The Polly Hill Arboretum West Tisbury, Massachusetts Meristems Vol. 19, No. 2, Fall 2017

Disanthus cercidifolius Arboretum Collecting Trips Planned to Japan In 2018 and 2019, PHA plans to participate in Tokyo. She returned to Japan in 1954 were intriguing, and I made many in two collecting trips to Japan as part of a and met the influential breeder and enduring friendships.” In 2007, then Curator plant-collecting partnership with the Arnold horticulturist Dr. Tsuneshige Rokujo. Their Tom Clark returned to Honshu, Japan, and Arboretum of Boston, Massachusetts, sharing of seeds and resulting friendship made over 300 seed collections. Many of the and the Morris Arboretum of Philadelphia, led to the development of the noteworthy resulting trees, shrubs, and perennials—some Pennsylvania. Why Japan? We desire to North Tisbury azaleas as well as the rare and distinctive—grace our grounds expand our Asian collections of several presence of many other remarkable Asian today. plant groups, most notably rhododendrons, plants in our collections. Tim adds, “The prospect of returning hydrangeas, maples, magnolias, and our These will not be the first collecting to Japan and exploring new areas is beyond nationally recognized stewartia collection. trips PHA staff have made to Japan. exciting. Not unlike North America, the Plants from Japan have shown tremendous In 2005, Executive Director Tim Boland Japanese islands continue to be impacted ornamental potential; many grow, survive, (then Curator) travelled to the mountains by development, habitat destruction, and the and prosper in maritime climates very simi- of central and northern Honshu, where he effects of climate change. We can’t afford lar to that of Martha’s Vineyard. In addition, collected large amounts of seed; however, to wait.” Our mission is to continue the the trip follows in the tradition of Polly due to a long delay in return shipping, many horticultural experimentation of our founder Hill’s love affair with Japan, which began of the seeds lost viability. Nonetheless, by collecting, growing, and displaying these in 1928, when after graduating from Vassar some spectacular specimens have prospered plants, and engaging our visitors in their sto- College she spent a year teaching English at PHA. Tim recalls, “It remains a fond ries. The potential for promising new plants and physical education at a girls’ school memory: the people, the culture, and the is exciting!

1 COLLECTING TRIPS PLANNED TO JAPAN 6 ARBORETUM NEWS Contents 2 MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR 8 FROM THE LIVING COLLECTION 3 COMMUNITY ECOLOGY 10 VOLUNTEERS IN THE ARBORETUM 4 EDUCATION AND OUTREACH 11 SCIENCE AND PLANT CONSERVATION 5 SUSTAINABILITY AT PHA 12 THEN AND NOW The Polly Hill Arboretum

THE CORPORATION AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS Timothy M. Boland, Ex Officio Sanford Brown Dennis Bushe Sarah Griffin Pamela Kohlberg Gary Montrowl, Treasurer Hunter Moorman President & Chairman Richard M. Reische Claire Sawyers E. Douglas Sederholm Susan H. Wasserman, Secretary

HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS Robert W. Doran Lisina M. Hoch Joan Smith Philippe de Spoelberch Stephen A. Spongberg

RESEARCH ASSOCIATES Thomas Clark Melissa Cullina Jessica Dyson David R. Foster Matthew Lobdell Gregory Palermo

STAFF OF THE POLLY HILL ARBORETUM Timothy M. Boland Executive Director Jill Bouck Youth Education Coordinator Kendra Buresch Youth Education Coordinator Barbara Conroy Administrative & Financial Officer Betsy Dripps Youth Education Coordinator Erin Hepfner The Dogwood Allée viewed from the EBL in early evening light Visitor Services/ Resource Specialist Ian Jochems Horticulturist/Arborist Ben Madeiras Message from the Director Horticulturist Ann Quigley Education, Membership & Seeing is believing! That’s the best impression I can and historic landscape. In this issue of Meristems, Outreach Coordinator offer after our first year with the Education Center you will read about a new audience research initiative Todd Rounsaville Curator and Botany Lab (EBL) in full operational mode. to help us understand how people come to know What this new facility has enabled PHA to accom- PHA and connect with us on different levels. Also, plish has been a revelation to the staff and board. keeping within the spirit of our agrarian past, we The mission of the Polly Hill Starting in late winter, our year-round residents were are pleased to share with you a series of articles Arboretum is to perpetuate the experimental tradition in treated to popular presentations, including plant on sustainable practices, including our experiment horticulture established by travelogs from distant lands and the plant sale pre- with using Biochar to improve soil health. Polly Hill by sharing knowledge of plants and scientific procedure view, highlighting our opening day offerings. Another milestone in sustainability is the through educational programs, As the year continued, there were days when both realignment of our endowment investments with a research, plant conservation, and exploration. The Arboretum the EBL and the Far Barn were active with conscious and strategic move to completely divest seeks to preserve its meadows courses and workshops, while visitors explored from fossil fuel industries. The world in which we and woodlands, to promote an the grounds on our daily tours. live is quite different from 1998 when we began our understanding of its collections, and to encourage their utilization When I consider PHA as an inspirational journey as a public garden. Through environmental, for scholarship, observation, and educational landscape, I see the EBL, with its social, and governance-based (ESG) investment and the enjoyment of all. classroom and herbarium, as part of our commitment practices, we intend to support the long-term health Meristems © The Newsletter to advance that mission. As we enter our 20th year of the planet. We hope that in recognition of of the Polly Hill Arboretum as a public garden, we look forward to making a PHA’s mission of education, plant conservation, News & Photography PHA Staff stronger connection with our visitors and members and research, we will inspire your continued support, Editor Laura Coit by engaging them in a collaborative dialogue. In now, and into a greener future! Design Lorraine Ferguson Printing Bolger, Minneapolis MN doing so, we hope to transform how people under- Printed on recycled paper. stand the world of plants and view our beautiful COMMUNITY ECOLOGY

