News Archive

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 6^th 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: 5^th 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.

Oh Boy! A Family Fairy Festival May 16th

Wednesday, 06 May 2015 15:55

The woods are full of fairies! Come join Artspace Milton and the Mary M.B. Wakefield Trust to build a home for a fairy or elf on the grounds of our beautiful estate. Participate in Nature Art activities. Refreshments will be served. Space is limited, so RSVP Early! Suggested donation of $10 per family. rsvp  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
*subject to weather, no rain date

Artspace Milton and the Mary M.B. Wakefield Charitable Trust will be hosting the Festival on May 16 from 1:00 – 4:00 at the Wakefield Estate, 1465 Brush Hill Road.

Article written by Frank Schroth, 02186.mytownmatters.com http://02186.mytownmatters.com/?p=43002

Help out at our 1st Volunteer Day of 2015 on May 9th!

Thursday, 30 April 2015 10:41

Help out at Volunteer Day at the Wakefield Estate May 9^th from 9-12 noon

Spring has arrived and the Wakefield Estate is very busy preparing for this year’s Dogwood Days festival June 14-21. There is lot of work to be done and a Volunteer Day is scheduled May 9^th, 9:00 am-noon if you want to pitch in and help! Trees need to be potted up for our tree sale. Gardens need to be prepped for planting from weeding to mulching to planting and transplanting a wonderful variety of plant material.  With your help, it will be the best volunteer day ever! Come spend the morning with at the Wakefield Estate and learn about planting while helping prepare for one of Milton’s biggest celebrations. High school students needing to complete community service hours are especially welcome! For more information or to volunteer, call 617-333-0924 x22.

Spring Floral Inspiration with Lisa Ahern of Cedar Grove May 13th

Friday, 24 April 2015 13:06

If you've had enough of winter and are impatient for convincing signs that spring is here, join us for our spring floral decoration demonstration. Cedar Grove Gardens' floral designer extraordinaire Lisa Ahern, will show how to create simple but dazzling decorations to brighten up your home using spring flowers, bulbs and kitchen garden plants. Those attending will leave with lots of great ideas and have a chance to win a raffle of some items created during the session. The session will run from 6:30 until 8:30. Light refreshments will be served. Cost for this session is $15 for members, $25 for non-members. Space is limited so please pre-register by calling 617-333-0924 x22.