News Archive

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.

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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.

  

After canceling Mother's Day Tea last year in the early days of the pandemic, we are determined to welcome families for a celebration of Mother's Day, with some modifications to ensure everyone's enjoyment and safety.

As part of the Mother's Day celebration, visitors are invited to stroll the arboretum's beautiful formal garden during open hours 1:00-4:00 pm. This year, the tea will be self-serve and families can enjoy their tea in some of the prettiest areas of our arboretum. Guests will receive a bag of tasty treats to enjoy and will be sent home with their own small bouquet.

Visitors are required to register in advance via this link. $10 per person. (Kids are free but will not receive separate treat bags or bouquets.) Space is limited.

For more information or questions, call 617-333-0924 x22.

Celebrate Arbor Day strolling at our Arboretum and in our woods. During these past months, we've seen how valuable it is for individuals and families to have opportunities to get outdoors in nature. While we still have to require masks and social distancing and limit attendance, we invite you to celebrate with a scheduled visit to the arboretum on April 30th or May 1st, 10 am-3:00 pm (rain date - May 2nd). Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided walks and visit with some of the animals. Activities will be outdoors; dress appropriately. Registration is required via this link; space is limited. For more information, call 617-333-0924 x22.

Our annual celebration of Polly Wakefield’s legacy and her kousa dogwood collection will take place over two weeks this year,  June 5 - 20.

We will be updating the Dogwood Days calendar of events with information and details on this page - so please visit here often for the latest updates.

This year’s Dogwood Days will feature smaller, more intimate events in line with the latest COVID protocols.  

Activities will include:

Themed Garden Tours
Garden Music
Horticultural Activities
Dogwood Yoga and Wellness Day
Families and Kids’ Day
Members' Beer Garden

The Mary May Binney Wakefield Arboretum is located at 1465 Brush Hill Road in Milton, MA 02186.

This year, Dogwood Days will also launch our new membership program.

We encourage all to to support the work of the Mary May Binney Wakefield Arboretum by purchasing or renewing your membership.

You can become a member today HERE.