Third Graders Explore Vernal Pools

Third graders from the Tisbury School visit- wet habitats support a unique set of plants ed the Allen Farm in Chilmark this October and animals. The goal was to observe as part of a farm habitat program. The field how these important habitats can coexist Kids experience the diverse natural and farm habitats trip, co-led by PHA Executive Director Tim with farm production, in addition to sharing of the Allen Farm in Chilmark. Boland and community food educator Mary the stewardship principles that could protect Sage Napolitan from Island Grown Schools, vernal pools into the future. Tim brought Martha’s Vineyard) to show students the focused on specialized wetland habitats herbarium specimens from our previous importance of recording changes through called vernal pools. These rare, seasonally studies of the area (part of the Flora of observing and documenting plants over time.

MV Wildtype Plants Used for Restoration Project Plants from PHA’s Island-native plant production program, MV Wildtype, are “returning to the wild” as part of an ecological restoration project conducted by the Sheriff ’s Meadow Foundation. The project is within the confines of their namesake property, the Sheriff ’s Meadow Sanctuary in Edgartown, a heavily used parklike property that has been colonized by many exotic invasive , including bittersweet, honeysuckle, and multiflora rose. In one particular area, shrub encroachment into a wet meadow habitat had decreased species diversity from approximately 100 to only 25 species. Two species grown by PHA as part of the MV Wildtype program: Sheriff ’s Meadow director of steward- Cardinal flower Lobelia( cardinalis) (left) and swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) (right). ship Kristen Fauteux oversaw the restoration activities, beginning with the removal of to establish themselves prior to winter. ensures that population genetics remain woody plants within the meadow. The Projects such as this restoration planting stable, leading to better adapted plants and decline in species diversity has necessitated see PHA’s MV Wildtype program come more resilient ecosystems. While many of the introduction of herbaceous native plants full circle. The cycle begins in the fall when the native plants we grow make wonderful in order to recolonize the meadow. Native seeds from native plant populations on additions to home gardens, we are especially wildflowers and grasses, many from MV Martha’s Vineyard are collected and sown pleased to see them used in restoration Wildtype, were planted back into the site in the PHA greenhouse. By keeping seed projects. Look for MV Wildtype plants in this past fall, giving the plants ample time sources local, the MV Wildtype program the Arboretum’s plant sale area in 2018.

Battling Invasive Plants at Nat’s Farm

PHA Horticulturist/Arborist Ian Jochems it colonizes open fields and disturbed areas and Horticulturist Ben Madeiras traveled to pushing out native flora and disrupting the the Sheriff ’s Meadow Foundation’s property natural nutrient cycles of soils. We partici- Nat’s Farm in West Tisbury this past spring pated in this eradication effort in an attempt to join conservation colleagues in the remov- to stop the spread of the plant at Nat’s Farm al of the aggressively invasive plant, autumn conservation area and to minimize the threat olive (Elaeganus umbellata). Using the power it carries to colonize the adjacent Manuel F. of our Bobcat skid-steer loader to dislodge Correllus State Forest, home to rare habitat. the shrubs, roots and all, over 100 plants PHA was joined in this effort by state forest were removed and later composted. Ben Maderias and Bobcat operator Ian Jochems superintendent Chris Bruno and Sheriff ’s Autumn olive has been officially desig- mechanically remove autumn olive, avoiding the use Meadow property managers Bill Bridwell nated as an invasive plant in Massachusetts; of herbicides at Nat’s Farm. and Marc Macfarlane. 4 – EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

