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Morris Hidden Gems www.morrisarboretum.org/blog/morris-hidden-gems

Morris Hidden Gems Our staff shared their favorite hidden gems that visitors might miss on an average visit. Throughout the month of April, we highlighted Morris Arboretum & Gardens hidden gems on social media. Our staff shared their favorite spots that visitors might miss on an average visit, culminating in a guided Hidden Gems Tour on April 26—because with over 92 acres to explore, there's a lot to experience here at the Morris! See staff favorite's below, and visit the Morris Arboretum & Gardens this spring to find your favorite hidden gem!   Image       "I've been enjoying the Shidare Yoshino cherry ( Prunus x yedoensis f. perpendens ) and star magnolia ( Magnolia stellat a) in bloom around the Oak Allée area." – Antoine Smith, Alice & J. Liddon Pennock Jr. Horticulture Apprentice Image “I like the Springhouse because it’s a piece of Morris history that makes me imagine what it would have been like to live on the estate. It’s also in a quiet, tucked away part of the Garden where I can listen to the birds.” – Mellany Armstrong, Communications Coordinator Image     “The Wetlands is one of my favorite places to visit at the Morris! It’s maintained as a natural landscape, and is a fantastic place to see and hear all sorts of wildlife. As a birder, I love checking in to see which birds are stopping by for  the season—it’s where I saw my first indigo bunting last summer. Don't miss out on this Morris gem!” – Megan Nguyen, Education Administrative Assistant Image “My hidden gem is the weeping European beech (Fagus sylvatica f. pendula) across the way from Two Lines sculpture. In the middle of the weeping branches is a dead log that seems out of place at first glance, but it's actually the decaying remains of the original tree. The trees that are around are the rooted layers of the original mother tree. [Despite appearing as separate trunks, all these trees are individual parts of a single organism, sharing a network of interconnected roots underground.] Sitting here …

Celebrate the Beauty of Winter www.morrisarboretum.org/blog/celebrate-beauty-winter

Celebrate the Beauty of Winter Explore winter wonders with guided tours, wellness walks, discounted admission, and more at the Morris! Explore winter wonders at Morris Arboretum & Gardens! From our extensive witchhazel collection that adds color and fragrance to the landscape, to a specialized tour of our "bare naked trees," February is a wonderful time to visit us in Chestnut Hill.  Check out our inclusion in Redfin's recent blog post,  16 Winter Things to Do in Philly | Redfin , and read on to learn more about what's happening at the Morris this winter.   Image Discounted Admission Through February 29, experience winter wonders with discounted admission at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens: Members:  Free Adults:   $20.00  $12.00 Seniors (65+ years):  $ 18.00  $11.00 Youth (3-17 years):   $10.00  $6.00 Children (Under 3):  Free PennCard (must present ID):  Free Students (must present ID):  $10.00 ACCESS Adults (must present ID):  $2.00 ACCESS Youth (3-17 years):  $2.00 ACCESS Child (Under 3):  Free Retired Military (must have ID):  $10.00 Active Military and Five Family Members supported by Wawa (must have ID):  Free Walk In or Bike In:  $10.00 (Kids $5.00) Get Tickets →   Image Witchhazels The Morris witchhazel collection is one of the largest in the country, adding bursts of color and fragrance across the winter landscape. Some witchhazels are currently in full bloom, and our overall collection is expected to peak by mid-February—visit in the next few weeks to see this exquisite winter beauties! Stay tuned for more information on a Witchhazel Tour . Explore the collection with the Witchhazel Map →   Tours Image Bare Naked Trees Tour Saturday, February 10 & 24 • 11 am Meet at the Welcome Center. Free with general admission. Weather permitting.    Explore the beauty of trees in winter on this guided tour! Without their leaves, deciduous trees reveal a variety of shapes and sculptures to admire. The tour features weeping, round, pyramidal, and vase-shaped trees, and …

Discover Witchhazel Season at Morris Arboretum & Gardens: A Must‑See Winter Bloom www.morrisarboretum.org/blog/discover-witchhazels

