Morris Arboretum & Gardens Receives Grant From William Penn Foundation to Support ACCESS March 10, 2026 Morris Arboretum & Gardens has received a new $304,980 grant from the William Penn Foundation to support access to the Morris by families and individuals with low incomes and/or disabilities. The grant is one of six totaling $7.6 million given to the most-visited organizations in Philadelphia that participate in the Harvey and Virginia Kimmel Family Fund ACCESS Program , a region-wide initiative administered by Art-Reach that enables affordable entry to cultural sites for individuals receiving public assistance for food or medical benefits. A grant was also awarded to Art-Reach to subsidize the ongoing costs of operating this important program. “We are deeply grateful to the William Penn Foundation for this generous support,” said Executive Director William Cullina. “This grant affirms our long-standing commitment to welcoming children, families, and individuals of all abilities and incomes to the Morris Arboretum & Gardens. With this investment, we can continue to offer meaningful, high-quality experiences that ensure everyone in our region feels they belong here.” The ACCESS program at Morris has grown substantially over the years. In Fiscal Year 2023, more than 8,000 people took advantage of the $2 admission to the arboretum. That number rose to 10,497 in Fiscal Year 2025, which represents one out of every six non-member admissions. In addition to the ACCESS program, the Morris provides free admission to active-duty service members and their families, and free admission and transportation to underserved school children in Philadelphia. The William Penn Foundation grant awards are intended to help sustain and expand participation by Philadelphia-based institutions in the ACCESS program and to support Art-Reach as the program administrator. Grants are to be used to support functions such as visitor services, staffing, operating, and capital costs that are …

What's Up, Buttercup: Identifying Early Spring-Blooming Members of the Buttercup Family Every year, we eagerly await the arrival of winter aconites; however, it can be a bit confusing identifying these flowers from their lookalike relatives in the buttercup family. Every year, we eagerly await the arrival of winter aconites. These dainty flowers portend the end of winter and the approach of spring. Their cheerful, cup-shaped  yellow blossoms can brighten even the dullest of winter days. Winter aconites, part of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae), aren’t actually bulbs—they're tubers, which are modified fleshy stems that persist underground (think potatoes). Every late winter, they push their flowers up on tiny leafy stalks, sometimes even through the snow, to let us know it's time for the seasons to change. Image Winter aconite, part of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae), is an early spring harbinger that blooms in late winter.  To make things a bit confusing, there are actually two species that can be called winter aconite: Eranthis hyemalis and Eranthis cilicica .  E. hyemalis is a plant native to Europe, with a range that stretches from southern France through the Balkans and into Bulgaria. E. cilicica is a separate but closely related species from the Middle East, with a range that extends from southern Turkey through Syria and into western Iran. Despite their close geographical proximity, there are a few easy ways to distinguish between the two species. E. hyemalis has a coarser leaf texture and blooms earlier. E. cilicica has a much more finely dissected leaf texture and blooms a bit later. Image E. cilicica is native to the Middle East and has a much more finely dissected leaf texture and blooms a bit later than E. hyemalis . Image E. hyemalis, native to Europe,   has a coarser leaf texture and blooms earlier than  E. cilicica.   A commonly confused relative of winter aconite is the Amur adonis or pheasant’s eye ( Adonis amurensis ). Like winter aconite, …

Friends for Years, Now Volunteers at Garden Railway Longtime friends Jon Perlman and Howard Greenberg volunteer together at the Garden Railway —  a joyful extension of decades of friendship, shared hobbies, and gentle ribbing. When longtime friends Jon Perlman and Howard Greenberg put on their matching engineer hats and red bandannas to tend to the miniature marvels of the Morris Arboretum & Gardens' Garden Railway, it’s more than just volunteer work—it’s a joyful extension of decades of friendship, shared hobbies, and gentle ribbing. What started with a nudge from Perlman’s wife has turned into a weekly routine for the two retirees, who now spend one morning a week maintaining the tracks, organizing equipment, and enjoying each other’s company. Image Jon Perlman gently places a train car on the track at the Garden Railway, one of the many jobs of a volunteer. Two years ago, Bette Perlman, a volunteer of nearly three decades at the Morris, saw a notice about a tour of the beloved Garden Railway. “And she says, ‘Jon, you might be interested in that,’” he said. Why did she think he’d be interested? “Because we’ve been married for long enough, so she knows,” he said. This year, Perlman invited his newly retired friend, Howard Greenberg, to join him. “I was looking for something to do,” Greenberg said. “I retired December 31. I've been a lawyer for 51 years, and decided I need to get out of the house. So I did.” “Actually, he didn't decide to get out of the house,” Perlman retorted. “His wife decided he should get out of the house.” Bette and Howard’s wife, Emily, were college roommates, and their husbands have been friends for many years. “When I brought the grandkids here years ago, I thought it was amazing,” Greenberg said. “And now you’re working on it,” I teased. “I’m working on the railroad.” “Not all the live-long day, just in the morning,” Perlman said, referencing the old American folk song . KEEPING BUSY Both men grew up with train sets in their homes. …

