What's in Bloom: July What's in Bloom: July Image July at the Morris Image Japanese clethra Clethra barbinervis Bark Park Native to Japan, these shrubs produce racemes of fragrant, white flowers that contrast against glossy, dark green leaves. Image Bobo® panicle hydrangea Hydrangea paniculata ‘Ilvobo’ Rose Garden Large panicles of white flowers adorn these compact shrubs. While the straight species can reach heights of up to 25 feet, this cultivar is selected for its small form, reaching only up to 3 feet in height. Image Abbeville Blue chastetree Vitex agnus-castus ‘Abbeville Blue’ Rose Garden These large shrubs are native to the Mediterranean and parts of Asia. In the summer, they produce long, narrow panicles of small purple flowers that attract butterflies and bees. Image Tuskegee crapemyrtle Lagerstroemia ‘Tuskegee’ ​​​​​ Oak Allée This crapemyrtle cultivar boasts showy pink, cloud-like flower clusters, adding brightness and color along the Oak Allée. Image Chinese pearlbloom-tree Poliothyrsis sinensis  Pennock Garden This tree gets its common name from its small flowers that do not fully open, remaining round and bud-like. The flowers are apetalous, meaning they lack petals—what we see instead are sepals, which are typically found enclosing petals to protect the flower in its bud form.   Image Bracken’s Brown Beauty southern magnolia Magnolia grandiflora ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’  Oak Allée Native to the southeastern United States, this evergreen magnolia displays large white, fragrant flowers throughout the summer. Unlike many other flowers, these are primarily pollinated by beetles. …

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 …

What's in Bloom: August What's in Bloom: August Image August at the Morris Image plumleaf azalea Rhododendron prunifolium Native Azalea Collection One of the latest to bloom, this native azalea produces deep red/orange flowers. There are only a handful of natural populations of plumleaf azalea. Image Pink summersweet clethra Clethra alnifolia ‘Rosea’ Along creek in Azalea Meadow Native to eastern North America, summersweet clethra is a late summer bloomer that thrives in shady, swampy areas. Unlike the white flowers of the straight species, the ‘Rosea’ cultivar displays showy, fragrant light pink flower clusters on vertical racemes. Image Chinese arborvitae Platycladus orientalis Hillcrest Pavilion Small, spiked, blue-green cones adorn this evergreen tree. This plant was once considered a member of the genus Thuja (arborvitae) because of its very similar scale-like leaves. Image anemone Anemone tomentosa Mercury Loggia Native to northern China, these perennials bloom as late as October. Their grape-like leaves have white, fuzzy undersides. Image swamp rose mallow Hibiscus moscheutos Wetlands Large white flowers on these tall, native perennials line the border of the Wetlands. Although each individual flower only blooms for several days, the plant produces many new buds and will flower through early …

Certificate in Ecological Horticulture Certificate in Ecological Horticulture Image Image     A Systems Approach to Sustainable Land Stewardship    We are thrilled to announce the launch of a new learning opportunity: The Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ Certificate in Ecological Horticulture will offer the opportunity to gain proficiency in creating and maintaining landscapes that are grounded in ecological principles and practice. Geared towards avid home gardeners and landscape professionals looking to develop a deep understanding of sustainable landscape design and management, this classroom and field-based program is a series of 12 courses that are open to the public. The program is self-paced and can be completed in one year of intensive learning or up to several years at a slower pace. What makes this Certificate Program unique?  The Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ Certificate in Ecological Horticulture is unique in our ecological systems-based approach to landscape design and maintenance. Our program approaches each garden as a complex living system, where plants, soil, water, animals, climate, human activity, and other elements interact with and influence each other. In hands-on and classroom instruction, our program teaches design and stewardship strategies that address these relationships holistically rather than focusing on individual components in isolation.  The program will focus on our region here in Southeast Pennsylvania. Drawing from our deep expertise in this region’s ecology, all instruction will speak to our local ecosystems. Here at the Morris we have a long history in the native plants of Pennsylvania — we have literally written THE book on this topic! Instructors in the Certificate Program will include Morris staff members as well as other local professionals that are regionally and nationally acclaimed in ecological horticulture.   What will I gain in completing this program?  Students who complete all required coursework will earn a Certificate in …

