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Peter Norris’ Rhododendron Collection in Chilmark
Club member Peter Norris is graciously opening his property for a special tour of his stunning rhododendron collection. A longtime island grower with over 50 years of experience, Peter honed his expertise while volunteering at Polly Hill Arboretum, where he had the privilege of learning directly from Polly Hill herself. Come enjoy the blooms at their peak and learn more about Peter’s lifelong passion for rhododendrons. For a deeper look into his story, be sure to check out this MV Times article.
Wednesday May 28 10-12noon "The Giraffe Cottage Iris Garden"
Fred Hancock's home in Oak Bluffs
Club member Fred Hancock, Northeast Regional Director of the Historic Iris Preservation Society (HIPS), is generously opening his garden for a special Walkabout at The Giraffe Cottage Iris Garden. This unique garden is the official display garden of HIPS and features a breathtaking collection of over 275 iris cultivars, with a strong emphasis on tall bearded irises. Impressively, 236 of these are historic varieties, some of which date back as far as the 1500s, offering a rare glimpse into centuries of horticultural beauty and preservation.
Come explore this living museum of iris history at the peak of its bloom. Fred will be on hand to share his deep knowledge of iris cultivation and the mission of HIPS to safeguard these botanical treasures.
For a deeper look into Fred’s garden and his dedication to preserving these remarkable plants, don’t miss this beautifully written piece from Martha’s Vineyard Magazine: A Love of Iris – MV Magazine, 2023
Janet and Jim Jone's home in Vineyard Haven
This garden is set on a sloping lot with some terraces down to the inner harbor in Vineyard Haven. The stairs from the driveway bring you to the more formal front yard and across the porch to the first terrace with birdbath and roses. Three steps down to the second terrace where a Japanese garden is on your right. The land slopes down to the guest house by the water, fire pit and wildflower meadow. A path through the beach grass and rosa rugosas separate the sandy beach from the yard. Always a work in progress we welcome ideas on plants and planting and even hardscaping!
111 Main Street, Vineyard Haven
Park on Main street or at Owen Park which is next door the Jones' property.
The house is not visible from the street, but down a driveway on the right just beyond downtown. If you get to Owen Park, park there and it is a short walk back to the driveway
Wednesday July 16th 3-5pm "Timeless Paths & Blooming Borders"
Caroline Taylor's home in Edgartown
Caroline's garden begins at the driveway with a variety of trees, shrubs, butterfly bush, daylilies, spring daffodils, and Japanese iris. Following the driveway through a gate
leads to the backyard, where white azaleas surround a shed, and a hydrangea-lined
walkway connects to a patio adorned with clematis, hosta, tree peony, catmint, daylilies,
Russian sage, and herbs. The backyard is bordered by rhododendrons, hydrangeas,
maple trees, and evergreens. A shaded path winds through a rear perennial bed. On
the opposite side of the property, a newly planted front border includes hydrangeas,
rhododendrons, peonies, and vitex, leading back to the driveway.
52 Kitts Field Circle, Edgartown
Connie Hastings' home on Lagoon Pond Vineyard Haven
186 Head of Pond Road, Vineyard Haven
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