Meristems - The Polly Hill Arboretum
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Meristems The Polly Hill Arboretum
West Tisbury, Massachusetts
Vol. 20, No. 2, Fall 2018
Acer palmatum ‘Dainty Doddy’ is one of the many special plants in Polly’s Play Pen.
PHA Joins the Center for Plant Conservation
A network of more than 40 leading botanic “It’s something we have worked towards Conservation’s website succinctly state their
institutions, the Center for Plant Conservation over many years,” says Boland. “We have built philosophy. Founded in 1984 and located at the
(CPC) is an organization solely dedicated to our capacity to be involved with this critical con- San Diego Zoo Global, the CPC operates
preventing the extinction of U.S. native plants. servation work through our living collections, the only coordinated national program of off-site
We are proud to announce that PHA officially our herbarium, our professional staff and volun- conservation of rare and threatened native plants
became a CPC member this past October. teers, and our top-flight facilities. We are excited of the United States. More from their website:
Executive Director Tim Boland notes that about our entry into the CPC. It puts us in “The Center for Plant Conservation maintains
this is an important accomplishment. Entry great company with leading plant conservation a collection of more than 1,400 of America’s
into the CPC requires a demonstrated commit- organizations in the U.S. and opens up a network most imperiled native plants through its network
ment to protecting plants from extinction. of new partnerships that will enable our conser- of world-class botanical gardens. Participating
Tim prepared the application and met with vation activities here on Martha’s Vineyard institutions safeguard endangered plant material
CPC leadership at their national meeting in as well as off-Island.” Working with the CPC in “ex situ” botanical collections including seed
Fort Worth, Texas, last spring. enables PHA to fulfill important aspects of our banks, nurseries, and garden displays.” We invite
CPC board member Dr. Edward Schneider mission, including support for research, plant you to visit their website (saveplants.org) and
visited the Arboretum in October of 2017, conservation, and horticultural experimentation. find out more about this important organization.
and after touring our collections and facilities, The more we know, the better we can save
he encouraged Tim to apply for membership. plants: these words from the Center for Plant
Contents 1 P H A J O I N S T H E C E N T E R F O R P L A N T C O N S E R VAT I O N 7 P L A N T C O N S E R VAT I O N A N D E X P L O R AT I O N
2 MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR 8 FROM THE LIVING COLLECTION
3 ARBORETUM NEWS 11 V O L U N T E E R S I N T H E A R B O R E T U M
6 E D U C AT I O N A N D O U T R E A C H 12 T H E N A N D N O W
The Polly Hill Arboretum
THE C OR POR AT I O N A N D
BOAR D OF DIR E CT O RS
Timothy M. Boland
Ex Officio
Sanford Brown
Dennis Bushe
Pamela Kohlberg
Gary Montrowl
Co-chair, Treasurer
Richard M. Reische
Claire Sawyers
E. Douglas Sederholm
Susan H. Wasserman
Co-chair, Secretary
HO N OR AR Y B OA RD ME M BE R S
Robert W. Doran
Lisina M. Hoch
Joan Smith
Philippe de Spoelberch
Stephen A. Spongberg
RESE AR C H A SSO CI AT E S
Thomas Clark
Melissa Cullina
Jessica Dyson
David R. Foster
Matthew Lobdell
Gregory Palermo
STAFF OF T H E
POLLY H IL L A R B O R E T UM
Timothy M. Boland
Executive Director
Kendra Buresch
Visitor Services/Volunteer &
Youth Education Coordinator
Ian Jochems
Horticulturist/Arborist
Oliver Osnoss
Horticulturist
These seasoned volunteers, who gathered for a photo at our annual volunteer party, have been with PHA since its first year:
Ann Quigley
Education, Membership &
(from left) Ann Fielder, Nancy Rogers, Nancy Weaver, Margaret Curtin, Linda Hearn, Susan Silva, Leah Smith.
Outreach Coordinator
Message from the Director
Bridget Reed
Plant Propagator
Nancy Rogers
Greenhouse Assistant
Todd Rounsaville
Curator What a summer! This past year we celebrated our culmination of a lot of hard work—in addition to
Margo Urbany-Joyce
Administrative & 20th year as a public garden. Fond memories a bit of luck! The journey often includes finding seed
Financial Officer combined with a feeling of accomplishment made in the wild, collecting it, treating it, sowing it, caring
The mission of the Polly Hill
it a memorable year for the staff, Board of Directors, for young plants, and eventually planting the tree
Arboretum is to perpetuate and volunteers. As Executive Director, though, on the grounds. This year we increased our chances
the experimental tradition in it’s my job to look forward. In this issue of of success: we renovated the Littlefield Nursery
horticulture established by
Polly Hill by sharing knowledge Meristems, I’ll answer some questions about the fu- to improve the growing conditions and constructed
of plants and scientific procedure ture of PHA as we move into our third decade. new benches inside our Quonset huts.
through educational programs,
research, plant conservation, The Arboretum will always be about trees. PHA is about growing; inherent in growth is
and exploration. The Arboretum For our 20th anniversary, we chose 20 trees for 20 change. You’ll also read of some changes. This year
seeks to preserve its meadows
and woodlands, to promote an
years. The “20 Iconic Trees” tours provided an we bade farewell to several staff members retiring
understanding of its collections, opportunity to share our history and the stories of after devoting their skills and creative energies
and to encourage their utilization our trees, both for devoted members and first-time to making PHA a vibrant community resource. The
for scholarship, observation,
and the enjoyment of all. visitors. An accompanying exhibit in the Visitor challenge of change is adaptation. It’s hard to lose
Center launched visitors out into the collections to seasoned staff, however, new people bring new energy
visit such arboreal icons as the Julian Hill magnolia, and ideas. We will adapt and continue to grow.
dawn redwood, and beetlebung. Look for growth in areas that speak to our devotion
Meristems © The Newsletter While celebrating our past, we are busy working to connecting plants and people! Please make
of the Polly Hill Arboretum
to support our mission into the future. This past plans to join us on our winter walks this upcoming
News & Photography PHA Staff fall, Curator Todd Rounsaville traveled to Japan season. We look forward to seeing you!
