Its feeling very Spring-ish out today and I know everyone's jumping to finally enjoy nice weather again.
So I thought it would be fun to give us all something to look forward to!
Did you know Philly is so full of gardens and arboretums that its called the Garden Capital? Lets walk through some of the best, well and little-known, garden, arboretums and open spaces in the greater Philly area.
Bartram's Garden - Philadelphia
45 acres in a city-setting, founded in 1728, this botantical, agricultural and education-focused garden is a Philly gem. If the date didn't give it away, its also the oldest surviving botanical garden in the US. And because its right on the water, every Saturday is free boating day!
P.s. Its free and open to the public!
Chanticleer - Delaware County
Chanticleer is one-of-a-kind. Somehow, packed into 48 acres in Wayne are about 100 botanical gardens in one. It has a woodland with meandering stream, a ruins garden, tennis court gardens, several house gardens, a cut flower and vegetable garden, Asian woods, pond garden, a modern elevated walkway, a meadow garden.... the list goes on. And somehow none of it feels haphazard. Its one of the most well-planned gardens out there and is the go-to spot to get ideas for your own plantings (or dreams of one).
P.s. Friday evenings in the summer are open to BYO picnics!
Longwood Gardens - Chester County
I don't think I need to say much here - most people in the greater Philly area have heard of Longwood, even if they haven't visited yet. Its a world-class estate with over 1000 acres. Built by the duPont family, its an estate and garden that has spared no expense over the years. And today, its an exploration into gardening like no other.
In the warmer months, keep an eye out for rotating art exhibits integrated into the gardens and fantastic workshops and classes.
P.s. They have a lovely beer garden that is often paired with outdoors concerts in the summer!
Morris Arboretum
Morris Arboretum is one of the largest in the city, at 92 acres and landing just outside of Chestnut Hill.
Its also the official arboretum of Pennsylvania! Like many large gardens and arboretums, Morris is designed with several planned gardens. But it also is home to wide open spaces and sits on the edge of beautiful Montgomery County farm country. Its highlights include the Fernery, a Victorian greenhouse with incredible fern habitat, the Out on a Limb canopy walk, a Nature Play area open to kids exploration, the seasonal Garden Railway, and sculpture garden. Because its linked to the University of Pennsylvania as well, its also home to some serious plant research and consulting.
P.s. Morris is right on the edge of Chestnut Hill so make the day of it and explore nearby Woodmere Art Museum and stroll down the avenue of shops and restaurants!
Tyler Arboretum & Ridley Creek State Park
This is a surprisingly little known area for what is such a large chunk of green space. Within the walls of the 2600 acre state park of Ridley Creek just outside of Media, is the 650 acre Tyler Arboretum. Like many arboretums, Tyler is the product of an old estate with gardens dating back to 1681. Its known for its flowering trees like cherry, crabapple and magnolias and its looped trail that allows visitors to take them all in. Its also home to a butterfly garden, artist-created treehouses, an edible garden, and a giant Sequoia!
P.s. A hop, skip and a jump away is Ridley Creek's Colonial Plantation for an interactive historical experience and animal farm
Jenkins Arboretum
Jenkins seems simple, but its really an ode to natural and native plantings. This suburban-set arboretum is home to 48 acres of native plant varieties such as amazing rhododendrons and azaleas. It also is a great example of a woodland garden with a great set of shade plants!
P.s. Because they are all about native plantings, Jenkins sports a season-long plant sale where visitors can pick up something that will fit right into their home gardens!
Welkinweir
A Chester County estate with a 55 acre arboretum on the water. Its a great mix of old and new, with a farmhouse incorporating sections from 1750, the mid 1800s and 1940, its gardens similarly mix plantings from the last 100 years and a note to modern sustainability.
P.s. This is a great make-a-day or weekend out of it spot. There is a trail connector that takes visitors into the 7500+ acre French Creek State Park for camping and water sports plus there are numerous wineries in the area and several charming farm towns.