Lecture Series Lecture Series Image The Morris Arboretum & Gardens Lecture Series brings together expert voices to explore ideas that connect people, plants, and the natural world. Through conversations, talks, and presentations, participants can engage with new perspectives and current research. Offered throughout the year, lectures create space to learn, reflect, and connect with others in a welcoming setting. Plant Politics: Images, Knowledge, and Power A Virtual Lunchtime Conversation Tuesday, October 13  • 12 – 1 pm  Members: $10 • Non-members: $15  REGISTER TODAY → Every picture of a plant tells a story... From botanical illustrations and herbarium specimens to illustrated manuscripts and contemporary photographs, images shape how plants are named, understood, and valued. They also reveal deeper stories about exploration, colonialism, science, and whose knowledge is preserved.  Join Tracy Qiu and Catherine Seavitt for an interactive lunchtime virtual conversation that uses four images to explore how botanical knowledge is created, shared, and challenged. Together, they will examine the colonial legacies of botanical gardens and plant science, consider how terms like native, exotic, weed, and invasive influence our thinking, and highlight the contributions of Indigenous communities and other often-overlooked knowledge holders.  Held the day after Indigenous Peoples' Day, this timely conversation invites participants to reconsider the stories we tell (and the ones we don't) and discover how the ways we picture plants continue to shape our relationships with the living world.   A Zoom link will be emailed to all registrants in advance of the program.    Speakers: Tracy Qiu  is a post-doctoral researcher at Concordia University in Montreal, specializing in the colonial history of botanical gardens and their roles in contemporary society. With over a decade of experience as a researcher, consultant, and artist, she applies decolonizing and inclusion-focused …

Conferences Conferences Image Image 9 am – 4:30 pm Fee: $155 • Student fee (with ID): $85 Haverford College, Haverford, PA Stokes Hall Auditorium REGISTER TODAY → Water shapes every landscape, sustains every ecosystem, and connects communities to the natural world. This year’s Tree Canopy Conference explores the vital relationship between trees and water, from the mechanics of tree physiology to the hydrologic history of our region and everything in between.   The conference will be held at Haverford College in the Stokes Hall Auditorium and is a partnership between the Morris Arboretum & Gardens and the Haverford College Arboretum. Attendees may also enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of Haverford College Arboretum’s extensive tree collection. This year's tour will focus on the Pinetum. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a hands-on project weaving willow rods into a wattle fence! The day’s program has been submitted to carry 5 CEUs from ISA, LA CES, and the NJ Board of Tree Experts. SEE FULL AGENDA & SPEAKERS → A small number of complimentary admissions are available for students in financial hardship. If you are interested in a student complimentary admission, please email education@morrisarboretum.org . Scholarships for practitioners, interested individuals, educators, and others are available through TreePennsylvania. Click here for more information and to apply →  Image Image     Image   Image       Image Image       Morris Arboretum & Gardens hosts conferences and partners with a variety of organizations to bring together experts, researchers, and practitioners to explore pressing topics in plant science and the natural world. These gatherings create opportunities to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and explore current research. Conferences are designed for professionals and dedicated learners, with many offering continuing education units (CEUs) to support ongoing professional development. Our annual conferences include: Mid-Atlantic …

For Professionals For Professionals Image At Morris Arboretum & Gardens, professionals can advance their knowledge and earn credentials through hands-on programs and expert-led instruction. Certificates, CEU-bearing courses, and conferences provide opportunities to stay current and expand your expertise. Focused on practical application and emerging research, these programs connect professionals to new ideas, new skills, and a broader network within the industry. Image Certificate in Ecological Horticulture  The Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ Certificate in Ecological Horticulture will offer the opportunity to gain proficiency in creating and maintaining landscapes that are grounded in ecological principles and practice. Geared towards avid home gardeners and landscape professionals looking to develop a deep understanding of sustainable landscape design and management, this classroom and field-based program is a series of 12 courses that are open to the public. The program is self-paced and can be completed in one year of intensive learning or up to several years at a slower pace. LEARN MORE Image School of Arboriculture Increase your tree and landscape knowledge! The Morris Arboretum & Garden's Professional Courses offer CEUs for arborists and landscape architects, and keep you at the forefront of your profession. These courses are open to professionals and novices, and are all taught by national leaders in their field of expertise. LEARN MORE Conferences Earn CEUs and hear from professionals Each year the Morris Arboretum & Gardens partners with a variety of organizations to convene conferences for professionals in plant related fields. Our conferences are of interest to professional arborists, landscape architects, professional horticulturists, and avid home gardeners.  Learn …