Production Arborist of the Year Congratulations to our Chief Arborist Peter Fixler, was awarded Production Arborist of the Year by the Penn-Del Chapter of the ISA at their annual symposium! Image Peter Fixler, Chief Arborist at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens, holding his 2023 Production Arborist of the Year award. Chief Arborist Peter Fixler was awarded Production Arborist of the Year by the  Penn-Del Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture! Peter was awarded at Penn-Del ISA's 59 th  Annual Shade Tree Symposium in honor of the his contribution to advancing quality arboriculture through innovation, selflessness, and the promotion of safe work practices. Each year, Peter teaches the Morris's arboriculture   interns how to safely climb trees and trains them in current arboricultural practices—his work comprehensively reduces tree-related risk at the Morris Arboretum and Gardens and beyond. See Peter at work! Check out these videos and photos of Peter high up in the trees at the Morris: White Pine Removal → Northern Red Oak Removal → Image Penn-Del ISA 2023 Award Winners (L to R): Tom Bechtel of Heritage Lawn & Landscape Care - Arbor Day of Service Award; Sandy Feather of Penn State Extension Green Industry Team - John B. Ward Outstanding Person in Arboriculture; Aaron Greenberg of Laurel Hill Cemetery - Penn-Del ISA Award of Merit; Peter Fixler of Morris Arboretum & Gardens - Production Arborist of the Year.   Image Peter Fixler teaching a 2023 Morris intern how to safely climb trees.  Cynthia Schemmer, Digital Marketing Coordinator Courtesy of Penn-Del ISA Blog Image April 5, 2024 … Production Arborist of the …

Legacy Weeping Hemlock Taken Out by Snowstorm The tree will get a second life on the woodland trail to the Wetland. Image The weeping hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis f. pendula ​​​​​​) that was brought down by the February 13, 2024 snow storm. Photo by Vince Marrocco. This past winter at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens was not very “wintery” by most accounts. Yes, there was some cold and a few snowstorms, but it was  relatively  un-winterlike. However, this was a winter of some discontent. In particular, the biggest discontent was the snowstorm of February 13. This quick-moving storm brought with it about 5 inches of wet snow, but it also brought down the venerable old weeping hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis f. pendula ) near the Swan Pond. This was a legacy tree from the Morris era, most likely purchased by John from Parson & Sons Co. nursery in Flushing, New York. It grew at the Swan Pond almost since the Arboretum’s inception, until that fateful day in February. This tree was remarkable not only for its size and prominence but also because of the unique history it represented. ONCE ABUNDANT Eastern hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis ) was once a mainstay of the woodland flora throughout Pennsylvania. These long-lived, majestic conifers thrived across the state and were a significant component of William Penn’s wooded domain. In fact, hemlock trees were such an integral part of the flora throughout Pennsylvania that it was named the official state tree in 1931. Eastern hemlocks thrive in cool moist environments and often grow in dense shade on north facing slopes. They can grow slowly in adverse conditions, or rapidly in the right environment. Historically, this species was abundant in the Wissahickon gorge in cool ravines. The story of our weeping hemlock does not start in Pennsylvania, but along the Lower Hudson River Valley in New York. It was here near the estate of General Joseph Howland that our story begins. Joseph Howland was a well-heeled member of society. His …

The Measured Magic of Molly the Witch The flowering of this peony is one of those sparkling moments in the garden that we look forward to each April. Image As horticulturists, some would say we speak in a foreign tongue…botanical Latin. Sometimes the botanical names are fun to say, as in the case of the dawn-redwood,  Metasequoia glyptostroboides . Once you learn how to pronounce this mouthful of letters, it just sort of rolls off the tongue rather liltingly—meh-tuh-suh-koy-uh glip-toe-stro-boy-deez. Then there are the plants with stupefyingly difficult names to pronounce, like Paeonia mlokosewitschii . Unless you are a native Polish speaker, it is difficult to enunciate the botanical name of the Caucasian peony. Most of us simply refer to this plant as Molly the Witch. As the common name suggests, this peony is native to the Caucasus regions. In her native range, Molly the Witch grows in open woodland meadows and at higher elevations. She is often found on rocky ground fighting it out with grasses, dog roses, and scrubby oaks. Despite the trying conditions in the wild, this plant is right at home in our Philadelphia garden. Here at the Morris we grow this plant in the Rose Garden in full sun, but it can also take part shade.  This peony is slow to grow, and it takes patience and persistence to really appreciate this plant. This beauty grows with methodical, measured persistence. The older the plant gets, the more flowers it produces. Over time the plant will form a large, mounded clump up to two feet tall and equally as wide. The patient gardener will be rewarded, as there is no better yellow-flowered peony than Molly the Witch. In early April this peony awakens and pushes its glaucous grey-green leaves into the sunlight. The sturdy, coarsely pinnate leaves stand at attention all by themselves without the need for the caging required of other herbaceous peonies. By late April, fat buds begin to appear atop the fully expanded leaves and open to reveal exquisite …

