The Show-Stopping Plants of Pennock Flower Walk Learn about the plants currently growing in the Alice & J. Liddon Pennock Flower Walk that have caught visitors’ attention this season.  Welcome back to the Alice & J. Liddon Pennock Flower Walk! If you haven’t already, be sure to read part one of this blog post , where I write about how this garden has changed during my tenure and afforded me the most growth as a designer. For part two, I will highlight a few of the plants that have caught guests’ attention the most this season.  My designs often start with a color palette, and this summer was no different when I chose to go with my favorite color: pink. The Cuphea , Gomphrena , and Celosia were chosen to help establish that palette and intended varying heights of the design while the Thunbergia and Aechmea offer a countering pop of height and color. Almost every plant in the central beds is a full-sun annual and the garden is irrigated regularly to keep everything looking lush.   Image Cuphea procumbens Totally Tempted® Frosted Violets™   Cuphea procumbens Totally Tempted® Frosted Violets™  This is by far the most-asked-about plant in the Pennock Flower Walk, and you can see why. Lesser known than some other bedding annuals, these flowers have been putting on a show since day one. Cupheas have varied flower shapes, so you may be familiar with the tubular ‘cigar plant,’ but this one has a large open flower face with ruffled petals. Frosted Violets™ has a white and purple petal color (you can find the Watermelon Wine™ version in Exuberant Blooms ). They can start to flop a little mid-season, but nothing a quick chop back can’t fix!    Image Aechmea blanchetiana 'Hawaii' surrounded by  Gomphrena globosa ‘Ping Pong Purple.’    Aechmea blanchetiana 'Hawaii'  No matter where I use this plant, it’s a winner, which is why I continue to make space for it in our greenhouse over the winter. A type of bromeliad, its orange foliage seems to only get bolder in the full sun. I …

The Evolution of Pennock Flower Walk and its Gardener The Alice & J. Liddon Pennock Flower Walk has changed over the last five years, and so has the horticulturist who cares for it. The Alice & J. Liddon Pennock Flower Walk is one of many garden spaces that I take care of, but it is the one that has seen the most change over my tenure and afforded me the most growth as a designer. When I arrived in 2021, it was a mixed perennial and annual garden with four symmetrical boxwood trees in the center. I inherited annuals to plant that season with limited direction and a lot to learn about how the garden behaves. We muddled through that season, and I took what I observed to develop a new design for the following year. Since it was still a relatively new space, I stuck to a similar plan and color palette: warm sunset colors. Image Symmetrical design in the Pennock Flower Walk with boxwood trees. Image Pansy display in the Pennock Flower Walk. The following season I punched it up a bit with bigger tropicals. This effect was fun, but the height became a little overwhelming in spots, especially where  plants  also engulfed the side paths. Just as I was starting to feel confident in where I wanted to take the garden, there was a twist: Moving forward, it would be a four-season garden, with a pansy display for interest in the fall and winter. It took a bit of scrambling and the unfortunate removal of some late-season annuals in peak bloom, but the pansies were in. With this change came a new design opportunity for me—I could really lean into the symmetry of the garden. I kept some of the height from last season but was more strategic about its placement and I stuck with the historic warm sunset tones. Then I was tossed another curve ball: The boxwoods were to be removed that fall. My confidence and skills had grown enough by this time to take this change in stride. The design I created in the fully empty beds—very formal with two walls of canna—was my way of reintroducing some …

Group Tours Group Tours Image Group Visits The Morris welcomes organized groups for visits — please review the types of tours we offer and our FAQ page at the bottom of this page before emailing tours@morrisarboretum.org or calling 215-247-5777 x157 to arrange a date. For opportunities available for student groups, field trips, and scout tours, please visit our Education page . Tours for parties of 10 or more can be arranged with a three week advance notice. Please fill out our Group Tour Request Form below   and a staff member will contact you to arrange a date. Adult tour groups may select from the following tours: Image Art in the Garden Tour Duration: 60 minutes The Morris is home to an outdoor collection of classic and contemporary sculptures. Explore the Garden’s works of art, both intimate and grand, seamlessly integrated into the designed landscape. The Madeline K. Butcher Sculpture Garden features changing exhibits of emerging artists. The length of time and areas covered can be adjusted for each group.   Learn More Image Garden Highlights Tour Duration: 60 minutes The Morris Arboretum & Gardens is a living museum featuring plants, sculptures, and ideas collected from around the world. Visit some of the Arboretum’s most beloved attractions like the Fernery, the Rose Garden, and the Log Cabin, which visionaries John and Lydia Morris developed more than 100 years ago. Learn More Image Native Trees Tour Duration: 60 minutes Native trees provide vital support — food, shelter, and habitat — for insects and other local wildlife. Take a group tour to see the wide variety of native trees at Morris, from the huge tulip poplar to the smaller pitch pine and paw paw. Learn More Image Great Trees Tour Duration: 60 minutes The Morris is over 90 years old and so are many of our trees. Many trees in our living collection are recognized as significant examples of their species, and some are the oldest in the area. Plan a guided tour to see our prized collection of mature …

