Martha’s Vineyard offers many great ways to connect with nature and the history of the island. Polly Hill Arboretum is a 70-acre public garden started by legendary botanist Polly Hill in 1958. The grounds are open every day from sunrise to sunset and there is self-guided tour information available and tours with appointments. There are many great reasons to visit but the main reason is Polly Hill Arboretum is beautiful!
This is a great stop for you and the family on your Martha’s Vineyard stay. Whether you have a strong interest in plants or if you just want to take some time in nature, this is well worth your time to check out.
The visitor center is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily from Memorial Day to Columbus Day with tours at 10:00 a.m. There is a $5 suggested donation while members and children under 12 are free.
There is plenty of room to explore on the Arboretum. You can explore on your own or go on a self-guided tour. Seats and benches are provided so you can stop and rest or you can sit and enjoy the surroundings. Make sure to check out the points of interest along the way.
Polly’s Play Pen is a 286-foot long garden on the south side of the property that contains North Tisbury azaleas along with rare plants like lilac daphne and Oconee bells. The Dogwood Allée extends 286-feet and contains a dogwood species native to eastern Asia that blooms from the middle of June to July. This is one stop that you should definitely make while at Polly Hill Arboretum!
Along the homestead, stop at the border garden which holds vibrant plants along with shrubs and bushes. One of the highlights of Polly Hill Arboretum is the Stewartias grove which has 17 different types of Stewartia trees. The arboretum is home to the national collection of Stewartia trees and is always a stop for anyone visiting Polly Hill.
One point of interest is the Julian Hill Magnolia tree which is a big-leaf magnolia tree which is native to the southeast region of the United States but came from a magnolia seed that Polly Hill planted and then has produced ever since. The flower from the magnolia tree is 18-inches in diameter.
Polly Hill also offers many different education programs to learn more about nature, plants and the arboretum. There are many experts willing to give their advice and encourage visitors, students, gardeners and anyone else interested in learning!
There are lectures, workshops, classes and guided tours. Youth education programs are also available for kids looking to learn more about nature. Internships are also available for college students and a member library which has many publications that members can take a look at after making an appointment.
Polly Hill Arboretum is extremely beautiful and well worth the time for you to visit. There are many different plants, shrubs and trees to check out at this amazing 70-acre sanctuary in West Tisbury. If you’’re looking at visiting Polly Arboretum, let Sandpiper Rentals help you find a great place to stay!