Editors Laura Coit and Ann Quigley and curatorial intern Katherine Brewer and I went
Design Lorraine Ferguson
Printing Bolger, Minneapolis MN to Tennessee to collect tree seed for future planting.
Printed on recycled paper. When you see a tree at PHA, it represents the
ARBORETUM NEWS
Talking with Executive Director Tim Boland
PHA recently celebrated its 20th year 50 percent of college programs in these two nursery renovation provides the template
as a public garden. What are your disciplines have been eliminated by U.S. for us to take this on. Last year we initiated
reflections on the Arboretum’s growth colleges and universities. Given this painful our new plant records database, IrisBG.
over the past two decades? reality, where will the future horticultural This year we introduced a new labeling
leaders and plant scientists come from? format with anodized aluminum replacing
I often tell people that the key to the success They will come from public garden training plastic. We expect these easier-to-read
of PHA today is our solid foundation. programs! My career was deeply influenced labels to last far longer than the plastic
Not-for-profits are vulnerable to fads and/ by internships and mentorships I engaged labels that would fade and eventually break
or taking on initiatives that stray from in after my undergraduate training. Today, from exposure to ultraviolet light.
their mission. The Arboretum’s original we pass on this tradition with our college Our science and plant conservation
Board of Directors and Director Emeritus and post-college internships at PHA. activities with the Flora of Dukes County
Stephen Spongberg honored Polly Hill’s Polly believed in the power of observation, continue to find both new plants and
plant and landscape ethic by committing to discovery, and sharing. As scientists and historic plants that have been rediscovered
a philosophy that I call plant-centric and educators that is what we continue to after 60 or more years. While the publica-
people-powered. PHA appeals on multiple pursue. tion of a revised flora is in our future,
levels. Its serene landscape comes from a checklist of current plants will appear on
a commitment to honor our agrarian past. our website soon. These projects are what
We are also committed to the horticulture What significant projects and plans PHA is all about: seek constant improve-
experimentation that Polly established do you see on the horizon over the next ment, do it in the spirit of our founders,
beginning in 1958. We carry out our work few years? and be open to change when given the
with creative, talented staff and dedicated opportunity.
volunteers. It is this people-power that After several years of expansive growth
has enabled our success and that I am most with the renovations of historic buildings
proud of as we enter our 21st year. and the building of new facilities, we are What are your most pressing challenges
settling into the methodical growth of our today as a public garden on Martha’s
programming on all levels. We are expand- Vineyard?
Can an arboretum survive being wedded ing our youth education programs to
to its founder’s vision, given that include a middle school curriculum, and Support! As beloved as we are on-Island
the Vineyard and the world continue to have recently hosted high school classes in and as respected as we are by our profes-
change? the new Education Center and Botany sional peers, we do not have significant,
Lab. PHA is also involved in the creation consistent monetary support. This challenges
Yes! Prior to working at PHA, I worked at of our Backyard Habitat project that engages us on a yearly basis. More recently we
two very different gardens that went from Vineyard youth and families in the stew- have been hard-pressed (as are other Island
private to public: Chanticleer Garden in ardship benefits of planting native plants not-for-profits) to find affordable housing
Wayne, Pennsylvania, faced this challenge, to reconnect fragmented habitat. for our employees, who are the very lifeblood
as did the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, This upcoming spring we will under- of PHA. To counter this, we have created
Illinois. I have learned from and been in- take an audience research project to help a housing stipend fund that aids long-
spired by my experiences at both places and us improve the visitor experience and create term employees in their housing or rental
by observing others. The secret to success is an interpretive signage plan to better share costs. Unfortunately, we realize this may
to work within the confines of your mission, our story and mission in interesting and only be a temporary fix. If we cannot retain
but to do so in innovative and purposeful accessible ways. This project is also intended talented employees, the sustainability of
ways. In 1958, when Polly Hill first started to inform future publicity and outreach our people-power will become unstable. This
her grand experiment, the world and its to increase visitation and community will threaten our future progress and impact.
environment were in a very different state. visibility. We need our members and constituents
Now, 20 percent of all plants—many of these Polly loved plants! At the heart of what to help us, not just with current support,
are trees—are in some stage of vulnerability we do is curating and caring for our plant but also with PHA’s long-term sustainability
to extinction. This compels us to be active collections. We have recently improved from a generational perspective. There are
in their protection and in telling their stories our plant records and mapping systems, and a lot more trees in our future!
because they cannot speak for themselves. the recent nursery renovation has created Many of these new developments and
In addition to our local and global better growing conditions and increased our more are included in this newsletter.
responsibilities to plant conservation, we are capacity to track plants from seed to plant- You can also send me questions at info@
also very concerned about the state of the ing on our grounds. We plan to increase our pollyhillarboretum.org. We welcome your
plant sciences, particularly college horticul- plant breeding activities in a pursuit to intro- suggestions, and, of course, your continued
ture and botany programs. An estimated duce new cultivated varieties of plants. The support!