Parties and Social Gatherings Parties and Social Gatherings Image Make your next celebration unforgettable at Morris Arboretum & Gardens. From intimate daytime gatherings to lively evening receptions, the Morris offers a one-of-a-kind setting where beautiful gardens, historic spaces, and memorable experiences come together. Whether you're marking a milestone, gathering with friends and family, or hosting a special occasion, our flexible event spaces provide the perfect backdrop for a celebration to remember. Daytime Events Escape the rush of everyday life and host your daytime event at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens, where stunning landscapes create a setting unlike any other. Choose from a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces, each offering seamless access to our gardens. Perfect for guests to explore and enjoy during public hours. From spring through fall, our outdoor tented space showcases the Morris at its most vibrant, while our indoor spaces provide year-round options for gatherings of all kinds. Complimentary on-site parking ensures a smooth arrival, and our selection of approved caterers offers diverse cuisine options to suit any taste and budget. Reservations may be made up to six months in advance. Create a memorable experience surrounded by natural beauty and tranquility.  Image Birthdays, Bridal and Baby Showers  Celebrate birthdays, showers, and life’s special moments surrounded by the beauty of the Morris. Our outdoor reception tent offers a charming garden setting for gatherings of up to 150 guests, with flexible layout options to match your vision. Choose from three party tiers (up to 50, 51–100, or 101–150 guests) with tables and reception chairs included for your convenience. During public hours, the reception tent is shared with our members and visitors, with your event space thoughtfully partitioned for visual privacy. For more intimate celebrations, our Upper Gallery accommodates indoor events of up to 50 guests and includes A/V capabilities, …

Meetings and Retreats Meetings and Retreats Image Host your next meeting, workshop, or team retreat in a setting that inspires fresh thinking and meaningful connection. Surrounded by 92 acres of gardens and natural beauty, the Morris offers distinctive indoor and outdoor spaces that blend modern amenities with historic charm, creating an experience that feels both productive and memorable. Widener Welcome Center Step into a piece of history at the Widener Welcome Center, an elegant stone building dating back to 1888, once home to the estate’s gardener’s cottage, carriage house, and stables. Today, this charming and character-filled space offers a unique setting for meetings, gatherings, and daytime events. Our venue features a variety of rooms and flexible layouts, allowing you to create an experience that feels both personal and memorable. Whether you're planning an intimate meeting or a larger gathering, the historic ambiance provides a distinctive backdrop your guests won’t forget. To complement your event, choose from our curated list of approved caterers, offering diverse cuisine options to suit a range of tastes and budgets. Bookings are available up to six months in advance. Dates fill quickly. Early planning is encouraged to secure your preferred time. Image Meetings & Retreat    Host your next meeting or team retreat in a setting designed to inspire focus, creativity, and connection. The Widener Welcome Center offers a range of flexible indoor and outdoor spaces suited for everything from small strategy sessions to full-scale off-site gatherings. For more intimate meetings, the McLean Room provides a comfortable conference setting for up to 12 guests, while our Classroom accommodates up to 20—ideal for workshops, trainings, or collaborative sessions, with booking options starting at just two hours. For larger groups, the Upper Gallery welcomes up to 50-75 attendees (depending on set-up) in a unique indoor space equipped with A/V capabilities. The adjacent …