Morris Arboretum & Gardens Announces 2026 Honorees for Moonlight & Roses Gala April 6, 2026 Philadelphia, PA—Morris Arboretum & Gardens will celebrate its annual Moonlight & Roses gala on  Friday, June 5, 2026 at 5:30 pm . The event provides a beautiful forum in which to recognize excellence and leadership in environmental stewardship. This year’s honorees are longtime Morris member  Ellen Nalle Hass and Bartlett Tree Experts . The gala, held on the Morris’s stunning grounds, directly supports the Morris’s work as a renowned public garden and as a center for plant science research and educational programming for all ages. The honorary chairs for the 2026 event are Cameron and John Soroko.  VIP tickets for the 2026 gala are available now, and formal invitations will be mailed in April. If you are interested in sponsoring the event, please contact Kristen Casalenuovo at kcasal@upenn.edu . For more information and to purchase tickets, visit  MorrisArboretumGala.org   Image Ellen Nalle Hass Meet the 2026 Honorees 2025 Individual Honoree Ellen Nalle Hass From her early days roaming the Wissahickon, Ellen Nalle Hass's life has been driven by a reverence for nature. She lives by John Muir's mantra: "I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order." Ellen is a longtime neighbor and member of the Morris and served on the Board of Advisors for two decades. For six of those years, Ellen was the board chair and provided strong and enduring leadership during a time of institutional transition. Professionally, she has worked at Condé Nast, WHYY’s Applause magazine, and Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (SCH), and she is now with Team Whetzel at Kurfiss Sotheby's real estate. She is a board member of Chanticleer Garden of Wayne, PA; president of the Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial Foundation; and a former board member of the Children's Aid Society and SCH. Ellen and her husband, Jay, enjoy visits from their three grown children, Charlotte, Johnny, and …

Moonlight & Roses FAQ Moonlight & Roses FAQ Image Moonlight & Roses FAQ What is the dress code? Dress code is semi-formal, garden party attire. We encourage guests to be as festive and floral as possible!  Click  here  to see photos from past events for inspiration. Turf-tolerant shoes are also recommended as there is a lot of standing and walking, sometimes in areas that are not paved.   What kind of food will be served? Dinner stations will be open from 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm. Snacks will be available in the Garden Railway, Pennock Flower Walk, and Rose Garden from 7 pm until 8:30 pm. What will the seating be for dinner? There will be open seating available in the tent so you can find a seat when you arrive. Diamond, Platinum, Gold, and Silver sponsors will have reserved tables.   What extra benefits does a VIP Benefactor or Patron ticket include? VIP guests will receive premium valet parking at the event, along with entrance to the VIP reception that evening from 5 pm - 5:30 pm . Is there a rain date? No, the event is held rain or shine. In case of severe weather, the entire evening will be held under a tent. Where do guests park? VIP Patron and Benefactor guests, along with Platinum and Diamond sponsors, will be directed to drive up our hill to premium valet parking.  Young Friend and Supporter guests, along with Bronze, Silver, and Gold sponsors, will valet park in lawn parking near the entry kiosk and take a trolley shuttle up the hill to our Welcome Center. Are there tickets (paper or electronic) for the gala? No, names are held at the …

