Events
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Greenhouse and Fernery Behind the Scenes Tour
Tuesday, April 29
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10 am
Morris Arboretum & Gardens
Tuesday, April 29 • 10 – 11:30 am
with Kyra Matin, Propagator, Morris Arboretum & Gardens
Members: $30 • Non-members: $35
Go behind the scenes with Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ Propagator Kyra Matin for an early spring tour of the greenhouse and propagation areas at the Morris. This tour will include a look into the greenhouses and the Dorrance H. Hamilton Fernery. Don't miss your chance to come inside these busy buildings that are usually closed to the public and hear about some of the special plants propagated for both display and research purposes. Kyra will share the history of the Fernery, stories of propagation successes and failures, and maybe even give you a sneak peek at upcoming projects!
Check out the Spring 2025 Course Catalog for more courses →
Events
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Firefly Night! (All Ages)
Tuesday, June 24
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7:30 pm
Morris Arboretum & Gardens
Tuesday, June 24 • 7:30 – 8:45 pm
with Stephanie Bruneau, Assistant Director of Adult Education, Morris Arboretum & Gardens
Members: $25 • Non-members: $30
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? Come join bug enthusiast and Morris staff member Stephanie Bruneau for an all-ages program all about fireflies. 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.” The program will conclude with a short night walk in the gardens where we will look for these magical bugs and see their 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.
Check out the Spring 2025 Course Catalog for more courses →
Events
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Native Azalea Talk and Walk
Friday, July 25
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10 am
Morris Arboretum & Gardens
Friday, July 25 • 10 am – 12 pm
Trevor Schulte, Azalea Meadow Horticulturist, Morris Arboretum & Gardens
Members: $25 • Non-members: $30
Join us at Morris for a talk-and-walk exploring the Morris's collection of native azalea! First, we will learn about horticulturist Trevor Schulte’s recent trip scouting Rhododendron prunifolium (plumleaf azalea) across their native range in Alabama and Georgia. In this trip, Trevor joined a group from Holden Forests and Gardens to help update GPS coordinates, survey plant populations and health, and search for new populations of this beautiful and fragrant native plant. The trip was successful and they found plenty of shrubs in full bloom, along with lots of other cool plants!
After a short period of learning indoors, we will head into the garden for a guided walk to see (and smell!) this beautiful plant in our collection.
Check out the Spring 2025 Course Catalog for more courses →
Events
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Moonlight & Roses
Friday, June 6
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6 PM
Morris Arboretum & Gardens
Save the date for our 2025 gala honoring esteemed garden photographer Rob Cardillo and the Eagles Go Green program!
Moonlight & Roses has been a landmark event in the Philadelphia region for more than four decades. Today, the event provides a beautiful forum in which to recognize excellence and leadership in environmental stewardship. Close to 500 guests attend the gala, with proceeds directly supporting the Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ important role as a premier destination for environmental outreach, education, and research.
VIP tickets for Moonlight & Roses will go on sale in January, and formal invitations will mail in April. If you are interested in sponsoring the gala please contact Kristen Casalenuovo at kcasal@upenn.edu.