4 – ARBORETUM NEWS
Youth Education Coordinators Betsy Dripps & Jill Bouck Retire
It is with much gratitude and awe that we energetic presence, and they became favor- that they are scientists just like Polly!”
look back on the years Betsy Dripps and ites at the Island schools—many teachers Once the kids get to the Arboretum,
Jill Bouck have been running PHA’s youth returned with their students year after year. their excitement is palpable. Many of them
education program. Their energy, hard In 2016, the Massachusetts Department can’t resist breaking into a run as they
work, and creativity transformed our youth of Education adopted a new framework make their way along the paths and green
education program into a full-blown science of standards for science, technology, and spaces of the PHA campus. As Jill says,
program spanning kindergarten through engineering. That winter, Jill studied the “The follow-up visit, while focused on the
4th grade and serving between 700 to 800 new curriculum standards and worked with specific program, also allows for a good
students each year. They both retired from Betsy on a plan to adjust and expand PHA’s amount of fun observation of birds, insects,
their position as Youth Education Coordi- programs to more closely align with the new reptiles, small mammals, and any other
nator this year. science framework. Several new programs natural world discovery that might present
Betsy joined the PHA team in 2005 were born out of these curriculum chang- itself along the way.” The outdoor education-
after a 25-year career as a school teacher. es, including lessons on flowering plants, al experience is valuable for all children and
She enjoyed working with many of the same biomes and ecosystems, and a program on is especially beneficial for kids with a more
teachers and students she had known “dinosaur plants.” hands-on learning style, who may struggle
during her years teaching in the Martha’s All of the youth education programs in the structure of a classroom setting.
Vineyard school system, but this time in an at PHA allow students to become young Betsy adds, “We are getting them outside
outdoor classroom. Our initial youth educa- scientists: exploring, asking questions, in nature and unlocking the curiosity inside
tion program was modeled after a program observing changes, drawing, discussing, their minds. We let them explore, ask ques-
at the Arnold Arboretum in Boston, and and interpreting what they discover. As Jill tions, and share information with friends.”
Betsy soon began working to expand and points out, the philosophy of PHA’s pro- All this work couldn’t be done by just
customize the programs. grams emphasizes hands-on scientific work two people, and Betsy and Jill are quick to
In 2009, shortly after completing 18 both in the classroom and at the Arboretum. give credit to PHA staff who have assisted
years as chief curator at the Martha’s Vine- Each unit begins with a classroom lesson them throughout the years, and especially
yard Museum, Jill joined PHA’s volunteer that prepares students for what they will be to the volunteer school guides who make it
grounds crew. Already a certified teacher in doing during their subsequent field trip(s). possible. Betsy adds, “We have been ex-
Massachusetts, it wasn’t long before she be- But it is also an opportunity to introduce tremely lucky to have wonderful volunteer
gan helping Betsy with our youth education kids to the history of PHA and its founder. school guides who lead small groups when
program. It soon became clear that her skills Betsy shares, “My favorite part was telling classes come on field trips.” Betsy was in-
and talents made her the perfect partner! students Polly’s story and showing them strumental in recruiting a dedicated and en-
Within a year, she and Betsy became joint this wonderful picture of Polly sitting in her ergetic group of guides, many of whom have
program leaders. The scope of the programs golf cart with a little girl talking to her backgrounds in education. She had only two
continued to expand with Jill on board. Her about the basket of seeds between them on basic requirements: “First, they had to love
calm demeanor balanced well with Betsy’s the seat. I wanted to convince every student working with children. Second, they had to
Visitor Center Updates
The Visitor Center welcomes PHA visitors activities for families, including a tree display highlighted the flowering bulbs
and helps them make the most of their identification book, a sketchbook, and bin- purchased with funds raised from the spring
visit. This year Visitor Services, Volunteer & oculars. appeal. We thank PHA caretaker Tucker
Youth Education Coordinator Kendra Also new in 2018 is a set of interpretive Hubbell for his masterful installation of
Buresch initiated some changes to benefit panels containing information on topics our new Visitor Center panels.
visitors of all ages. For children and families, related to current Arboretum happenings. Finally, for visitors interested in discov-
a comfy bean bag chair is at the center of a These panels allow displays to be swapped ering seasonal plants of interest, in addition
new kids’ corner that also includes picture out throughout the season. In early summer, to our “six-plant tour” live plant display,
books about nature, leaf rubbing materials, visitors enjoyed a display on iconic trees we added a digital slideshow curated by avid
and an exhibit exploring tree growth of PHA. Kendra designed the exhibit in photographer and PHA volunteer Kathy
rings. We have enjoyed watching kids and conjunction with our “20 Iconic Trees” tours Kinsman. The ever-changing photos high-
parents curl up with a book or create a planned in honor of PHA’s 20th anniversary. light for visitors what’s in bloom on the day
nature drawing in their new space. The new In late summer, the display focused on the of their visit. Be sure to stop by the Visitor
children’s area complements our explorer topic of our spring appeal: 20,000 bulbs! Center when it re-opens in May to pick
backpacks. These backpacks are free to PHA staff and volunteers will be planting up one of our famous t-shirts and take a
borrow during open hours and contain fun the bulbs on our grounds this fall. The look at our latest improvements.
