Director Mark Smith for a cup of coffee and an early morning stroll through the woods and formal gardens to catch a glimpse of the birds of the property; if we’re lucky, we may see the pair of pileated woodpeckers who are nesting here. Space is limited. Register here.
8:00am - Sun's up Sheep Shearing
Observe Kevin Ford, aka "The Blade," shear our three sheep, Dart, Bug and Ashe, using traditional method of long shears. He's fast, so it'll be quick but visitors can look up-close at the fleeces and hear about the process.
1:00pm - Dogs and Dogwoods
Our annual “Dogs and Dogwoods” is back - an informal dog show where every canine is a winner! Dogs must be well-mannered and kept on a leash at all times. Space is limited.
2:00pm - Guided tour
There will be a guided tour of the formal gardens each day during Dogwood Days including a stroll through hundreds of blooming kousa dogwood trees cultivated and planted by the late Polly Wakefield.
SUNDAY JUNE 6: Open Hours 9:00am - 3:00pm - FAMILY AND KIDS’ DAY
Dogwood Days’ opening weekend is full of events for kids and families. Join us for a self-guided scavenger hunt, visits with the animals, kids’ arts, DIY picnic and games.
Some events require pre-registration; see schedule below:
1:00pm - Dogs and Dogwoods - See description above.
2:00pm - Guided tour - See description above.
Dogwood Days 2021: It’s Happening! Save the dates June 5-20!
Wednesday, 14 April 2021 09:42
Garden Music
Horticultural Activities
Dogwood Yoga and Wellness Day
Families and Kids’ Day
Members' Beer Garden
"New" discovery about "The Lady of the Lake" Mural
Friday, 02 April 2021 10:28
"New" discovery about The Lady of the Lake Mural
Another important discovery! If you have visited the Isaac Davenport Mansion, you will certainly remember the monochrome mural that graces the walls of the dining room. In March, we learned from Lorraine Bigrigg, Partner and Senior Conservator at Studio TKM Associates that the mural was produced in the 19th century by the Zuber paper company in Paris (Zuber.fr) based on the painting by J. Michel Gue "Les Vues d'Ecosse" (views of Scotland). The mural depicts the medieval tale set in Scotland of The Lady of the Lake, the narrative poem written by Sir Walter Scott. A close-up assessment and documentation of this rare mural is the first step toward its conservation.
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