Discover Witchhazel Season at Morris Arboretum & Gardens: A Must‑See Winter Bloom Witchhazel season has officially arrived, bringing unexpected bursts of color and fragrance to the winter landscape. If you’re searching for the best place to experience these spectacular cold‑season blooms, Morris Arboretum & Gardens is home to one of the largest and most diverse witchhazel collections in the United States. Witchhazel season has officially arrived, bringing unexpected bursts of color and fragrance to the winter landscape. If you’re searching for the best place to experience these spectacular cold‑season blooms, Morris Arboretum & Gardens is home to one of the largest and most diverse witchhazel collections in the United States. Image Hamamelis x intermedia 'Livia' WHAT MAKES WITCHHAZEL SO SPECIAL Witchhazels ( Hamamelis ) are native to eastern North America, China, and Japan. Gardeners and plant lovers treasure them for their mid‑to-late-winter flowers, which unfurl in shades ranging from pale yellow to fiery orange, deep red, and even purple. Their distinctive ribbon‑like petals and sweetly spiced fragrance make them one of the most captivating winter‑blooming shrubs. The genus name Hamamelis comes from the Greek hama (“at the same time”) and melon (“apple” or “fruit”), referring to the plant’s unusual habit of producing flowers and fruit simultaneously. And if the common name sounds familiar, it’s because witchhazel extract, commonly found in skincare products, is derived from the bark and leaves of the plant. Image Hamamelis mollis 'Princeton Gold' (Princeton Gold Chinese witchhazel) Image Hamamelis vernalis 'Christmas Cheer' VISIT NOW FOR PEAK WITCHHAZEL BLOOM Witchhazels are currently in bloom across the Morris, and we anticipate peak color by mid‑March. Plan a visit over the next several weeks to enjoy these remarkable winter flowers at their best. For a deeper dive into the collection, join one of our guided Witchhazel Tours , where an expert will introduce …

Events

Yellow flowers growing on the branches of a magnolia tree.

Magnolias and More

Saturday, April 25 •
11 am
Meet at the entrance kiosk

Explore a unique view of the Morris while walking up the gentle Magnolia Slope. Magnolias, dogwoods, and conifers are spread all across the entrance, greeting visitors. This rarely walked area captures the spring beauty of flowering trees contrasted with the majestic conifers. This tour is off path, and visitors are advised to wear walking or hiking shoes. Meet at the kiosk as you enter the Morris. Park to the left of the garden entrance. Free with general admission 

Events

Small pink and orange flowers (azaleas native to PA) in bloom with with green foliage.

Shrubs For All Seasons

Saturday, April 11 •
11 am
Meet at Welcome Center

This tour focuses on evergreen and deciduous shrubs for the home gardener. Shrubs provide showy foliage, vibrant blooms to attract pollinators, and structures to be used as natural screens. Come and discover new and old-time favorite shrubs. Free with general admission. 

Events

Bright red roses with a sculpture

Pruning for the Homeowner

Friday, March 20 •
9:30 am
Registration required
REGISTER
Members: $35 • Non-members: $40

Join Gayle E. Maloney Director of Horticulture Vince Marrocco to learn how to skillfully prune shrubs and small trees to achieve a natural shape and abundant flowering. After an in-door lecture, you will have the opportunity to see demonstrations designed to help you master pruning concepts and gain confidence. Formative pruning for young trees and proper pruning techniques for larger, older trees will be covered, as well as naturalistic techniques for creating attractive hedges and methods for reducing the size of overgrown shrubbery.

We will meet in the Welcome Center.  Please bring hand pruners and a small pruning saw to the class. 

Events

A young girl running through a public garden.

Building Fairy Houses (Ages 5+)

Saturday, April 25 •
10:30 am
Registration required
REGISTER
Members: $35 • Non-members: $40

Let your imagination run wild as we create whimsical fairy houses together! We will use a combination of found natural materials, clay, and other special bits and bobs in this magical, hands-on experience for all ages. We will start indoors and use tools to construct our bases and create some one-of-a-kind accessories for our fairies. From there, you are free to join us in bringing your creations down to the enchanting Whimsical Woods and continuing to decorate with found natural materials! Each child should be registered as a participant.  

Events

A group of all different kinds of trees growing in a natural area.

Mid-Atlantic Plant Research Conference

Friday, May 8 •
9 am
Upper Gallery

Plants in our region are facing new challenges to their survival, growth, and reproduction due to a variety of threats, including land use change, habitat loss, climate change, and more. Invited speakers will address new research in plant science that can help us understand the challenges at hand in our wetland and coastal regions, including mechanisms of plant resistance and adaptation, and possible solutions.

Speakers will include: 

Morgan Gostel, Director of Plant Science, Morris Arboretum & Gardens
LeeAnn Haaf, Director of Estuary Science, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary
Dr. Jay Kelly, Co-Director, Center for Environmental Studies, Raritan Valley Community College
Erin Lacour, Biologist, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
Patrick Megonigal, Associate Director for Research, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Catherine Seavitt, Chair, Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Pennsylvania

The program will be held in person at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens; live virtual attendance is also available. Please indicate ‘In-Person’ or ‘Virtual’ attendance at registration. Lunch is provided to all attendees.

In-person fee: $155
Students: $80
In-Person Registration →
Virtual fee: $125
Students: $80
Virtual Registration →