Tim Boland Joins PHA’s New
Board of Interna- Administrative &
tional Oak Society Financial Officer
Executive Director Tim Boland was recently In September, Margo Urbany-Joyce
appointed to the board of directors of the In- joined PHA as our new Administrative
ternational Oak Society (IOS). The IOS was & Financial Officer. Margo comes to
Betsy Dripps (left) and Jill Bouck founded in 1992. Its mission is to further the us with a wealth of financial savvy: she
study, sustainable management, preservation, worked in investment banking, sales, and
love the Polly Hill Arboretum, and love to appreciation, and dissemination of knowledge trading in New York City for 18 years
share all that it has to offer to our youngest to the public about oaks and their ecosystems. before moving to Martha’s Vineyard in
scientists.” And they do! Betsy and Jill have Tim plans to help recruit younger members 2005. Once on the Vineyard, she owned
enjoyed working with PHA Visitor Services, to the IOS and looks forward to participating and ran a financial advisory practice for
Volunteer & Youth Education Coordinator in their planning and development team. 6 years before becoming executive director
Kendra Buresch, who joined the PHA team Tim has brought oak experts from at Habitat for Humanity of Martha’s
in April and will take over the reins to lead around the world to the Island and has Vineyard and, more recently, finance
the youth education program this winter. taught classes on oak identification, ecology, manager at Featherstone Center for the
Looking back at their time as Youth and symbolism. His current research focuses Arts, where she continues to serve on the
Education Coordinators at PHA, both Jill on the preservation of oak forests and the board of directors.
and Betsy have fond memories. Jill sums conservation of endangered U.S. oaks. An Margo lives in Edgartown with her
it up as a “huge group effort, and so re- enthusiastic oak advocate, Tim adds, “Oaks husband, Jim, and their golden retriever,
warding to see kids of all abilities have fun are critical biological infrastructure across the Jolene. She can often be found walking
with science.” Betsy knows she will miss world. They support more insect, fungi, and Jolene on one of the Island’s many hiking
her coworkers, school guides, teachers, and microbial life than any other temperate tree trails. Margo says, “I was attracted to
students, but feels pride at what has been group. They are also a foundation tree species Polly Hill Arboretum not only for its
accomplished: “Polly would be so happy to that indicate through their persistence and natural beauty but also for its horticultur-
know how far we have come with our youth existence the health of our planet, locally al achievements. After working here for
education programs and how much of a and globally.” Tim recently attended the 9th only a few weeks, I am taken aback by the
difference we are making in student’s lives.” IOS conference in Davis, California, which strong sense of stewardship, the respect
We wish both Betsy and Jill the best in focused on oak habitat and adapting to for history, and the reverence for those
their next chapter, and we thank them for climate change. He presented a talk: “The who helped PHA become what it is today.”
their years of dedicated work bringing ConServator: Conservation Mapping and She adds, “There is a very strong sense of
science and nature into the lives of so many its Role in Oak Conservation.” The Con- place here and I feel fortunate to be part
young people. Servator is a cloud-based geographic infor- of it.” We feel fortunate that she has joined
mation system that records the distribution our team. Please introduce yourself to
of plant species on Martha’s Vineyard. Margo on your next visit.
Barbara Conroy Retires
PHA Administrative & Financial Officer not-for-profit accounting and reporting.”
Barbara Conroy announced her retire- Barbara also spearheaded our solar power
ment this past September after 16 years of program, which enabled PHA to be one of
exemplary service. Barbara and her husband, the few U.S. arboreta to produce over 100
Eddie, have relocated off-Island to be percent of its electricity from solar energy.
closer to their children and grandchildren. On her last day, PHA staff and board
“Barbara played a major role in many members attended a special luncheon in her
of our critical institutional advances,” says honor in the Far Barn; guests spoke admir-
Executive Director Tim Boland. “The ingly of her many accomplishments and
position is dynamic and demanding; she not dedicated work during her time at PHA.
only adapted to change, but she was a cata- We thank Barbara for her years of service
lyst for many improvements, including and wish her a very happy, well-deserved
initiating best management practices for retirement!
Barbara Conroy (right) with her daughter and grand-
children by the giant bloom of the Julian Hill magnolia
6 – ARBORETUM NEWS E D U C AT I O N A N D O U T R E A C H
Staff News The Vineyard’s Backyard Habitat Project
In June, Executive Director Tim Boland Your backyard garden can play a vital role
led a workshop at Bentley University in in conservation. Polly Hill Arboretum has
Waltham, Massachusetts, titled “The Amer- recently launched the Backyard Habitat
ican Oaks: Diversity, Ecology, and Iden- Project, spearheaded by Visitor Services,
tification.” The program was sponsored by Volunteer & Youth Education Coordinator
Grow Native Massachusetts, a not-for-profit Kendra Buresch, in an effort to encourage
organization based in Cambridge, involved gardeners and landowners to contribute to
in advocacy for native plant landscaping. landscape connectivity by creating a planting
In July, Tim gave a talk on PHA’s history called a habitat patch in their backyards.
and programs at the Tabernacle in Oak Each habitat patch will provide food,
Bluffs for the Martha’s Vineyard Camp water, and shelter for Martha’s Vineyard
Meeting Association. wildlife. This conservation stewardship
Also in July, Plant Propagator Bridget project, funded by a grant from the Nature
Reed traveled to Columbus, Ohio, to attend Conservancy, is a fusion between PHA’s Second graders from the Oak Bluffs Elementary
Cultivate ’18, a conference and trade show MV Wildtype program and the Habitat School show off their Island habitat map.
presented by AmericanHort. This dual-pur- Kids youth education program.
pose event allowed her to attend talks, ex- As a part of the project, PHA will be 36 plugs of native plants: 8 wildflowers
plore ways to improve greenhouse function, propagating a variety of native plants and 3 grasses that homeowners can use to
and to source materials from the trade show. from seed to create habitat kits that will be create their own habitat patch. To make
In August, Horticulturist/Arborist available for purchase next spring at the planning and planting easier, each kit will
Ian Jochems took PHA interns Katherine PHA plant sale area. Each kit will include include a landscape design plan.