Summer Review and Looking Ahead Student Scientists

Attendance was lively at our annual summer Liz Baldwin of BiodiversityWorks. Their Explore Arboretum lecture series held in the Far Barn. Our popular talk focusing on snakes of Martha’s summer evening lecture series allows us to Vineyard fascinated audience members of PHA Youth Education Coordinators Betsy bring leading figures in horticulture, science, all ages. They introduced the seven snake Dripps and Jill Bouck recently completed and garden design from around the world species (none of which are poisonous) a busy fall season providing programs for to share new ideas with PHA members and that live on Martha’s Vineyard. In addition school children from all five Island elemen- the Vineyard community. The major theme they explained their ongoing study of black tary schools and the MV Public Charter of this past summer’s programs was natural racer snakes, which is providing valuable School. This year Betsy and Jill were joined garden design, reflecting an attitude shift insights into the behavior of this Island by new part-time staff member Kendra gaining momentum in the field. species. The audience—who all had a Buresch. (Learn more about Kendra on p. 6.) Ecological landscape designer Claudia chance to touch a live snake if they wish- As always, our team is assisted by a won- West began the series with the inspiring talk, ed!—left convinced of the importance of derful group of dedicated volunteer school “Wild and Neat: Bridging the Gap Between snakes to the Island’s ecosystems. We look guides, who lead students in exploratory Great Garden Design and Ecology.” She forward to further collaborations with lessons on-site at the Arboretum. championed the idea of creating gardens BiodiversityWorks in the upcoming The PHA youth education program that mimic the beauty and ecology of a months. Stay tuned for a class on animal introduces Island children to the special truly wild natural landscape. For those tracks and signs this February! place that is the Arboretum and is free of interested in delving deeper into this hybrid This winter we will be offering lectures charge to all schools. During classroom between natural and cultivated gardens, we and workshops during the colder months visits, each child receives a hands-on lesson recommend Claudia’s recent book, Planting in our new Education Center and Botany led bBetsy, Jill, or Kendra, who arrive with in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Lab. In addition, our guided “winter walk” seeds, leaves, flowers, and other natural Communities for Resilient Landscapes. tours resumed November 11 and will materials for exploration. At the Arbore- Later in the summer, Dr. Art Cameron, continue on the second Saturday of each tum, each class is divided into small groups director of the Michigan State University month through March. If you live on- of student scientists who embark on their Horticulture Gardens, touched on a similar Island year-round, you’ll find a winter/ field studies with a volunteer school guide. theme with his talk, “Landscaping in Tune spring program guide in your mailbox soon. With the scientific background provided with Nature.” In addition, he provided a For dates, details, and our complete winter by the classroom visit, students revel in useful plant list containing many Northeast schedule, visit our programs calendar at the opportunity to learn from nature in natives and drought-resistant perennials. pollyhillarboretum.org. To receive email PHA’s “outdoor classroom.” Our volunteer Similarly, landscape designer Rebecca updates, subscribe on the homepage of our guides encourage everyone to observe, ask Lindenmeyr, the featured speaker at our fall website. questions, and make discoveries. Students plant sale, demonstrated the beauty, diversity, discover landscape and buildings, plants and ecological functionality of meadow and animals, and sounds and smells that gardens. She emphasized the importance of combine to create a memorable experience. designing meadows for their value to polli- Before leaving PHA, they make a drawing nators, and supplied a plant list recommend- and discuss what they’ve seen, learned, ing the best plants to do so. For a copy of and enjoyed. either plant list, contact Ann Quigley at PHA works hard to align our kinder- [email protected]. garten to fourth grade curriculum with Another highlight of the summer series the next-generation science standards that was Dr. Eric Chivian, founder of the Center the schools are adopting in their classrooms. for Health and the Global Environment By staying current with the curriculum at Harvard Medical School, who spoke on standards, our youth programs provide how medical models can help us understand a valuable resource to teachers. These educa- global environmental threats. One example tional field trips reach students of all he presented was forest fragmentation and learning styles: some kids charge forward the attendant loss of biodiversity, which has with exuberance, while others become led to increased rates of tick-borne illness absorbed in examining a seed or flower. in humans. This event, co-sponsored by We continue to be motivated by Polly Hill’s the Vineyard Conservation Society, drew passion for plants, nature, and learning a crowd of over 100 and was the subject of Dr. Eric Chivian explains the importance of protect- through observation. Polly said, “Educate ing polar bear habitat, not just for the preservation two articles in the Vineyard Gazette. of the species, but for their importance to human yourself. Learn. The learning is the fun.” In August, PHA hosted a program by health research in the areas of osteoporosis and Making learning fun is a natural outcome wildlife biologists Dr. Luanne Johnson and kidney disease. of a field trip to the Polly Hill Arboretum! SUSTAINABILITY AT PHA

Amending Soils with Biochar

PHA is experimenting with the use of Biochar is a promising soil amendment biochar as an environmental approach for areas like Martha’s Vineyard with to amending soil. The term biochar describes low-nutrient sandy soils. At PHA we have a of charcoal produced through burning applied it to the Dogwood Allée and a few wood slowly with a reduced oxygen supply. stewartia trees; it’s too early to tell definitive- Though new to us, the use of biochar in ly, but it appears to be improving tree health. agriculture is ancient. Evidence shows that Last winter we made our own biochar “Dinosaur Plants,” a popular third-grade lesson, as far back as 2,500 years ago, inhabitants for the first time, and we plan to continue. returned to PHA this fall. This program introduces of the Amazon basin used a slash-and-char We use a pyrolysis chamber, dried-out children to the evolution of plants whose ancestors process, burying burning vegetation so wood chips, and old wood. (Pyrolysis is the existed when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Although it smoldered, creating “terra preta,” which thermal decomposition of organic material the dinosaurs met their demise in a dramatic mass extinction, plants persisted. Many evolved in means black earth in Portuguese. The through the application of heat without complex ways, but others remain much the same; charred material left behind, what we call the addition of extra air or oxygen.) We get these prehistoric plants, such as dawn redwood, biochar, is a stable, carbon-rich material that rid of materials we don’t need while creating monkey puzzle tree, ginkgo, and magnolia, fasci- helps soils retain water and nutrients and a usable product. It’s a win-win outcome nate us with their beauty, resilience, and ancient heritage. is beneficial to plants and microorganisms. for us.