See photos from the 2024 gala →
Sustainability www.morrisarboretum.org/learn-discover/sustainability
Sustainability Sustainability Image As part of the University of Pennsylvania, the Morris Arboretum & Gardens is a key partner in realizing Penn’s Climate and Sustainability Action Plan (CSAP) 4.0 , which lays out the University’s ambitious sustainability goals for the next five years, as well as Penn’s path toward carbon neutrality by 2042. … Sustainability …
The Fernery www.morrisarboretum.org/gardens-trees/garden-features/fernery
The Fernery The Fernery Image The Dorrance H. Hamilton Fernery Image The Dorrance H. Hamilton Fernery is the only remaining freestanding Victorian fernery in North America. Originally built in 1899 under the supervision of John Morris, the Fernery stands today as a historical time piece, documenting the British obsession with ferns and glasshouses during the Victorian era. The building was constructed using locally mined stone and utilized cutting edge technology in glass cutting, steam heating, and architectural elements. In the century following the original construction, the Fernery slowly fell into disrepair, with several small renovation projects to protect it from destruction. Finally in 1994 the Fernery was fully restored to its original grandeur with a gracious donation from board member Dorrance H. Hamilton and other contributors who responded to a major matching grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. This $1.2 million renovation included restoring the roof to the original curvature, replacing and updating the heating and electrical systems, installing an advanced climate control system, and restoring the waterfall, ponds and stone walls. The blue flagstone plaza was also installed during this project to welcome visitors, and provide a shaded relaxing place to stop and enjoy the arboretum. Nestled in a curve of land below the Rose Garden, the Fernery has become an iconic part of the Morris Arboretum & Gardens. Its glittering rooftop welcoming visitors into a peaceful space filled with ferns, trickling waterfalls, and reflecting pools. A wonderful place to explore in all seasons. Download a Self-guided Tour of the Fernery Take a self-guided tour of the Fernery on your next visit. The Dorrance H. Hamilton Fernery is the only freestanding fernery left in North America and is home to over 200 different species of ferns and fern allies. During this tour, you will be introduced to some of the most notable ferns in the current collection. …
Summer Camp www.morrisarboretum.org/learn-discover/kids-families/summer-camp
Summer Camp Summer Camp Image Image Summer Camp 2025 Awaken your child’s curiosity and nurture their appreciation for nature by registering them for Morris Arboretum & Gardens' Nature Explorers Camp. Led by experienced educators, our goal is to inspire new generations of environmentally aware citizen scientists. Registration → Image To receive the member pricing for camp, you must be a current member at the Family level or above . The system to purchase or renew memberships will be down from January 13 – February 13 . If your membership is not current and you want to take advantage of member pricing for camp, please renew before January 13 . *Please Note: We are a small camp, but we strive to offer a nature camp experience to as many children as possible. We request that each child is registered for a MAXIMUM OF 3 WEEKS OF CAMP. Because our checkout experience also tends to get overwhelmed with web traffic, having fewer weeks in your cart improves your chances of success at checkout. If you are interested in registering for more than three weeks, you may do so beginning January 30 for as many additional weeks as you would like, or you may join the waitlist at that time. Because our registration is so early and plans do change, waitlist spots often become available. If you are already registered for three weeks but are offered a spot from the waitlist, your child can attend for as many additional weeks as you like. When enrollment is full, you can register for the waitlist using the same link. There is no charge to be waitlisted, and spots often become available between now and summer. To receive the member pricing for camp, you must be a current member at the Family level or above. ** Please note that the system to purchase or renew memberships will be down from January 13 – February 13 . If your membership is not current and you want to take advantage of member pricing for camp, please renew before January 13 . How to Register Pay online through …
Signature Gardens www.morrisarboretum.org/gardens-trees/signature-gardens
Signature Gardens Signature Gardens Image Rose Garden Image Photo: Rob Cardillo The Rose Garden was created in 1888 and is one of the oldest features of the Morris estate. Originally comprised of fruits, vegetables, flowers, a few roses, and a specimen chestnut tree, Lydia Morris transformed this mixed garden into a Rose Garden in 1924. Once a monoculture of roses, today the Rose Garden contains a mix of roses, perennials, annuals and woody plants with height elements and garden ornaments added to create a look reminiscent of the Victorian era. English Park Image Photo: Rob Cardillo John Morris created the English Park around 1912, filling it mainly with plants from China. In keeping with English tradition, the area provides light and open vistas of the surrounding landscape. Today, the English Park is marked by gently rolling lawns bordered by significant collections of maples, witchhazels, dogwoods, cherries, and stewartias. One of the most noticeable features of the English Park which remains today is the Step Fountain. The fountain was commissioned by Lydia Morris in 1916 in honor of her brother John who had died shortly before. In 1988, the Step Fountain underwent a restoration and the sculpture “After B.K.S. Iyengar” was installed. Rock Wall Garden Image The Rock Wall Garden was built in 1924, about the same time the area was changed into a Rose Garden. The six-foot-high wall is made of Wissahickon schist, and is filled with a variety of perennials. It is a sunny, south-facing location, with well-drained, cool cracks, providing conditions similar to those in alpine regions. Plants with short stems, dense, tough or hairy foliage and those with long fibrous roots or taproots grow well in this environment. The wall provides a unique display for colorful cascading plants in early spring. The Alice & J. Liddon Pennock Flower Walk Image A garden of vibrant color and texture, the Alice and J. Liddon Pennock Flower Walk represents the realization of a dream …