Brewer, Nicki Achor, and Sam Snyder on a What would a habitat patch look like?
field trip to the Woody Plant Conference Next spring, a demonstration habitat patch
sponsored annually by the Scott Arboretum
of Swarthmore College located outside
Farewell to Our will be planted around the Arboretum’s
Education Center and Botany Lab to
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While in the
area they visited the Morris Arboretum and
2018 Interns! provide an example. In addition, interpre-
tive signage will explain to visitors the
Chanticleer Gardens, in addition to traveling role backyard habitat patches can play in
to Wave Hill, a public garden located in connecting fragmented Island habitat.
the Bronx. In April, Ian took a family trip In support of the project, PHA will host
to the Netherlands. While there, he visited several speakers in the next year on topics
Hortus Botanicus, a botanical garden in the related to native plants and landscaping
heart of Amsterdam celebrating its 380th for wildlife.
year. He also experienced Keukenhof Gar- The project is a group effort. Arbore-
den during the tulip bloom where 7 million tum staff, along with volunteers Margaret
bulbs of over 800 varieties were in flower! Curtin, Greg Palermo, and Nancy Weaver,
In September, Horticulturist Oliver have been collecting native plant seed from
Osnoss passed the required exam to receive around the Island. The seed will be used
a Massachusetts pesticide applicator license. to grow plugs for the kits. Propagator
The training covers IPM (integrated pest Bridget Reed, Greenhouse Assistant Nancy
management) and details the least toxic Rogers, and greenhouse volunteers Judy
methods to control plant pests and diseases. Bryant, Berta Geller, and Sue Silva have
In October, he taught his first class at PHA: been cleaning and processing the seeds to
a workshop on mushroom cultivation that ready them for the necessary stratification
he looks forward to teaching again. (cold storage) before sowing this winter.
Also in October, curatorial intern Kath- Grade-school students will be assisting as
erine Brewer attended the American Public well. The grant will fund the Habitat
Gardens Association’s Excellence in Plant Kids youth education program for second-
Collections Symposium held in Vancouver, and third-graders for the next two school
British Columbia. The program covered top- years! Students will be involved in creating
ics from curating for climate change to the educational material for the habitat kits
ethics of wild collecting, and included visits and will also be packaging native plant
to Van Dusen Gardens and the University seeds for distribution in the Visitor Center
of British Columbia Botanical Garden. next spring.
Summer interns Nicki Achor (left) and Sam Snyder
(right) with curatorial intern Katherine Brewer
P L A N T C O N S E R VAT I O N A N D E X P L O R AT I O N
High School Plant Collection Trips
Helpers at PHA TENNESSEE: Wet but Wonderful! JAPAN: Collections from the Mountains
Executive Director Tim Boland and cura- During the second half of September, PHA
During this past season, PHA was fortunate torial intern Katherine Brewer traversed participated in a collecting expedition to
to have the help of many young people. As over 1,400 miles in Tennessee this past central Honshu, the main island of Japan.
a part of Martha’s Vineyard Regional High September in pursuit of the mountain The trip marked PHA’s third expedition to
School’s (MVRHS) Give Back Day, we camellia (Stewartia ovata) and other plant Japan since 2005. Curator Todd Rounsaville
hosted a work day for a group of high school species. The trip was impacted by over 8 was joined by Michael Dosmann and Steve
students. Twenty-five dedicated teenagers inches of rain that washed out mountain Schneider from the Arnold Arboretum as
helped to install plantings at the Visitor trails, making some impassable. However, well as Tony Aiello from the Morris Arbo-
Center and to mulch and weed the Dog- they were able to collect their target retum. A total of 58 collections were made
wood Allée. With their help, we were able to stewartia at 7 sites; several were collected over two weeks, including Stewartia mon-
move 30 yards of mulch and plant over 200 on private land with the permission of the adelpha and S. pseudocamellia, six species of
plugs of wavy hairgrass (Deschampsia flexu- landowners. 2017 curatorial intern Thomas Rhododendron, five species of Enkianthus, and
osa). It was a pleasure working with such an Murphy, now a graduate student in botany taxa of hydrangea, holly, maple, and beech
engaging group of students. They were able at Austin Peay University in Clarksville, that will be completely new to PHA’s living
to get out of the classroom, work outdoors Tennessee, joined Tim and Katherine, collections. The trip’s success can be largely
on a volunteer service project, and learn and was integral to the successful planning attributed to the advance scouting done
a little about careers in public horticulture. and permitting of the trip. by Dr. Mineaki Aizawa, a forest ecologist
We also hosted two high school stu- The trio ventured to both mountain- at Utsunomiya University who served as a
dents to work on special projects. Esme Lee, ous areas and grassland glades where they guide for the duration of collecting.
now a senior at the Spence School in New discovered several target species. They made According to Dr. Aizawa, this summer
York City, volunteered this summer on an 33 collections in total. Tim comments, had been the hottest ever recorded in Japan.
ambitious project inspired by the Habitat “Despite the rain, we were in beautiful, Additionally, the group arrived shortly after
Kids program. She devised an urban version remote areas, and we were delighted to a series of devastating typhoons that left
of Habitat Kids that she will be rolling have the opportunity to work with Thomas certain roads impassable and damaged many
out this winter at an elementary school in again.” Collecting seed is not glamorous; forests where the group made collections.
