"Breathe the sweetness that hovers in August." -Denise Levertov

Pressed Flowers Workshop

August 14, 6:00PM-8:00PM

Back by popular demand! Come join us to learn about the history of pressed flowers at Wakefield, and the process of pressing your own flowers. Participants will be able to create their own shadowbox with pressed flowers from the gardens and take their new artwork home.

Once-a-month Open Garden Saturdays

August 17, 9:00AM - 2:00PM

Come for our second Open Garden Saturday, August 17! The arboretum will be open on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Hours from 9AM-2PM with a garden tour at 11AM. Please call 617-333-0924 to schedule a visit.

Plant Propagation Class

September 28, 10:00AM-12:00PM

Learn the basics of woody plant propagation and take home your own propagule! This class will be part of a series, stay tuned for the following courses!

First Open Garden Saturday was a hit!

We are happy to report that our first open Saturday in July was well received. The weather cooperated and cooled down from the heat wave of mid-July and we had a steady stream of folks stopping by to enjoy the garden in the cooler summer temperatures.

Music in the Garden featuring Slow Boat Home

Despite a wet forecast for the week, the rain held off and we had a cool and cloudy evening of lively music!

Goldenrod Crab Spider

Our cover photo may have caught your attention this month featuring the goldenrod crab spider (Misumena vatia). Although pictured on buttonbush (Cephalanthis occidentalis), the goldenrod crab spider can be found hunting on goldenrod, milkweed, aster and other popular pollinator plants. Rather than making a web, they use camouflage to sit on the flowers and wait for pollinators, like bees, flies and butterflies, to come visit. They are able to alter their color to blend well with the flower they are using to hunt on.

Featured Plant of the Month!

Hydrangea aspera ssp. sargentiana

One of the more unique plants in our collection is the Hydrangea aspera ssp. sargentiana or fuzzy hydrangea. The common name comes from the very fuzzy leaves and stem of the plant. Found in the front garden, this plant immediately catches your eye when blooming, with large flowers that have a unique blend of colors. The fuzzy hydrangea native range is primarily in central China, growing in dense forests. E.H. Wilson introduced the specimen to the Arnold Arboretum in 1908. The specific subspecific epithet was named after Charles Sprague Sargent who was the first director of the Arnold Arboretum.

Staff Note

July went by quickly at the arboretum, I can't believe summer is half way over. Even with the growing season slowing down I still find something new in the garden everyday. I have really enjoyed seeing the sweet pepper bush or Clethra alnifolia begin to flower and noticing the variation between each plant in the collection. With one being a beautiful blush pink and another being almost all white. The variation in our plant material here is what makes our collection so special. Stop by this month and enjoy the mid-summer blooms!

Ellen Scheid

Become a Wakefield Arboretum Member

Your membership supports educational programs connecting youth and adults with land and history and our work to create a living and accessible landscape.

IMPORTANT DATES

at a glance:

August 14th, 6PM Pressed Flowers workshop Register Here

August 17th, 9AM Once-a-month Open Garden Saturdays

September 28th, 10AM Plant Propagation Series. Register Here

Plan a visit soon!

Take a walk through the gardens and enjoy the scenery.

The Mary May Binney Wakefield Arboretum is open weekdays 7AM-3PM (except holidays) during regular business hours, by appointment. Garden tour every Wednesday at 11AM.

To schedule a visit, call 617-333-0924 or email: arboretum@dogwoodlanefarm.org.