Signature Gardens www.morrisarboretum.org/gardens-trees/signature-gardens
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 …
