PHILADELPHIA - If you're planning a trip to the Philadelphia area, you may want to consider visiting one of the many arboretums or gardens in the area. Philadelphia has several to choose from, including Longwood Gardens, the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, Tyler Arboretum, and the Awbury Arboretum. These sites have something for all ages and are perfect for families.
PHILADELPHIA - If you're planning a trip to the Philadelphia area, you may want to consider visiting one of the many arboretums or gardens in the area. Philadelphia has several to choose from, including Longwood Gardens, the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, Tyler Arboretum, and the Awbury Arboretum. These sites have something for all ages and are perfect for families.Longwood Gardens
The 50-acre public garden is a National Historic Landmark located on the banks of the Tidal Schuylkill River in Southwest Philadelphia. Known as Philadelphia's Garden of Eden, this garden is a living laboratory and a venue for art and nature. The gardens are also a living classroom. The garden has over 11,000 varieties of plants from over 27 countries, including some native to the Philadelphia area. It also includes fountains, statues, and woodlands. The gardens are open all year, and visitors can enjoy different seasonal displays. In addition to the garden's beauty, the grounds also include a restaurant and a gift shop. Longwood Gardens is one of the Philadelphia area's best places for botanical lovers to visit. Often referred to as the world's premier horticultural exhibition space, this garden is a must-see in Philly. It features beautiful gardens, majestic fountains, and opulent conservatories.
Morris Arboretum
The University of Pennsylvania is home to the Morris Arboretum, the official arboretum of Pennsylvania. It is located at 100 East Northwestern Avenue in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Arboretum's botanical garden is home to some of the state's most spectacular plants and trees. The arboretum, which has over 13,000 plants from 27 countries, is an interdisciplinary center that integrates art, science, and the humanities. Founded by John Morris, the Arboretum has been growing unique plants and trees for over 100 years. It is set in a 92-acre Victorian landscape garden with winding paths and streams. The Morris Arboretum's collection of scientifically documented plants dates back to the late 1800s. Today, the Arboretum has over 12,000 plants labeled with their scientific names. Many of the plants are native to temperate regions of the world. The Morrises collected plants during their many trips to other countries. In the late 1800s, E.H. Wilson collected plants from China. Their collection includes flowering cherries and conifers.
Awbury Arboretum
The Awbury Arboretum is a nonprofit arboretum in Germantown, Philadelphia. It is open to the public daily and is free to visit. It was founded in 1916 and became a nonprofit in 1984. The Arboretum is home to many types of plants and is open for visitors year-round. Located in Germantown, the Awbury Arboretum was once the summer home of a wealthy Quaker family. The family hired landscape architect William Saunders to design the garden and then donated it to the public. The Arboretum has a pond, a natural-material playground, and a farm. The arboretum also has a variety of educational programs and classes for children. Visitors can tour the arboretum by car, train, or public transit. There are free parking lots, and the grounds are open year-round.
Centennial Arboretum
The Centennial Arboretum is a Philadelphia-area arboretum located in the Horticulture Center in Fairmount Park. It is free to visit and open daily. The arboretum is open year-round at the southeast corner of Montgomery and Belmont Drives. The Arboretum is made up of 134 acres of beautiful plants and landscapes. There are trails, wetlands, ponds, woods, and wildflowers. It is also the nation's only living museum dedicated to native plants. The Arboretum is particularly stunning during the fall months.
The Philadelphia area has long been known as the "heartland" of arboretums in the United States. They were founded in the 17th century by Quaker botanists who valued the importance of native plants. Early Philadelphia arboretums incorporated European and North American species and a global perspective. These gardens also focus on public education.
