5 Unsuspecting Reasons to Take a Guided Tour of the Morris Arboretum

1. Free Vitamin D

Unlike many of the plants you will see while strolling through the beautiful Morris Arboretum, we as humans do not photosynthesize. However, we do still need a healthy dose of sunlight! Vitamin D is vital for a healthy immune system, strong bones and teeth. So come grab some vitamin D while on one of our regularly scheduled guided tours. They are every Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm, and no reservations are necessary.

2.  Keep Your Mind Sharp

Learning new things is a great way to keep your mind sharp and the creative juices flowing. Engaging your brain will help to improve your memory and attitude.

This fall at the Arboretum join the Small Trees for Small Spaces tour. This one-hour guided tour will keep you engrossed by highlighting small trees that make a big impact. Check out the website for specific dates and details. Come learn something new and exercise your brain as you learn from the Arboretum’s knowledgeable guides.  

3.  Escape

Do you ever feel like you want to go on an adventure, but you just don’t have the time? No matter what the reason, we have the perfect remedy for you! Come find solace at the Morris Arboretum. As soon as you pass through the beautiful iron entrance gates, you get the sense that you are no longer in Philadelphia. Take a mini adventure on one of our guided tours through the striking gardens here at the Arboretum. You will learn fascinating history, and get lost in the compelling environment of the Arboretum. Escape your hectic lifestyle for an hour or so and come visit.  

4. Give a Unique Gift

Sometimes giving the gift of an experience is better than any material good. Generally, people are more likely to hold on to a memory of an experience, rather than a peculiar re-gifted garden gnome. Whether you are attending a birthday party, a retirement party, or a holiday event, we have the perfect gift idea for you.

The Arboretum offers group tours of many varieties. Regardless of interest, there is a tour for everyone. The Morris Arboretum offers tour topics such as: Art in the Garden; Japanese Elements; LEED Horticulture Center and Green Roofs Tour; Victorian Garden and many more. Check out our website to see the full list, or contact Lisa Bailey (baileyl@upenn.edu or 215.247.5777 x157) for more information and scheduling.

5. Nature Rx

If you are interested in slowing down, being unreasonably happy or de-stressing, come check out the Morris Arboretum! Nature has been proven to help do all of these things and more. The Morris Arboretum is a great place to come enjoy nature and a guided tour can help you facilitate your visit.

Article contributed by guest Garden Blogger Betsy Thompson.

Eye Spy: 6 Birds to Spot at the Arboretum Now

Cooper's Hawk Photo by Susan Marshall

Numerous lush trees, a variety of berry-laden shrubs, and several water sources make Morris Arboretum a prime spot for bird watching for both experts and amateurs alike. Next time you visit, bring your binoculars and your bird guide, or pick up a guide in the shop.

As you explore the arboretum, here are six birds that you might see this time of the year:

• Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii): Cooper’s Hawks are common in this area, but can be stealthy and quick. They prey on smaller birds or mammals, such as jays and chipmunks.
  Where: One glided swiftly over me as I was wandering the wetlands this weekend.
   
• American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis): The males of this New Jersey state bird are easy to spot in spring and summer because of their bright yellow bodies. If you want to attract finches to your own yard, plant Echinacea (purple coneflowers). As the flowers fade in mid to late August, the finches will show up to gather the seeds from the spiny flower heads.
  Where: I unintentionally frightened two males who were blending in with the yellow goldenrod flowers in the wetlands
  

  

  American Goldfinch Photo by Susan Marshall

  
   
• Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater): Cowbirds have increased in number over the years, sometimes at the expense of other birds. These brood parasites don’t build their own nests. Instead they lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, destroy the young of those birds, and the unknowing parents then raise the cowbird’s young.
  Where: I spotted several enjoying the birdfeeder next to the Fernery.

  

  Brown-headed Cowbird Photo by Susan Marshall

  
  
   
• Flycatcher (Empidonax sp.): It can be hard to tell the Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) from the Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum). They used to be considered the same species. Apparently the voice is the best way to tell them apart.
  Where: A little flycatcher was spying on me from the trees in the wetlands. I’m not sure if it was the Willow or the Alder.
  

  

  Willow Flycatcher Photo by Susan Marshall

  
   
• American Robin (Turdus migratorius): Most people associate robins with spring, however, they are around most of the year. Whole flocks of them can sometimes be found in the treetops in winter.
  Where: I saw several robins in the following areas: the wooded trail that goes from the Fernery to the wetlands, the shallow water of the Key Fountain, and beneath the trees near the Japanese Overlook

  

  American Robin Photo by Susan Marshall

  
   
• Mute Swans (Cygnus olor): It goes without saying, your visit to the arboretum is not complete until you’ve said hello to the two resident Mute Swans. Mute Swans usually mate for life. They are not totally mute, as the name implies, however, they are less vocal than other swans.
  Where: The Swan Pond. You will most likely see several ducks here, as well.
   