PHA Book Series Aligning Mission & Values with ESG PHA’s successful family book series by Pamela Kohlberg returned for its third season this year Investing at PHA attracting over 180 participants! Along with school-aged children, babysitters, Environmental conservation and education ments. According to a 2014 article by Lisa parents, and grandparents enjoyed an are at the core of the Arboretum’s mission. Woll in the HuffPost, data suggests that outing; and even newborn babies experi- The Board of Directors wishes to reflect these several hundred foundations are practicing enced their first Arboretum activity. values in the investments held directly by sustainable and responsible investment Classic storybooks with ecological themes the endowment. (SRI) as a way to ensure greater alignment like Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax and newer titles With this statement of purpose in with their goals and mission, including the such as Uno’s Garden by Graeme Base 2013, the PHA Board of Directors began Rockefeller Foundation, the Nathan were read by PHA volunteer Kathy research on an ESG (Environmental/Social/ Cummings Foundation, and the Wallace Kinsman. After story time, Kathy and Governance) investment strategy for the Global Fund, to name a few. endowment fund. ESG investing denotes Leveraging the Other 95% of the fellow volunteer Barb Caseau helped Endowment: Visitor Services/Resource Specialist Erin an investment philosophy that targets, in Foundation leaders had begun Hepfner lead a range of fun and engaging addition to financial returns on the invest- to reflect that while their mission focused activities, including arts and crafts, ment, a double or triple bottom line return, overall on “serving the public good,” scavenger hunts, and nature walks. Check also tracking impacts in environmental, just 5% of the endowment returns funded back in 2018 for next season’s family social benefits, and corporate governance operations or grants dedicated to these book series schedule! in the companies and funds in the portfolio. goals, but the companies and sectors with Environmental, social, and corporate whom they were invested might be at cross governance criteria are incorporated into purposes with this mission. The investment the investment screen, in addition to goals strategy with the remaining 95% of the of generating long-term competitive endowment, in companies promoting better financial returns and minimizing risk. use of natural resources (in the case of Competitive Returns: There was a time PHA) enhances progress toward the envi- when many assumed that it was not possible ronmental conservation mission. to achieve ESG goals and generate returns With this pivot, the major corpus of the competitive with single bottom line invest- endowment is also working to achieve envi- ment strategies focusing only on financial ronmental and social sustainability and good metrics. Over the past decade, the ESG governance practices. After a 4-year journey investment trend, with related strategies of research, analysis, and realignment, the Kids and adults recreate characters from Uno’s called purpose-driven, mission-driven, or PHA’s investment portfolio strategy has Garden, a timely tale about the importance of socially responsible investing, has been integrated ESG principles, with continued habitat restoration. adopted by numerous foundation endow- competitive financial performance. 6 – ARBORETUM NEWS

Kendra Buresch Joins PHA Staff

This fall we welcomed Kendra Buresch to the PHA staff as our newest part-time Youth Education Coordinator. Kendra is assisting Youth Education Coordinators Betsy Dripps and Jill Bouck with the PHA youth education program, and will be visiting first through fourth grade classrooms and helping guide school groups on-site. In addition, Kendra brings us the conserva- tion education program Habitat Kids. Kendra is a biologist with a master’s degree in natural resources from the Univer- sity of New Hampshire and over 20 years experience working in the field. She spent 14 Kendra Buresch engages students in a “habitat match” board game. Photo: Ken Wentworth years at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, and prior to that, four years Habitat Kids, an education program design- projects in upcoming years. Here at PHA, as a field ecologist for the Martha’s Vineyard ed to directly engage Island elementary in addition to her assistance with our youth office of the Nature Conservancy. Most school students in habitat stewardship and education program, Kendra will continue recently, she has been teaching local children conservation efforts. As a part of this her work with Habitat Kids, programming about ecology through her pilot program, program, and in collaboration with PHA, for students in kindergarten, second, third, Habitat Kids. students at the Edgartown, Tisbury, Oak and sixth grades. Kendra’s breadth of In 2015 Kendra received a Martha’s Bluffs and Chilmark schools created “habitat experience, innovation, and positive attitude Vineyard Vision Fellowship to begin patches” that will be used for stewardship are a welcome addition to the PHA team.

Staff News

In March, Horticulturist/Arborist Ian included interpretive planning, reaching Jochems received certification through visitors in compelling ways, and how to con- the International Society of Arboriculture nect guests to the mission by implementing for Tree Risk Assessment Qualification art and exhibits. Erin also visited the Denver (TRAQ). Ian’s certification will help us Art Museum and the Denver Museum monitor and evaluate the risks associated of Nature & Science to observe how other with our trees and make more informed institutions share information. decisions about tree health and maintenance. In July, Executive Director Tim Boland traveled to the Scott Arboretum of Swarth- more College to present “Into the Wild: Capturing the Genetic Potential of North American Native Plants” at the 20th annual Woody Plant Conference. More than 450 participants attended this popular con- ference. In August, he was in Bar Harbor, Maine, to give the Beatrix Farrand Society’s annual summer lecture. His talk featured PHA’s origins, history, and current activities. Visitor Services/Resource Specialist Erin Hepfner attended the American Public Gardens Association’s The Nature of Exhibi- Tim’s talk reached a large audience at the annual tions symposium hosted by the Denver PHA Horticulturist/Arborist Ian Jochems examines a tree for trunk decay. Woody Plant Conference. Botanic Gardens in September. Topics Brian McGowan Retires Plant Propagator/Horticulturist Brian from collecting trips and cuttings from McGowan retired this summer after a long the Arboretum’s collections. Brian worked and successful career in horticulture. He closely with a group of dedicated greenhouse came to PHA in 2015 after working as a volunteers, who assisted in sowing seed, horticulturist, restoration designer, author, propagating cuttings, and watering every and nurseryman—for 20 years he and Wednesday. In addition, Brian oversaw his wife, Alice, operated Blue Meadow Farm the plant sale area with the assistance of in Montague, Massachusetts. the summer interns, taught popular plant In his slightly over two years at PHA, propagation workshops, and led tours. Brian made a big impact. He juggled three We will miss Brian’s sunny smile and Smiles all around at Brian’s retirement party. (Shown full greenhouses where he lovingly propa- infectious laugh at PHA. We wish him here with greenhouse volunteers Berta Geller, Nancy gated thousands of plants, including seed and Alice a happy retirement. Rogers, Susan Silva, and Judy Bryant)

