Events
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Creatures of the Night! (All Ages)
Thursday, June 25
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7 pm
Members: $25 • Non-members: $30
Come join us for an all-ages program all about fireflies, bats, and other creatures of the night!
Did you know that fireflies are not flies, but are actually beetles? Or that our planet is home to over 2,200 firefly species, and that over 30 species can be found in PA? Or that “glow worms” are actually firefly larvae, and can be found lighting up the soil all around us at night if we only know where and how to look?
In this program, we will explore the natural history of fireflies, ways of observing and telling them apart, and what we can do to make our gardens more “glowing.” Then, representatives from the Penn Vet Wildlife Futures Program will tell us about the work that they do to help our state’s wild species thrive, and about some of our nighttime neighbors that come out when the sun goes down!
The program will conclude with a short night walk in the garden where we will look for these nocturnal neighbors, and see some light-flash conversations in person.
One registration covers one adult and one child. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Additional adults will require additional registration.
Events
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Deadwood in the Garden
Thursday, June 18
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1:30 pm
Members: $25 • Non-members: $30
Most people are familiar with the innumerable benefits of living trees, but even after their death, trees provide vital habitat, shelter, and food for wildlife. And beyond their ecological benefits, stumps, branches, and other parts of felled trees can be beautiful garden elements, too! Join Morris Horticulturist Trevor Schulte to learn how dead and dying trees still teem with life, and how deadwood branches and other parts of felled trees are used at the Morris in our garden designs. After a brief indoor presentation, we will walk through the garden with Trevor. We will visit the Morris Stumpery, view some of the snags that the Morris has left standing for the benefit of wildlife, and look at some of the deadwood elements in various garden displays throughout the grounds.
Completion of this course fulfills an elective requirement for the Ecological Horticulture Certificate Program. This class has been approved for 1.5 CEUsf or ISA, NJ BTE and LA-CES certifications.
Events
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Wissahickon Plant & Tree Walk
Saturday, May 30
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11 am
Members: $30 • Non-members: $35
From introduced exotics to nursery remnants to rare native species, there is a good diversity of plants within Wissahickon Valley Park. Join Morris Urban Forestry Consultant Andrew Conboy for a walk along Forbidden Drive to point out and discuss interesting trees, shrubs, and wildflowers along the way. He will teach you how to identify these plants, discuss their ecological value, and point out various galls and other wildlife that can be found using these plants.
We will meet at the start of Forbidden Drive at the end of Northwestern Avenue. Parking is available along Northwestern Ave. Please wear good walking shoes and bring a drink.
Events
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Spring Floral Arrangements
Friday, May 15
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1 pm
1 pm
Members: $60 • Non-members: $65
Join us for a fun and creative floral design class with The Flower Mama! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll design your own four-piece bud vase arrangement using a vibrant selection of seasonal blooms—all sourced from our Best of Philly-winning flower truck, Rosebud, a beautifully restored 1959 vintage VW and Philadelphia’s most famous flower truck.
You’ll hand-select your four vases and receive a carrying case for easy transport while learning tips and best practices for working with flowers. Don’t forget to snap plenty of photos with Rosebud after class—it’s the perfect backdrop for your floral masterpiece!
Morris Arboretum & Gardens Receives Grant From William Penn Foundation to Support ACCESS www.morrisarboretum.org/press-releases/william-penn-grant
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 www.morrisarboretum.org/blog/early-buttercups
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 www.morrisarboretum.org/blog/friends-years-now-volunteers-garden-railway
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. …
Events
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Member Plant Giveaway
Saturday, May 16
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Sunday, May 17
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9 am – 1 pm
Bloomfield Farm
All Members
Saturday, May 16 & Sunday, May 17 • 9 am – 1 pm
Find joy in what you grow! The annual Member Plant Giveaway returns this spring, and this year’s selection is all about finding joy in nature. From plants that delight the senses with texture, fragrance, and color to varieties that inspire feelings of calm, wonder, and whimsy, there’s something to make every gardener smile. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or planting your very first sprout, Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ knowledgeable staff will be on site to share tips, ideas, and plenty of encouragement to help you dig in and grow something wonderful.
Early Access Friday for Upper-Level Members
Friday, May 15 • 4 – 6 pm
Collectors Circle, Benefactor, Patron, and Supporter members see it first!
Premier members are invited to explore the plant selection a day early and enjoy complimentary treats from a fun-filled ice cream truck parked right at the farm! Advance registration is required.
Not a premier member? Consider upgrading today!
Advance registration is required. Registration is open to all members on April 2. Online registration will close on Friday, May 15 at 1 pm. All members are welcome to attend the Member Plant Giveaway on May 16 or May 17. Bloomfield Farm is located opposite our main entrance on Northwestern Avenue.
Did you know that the legacy of Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ plant distribution tradition started nearly 100 years ago in the will of Lydia Morris? In addition to distributing plants to other public gardens, the Morris has maintained Lydia’s wish of sharing plants with members, continuing again this May with you!