Brooklyn. Esme’s initiative and enthusiasm it is hard work. A typical day starts before The use of Utsunomiya University’s labo-
were evident as she designed lesson plans 7:00 am and concludes at 11:00 pm. In ratories proved invaluable to the efficient
and activities for her nine-week after-school between is driving, hiking, collecting, and processing of seed and herbarium vouchers.
program. after dinner, seed sorting, data recording, Todd found the trip a fascinating opportu-
Also this past summer, Jaiden Edelman, and herbarium preparation. This was nity to see the sister species of genera that
now a junior at MVRHS, worked as a Katherine’s first experience collecting seed grow in North American forests. Comparing
summer intern on PHA’s new Backyard in the wild. She adds, “The trip was an the evolutionary adaptations of these famil-
Habitat Project. Through all sorts of weather, important learning opportunity for me. iar species provides insight into their unique
Jaiden was busy collecting softwood cuttings I got to see first-hand the hard work that ecology and thus their cultural requirements
and seeds from native plant species around goes into plant collecting, and I had so in cultivation. We are excited to grow these
the Island as well as helping to weed much fun exploring these rural areas and seeds that will add so much taxonomic
several of the elementary schoolyard habitat learning from Tim and Thomas!” diversity to PHA’s living collections.
patches. He also collected and pressed a
collection of native oaks to be used by
Habitat Kids’ third-graders to create their
own key of Martha’s Vineyard oaks.
High school intern Jaiden Edelman preparing soft- Past curatorial intern Thomas Murphy collecting seed PHA Curator Todd Rounsaville collecting this past
wood cuttings for the Backyard Habitat Project at Rock Island State Park in Tennessee September in the mountains of Honshu, Japan
8 – FROM THE LIVING COLLECTION
A Magnolia
Called Lydia
by Todd Rounsaville
These seedpods (aggregate follicles) collected from ‘Lydia’ in October are just starting to open.
How ironically fortuitous that in 1956, two as a plantswoman are the North Tisbury that the outer tepals were pink. Although a
unrelated events in Polly Hill’s life would azaleas; all of these originated as seed sent by pink flush is not uncommon for the pre-
set the course for the plant collection now Dr. Rokujo. Their shared interest in azaleas dominately white-flowered M. obovata, this
thriving as the Polly Hill Arboretum. First, constituted the bulk of the intercontinental particular specimen also grew with an un-
as Polly wrote, “I had assumed the man- exchange, but seeds from Japanese stewar- usually upright habit. Recognizing that this
agement of Barnard’s Inn Farm, the family tias, maples, hollies, and pines also arrived. tree was special, Polly bestowed this plant
property on Martha’s Vineyard.” The centu- In January of 1968, three small seedlings with the cultivar name ‘Lydia’, in honor of
ries old sheep farm that has now become her Dr. Rokujo mailed from Tokyo arrived for her granddaughter. Lydia is the daughter of
eponymous arboretum was a blank canvas Polly. The seedlings were Magnolia obovata Polly’s son Jeff, who had accompanied Polly
in 1956, presumably an exhilarating and (received with the synonymous name to Japan when she first met Dr. Rokujo.
daunting opportunity for her as an amateur M. hypoleuca) and were among only a few When a noteworthy plant is given a
horticulturist. Second, Polly took a trip magnolias ever sent to Polly by Rokujo. cultivar name, a series of important steps
to Japan with her son Jeff. There, she was As it happened, each of the bare-root are set in motion. First, the cultivar should
introduced to Dr. Tsuneshige Rokujo by an seedlings (accessioned as 1968-004) sur- be formally registered in order to describe
acquaintance of a mutual friend. Dr. Rokujo vived the long journey, and before long Polly why it is unique. Some genera, like Mag-
worked for a pharmaceutical company, but had planted them, evenly spaced, along the nolia, have professional groups in place for
like Polly, was a passionate gardener. Over northern border inside her “playpen.” These this purpose. The name ‘Lydia’ was officially
the next 41 years, the pair exchanged sister seedlings thrived within the confines registered with the Magnolia Society
233 letters and shared their favorite plants. of this fenced area amongst the other International in 1986. Another caveat of
Between 1957 and 1981, Dr. Rokujo mailed Rokujo-exchange plants. We know from cultivar creation is the implicitness that once
hundreds of seed packets to Polly, primarily Polly’s recordkeeping that the first of the named, a given cultivar is the only individual
Japanese species that remain a core compo- three flowered in 1978. Six years later, a of its kind. To preserve and share cultivars
nent of the living collections to this day. second tree in the middle of the grouping with other gardeners, asexual propagation
One of Polly’s most enduring legacies flowered for the first time, and Polly noted needs to occur. Polly mailed hardwood
The magnificent flower of Magnolia ‘Lydia’
cuttings to several nurseries and arboreta in serves as a fast-growing, early-colonizing
order to share her special selection. One species that establishes following forest
of these successful grafts returned to PHA disturbances. In all likelihood, the compar-
in 1988 and was planted back into the atively weak-wooded magnolias will break
collection as a duplicate accession. apart in the forest over time and be replaced
Magnolia obovata is often called the by native beeches and recovering oaks.