Audience Research Workshop In honoring the tradition of sharing this Research, facilitated discussions to discover property with visitors that extends beyond how we can best communicate our mission the Arboretum’s official 20 years, and giving and inspire people to connect with nature. back to visitors and friends who have The goal of this workshop was to aid staff supported PHA, the Arboretum hosted in aligning programs and outreach to Jeff Hayward conducted group interviews to learn renowned audience research specialist Jeff support our mission in a way that is most more about PHA visitors from constituents who have Hayward to conduct an evaluative workshop relevant to our specific visitors. To do that, different perspectives. Clockwise from top right: with staff, volunteers, and board members. we need to better understand our audience. Jeff Hayward, Karin Stanley, Cynthia Bloomquist, and Jeff, director of People, Places and Design Jeff provided valuable guidance. Linda Hearn.

2017 Summer Interns

The Feldman internship is offered each with curatorial intern Thomas Murphy, summer to two college students pursuing went on a botanical excursion to Boothbay, careers in horticulture. This season we Maine, led by PHA Curator Todd welcomed Julia Craddock and Torie Jones Rounsaville. The Coastal Maine Botanical to PHA. They arrived eager to learn about Garden hosted the PHA group for a working in a public garden and maintaining behind-the-scenes tour of this popular a plant collection. Both Julia and Torie 270-acre public garden. Another highlight cited working alongside and getting to was a trip to Monhegan Island, a one- know the grounds volunteers among their square-mile volcanic remnant located 12 favorite memories, in addition to just being miles off the coast. part of the PHA team. Torie spoke of We said goodbye to Torie and Julia feeling welcomed and important, even when in August. After spending the summer weeding! Julia especially enjoyed learning together, we are appreciative of their positive plants from the collection while creating attitude, sense of humor, and exceptional the 6-plant tour display in the Visitor work ethic. Torie returned to North Center. Julia and Torie both recognized Dakota State University for her senior year, how much they learned in addition to the where she is earning bachelor’s degrees in horticultural practices they expected; both horticulture and public history. Before both gained a better understanding of beginning her job search, Julia (with her public garden management from collections horticulture degree from the University curation, to visitor education, to working of Maryland) embarked on a hiking trip with volunteers. to Spain. We wish them well on their Julia Craddock (left) and Torie Jones (right) were a As always, the annual intern field trip professional journeys; both will be pursuing dynamic duo! Pictured with curatorial intern Thomas was a huge success! Torie and Julia, along jobs in public horticulture. Murphy (center). 8 – FROM THE LIVING COLLECTION