Signature Gardens Signature Gardens Image The Signature Gardens showcase some of the most iconic and inspiring spaces on the grounds. Each garden highlights a unique blend of plants and design that reflects the character of the Morris. Wander through these standout areas to experience the landscape at its most expressive. Image Credit: Rob Cardillo Rose Garden Created in 1888, this garden is one of the oldest features of the Morris estate. Designed by John Morris, it closely followed the principles of landscape designer Andrew Jackson Downing, who advocated placing a four‑part kitchen garden near a country gentleman’s mansion as both a functional and aesthetic component of the estate. Originally planted with a diverse mix of fruits, vegetables, flowers, a small collection of roses, and a specimen chestnut tree, the garden reflected the productive yet ornamental ideals of the Morrises. In 1924, Lydia Morris reimagined this space as a Rose Garden, transforming the mixed kitchen garden into a formal horticultural landscape. While the garden was once a monoculture of roses, today it has evolved to reflect best practices in public‑garden stewardship. A diverse palette of roses, perennials, annuals, and woody plants now support greater resilience, seasonal interest, and ecological health. Vertical elements and garden ornaments add height and rhythm, evoking the spirit of Victorian‑era gardens. Image Credit: Rob Cardillo Step Fountain The Step Fountain was commissioned by Lydia Morris following the death of her brother John in 1915. Designed by Robert Rodes McGoodwin, a former trustee of Penn’s School of Fine Arts, the Step Fountain is a refined architectural element that reflects European baroque influence through its formal composition and three lion heads that supply flowing water at the top of the water staircase. Constructed of Indiana limestone and Pennsylvania bluestone, the fountain’s materials and craftsmanship lend a sense of permanence and regional connection …

Plant Science Lab Plant Science Lab Image About the Plant Science Lab Featuring 1,500 square feet dedicated to wet lab space for our research team, this facility, which opened in 2025, supports ongoing active research projects in plant biodiversity, conservation, ecology, and evolution. Our laboratory is fully equipped to support modern plant molecular and morphological research. For inquiries about equipment in our lab, please e-mail Lab Manager Dr. Lulu Korsak . Image Image Active Research Projects Subtribal classification of Ironweeds in the Eastern Hemisphere Vernonieae is one of the most species-rich tribes in the sunflower family and notable for its challenging taxonomic history. A key challenge for taxonomists who work with this group has been characterized by what is referred to as “The Vernonia Problem,” which refers to a large and poorly defined core genus. Throughout much of its taxonomic history,  Vernonia was considered among the largest plant genera on Earth; however, it was significantly reduced in 1999 to comprise only 20 species from the Americas. Despite significant taxonomic revision for this tribe in North and South America, more than 300 species from the eastern hemisphere (largely Africa and Madagascar) remain in the genus Vernonia that await recircumscription and placement into an alternative, segregate genus. Vernonieae is currently represented by 12 subtribes and 66 genera across its range in the Eastern Hemisphere. A critical priority for advancing systematic knowledge of this group is a concerted integrative taxonomic effort that combines a well-resolved phylogeny and detailed comparative morphological analyses. This project highlights integrative taxonomic tools to develop a infratribal phylogenetic framework that will guide subtribal classification and taxonomic revision of this diverse group of plants in the Eastern Hemisphere. Image Ripariosida hermaphrodita Ripariosida hermaphrodita , Virginia mallow, is a plant of paradoxes. It is a …

Herbarium and Networks Herbarium and Networks Image Morris Herbarium Image The Morris is home to the Herbarium of the Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania. What's a herbarium? An archive of dried, pressed, dead plants. That might not sound like much but it is, in fact, priceless! Each specimen in a herbarium tells us about a specific plant collected in a particular place and time, complete with a physical specimen that allows for even more in-depth studies (morphological, anatomical, molecular... the list goes on!). Herbaria are the closest thing we have to a time machine for plant research and as such contribute exponentially to our understanding of plants. MOAR , our herbarium here at Morris, holds over 27,000 specimens and focuses on the flora of Pennsylvania and collections of wild material relevant to temperate species of horticultural interest or our living collection at Morris.   Mid-Atlantic Herbaria Consortium The Morris Plant Science Department proudly coordinates the Mid-Atlantic Herbaria Consortium (MAHC) , a consortium of 30+ herbaria from the Mid-Atlantic region (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia). MAHC grew out of the Mid-Atlantic Megalopolis Project (2016 – 2021), a highly successful herbarium specimen digitization project lead by Morris Arboretum & Gardens and funded by the National Science Foundation of the US. The aim of MAHC is to get as many of our herbarium specimens from the region as possible digitized, with high-resolution images, transcribed field data, and georeferenced points. MAHC works together to create a portal of virtual herbaria with these digitized records to complement our physical herbaria, providing free online access to nearly 3 million specimens for researchers and the public alike. We welcome any Mid-Atlantic herbaria to get in touch ( midatlanticherbaria@gmail.com or botany@morrisarboretum.org ), if they are interested in joining the consortium. …