Japanese bigleaf or Japanese whitebark Ultimately, we decided over the summer
magnolia. It bears a resemblance to the to deaccession and remove two of the Play
American umbrella magnolia (M. tripetala) Pen magnolias (see “Progress in Polly’s
to which it is very closely related, each Play Pen,” pp. 10–11). In addition to reduc-
having large and cuneate (wedge-shaped) ing the number of seeds dispersing into the
leaves. In recent years, M. tripetala has been forest, these trees had grown to be massive
published as escaping cultivation, seeding over their 50-year lifespan. The dense shade
into the forests of the eastern U.S., far north they cast was jeopardizing the health of
of its contemporary range. We have observed Polly’s North Tisbury azaleas growing
a similar phenomenon on Martha’s Vineyard beneath. Now, only ‘Lydia’ remains from the
in regard to ‘Lydia’ and her sister seedlings. original seedling batch sent by Dr. Rokujo.
Following the collapse of the native oak Standing near the center of the Play Pen,
trees in the natural woodlands bordering and as the tallest tree within it, ‘Lydia’ is a
PHA’s cultivated area nearly a decade ago, sentinel for the other Play Pen inhabitants,
M. obovata has migrated from Polly’s Play many of which likewise originated with
Pen and germinated in PHA’s forested acres. Rokujo. Next year we plan to propagate
This behavior is similar to that within its ‘Lydia’ to make this unique and historically
native range in Japan, where M. obovata important cultivar available to others.
‘Lydia’ was already a large tree when it first flowered
in 1983.
10 – FROM THE LIVING COLLECTION
Progress in
Polly’s Play Pen
by Katherine Brewer
I was excited when offered the chance to
shape my curatorial intern project around
Polly’s Play Pen. The Play Pen has become
my favorite spot at PHA: its high fence and
far location make it feel like a secret gar-
den. In addition, it is filled with plants such
as azaleas, rhododendrons, and mountain
laurels—all members of my favorite plant
family: the Ericaceae.
I created an organized and ambitious
plan with three phases of work: phase 1
included a full inventory of everything
Polly’s Play Pen in 1992
recorded as living in the Play Pen. I verified
the location and identity of every plant.
I also recorded whether the plant needed During the inventory, I noticed that important decisions are integral to the
a new accession or display label and made many of the understory plants were curation of a plant collection.
notes on each plant’s health and form. In struggling and unhealthy, apparently from My decision concerning Rhododendron
phase 2, I determined and performed remov- the shade of the tree canopy overhead. ‘Niagara’ illustrates the process. This plant
als, transplants, and repropagations. I use I looked at which plants were the most was growing at the western end of the
the word repropagation instead of propaga- overshaded and whether any of the canopy Play Pen hidden behind a mass of North
tion because for a cultivar to retain its plants could be removed. For example, Tisbury azaleas. It had an odd form: only
unique cultivar characteristic, it must be Polly’s magnolia selection ‘Lydia’ was one living branch growing horizontally
propagated asexually. Many of the North originally planted as a seedling in the Play along the ground. Removing it would allow
Tisbury azaleas are propagations of an Pen along with two of its unnamed siblings. more space for the North Tisbury azaleas.
original plant and we are repropagating These three trees created a lot of shade, But first, some necessary research into
from those propagations. In phase 3, I will but because only ‘Lydia’ was of special im- our plant records: I looked up the accession
select and add new plantings. portance to the collection, I slated the number (1962-034*B) and found that
two other magnolias for removal. I also the plant was purchased in 1957 as a rooted
chose to remove a Japanese maple with a cutting under the name Rhododendron
large canopy shading several North Tisbury ‘Niagara’ and accessioned in 1962. I re-
azaleas and a scraggly holly tree, which searched the name to find out if this culti-
was the same cultivar as another holly grow- var warranted inclusion in our collection.
ing in the Play Pen. I discovered that the cultivar ‘Niagara’
Removing several larger trees opened is not registered with the American
the canopy and allowed more sun to reach Rhododendron Society and, therefore, not
the understory, but overcrowding was still officially recognized. Since I couldn’t find
a problem; specimens were being choked any other information, I couldn’t verify the
out or developing undesirable growth habits: cultivar. In an arboretum, a plant has
The Play Pen viewed east to west in 1974 more removals were needed. I identified no value if its identity cannot be determined.
plants that were unattractive, in poor loca- I put R. ‘Niagara’ on the removals list.
tions, in declining health, or crushing Over the summer, I worked with the
another more important plant. Then I looked horticulture staff and interns on carrying
back in our records to determine which of out the removals and transplants, and I am
these plants had value to PHA and should, happy to report that phase 2 is complete.
therefore, be saved and which could be I also worked with PHA Plant Propagator
removed. A plant’s value is determined Bridget Reed on propagating many of the
using several factors, including the identity, Polly-named cultivars where only a single
the number of that taxon growing at PHA, plant remains. We used softwood cuttings
whether the plant was wild collected, taken in June and placed them under
and whether it was named by Polly. These mist for two months. Many rooted success-
The Play Pen in the winter of 1984. The state
champion enkianthus is to the far right.VOLUNTEERS IN THE ARBORETUM
fully and are now in pots in the green-
house.
I am currently working on phase 3:
suggestions for new plantings. My plan is
to recommend adding more herbaceous
plants that look beautiful but can be easily
removed when higher value plantings are
Joe Alstat
added (e.g., larger swaths of ferns, sedges,
and hardy begonias). These common Joe Alstat
plants will add a different, visually pleasing
foliage texture to the Play Pen’s landscape. One bright fall day the grounds crew at while weeding. He also has a collection of
I have also flagged several woody plants Polly Hill Arboretum could be seen busily sundews and other carnivorous plants.
in the nursery for planting, including weeding the Homestead Border. PHA’s Since all of his plants are in pots, he spends
two unusual rhododendron species: Rhodo- volunteer grounds crew is our largest time watering almost every day. He says
dendron hunnewellianum subsp. rockii volunteer group, with a loyal following of it’s a great time to get some thinking done.
and Rhododendron oreodoxa var. fargesii. individuals spanning many ages, including His personal motto: “Trees and cheese!”