D. cercidifolius is native to Japan and China. As part of PHA’s 2005 seed-collect- Beguiled ing expedition to Japan, I had a memorable encounter with hundreds of disanthus plants along a river bed in Nagano Prefect- by Beauty: ure. They were in vibrant fall color and loaded with seed, which I eagerly collect- Disanthus ed. Unfortunately, due to a shipping delay, the seed arrived non-viable. PHA has one by Tim Boland disanthus received from a cultivated source in 1994. It is upright in habit and struggles It has happened only a few times in my life: with our drought-prone soils. We recently upon meeting a plant for the first time, its planted a cultivar with white-variegated startling beauty creates an indelible image foliage, ‘Ena-nishiki’, in Holly Park. and leads to a lifelong obsession. The year Disanthus was long thought to be a was 1986. I was an international student monotypic (a genus with only one at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden species). This changed in 2006, when avid at Wisley, in Surrey, England. That year plant explorers Dan Hinkley and Scott would transform my palette of garden plants McMahan were collecting in northern and lead to many wonderful horticultural Vietnam and discovered a plant they encounters. But I remember this one the thought at first was a Chinese fringe-flower most clearly . . . (Lorapetalum)—another witch-hazel family In autumn of that year, I was pining for member. However, this past year the plant the vibrant fall colors of my native Michi- was described and published as Disanthus gan. Each day I had the pleasure of walking Watercolor of , Curtis’s ovatifolius (after initially being introduced Botanical Magazine, 1917 Courtesy of the Jardin home through my favorite part of Wisley botanique Meise Library, Brussels Belgium. in Europe as Uocodendron whartonii). called Seven Acres. Within this open area It bears evergreen foliage with ovate leaves. is a fantastic array of rare trees, shrubs, and The flowers and fruits are similar to perennials planted in a layered fashion. One translation of cercidifolius meaning leaves D. cercidifolius, but different enough to afternoon while admiring the peeling bark resembling redbud (Cercis). There wasn’t a establish a new species for the genus. Dan of birches, I spotted in the distance a shrub common name. The label said that the plant Hinkley was kind enough to send us with vivid autumn coloration. Getting closer, was in the witch-hazel family (Hamamelida- a plant. Given its place of origin, it may be I marveled at the intensely red, heart-shaped ceae). I was not surprised as this plant family too tender to cultivate successfully, but leaves and surmised that it might be an with its winter-hazels, witch-hazels, and in the spirit of experimentation, we will try! Asiatic form of the North American native fothergillas holds a special allure for many. In 2018, the PHA will return to Japan tree, eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis). Dig- To this day the claret-red foliage remains the and once again we hope to encounter and ging around the base of the plant I found most vivid fall color I have ever encountered. collect seed of Disanthus cercidifolius to bring the label. I was wrong! It said Disanthus Back in the States, I attempted to back and grow for future visitors, who may cercidifolius, a name I had never heard before. cultivate the plant in two different home begin their own obsession with this remark- The species name was decipherable, the gardens—both failed! I discovered its able and captivating plant! cultural needs through trial and error: a shel- tered spot; morning sun; afternoon shade; free-draining, acidic soils; and water in times of drought. With all its needs met, disanthus grows into a large shrub or small tree (6 to 10 feet tall). In exposed locations it forms an upright habit; in a more protected spot, it will grow with a wide-spreading shrublike habit and zig-zag branches, much like the large shrubby winter-hazels (Corylopsis). Its tiny, maroon-red, spidery flowers are borne in pairs. They’re not showy but they are curious, appearing in late autumn the same as the flowers of our native fall-bloom- ing witch-hazel. The small, plump, green Fruit of disanthus contains jet-black seeds. fruits are bi-lobed capsules that when Type specimen of Disanthus ovatifolius in the wild Photo: Philippe deSpoelberch mature contain jet black seeds. of North Vietnam. Photo: Scott McMahan VOLUNTEERS IN THE ARBORETUM

Kathy Kinsman

Volunteer Kathy Kinsman promptly recalls photography with the same drive. We are her favorite day at PHA with pride. She fortunate she brought her skills, passions, spent the better part of a day volunteering and experience to PHA. at the Arboretum (as she often does in the Knowing that there is always some- spring and fall). In the morning, she worked thing new to discover through interactions with middle school students who were so with people, plants, and animals is what she PHA volunteer Kathy Kinsman enthralled by their experience, they inquired enjoys sharing most with school children about doing community service on the and visitors. “Being outside in a beautiful a mesmerizing video of plant and landscape grounds! Shortly thereafter, while guiding place, working with children, is the best way images (complete with scientific and com- third graders on a field trip, Kathy witnessed to teach,” she said of being a school guide mon names and accompanied by soothing a young girl calling birds with such expertise for the youth education program. “It’s music) to share the year-round beauty of that the birds sang back! And if that wasn’t amazing to be living the mission of PHA.” PHA with visitors who might only be able enough, her treasured day became complete Kathy also assists with our family book series to visit infrequently. when she successfully rescued a misguided in the summer months, reading picture We are thrilled Kathy sought out PHA hummingbird trapped in the Visitor Center. books aloud that connect visiting families as a volunteer opportunity when she wanted A retired educator and hobbyist pho- with the natural world. to become active in the community. Her tographer, Kathy has two passions: education Her volunteerism doesn’t stop there. advice to everyone? “Volunteer! You don’t and nature. After 17 years teaching children Kathy is very outgoing. She spends half a know what you’re missing!” For more infor- with special needs, she taught fifth grade day welcoming guests in the Visitor Center, mation about volunteering at PHA, contact for several years, and then rounded out her at least once a week, all season long! While Visitor Services/Resource Specialist Erin career as a technology integration special- staffing the Visitor Center, she was inspired Hepfner by email at erin@pollyhillarbore- ist. When she retired, she took on nature to combine her passions; this time to create tum.org or by calling (508) 693-9426.

FROM THE LIVING COLLECTION

Arboretum’s Plant Records Migrate to IrisBG

This fall we embark on the next step of plant and reference to record cards is of the including precise provenance information records evolution at Polly Hill Arboretum: greatest importance.” Our update to IrisBG and propagation records. the migration of our digital plant records to will honor Polly’s commitment to plant Our migration to IrisBG will enable IrisBG, a comprehensive software program records while also making them accessible the Arboretum to seamlessly manage and for botanical garden data management. to visitors like never before. build a comprehensive collection of plant Polly Hill once wrote, “Maintenance of the Looking back, it’s remarkable to con- accessions and their corresponding map data records with accession numbers, labels, sider how the technology used to manage (PHA location). In addition, we will be able plant records data has progressed over to manage the recordkeeping of our pre- time. Polly’s work began before the invention served collections (herbarium vouchers) now of computers! Back then paper accession housed in the EBL. These collections are cards were used to record basic information especially important for documenting and such as name, source, and date planted. monitoring the Flora of Martha’s Vineyard. Through Polly’s involvement with the Mapping of new plantings, managing the American Horticultural Society and their plant sale inventory, and cataloging reference Plant Records Center, she helped set material will also be possible via IrisBG. standards for recordkeeping nationwide, We are especially excited to introduce and soon after became the first private IrisBG’s Arboretum Explorer module, which gardener to computerize her plant records. will allow open access to explore our plant Though we still maintain Polly’s impressive collections. Using a desktop computer, tablet, card file, our plant records have expanded or smartphone, visitors will be able to search substantially as a result of our plant conser- PHA’s living and preserved plant collections, vation and wild-collection efforts. Our view plant images and local maps, and fol- current software program, BG-BASE, low guided tours through the collection. This collects hundreds of data fields per plant, feature will be developed over the next year. 10 – SCIENCE AND PLANT CONSERVATION