Summer Camp Summer Camp Image Image Summer Camp 2026 If you are looking for a camp that will spark curiosity and nourish your child’s interest in nature, then look no further! Our camp is a full day outdoor experience meant to inspire wonder and appreciation for the natural world. At Nature Explorers Summer Camp, we engage with our environment and learn about the plants, animals, fungi, and habitats that we encounter. Led by Morris staff and counselors, each day will be filled with games, activities, hikes, science, and crafts.   Registration Join the Waitlist → After you register and pay online, please do not forget to fill out the camp forms ! We must get info about your camper to ensure their safety!  * Please Note – We are a small camp, but we strive to offer a nature camp experience to as many children as possible. We request that each child is registered for a MAXIMUM OF 3 WEEKS OF CAMP.  Because our checkout experience also tends to get overwhelmed with web traffic during the opening days, having fewer weeks in your cart improves your chances of success at checkout. If you are interested in registering for more than three weeks, you are welcome to add more camp weeks if available, or join the waitlist, beginning January 30 . Because our registration is early in the year and plans change, waitlist spots do become available. If you are already registered for three weeks but are offered a spot from the waitlist, your child can attend for additional weeks.     How to Register  Pay online through the Morris Arboretum & Gardens website . During the initial wave of registration, each child is limited to 3 weeks! Join the waitlist beginning January 30 for a chance to participate in more weeks.  After you pay, check for and read your confirmation email.   Download and PRINT your camper forms and return them  by June 1  to: Morris Arboretum & Gardens Attn: Education Summer Camp 9414 Meadowbrook Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19118  Please note: It is against the University of …

Bill Cullina Wins the Edgar T. Wherry Award from NARGS Executive Director of Morris Arboretum & Gardens Bill Cullina has won the Edgar T. Wherry Award from the North American Rock Garden Society. Bill Cullina, executive director of Morris Arboretum & Gardens, has won the Edgar T. Wherry Award from the North American Rock Garden Society. He received the award for outstanding contributions in the dissemination of information about native North American plants. Image “This is a really thoughtful and appreciated award, given that Wherry was such an important scientist and botanist here for many years,” Cullina said. Wherry (1885–1982) taught botany at the University of Pennsylvania from 1930 to 1955, and had a deep interest in ferns. Many of the botanical specimens Wherry collected are preserved at the Morris and at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Below is an excerpt of the writeup about Cullina that was published in the summer issue of NARGS Quarterly: Bill was previously CEO and before that director of horticulture/plant curator for The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine. Prior to that he was the director of horticultural research for the New England Wild Flower Society (now Native Plant Trust) in Massachusetts. Bill is the author of three books on native North American plants. While the native plant movement is currently in full swing, these three beautifully written and photographed books, which reside in the collections of many of us, were particularly valued resources on native plants in the days when such resources were few and far between. In addition to his writing, Bill shared his extensive knowledge of native plants through his many talks on these topics as well. He began his horticultural life at Garden in the Woods in Massachusetts, and gave many, many talks to the New England chapter, each packed with his careful observations of plants, and beautifully illustrated with slides. His talk on fern propagation was …

Garden Explorer Has Officially Launched! Our new mobile-friendly map helps visitors explore and learn more about our living collection of plants. Image After three years of working on a grant and testing a map, we have officially launched Garden Explorer ! Now visitors will be able to use a mobile device while in the garden to get information and images of plants as well as points of interest in the garden. You can search by plant name, accession number, or garden feature. With your location services turned on you will be able to see where you are on the map in relation to the plants, the nearest bathroom, and even the parking lot. You will also have access to this map on a computer through a link on our website . This will allow you to explore the collection or to map out your next visit. HOW WE DID IT The Morris received an Institute of Museum and Library Services grant in fall 2022. The goal of the grant was to create a mobile-friendly map for visitors and staff to explore and learn more about our living collection of plants. We began the process by determining the best way to collect centimeter-accurate global positioning system (GPS) points for every accessioned plant within the collection. To do this, we needed to establish a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) reference station at the Morris to ensure the real-time kinematic (RTK) corrections (high-precision data streams) we needed for accurate points. After our equipment was set up and ready to go, we set out to collect points for our more than 11,000 accessioned plants. We spent countless hours collecting these points, section by section, to ensure nothing was missed. Once these points were collected, we worked with our contractors to connect our database, our collected GPS points, and our drone imagery basemap to create a mobile-friendly map known as Garden Explorer . This winter we trained staff and volunteers on how to use this accessible map, so they are ready to assist visitors if they have any …