Morris Arboretum—Spring 2024

By FCGN member Jeff Schuetz

Morris Arboretum was the fourth of six gardens my wife Nita Beck and I visited during our trip to Philadelphia in the spring of 2024. (92 acres; paid admission; morrisarboretum.org)

The arboretum originated in 1877 as the private estate of siblings John and Lydia Morris. Having traveled widely, they incorporated formal, European, and Japanese garden influences into the arboretum. It was bequeathed to the University of Pennsylvania as a public garden and education center and opened to the public in 1933.

Today the Morris Arboretum offers a wide variety of experiences including a well-labeled woodland garden near the visitor center, a fascinating tree-top walkway and platform area, one of the only remaining ferneries (greenhouses focused on ferns) in the U.S., water features, a redwood grove, sculpture, Japanese gardens, outstanding tree specimens, and more.

There is also a strong horticultural program open to the public. The more developed areas are concentrated closer to the visitor center, but the more relaxed and open areas further out are worth the effort. A rewarding experience overall.

Photos © 2024 Jeff Schuetz

A historic stone building with a steep, shingled roof, surrounded by trees and a brick sidewalk outside. Several people are walking near the entrance, and lamps are standing along the pathway.

A historic stone building with a steep, shingled roof, surrounded by trees and a brick sidewalk outside. Several people are walking near the entrance, and lamps are standing along the pathway.

People walking on a metal walkway around trees in a lush, green park or natural setting.

People walking on a metal walkway around trees in a lush, green park or natural setting.

A lush garden with well-manicured grass, flower beds, and trees under a clear blue sky. Several people are seen enjoying the garden; some sit on benches, while others walk along the paths. There is a small pavilion in the background.

A lush garden with well-manicured grass, flower beds, and trees under a clear blue sky. Several people are seen enjoying the garden; some sit on benches, while others walk along the paths. There is a small pavilion in the background.

A landscaped garden with a stone retaining wall covered in purple and yellow flowering plants, a grassy lawn with small flower beds, a wooden bench, a large clay pot, and trees and shrubs in the background.

A landscaped garden with a stone retaining wall covered in purple and yellow flowering plants, a grassy lawn with small flower beds, a wooden bench, a large clay pot, and trees and shrubs in the background.

Large glass greenhouse with a domed central section and extended sections, surrounded by trees and outdoor furniture on a stone patio.

Large glass greenhouse with a domed central section and extended sections, surrounded by trees and outdoor furniture on a stone patio.

Lush indoor botanical garden with tropical plants, a stone pathway, and a glass ceiling.

Lush indoor botanical garden with tropical plants, a stone pathway, and a glass ceiling.

Close-up of green moss-covered ground with small plants and vines, including one with long, narrow leaves.

Close-up of green moss-covered ground with small plants and vines, including one with long, narrow leaves.

Various green leafy plants growing among moss and rocks in a natural garden setting.

Various green leafy plants growing among moss and rocks in a natural garden setting.

A person walking down a stone staircase in a lush garden with green trees and a large red-leafed tree.

A person walking down a stone staircase in a lush garden with green trees and a large red-leafed tree.

A small log cabin with a mossy shingled roof is situated in a lush green forest, next to a narrow creek with a small waterfall, surrounded by ferns and trees.

A small log cabin with a mossy shingled roof is situated in a lush green forest, next to a narrow creek with a small waterfall, surrounded by ferns and trees.

A lush garden with a small stone waterfall cascading into a pebble-lined stream surrounded by various green plants and trees.

A lush garden with a small stone waterfall cascading into a pebble-lined stream surrounded by various green plants and trees.

Purple flowers growing among bright green heart-shaped leaves in a garden

Purple flowers growing among bright green heart-shaped leaves in a garden

A bronze statue of a young boy sitting on a rock, with one leg crossed over the other, located in a niche with a stone wall background.

A bronze statue of a young boy sitting on a rock, with one leg crossed over the other, located in a niche with a stone wall background.

Eastern White pine with broom (mutation)

Eastern White pine with broom (mutation)

Podophyllum 'Spotty Dotty' (Chinese Mayapple)

Podophyllum 'Spotty Dotty' (Chinese Mayapple)

Stone steps leading up to a waterfall with rocks and lush green plants in a wooded area.

Stone steps leading up to a waterfall with rocks and lush green plants in a wooded area.

Green leafy plants with small yellow flowers, surrounded by ferns and mosses in a garden setting.

Green leafy plants with small yellow flowers, surrounded by ferns and mosses in a garden setting.

Green park with trees and grass, sculpture in the center, large tree trunk on the right with a plaque, and a winding path in the background.

Green park with trees and grass, sculpture in the center, large tree trunk on the right with a plaque, and a winding path in the background.

Pathway in a garden flanked by vibrant purple and pink azalea bushes with lush green trees in the background.

Pathway in a garden flanked by vibrant purple and pink azalea bushes with lush green trees in the background.

A park with a winding pathway, green grass, and various trees. Two people are walking near the center, and a modern sculpture is on the left side.

A park with a winding pathway, green grass, and various trees. Two people are walking near the center, and a modern sculpture is on the left side.