The Play Pen project has been a Joe Alstat, who at 28, is by far the youngest. When asked about his favorite thing
wonderful learning experience for me, and Anyone watching would notice Joe’s vibrant to do at PHA, Joe replied with gusto:
I am grateful for the chance to work energy, and a quick conversation would “Cutting down trees!” Indeed, his most
with and learn from everyone on the horti- reveal his enthusiasm for the plants and memorable PHA experience was the day he
culture team! I have learned a lot about people of Polly Hill Arboretum. and the volunteer grounds crew (led by
the process of curating a space and the Joe has a lifelong passion for plants Horticulturist/Arborist Ian Jochems) took
necessary decisions that must be made and gardening. He remembers playing with down one of the large pitch pine trees by
about removals and additions. I look for- Tonka trucks as a kid while his mom State Road. While he likes to cut down
ward to visiting years from now to see worked nearby in her vegetable garden. As a trees, Joe also enjoys spending time among
how Polly’s Play Pen has evolved. child in Virginia, he had a close connection them, particularly in the 40 acres of oak
to 4-H. In fact, he was originally drawn woodlands at PHA that have not been
to PHA when he noticed how our youth cultivated.
education program embodies 4-H values Joe enjoys his time at the Arboretum
through educating children about nature. and views his volunteerism as a great way to
Joe was introduced to the Arboretum by give back to the community. He appreciates
board member Gary Montrowl, whom he PHA’s commitment to community-based
met when he first came to the Vineyard five projects, such as helping out with other
years ago to take a job as the cheesemaker gardens and conservation groups. When Joe
at the Grey Barn & Farm in Chilmark. Joe is not hanging out with trees or making
is now the creamery manager and cheese- cheese, you’ll find him rollerblading on the
maker. Prior to landing on the Island, streets of downtown Edgartown, or, in
Joe attended the New England Culinary winter, skating across one of the coastal salt
Institute in Montpelier, Vermont. After ponds. Speaking of winter, Joe would like
graduating, he gravitated towards a career everyone to know how fun it is to be a PHA
as an artisanal cheese maker while at volunteer in the winter months. “It’s like
Bonnieview Farm, also in Vermont. being in a small class,” he proclaims, “you get
Outside the creamery at the Grey Barn, all the attention!”
Joe has begun a veritable mini-arboretum. The staff of Polly Hill Arboretum
He has close to 60 plants above ground in thanks Joe for all the time he devotes to the
pots; many of his accessions were acquired volunteer grounds crew. If you are interested
during his four years on the volunteer in learning more about becoming a volunteer
grounds crew. His collection from PHA at PHA, please contact Kendra Buresch
includes a few cedars, a cypress, and a cryp- at kendra@pollyhillarboretum.org or call
tomeria—all volunteer plants he discovered 508-693-9426.
Katherine Brewer in the Play Pen, summer 2018THE POLLY HILL ARBORETUM NON-PROFIT ORG
U S P O S TA G E
MA ILING A D DR E S S
PO Box 561
A R BOR E T UM G R OUN DS HOU RS
Sunrise–sunset, year-round
THE POLLY HILL ARBORETUM PAID
West Tisbury, MA 02575 PO Box 561 TWIN CITIES, MN
PERMIT #93723
A DM I SSI ON West Tisbury, MA 02575
508-693-9426 Tel $5 www.pollyhillarboretum.org
508-693-5772 Fax Free to members and children under 12
www.pollyhillarboretum.org
F R E E P A R KI N G
AD M INIS TR AT I V E O F F I C E S
The Homestead DR I V I N G DI R E C T I ON S
809 State Road See www.pollyhillarboretum.org
West Tisbury, MA 02575
VISITO R C E N T E R
795 State Road
West Tisbury, MA 02575
AC C E S S IB IL I T Y
The Visitor Center is
wheelchair accessible.
VISITO R C E N T E R HO UR S mer.i.stem: n. botany. The growing
Memorial Day weekend to point or area of rapidly dividing cells
Columbus Day: 9:30 am–4 pm at the tip of a stem, root, or branch.
THEN AND NOW
2009: A PHA gardener weeds out new rows in preparation for new tree plantings. 2018: The recently installed nursery is ready to accept trees growing in the greenhouse.
Note how the Yoshino Japanese cryptomeria have grown into an effective windbreak.
The Nursery
PHA staff and volunteers have complet- can be grown outside prior to being tum grounds. Originally developed as a and watering while providing insulation
ed the renovation of the outdoor nurs- moved into the living collections. Here fenced space (for deer protection) where for plant roots over the winter, and
ery! This space, located across from the we’ll be able to properly assess factors trees grew directly in the ground, the makes transplanting large trees much
Littlefield Maintenance Building, now such as form and cold hardiness and new nursery space includes sunken pots easier. The renovation was carried out
serves as a transition area where trees this will allow us to select the very best on drip irrigation. This growing method, in fulfillment of a grant from the Stanley
and shrubs too big for the greenhouse individuals for planting on the Arbore- known as “pot-in-pot,” reduces weeding Smith Horticultural Trust.You can also read