What's in Bloom: May What's in Bloom: May Image May at the Morris Image common sweetshrub Calycanthus floridus Widener Woods; Pennock Garden Striking burgundy flowers adorn these large shrubs. Native to the southeastern United States, Calycanthus floridus gets its common name from its flowers’ sweet, fruity fragrance. Image white fringetree Chionanthus virginicus Parking Lot Native to central and eastern United States, these medium-sized trees display showy, fragrant flowers with long, white, ribbon-like petals. In full bloom, the flowers give this tree a fluffy, cloud-like appearance. Image common pawpaw Asimina triloba Sculpture Garden Before producing leaves, this tree blooms with deep maroon flowers that attract its primary pollinators, flies and beetles. Native to the eastern United States, pawpaws are members of the custard-apple family, Annonaceae, which comprises of mostly tropical genera and species. Image American yellow-wood Cladrastis kentukea Log Cabin Long, wisteria-like flower clusters hang delicately off wide-spreading branches. A member of the pea family, Fabaceae, the individual flowers share similarities with those of eastern redbud ( Cercis canadensis ) and honeylocust ( Gleditsia tricanthos ). Image American columbine Aquilegia canadensis Native Azalea Collection; Key Fountain This charismatic native wildflower with its bright red and yellow flowers is a colorful addition to the garden. The long, tubular spurs at the end of each flower hold sweet nectar, attracting hummingbirds, their primary pollinator. Image Florida azalea Rhododendron austrinum Native Azalea Collection Native to the southeastern United States, these shrubs produce clusters of tubular, fragrant orange flowers prior to leafing out in late spring Image Peggy Martin rose Rosa ‘Peggy Martin’ Rose Garden This climbing rose is named after Peggy Martin, a prolific Louisiana gardener, and survived two weeks under 20 feet of saltwater after Hurricane Katrina. In full bloom, Peggy …

Satellite Technology Will Make Identifying Plants Easier A Global Navigation Satellite System receiver/antenna geolocates all of the Morris's woody plants. One day, in the not-too-distant future, you’ll be able to use your cell phone to get information about each woody plant at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens.   We are using GPS technology to map each of the more than 11,000 accessioned plants of the living collection within the Morris’s 166 acres. The project is a bit laborious, as staff members use a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver/antenna and UHF radio-assisted corrections to do the mapping. The range pole is placed next to the base of a tree, and satellite technology pinpoints the location to within a centimeter. So far, staff have geolocated more than 5,450 plants. The project, known as the Morris Arboretum Plant Collection and Management Project, is funded by a three-year grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). An outcome of this project will be an application that visitors can use to identify the plants in the collection and learn more about them. Image The Global Navigation Satellite System receiver/antenna. Image Morris staff members use the Global Navigation Satellite System receiver/antenna to map a tree.                               “This new application will be very user-friendly,” said Plant Collections Manager Pam Morris Olshefski, who is leading the project. “The plant locations will be displayed on a high-resolution aerial photograph of the Morris landscape, enabling the visitor to see exactly where they are on the grounds.” The system will also provide the staff with a precise way to locate specific plants in the living collection, facilitating research, plant health management, and curatorial activities. “You’ll be able to walk through the garden and know exactly what you’re looking at,” Morris Olshefski said. “It will give you information about the plant, a photo, whether it’s wild-collected or what its …