Herbarium Organization Project

The new Education Center and Botany Lab fers are placed before the flowering plants. with its temperature-controlled herbarium Our herbarium specimens are organized has allowed us to properly organize all of into three distinct categories: native and the herbarium collections made over the last spontaneous plants of Martha’s Vineyard, 12 years. Starting in May, curatorial intern cultivated plants from the PHA collections, Thomas Murphy began the tremendous task and herbarium specimens collected on of sorting and arranging over 3,000 herbar- seed expeditions. Thomas produced new ium sheets. (Herbarium sheets are flat press- labels and attached them to file folders with ed and dried plants used for scientific study.) a different color for each category. Each Executive Director and botanist Tim category is contained within its own cabinet. Boland oversaw the organizational work— This logical division makes the collection a massive filing process of a delicate nature. more accessible to users. The herbarium specimens are arranged in The PHA herbarium was first estab- folders following a classi- lished in 2001 by Director Emeritus, fication system established in 1981 by Dr. Stephen A. Spongberg, spurred by A well-organized herbarium cabinet influential botanist Arthur Cronquist. The a generous gift of marine algae specimens Cronquist system places plant families into from naturalist and artist Rose Treat. We Today, we are proud to say we have the broader categories called orders, indicating are thankful for the dedication of our staff optimum conditions for the safe long-term a close relationship and a shared evolution- and research associates who collect plant storage of our herbarium specimens, which ary history. The Cronquist system begins specimens locally and from distant loca- are available for public display, scientific with the most primitive flowering plants, tions (including overseas!). In addition, we use, and education courses. We will continue the magnolias (Magnoliaceae) and continues recognize the meticulous preparation and to add to our collection. If you are interested to the most advanced, the asters or daisies mounting of specimens performed by our in learning more about PHA’s herbarium, (Asteraceae). In our herbarium cabinets, herbarium volunteers, coordinated by Visitor check our website programs calendar for non-flowering plants such as ferns and coni- Services/Resource Specialist Erin Hepfner. herbarium-related programs and tours.

Fall Seed Expeditions New Report Guides When autumn arrives, our thoughts turn to Oak Conservation seed collecting! In early October, PHA participated in two exciting, fruitful seed- PHA Executive Director Tim Boland and collection expeditions. Curator Todd research associate Matt Lobdell of the Rounsaville was joined by representatives Morton Arboretum were recognized for from the Bartlett Arboretum, Chicago their contributions to the recent publication Botanic Garden, Morton Arboretum, and of The Red List of US Oaks. This important U.S. National Arboretum as part of a trip report details for the first time the distribu- to the western reaches of Kentucky and tions, population trends, and threats facing Tennessee. The team made 60 collections in all 91 oak species (genus Quercus) found a range of unique forest types, including old in the U.S. Oaks are keystone species on growth oak woodlands, oxbow swamps, and Martha’s Vineyard as well as in many areas flatwood acid seeps. Later in October, PHA across the country. A keystone species research associate Tom Clark set out for the is one which defines an ecosystem, and on coastal areas of North and South Carolina. which other species in the ecosystem Tom’s team included former PHA intern depend. When a keystone species declines, Cat Meholic, now a graduate student at the it indicates an ecosystem is under stress. University of Delaware, and representatives One-quarter of U.S. oak species are consid- from the Arnold Arboretum and the Morris ered of conservation concern and nine oaks Arboretum. The seed, all collected from Seeds from our fall collecting expeditions have are now classified as critically endangered. been processed and moved to cold storage in the wild sources, will be processed and sown in EBL basement. Seed collections are arranged The report, a collaboration of the Morton our greenhouse, and the resulting plants will by the length of time required to break dormancy, Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, and Botanic be added to our living collections, becoming and will be removed throughout the winter and Garden Conservation International, an integral part of our research mission. sown in the PHA greenhouse. will serve as a guide for conservation action. Experimenting with Stewartia Propagation by Thomas Murphy

