Snowflakes vs. Snowdrops: Pendulous Beauties of Early Spring Two similar plant species caught my attention at the Morris this week because of their attractive and early season blooms: Galanthus nivalis (snowdrop) and Leucojum vernum (spring snowflake). ). Often called “harbingers of spring,” both are bulb plants and have nodding flowers, sometimes spotted peeking through snow (hence the common names). Dr. Cynthia Skema is a Botanical Scientist at the Morris Arboretum.  Two similar plant species caught my attention at the Morris this week because of their attractive and early season blooms: Galanthus nivalis (snowdrop) and Leucojum vernum (spring snowflake). Often called “harbingers of spring,” both are bulb plants and have nodding flowers, sometimes spotted peeking through snow (hence the common names). Their mostly white flowers explain their generic names: Galanthus means “milk flower” and Leucojum “white violet,” both from (ancient) Greek. Their physical similarities are no mere coincidence, but instead the products of evolution as the two are related. Leucojum and Galanthus are sister genera in the tribe Galantheae, along with a third genus Acis (Larsen et al., 2010) and they all belong in the plant family Amaryllidaceae, also home to commonly cultivated amaryllis and daffodils. Image Galanthus nivalis flowering at the Morris Arboretum. Image Leucojum vernum flowering at the Morris Arboretum.                           Let’s consider the form of the three genera in tribe Galantheae. The easiest way to tell Galanthus apart from the other two genera is by the three large outer and three small inner tepals (petal-like structures) seen in its flowers, while Leucojum and Acis both have six equal-sized tepals (also three outer and three inner by position). Both Leucojum and Galanthus have markings on their six tepals, while Acis has none. One last characteristic is that Leucojum typically has a hollow scape, while the scape is solid in Galanthus and Acis . If you’re a …

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 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 …

What's in Bloom: January What's in Bloom: January Image January at the Morris Image Lassie Koehne holly Ilex x koehneana ‘Lassie’ Morris Pond Boasting clusters of bright red berries, this broad-leafed evergreen tree is a cross between Ilex aquifolium (English holly) and Ilex latifolia (lusterleaf holly). Selected for its prolific fruit, the Lassie cultivar stands out in the garden this time of year. Image spicebush Lindera salicifolia Long Fountain After their vibrant display of fall color, the leaves of these spicebush shrubs turn a warm tan color and stay on through the winter. Image Japanese stewartia Stewartia pseudocamellia Bark Park Native to the mountainous regions of Korea and Japan, this small tree displays a patchwork of orange, tan, and gray bark as its outer layers shed off of the trunk. Japanese stewartias are in the tea family, Theaceae, and share similar flower characteristics to camellias as indicated in the species name which translates to “false camellia.” Image lacebark pine Pinus bungeana Hill & Water Garden Native to northwest China, this evergreen tree gets its common name from its flaking gray bark that exposes white, tan, and green layers of bark underneath. The lacebark pine at the Hill & Water Garden is original to the Morris Estate. Image Blue Atlas cedar Cedrus atlantica  ‘Glauca’ Between Rose Garden and Pennock Garden Blue-tinted needles create a spectacular display on this striking evergreen tree. Native to the Atlas Mountains in North Africa, Blue Atlas cedars are true cedars, which can be identified by their tight, whorled clusters of needles. The needles get their blue-green color from a waxy coating that helps the tree retain water. Image Winter Gold common winterberry Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Gold’ Sculpture Garden This cultivar of our native deciduous holly is selected for its vibrant orange fruit that stay on significantly into the winter months. Ilex verticillata shrubs are dioecious, meaning the male and female reproductive …

Wedding Locations Wedding Locations Image Ceremony Locations Image Widener Lawn A large grassy area with a striking view of the garden valley below, this area is located closest to the reception tent. Image Silktree Grove Tucked back among the love trees, the Silktree Grove offers an intimate location deeper in the Garden. Image Baxter Memorial A round, brick patio overlooking the meadow garden, tucked between the Rose Garden and the Morris Pond. Image Rose Garden Available April – October for ceremony and April – September for cocktail hour for an additional fee. The garden gem of the Arboretum is a stunning location for a ceremony and/or cocktail hour. Some limitation on number of chairs for seating. Image Pennock Flower Walk Available May – Sept for ceremony and/or cocktail hour for an additional fee. This romantic, gated garden provides a lovely setting for a ceremony and/or cocktail hour and includes two beautiful water features. Cocktail Hour Locations Image Out on a Limb Available April – November for an additional fee. A striking walkway that soars 50 feet above the ground this treetop experience provides your guests with a bird’s eye view of the forest, for a truly memorable event. Learn More Image Widener Plaza Widener Plaza is adjacent to the historic stone carriage house and overlooks a large green lawn. Learn More Reception Locations Image Reception Tent The tented reception area, with optional side flaps for inclement weather, can accommodate up to 175 guests for a sit-down dinner. Tables and chairs are included. Learn More Image Carriage House Rooms Several interior rooms off the reception tent accommodate essential party features, including: a bar, dessert station, photo booth, etc. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are available indoors and out. Learn …

What's in Bloom: October What's in Bloom: October Image October at the Morris Image strawberry bush Euonymus americanus Native Azalea Collection Inconspicuous spring flowers become showy seed pods in early fall. The textured pink seed pods of this native shrub burst open, exposing striking orange fruit that contrast against its bright green leaves and stems. Image stiff dogwood Cornus foemina Morris Pond Clusters of deep blue fruit adorn these small trees native to the southeastern United States. The genus name Cornus means “horn” and is in reference to the tree’s strong wood. Image Chinese osmanthus Osmanthus armatus Orange Balustrade Small white flowers produce a sweet, wafting fragrance throughout this area of the garden. This large evergreen shrub is similar to the evergreen hollies ( Ilex ) planted nearby, but the leaf arrangements on Osmanthus are opposite, while Ilex is alternate. Image false holly Osmanthus heterophyllus Hillcrest Pavilion Blooming from late fall into early winter, this evergreen tree produces small, fragrant cream-colored flowers. Unlike Osmanthus armatus , this species’ leaves tend to have toothed margins rather than smooth. Image common baldcypress Taxodium distichum (common baldcypress) This stately deciduous conifer produces a showy display of fall color, with needles turning a deep orange color before falling off. When growing near water, baldcypress trees produce cone-like, above-ground root shoots called “knees”. Image American beautyberry Callicarpa americana Native Azalea Collection These native shrubs produce clusters of bright purple fruit along its branches, hanging on to the plant into early winter after the leaves fall …

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 …