Armstrong-Kelley Park
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Horticulture
What's happening in the garden?
Over the years, many unusual trees and shrubs have been planted by the CCHS, the Osterville Garden Club, Bartlett Tree Service, and local Cape Cod residents. The Park's plantings now show them as mature specimens reaching their maximum dimensions. Here's an example of a Bigleaf Magnolia planted by Weston Nursery in 2005.
2011 was a strange year
The trees have flourished under our care, and sometimes Mother Nature has thrown us a curve or two, so we either have to take immediate action to intercede OR we are left powerless to change things. In the summer of 2011, Hurricane Irene brought to the Cape very high winds, but no rain to speak of. Many of our trees suffered salt spray on the leaves. The spray lingered for quite some time due to lack of any rainfall in the week or ten days that followed. Thus the leaves turned brown, and in some cases, dropped their leaves quite early. Time will tell if we lost any when they leaf out next spring.
Our umbrella magnolia (also called the elephant magnolia) nearly blew down and had to be staked thanks to Bartlett Tree Service.
Then, in the Fall, unseasonable weather has caused a "false spring" with many rhodies and azaleas going into premature bloom. On the good side, with the mild weather, the volunteer crew was able to work quickly to clear the trails and boardwalks of falling leaves. We mulched many of them right in place. We also undertook some tree work that was necessary as a result of the earlier hurricane.
Over the years, many unusual trees and shrubs have been planted by the CCHS, the Osterville Garden Club, Bartlett Tree Service, and local Cape Cod residents. The Park's plantings now show them as mature specimens reaching their maximum dimensions. Here's an example of a Bigleaf Magnolia planted by Weston Nursery in 2005.
2011 was a strange year
The trees have flourished under our care, and sometimes Mother Nature has thrown us a curve or two, so we either have to take immediate action to intercede OR we are left powerless to change things. In the summer of 2011, Hurricane Irene brought to the Cape very high winds, but no rain to speak of. Many of our trees suffered salt spray on the leaves. The spray lingered for quite some time due to lack of any rainfall in the week or ten days that followed. Thus the leaves turned brown, and in some cases, dropped their leaves quite early. Time will tell if we lost any when they leaf out next spring.
Our umbrella magnolia (also called the elephant magnolia) nearly blew down and had to be staked thanks to Bartlett Tree Service.
Then, in the Fall, unseasonable weather has caused a "false spring" with many rhodies and azaleas going into premature bloom. On the good side, with the mild weather, the volunteer crew was able to work quickly to clear the trails and boardwalks of falling leaves. We mulched many of them right in place. We also undertook some tree work that was necessary as a result of the earlier hurricane.
Probably the most unusual tree in our collection is the Franklinia Alatamata, known as the Franklin tree. It is very rare and hardly ever found in the wild. A wild specimen was recently found at the Ashumet Holly Reservation. Ours is a full size specimen. Propagation is most difficult.
To see a full description and here's its connection to Benjamin Franklin, click here.
Tips on propogating a Franklinia.
More pictures and descriptions from our collection will be added in 2012 when they come into flower. Check the photo gallery tab for more pictures.
To see a full description and here's its connection to Benjamin Franklin, click here.
Tips on propogating a Franklinia.
More pictures and descriptions from our collection will be added in 2012 when they come into flower. Check the photo gallery tab for more pictures.
CCHS Master Plan
CCHS developed a master plan which has guided the development and construction of the park. It is divided into a botanical specimens and park land in the frontage, a koi pond, and Holly Dell, Liam's View, and seven trails going up the hillside.
You will find a copy of the Master Plan in mailboxes placed around the property. It comes in very handy--for instance-- for our participants in the Fall Fesitval Scavenger Hunt.
John Folk Water Garden
The water garden was established in 2003 and named for former president, John Folk. It was redesigned in 2010 as a Japanese themed pond. Check out the picture gallery for before and after.