Active-Duty Free Admission Program Sponsored by Wawa We are pleased to announce that the Morris Arboretum has received a first-time grant from Wawa in support of our Active-Duty Free Admission Program. Image We are pleased to announce that the Morris Arboretum has received a first-time grant from Wawa in support of our Active-Duty Free Admission Program . This grant provides all current active military members and their families with free admission to the Arboretum. To qualify for the program, service members simply need to show a valid military ID, a Geneva Convention Common Access Card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card at the entrance kiosk. This program does not include ticketed and promotional events at the Arboretum. The Arboretum began offering free admission to active military members in 2019, inspired by the story of a longtime member who found solace and healing in the gardens after returning from military service during the Cold War.  “Morris Arboretum has long been a place for people to replenish themselves physically and mentally,” said William Cullina, the F. Otto Haas Executive Director of Morris Arboretum. “Our active-duty free admission program is our way of saying thank you and to provide comfort in a beautiful setting to those who give so much for our country. The Arboretum is proud of this program, and grateful for The Wawa Foundation’s support.” The grant will formally be presented today at the grand opening of Wawa’s newest store in Glenside, PA. Wawa is committed to building and maintaining strong relationships with local communities and national partners, and we thank them for their support! Blog Image December 15, 2022 … Active-Duty Free Admission Program Sponsored by …

Plant Names Tell Their Stories: Maidenhair Ferns Morris Arboretum & Gardens hosts several of the over 200 species of maidenhair ferns. The maiden commemorated in the name is none other than Venus—the Greek goddess of love, beauty, sex, fertility, and victory. Morris Arboretum & Gardens hosts several of the over 200 species of maidenhair ferns. The maiden commemorated in the name is none other than Venus—the Greek goddess of love, beauty, sex, fertility, and victory—due to parallels between the mythology surrounding Venus and the form and function of maidenhair ferns. Image Birth of Venus by Botticelli  shows Venus, newly born from the sea, with long, windblown hair. Public Domain. Pliny the Elder (AD 23/24 – AD 79), a Roman natural historian, noted that maidenhair ferns arise from moist places. He also noticed how contradictory this preference in habitat is, considering the maidenhair’s aversion towards wet foliage: water that falls on the leaflets beads up, demonstrating what is now popularly called "the lotus effect," referencing the superhydrophobic self-cleaning properties exhibited by the leaves of the lotus flower. This excellent defense mechanism allows a plant to rid itself of unwanted bacteria and fungi, as well as particles that block photosynthesis. Image Adiantum sp. - Notice the black hair-like stems that inspired the name "maidenhair." Photo by Katherine Wagner-Reiss. Image Adiantum sp. - Shown here is the characteristic water repellency of the leaves.  Photo by Katherine Wagner-Reiss.                               Image Statue of Venus wringing out her hair. From Pompeii, House of Camillo, Marble, 1st century AD.  CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons Pliny also noted that some people in his day called this fern "beautiful hair." The delicate leaf stem is hair like: very thin, hard, wiry, shiny, and black or dark brown in color. With this visual similarity in mind, the plant was used to dye hair and treat hair loss. Venus was, by legend, conceived in …

What's in Bloom: June What's in Bloom: June Image June at the Morris Image oakleaf hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia Oak Allée Native to the southeastern United States, these shrubs get their name from their oak-like leaves. Large panicles of white flowers bloom in June, turning pink and purple as the summer progresses. Image mountain-laurel Kalmia latifolia Overlook Garden; Garden Railway These native evergreen shrubs display mesmerizing clusters of pink and white flowers. Mountain-laurel is in heath family, Ericaceae, the same family as rhododendrons and pieris. Image woodland pinkroot Spigelia marilandica  Oak Allée Tubular red flowers bloom upright on these native perennials, attracting hummingbirds to shady areas of the garden. Image Japanese raisin-tree Hovenia dulcis Orange Balustrade Inconspicuous, cream-colored flowers emit a sweet, wafting fragrance through the parking lot and above the Orange Balustrade. Image panicle golden-rain-tree Koelreuteria paniculata Baxter Memorial As this tree’s blooming passes its peak, small yellow flower petals gently fall to the ground creating the appearance of “golden rain.”   Image bottlebrush buckeye Aesculus parviflora Compton Native to the southeastern United States, these spreading shrubs produce tall panicles of small white tubular flowers with pink anthers. In the fall, bottlebrush buckeye displays bright yellow fall color. … What's in Bloom: …