  

  Swans Photo by Donna Duncan

There are many other birds to be found at the arboretum. You don’t need to be an expert to seek out these birds, just observant. A bird guidebook and the arboretum’s seasonal bird list are great starting points. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds website  is a very helpful resource and BirdNote, a daily two-minute podcast, is a fun and easy way to learn more about birds. Also, Morris Arboretum offers several excellent bird classes and bird watching field trips each year. Look for some in the fall class catalog. 

What birds have you seen at the arboretum recently?

Article contributed by Kristen Bower, Guest Garden Blogger for Morris Arboretum

Treat Yourself: The Perfect Solo Outing at Morris Arboretum

Many of us visit the Arboretum with family and friends, however, have you ever treated yourself to a day out on your own? We get pulled in various directions daily by work, family, and other commitments. Sometimes we need to give ourselves a break, and find some “me” time. The Arboretum is a great place to reset your mind, rejuvenate your spirit, rekindle your creativity, and get some exercise at the same time. I recently took a “me” day at the Arboretum. Here are some of the things I did on my most recent solo outing that will hopefully inspire you to treat yourself to a day out.

• Took a morning class: I often start off a solo visit to the Arboretum with a weekend class. Learning something new is a great way to spark your inner creativity. I’ve taken classes in everything from botanical illustration and canning, to pruning and shade gardening. The atmosphere is fun and friendly, and I always meet new people with similar interests.

• Enjoyed a bite to eat at the Compton Café: The café behind the visitor center is so convenient, and saves me from having to leave the Arboretum to get food before exploring. The café offers soups, salads and sandwiches. It’s open seasonally, so check the hours before you go.

• Visited the Rose Garden: I can’t visit Morris Arboretum without stopping in the Rose Garden. It’s more than just roses. There are lots of interesting perennials and annuals in the garden beds, plus the plantings in the rock wall are fun to check out. On my visit, the place was alive with insects – all sorts of pollinators such as digger wasps, bumble bees, honey bees, tiger swallowtail butterflies, and hummingbird hawk-moths (large moths that are often mistaken for hummingbirds). I am a shutterbug, so I spent quite a bit of time taking photos of flowers and insects.
  

  

  Hummingbird Hawk-moth

  
  
  
  
• Enjoyed some quiet time: When on my own, I like to find the quiet, out of the way places. The area that encompasses the Key Fountain, Ravine Garden, Mercury Loggia, Seven Arches, and the Japanese Overlook garden is often less crowded, and you can find several peaceful places with shaded benches. I took my time sitting on as many of these benches as possible, enjoying the sounds of the birds, and breathing in the fresh air. Birds often visit the shallow water at the bottom of the Key Fountain, and there is a lovely spot to sit at the top where you can watch the bubbling water. The soothing sounds of water can also be heard from the benches across from the Mercury Loggia fountains. I also ventured into the Japanese Overlook garden, where I really enjoyed the stone formations, moss, lichen, and ferns. There is a shady, circular stone area to sit.
  

  

  Key Fountain

•  Explored a new area: I had never been to the wetland, and today seemed like a good day to check it out. To get there, I took the unpaved, woodland trail that starts next to the Fernery. As I walked this less-traveled dirt path, I saw a group of Canadian geese lazily floating down the Wissahickon Creek, and heard birds amongst the trees. As I reached the wetland, right away I could see what a peaceful, magical place it is. The bench by the pond is the perfect spot to reconnect with nature. You can hear insects in the grasses, frogs in the pond, various birds singing in the trees, and will most likely see some monarchs making their way toward the milkweed. Turtles sunbathe on rocks in the pond. I had downloaded and printed out the wetland tour from the website, and was able to read more about the history of this place and the native plants and creatures that call it home. It was the perfect way to end my “me” day at the Arboretum.
   

  

  Wetlands

 
I thoroughly enjoyed my solo day at the Arboretum and I hope I’ve inspired you to do it, too. It may seem like a luxury to treat yourself to a day at Morris Arboretum, but your mind and body will thank you for it. Taking the time to reconnect with nature can be healing, inspiring, and rejuvenating, and a lot less expensive than spending the day at the spa!

Article contributed by Kristen Bower, Guest Garden Blogger for Morris Arboretum