There are dozens (if not hundreds) of worthy reasons to head to the Cape in early July, but for hydrangea fans, the Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival is tough to beat.
Scenes from the Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival. Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
Spanning ten full days (July 8 – 17, 2022), the Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival includes daily tours of private gardens, workshops and lectures presented by leading international horticulturalists, nursery promotions, and much more.
To be fair, Cape Cod in the summer is an equal-opportunity flower-lover’s paradise, whether you’re the gardener, or simply the admirer. In charming downtowns and residential side streets from Bourne and Sandwich to Provincetown, flowers spill over picket fences, climb weathered shingles, and add color to storefronts in window boxes and planters.
Signs of Cape Cod in summer include weathered shingles and beach roses… Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
All in all, not a bad place to be.
I had the pleasure of attending the festival in 2016. After checking in at the Belfry Inn & Bistro in downtown Sandwich, Massachusetts, just over the Sagamore Bridge, we headed down to the bistro’s outdoor patio for a quick bite. The main inn is housed in a 1901 former church, and some of the rooms even have their original stained glass windows — how’s that for unique?
The Belfry Inn and Bistro in the Cape Cod town of Sandwich, Massachusetts. Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
A plate of Duxbury oysters, Bibb lettuce salad served with crispy shallots, and pan-seared scallops with asparagus and spicy tomato jam were the perfect light meal before heading to the festival kick-off celebration.
Pan-seared scallops served with asparagus and spicy tomato jam at the Belfry Inn & Bistro. Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
The kick-off party took place at Cape Cod Beer in Hyannis.
The Cape Cod Chamber booth at the Cape Cod Hydrangea Fest. Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
To honor the occasion, they had even created a signature cocktail. Named the Halcyon Hydrangea, it was made with blueberry vodka, St. Germain, lemon juice, and Cape Cod Beer Blonde Ale.
A lovely hydrangea-inspired cocktail from Cape Cod Beer during the event’s kickoff party. Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
Outside, the patio was full of patrons sitting, chatting, eating, drinking, and enjoying a perfect Cape Cod summer evening.
The outdoor patio at Cape Cod Beer, the host of the Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival kick-off party. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyThe Salt Block food truck was on hand for heartier appetites. Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
The next morning (after breakfast at the charming Beth’s Bakery & Cafe) we made our way to the home of Sandwich resident and self-proclaimed “Garden Lady” C.L. Fornari, to enjoy one of the festival’s many home garden tours.
Garden Tours are just one of the many offerings during Cape Cod Hydrangea Fest. Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
C.L.’s beautiful home was absolutely surrounded by lush and colorful gardens — from vegetables to flowers.
Here’s a closer look:
Fancy a garden tour? Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyMany levels of lovely gardens. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyC.L. “Garden Lady” Fornari in her Sandwich, Massachusetts garden. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyI was especially enchanted with C.L.’s many blooming poppies. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyWhat bird wouldn’t want to call this garden home? Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyAll gardens should be so lucky as to include an arbor like this one. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyFind bright color at every turn. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyFlowers, flowers, everywhere. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyAnd, of course, a hydrangea or two. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyMy co-worker Kate was especially smitten with the home’s potting shed. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyStep into my shed! Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
Having received our home-garden fix, we made our way to the picturesque Cape Cod village of Osterville to do a little strolling, shopping, and hydrangea-spotting.
There’s plenty to see and do in the stroll-worthy Cape Cod village of Osterville. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyEven the cupcakes in Osterville (these one’s were from Amie Bakery) were hydrangeas! Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
It didn’t take long to find just what we were looking for, tucked between two storefronts — overflowing hydrangea in deep shades of purple and blue, flanked by Adirondack chairs just waiting for occupants.
And let’s not forget the hydrangea! Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
Finally, with just a few hours left in my visit, I made my way to Heritage Museums & Gardens (back in Sandwich) for a final flower fix. Having never been before, I was delighted to have the backdrop of Cape Cod Hydrangea Fest for my inaugural visit.
Open from April through October, the 100 acres at Heritage include flowers, trees, and shrubs native to Cape Cod, along with features like a flume fountain, the Old East Windmill, a children’s adventure park, a historic carousel, three galleries with both permanent and changing exhibits, and the North American Hydrangea Test Garden.
Welcome to the hydrangea garden at Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich, MA. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyHydrangeas are just one of the many beautiful flowers on display at Heritage Museums and Gardens. Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
And that’s another beautiful visit to Cape Cod on the books!
Are you a fan of summer hydrangeas?
Note: This 2022 Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival will take place July 8 – 17.
This post was first published in 2016 and has been updated.
For more information on the festival, visit the Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival website. For more information on visiting Cape Cod, visit the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.
