Weekend Picks: June in Bloom

This weekend, it's all about the June blooms! The gardens are looking lush and full of color, especially our Rose Garden. The Rose Garden, created in 1888, is one of the oldest features of the estate and was originally a flower garden with a marble fountain as a central feature, with four quadrants containing boxed-edged walks in between. The addition of the summer house and Italianate balustrades 20 years later made this a truly special garden feature.

Summer house seen in the far corner of the rose garden. Photo: Paul W. Meyer

Rose Garden with Pansies, Urn and Pavilion circa 1924. Photo: Gleason, Herbert W. / Morris Arboretum Archives

Giant allium (seen here, purple flowers) add whimsy to the landscape. Photo: Paul W. Meyer

Photo: Stephanie McNabb

Photo: Stephanie McNabb

Weekend Picks: Mom Edition

Photo: Ryan Estes Photography

 

Our Guide to Mother's Day Weekend

This weekend is Mother's Day (aren't you glad we reminded you?) and the garden has much to offer - whether it's a special outing or picking up a gift. Or, maybe mom just needs an afternoon of peace and quiet - in which case we've got the best place to bring the kiddos!

For Moms Who Want to Leisurely Stroll:

• Use our guide to What's in Bloom this May to lead your walk. Stop and smell the abundance of gorgeous flowers and their sweet scents. Get the Bloom Guide
• Our self-guided Sculpture Tour will take you off the beaten path, with a delightful surprise of a brand new sculpture along the way... Get the Tour Guide

 For the Perfect Last-Minute Gift

• You can't go wrong with flowers. Take it up a notch with a live, blooming plant that mom will enjoy for months or years. Shop the Plant Sale
• Did you know our Gift Shop stocks one-of-a-kind, artisan jewelry? And even more locally-made items that are sure to please. Stop by the Gift Shop

What To Do With the Kiddos

• Our new Sculpture Scavenger Hunt is sure to keep them busy all around the garden. Bonus: Kids who complete the activity get a free prize!  Get the Clue Sheet
• Out on a Limb is always a hit, but did you know there's a whole new Adventure Guide that can be completed as part of this garden feature? Check it out or pick up a passport at the Visitor Center

Happy Mother's Day! 

Weekend Picks: Early Bird Perks

Garden gates at sunrise.

 

Rise and shine, we've got a great Saturday filled with exploration for you!

Saturday, May 2:

• Early-Bird Hours: Garden opens at 8am! Every Saturday in May the garden opens early a 8am. It's the perfect time for some great bird-watching, unobstructed photography, or garden meditation.
   
• Birding in the Wetlands and Tree Canopy (8:00 - 11:00am) Join our experienced instructor as you explore some of the hotspots for birds at the Morris Arboretum. Registration required
   
• Garden Discovery Series Guess how old? Discover Dendrochronology (11:00am - 3:00pm)
  Guess the correct age of the tree cookie by counting the rings. Afterwards, decorate a tree cookie of your own! Free with garden admission. Takes place at 'Out on a Limb'.
   
•  Sculpture Scavenger Hunt (All day)
  Pick up a clue sheet and map at the Visitor’s Center or download one here. Solve the riddles to find the sculptures, each with a secret code. Guests who decipher the message will receive a complimentary pack of Play Doh® to create their own work of art!

Weekend Picks: Enjoy the Height of Spring

Morris Arboretum is bursting with spring blooms. From strength training to a leisurely stroll, we've got a variety of ways to enjoy the scenes.

• Friday, April 24 - Get Outside with Stroller Strides®!

  10:00 - 11:00am; Registration and payment required. 
  Stroller Strides® is a total fitness program that moms can do with their babies - it includes power walking, strength-training intervals, and body toning exercises using exercise tubing, the stroller, and the environment. Taught by a certified and specially trained instructor, it is a great workout for any level of exerciser.

• Saturday, April 25 - Arbor Day Family Day  

  11:00am - 3:00pm; Free with garden admission, takes place throughout the garden.
  Branch out as a naturalist and dig into learning about trees. Design a tree house, make a “tree map” with five different types of trees, create a street landscape with trees, learn how to “read” the life of a tree, and shadow an arborist to learn what’s involved in caring for trees.

• Sunday, April 26 - Enjoy the Magnificent Trees of Spring 

  Throughout the garden. Come see the diversity of our ornamental trees in bloom. A stunning array of cherries, magnolias, and dogwoods are now flowering.

Weekend Picks: Hit the Pavement and the Drums

This weekend take to our garden pathways for fitness, fun, and discovery.
 

Friday, April 10

Stroller Strides | 10:00 - 11:00am

Stroller Strides® is a total fitness program that moms can do with their babies - it includes power walking, strength-training intervals, and body toning exercises using exercise tubing, the stroller, and the environment. Taught by a certified and specially trained instructor, it is a great workout for any level of exerciser. Registration required. Try just one class or register for a package here.

Photo: Fit4Mom Chestnut Hill/Plymouth Meeting

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Saturday, April 11

Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival | 10:00am - 3:00pm

Join us as we celebrate the beauty of our cherry tree collection in bloom. The day will feature traditional Japanese cultural activities. Can't make it this weekend? The celebration continues on Saturday, April 18. All events are free with garden admission. See the full line-up here. 

Taiko drumming

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Sunday, April 12

Sculpture Scavenger Hunt | On-going, All Day

Come explore art in the garden at Morris Arboretum with our latest kids activity - Sculpture Scavenger Hunt. Pick up a clue sheet and map at the Visitor’s Center or download one here. Solve the riddles to find the sculptures, each with a secret code. Guests who decipher the message will receive a complimentary pack of Play Doh® to create their own work of art.

Don't forget to check out the latest addition to our sculpture collection - Patrick Dougherty's A Waltz in the Woods! 

'A Waltz in the Woods' by Patrick Dougherty at Morris Arboretum 2015

Looking for more weekend activities? Check out our events calendar.

Weekend Picks: Stickworks & Sunshine

Looking for something new and interesting to do this weekend? We've got some great ideas to get you out in the springtime sunshine!

Friday, April 3

Artists in the Garden Exhibit
This exhibition features artwork by students, alumni and faculty of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), held in conjunction with the PAFA exhibition, Artists in the Garden: American Impressionism and the Garden Movement, 1887 – 1920, February 13 – May 24, 2015.
Free with garden admission, free for Morris Arboretum and PAFA Members.

Pictured: Bill Hansen; Garden 9, Inkjet Pigment Print, 2012

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Saturday, April 4

Patrick Dougherty Stickwork Grand Opening!
Come be among the first to view the newest sculpture created by internationally renowned artist Patrick Dougherty. Designed and built on-site this artwork is composed entirely of locally gathered natural materials.
All day | Free with garden admission.

Kids’ Discovery Series: Calling Crafty Artists! 
Join us as we celebrate the opening of Patrick Dougherty’s magnificent creation. Come and design your own eco-friendly structure using all things from nature including vines, twigs, branches, and leaves. Happening at the lawn across from rose garden entrance.
11:00am - 3:00pm | Free with garden admission.

Photo: Susan Crane

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Sunday, April 5

Take a Guided Tour
Each tour is custom designed depending on the interests of attendees. First-time visitors may want a general tour of the Arboretum. Returning visitors may wish to learn more about our sculpture or big trees. If each attendee has a different interest, the guides will try to incorporate them all. The Arboretum is in your hands.
2:00 - 3:00pm | Free with garden admission.