Polly Hill was devoted to horticultural environment is more susceptible to experimentation and raising plants from temperature fluctuations—heating up seed. She also named many of her favorite on sunny days—than the outdoors. plants, including several cultivars (culti- This could mean that the dormant plants vated varieties) of stewartia. To get an exact inside the greenhouse do not receive the duplicate (a genetic clone) of a plant, it must necessary chilling conditions that would propagated asexually, which eliminates the take place outside in a natural environment. genetic variability found in seed propagation. The possible result is a low survival rate Typically this is done through rooting the following spring. cuttings. While many of Polly’s stewartia To better understand how PHA can introductions have made it beyond our improve propagation and overwintering borders, some have not, primarily due to procedures for stewartia, I designed an difficulties with propagation. As part of experiment to assess the length of chilling my curatorial internship I was tasked with period in combination with the choice of looking deeper into these propagation issues. Curatorial Intern Thomas Murphy randomizing media used for rooting and overwintering. A longtime problem with growing experimental units to induce dormancy before they The primary goal of my experiment is to stewartia trees from cuttings is that after are subjected to chilling treatments. establish a reliable protocol for propagating rooting, the cuttings fail to break dormancy and overwintering stewartia cultivars the following season. This issue with colder conditions. Inducing and exiting in the PHA collection, and also provide overwintering has puzzled plant propagators endodormancy is known to be controlled further insight for others who propagate and limited the distribution of some of by the changing concentrations of plant these plants in the future. Polly’s most beautiful cultivars. Studies have hormones that are signaled by seasonal This past June, four PHA stewartia shown a correlation between several environ- temperature changes. A plant cannot exit introductions were rooted under mist in pots mental factors involved in overwintering endodormancy until its undergoes a signifi- containing two different types of soil media. cuttings. One critical factor is the effect of cant period of temperatures near or below All cuttings were placed outside to induce a chilling period (exposure to cold tempera- freezing. Once this chilling requirement endodormancy under natural conditions. tures) in regards to the dormancy require- is fulfilled, plants enter into another type These rooted cuttings will then either be ments of stewartia. What is dormancy and of dormancy: ecodormancy, also known as moved to chilling units in the basement of how does it work? Dormancy is defined quiescence, which is denoted by bud the EBL to endure varying chilling periods as the process by which active growth sub- swelling. Plants in this state are on standby, or to storage in which they will accumulate sides to minimize exposure to harsh weather awaiting warmer temperatures that will no chilling period (control group). In conditions. Sometimes described as a “deep induce bud break and allow them to exit the summer of 2018, each cutting will be sleep,” dormancy is a complex physiological dormancy. assessed. Whether or not the plant exits process that remains somewhat mysterious. PHA’s current procedure is to over- dormancy and lives until late summer, along There are two types of dormancy winter first-year cuttings in a greenhouse with root quality, will indicate the results relevant to the asexual propagation of covered by polyethylene; however. this of the various treatments. I’m hopeful that stewartia. Endodormancy, also called true could be detrimental to the survival rate these testing procedures will help us gain dormancy, occurs after leaf loss and inhibits of stewartia. These newly rooted plants are insight into the successful propagation of the buds from further growth due to entering endodormancy, but the greenhouse one of PHA’s most popular plant groups.

Plant Exploration on Cuttyhunk

PHA research associate Melissa Cullina and in full view of the Gosnold Monument. This Executive Director Tim Boland traveled monument marks what is believed to be the to Cuttyhunk Island in August, as part of site of the first attempted European settle- our ongoing effort to document the aquatic ment: Bartholomew Gosnold’s 22-day stay plant life of Dukes County for the Flora of on Cuttyhunk in 1602. Melissa and Tim Martha’s Vineyard. Cuttyhunk has had lim- also had a chance to visit the Cuttyhunk ited botanical exploration due its small size Historical Society and Museum of the and remote location. While there Melissa Elizabeth Islands. Future plant exploration A scene from Cuttyhunk Island with the Gosnold and Tim collected plants at West End Pond trips to the Elizabeth Islands are planned! Monument in the background THE POLLY HILL ARBORETUM NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE MAILING ADDRESS ARBORETUM GROUNDS HOURS THE POLLY HILL ARBORETUM PAID PO Box 561 Sunrise–sunset, year-round PO Box 561 TWIN CITIES, MN West Tisbury, MA 02575 PERMIT #93723 TOURS West Tisbury, MA 02575 508-693-9426 Tel Daily July and August at 10 am, www.pollyhillarboretum.org 508-693-5772 Fax or by advanced reservation www.pollyhillarboretum.org ADMISSION ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES $5 The Homestead Free to members and children under 12 809 State Road West Tisbury, MA 02575 FREE PARKING

VISITOR CENTER DRIVING DIRECTIONS 795 State Road See www.pollyhillarboretum.org West Tisbury, MA 02575

ACCESSIBILITY The Visitor Center is wheelchair accessible.

VISITOR CENTER HOURS 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 & NOW

The Homestead Border in July 2009 ablaze in midseason color Volunteers, staff, and interns tend to the rejuvenation of the Homestead Border this past May.

Helping Hands Rejuvenate PHA’s Homestead Border The original planting of the Homestead tained by her as a volunteer project for teers, interns, and staff took on the bring back the original color scheme Border in 2003 created a colorful entry the first few years; later the mainte- border renovation project, planting new of purple, pink, and orange, inspired garden for our administration building, nance was taken over by staff. As in plants and removing aggressive spread- by a Menemsha sunset. Several prom- welcoming both visitors and drive-by any garden, plants disappeared, plants ers and unwanted self-sowers. A layer ising plant introductions were added, traffic along State Road. Designed spread, and after 14 years the border of PHA-produced leaf mold was added including ornamental onions and by Meristems editor (and Tim Boland’s needed some special attention. to boost soil nutrients and conserve hardier forms of orange coneflower. wife) Laura Coit, the border was main- This past May, Arboretum volun- water. Laura helped edit the design to Keep an eye on the border next season!