Wyck
There are several historic homes and buildings throughout Philly that are also fantastic examples of urban gardening, both from times past and current. However, Wyck is a little something special. In Germantown, this garden and farm is known for its roses. Its the oldest rose garden with original plans in the US. And there are many rare rose varieties in its fenced walls.
Wyck is also home to a home farm that showcases techniques in urban and chemical-free farming.
P.s. Wyck is home to bee hives and they celebrate it with an end-of-summer Honey Fest, along with neighboring gardens.
Also of note -
The Woodlands for its inventive Grave Gardeners program!
Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope, The Gardens at Mill Fleurs and Hortulus Farm - all stunning but a little further out
Meadowbrook Farm for its plant shop
Winterthur really belongs to Wilmington, DE but this duPont estate and large, rich gardens are worth the drive down
So I thought it would be fun to give us all something to look forward to!
Did you know Philly is so full of gardens and arboretums that its called the Garden Capital? Lets walk through some of the best, well and little-known, garden, arboretums and open spaces in the greater Philly area.
Bartram's Garden - Philadelphia
P.s. Its free and open to the public!
Chanticleer - Delaware County
P.s. Friday evenings in the summer are open to BYO picnics!
Longwood Gardens - Chester County
In the warmer months, keep an eye out for rotating art exhibits integrated into the gardens and fantastic workshops and classes.
P.s. They have a lovely beer garden that is often paired with outdoors concerts in the summer!
Morris Arboretum
Its also the official arboretum of Pennsylvania! Like many large gardens and arboretums, Morris is designed with several planned gardens. But it also is home to wide open spaces and sits on the edge of beautiful Montgomery County farm country. Its highlights include the Fernery, a Victorian greenhouse with incredible fern habitat, the Out on a Limb canopy walk, a Nature Play area open to kids exploration, the seasonal Garden Railway, and sculpture garden. Because its linked to the University of Pennsylvania as well, its also home to some serious plant research and consulting.
P.s. Morris is right on the edge of Chestnut Hill so make the day of it and explore nearby Woodmere Art Museum and stroll down the avenue of shops and restaurants!
Tyler Arboretum & Ridley Creek State Park
This is a surprisingly little known area for what is such a large chunk of green space. Within the walls of the 2600 acre state park of Ridley Creek just outside of Media, is the 650 acre Tyler Arboretum. Like many arboretums, Tyler is the product of an old estate with gardens dating back to 1681. Its known for its flowering trees like cherry, crabapple and magnolias and its looped trail that allows visitors to take them all in. Its also home to a butterfly garden, artist-created treehouses, an edible garden, and a giant Sequoia!
P.s. A hop, skip and a jump away is Ridley Creek's Colonial Plantation for an interactive historical experience and animal farm
Jenkins Arboretum
Jenkins seems simple, but its really an ode to natural and native plantings. This suburban-set arboretum is home to 48 acres of native plant varieties such as amazing rhododendrons and azaleas. It also is a great example of a woodland garden with a great set of shade plants!
P.s. Because they are all about native plantings, Jenkins sports a season-long plant sale where visitors can pick up something that will fit right into their home gardens!
Welkinweir
A Chester County estate with a 55 acre arboretum on the water. Its a great mix of old and new, with a farmhouse incorporating sections from 1750, the mid 1800s and 1940, its gardens similarly mix plantings from the last 100 years and a note to modern sustainability.
P.s. This is a great make-a-day or weekend out of it spot. There is a trail connector that takes visitors into the 7500+ acre French Creek State Park for camping and water sports plus there are numerous wineries in the area and several charming farm towns.
Wyck
There are several historic homes and buildings throughout Philly that are also fantastic examples of urban gardening, both from times past and current. However, Wyck is a little something special. In Germantown, this garden and farm is known for its roses. Its the oldest rose garden with original plans in the US. And there are many rare rose varieties in its fenced walls.
Wyck is also home to a home farm that showcases techniques in urban and chemical-free farming.
P.s. Wyck is home to bee hives and they celebrate it with an end-of-summer Honey Fest, along with neighboring gardens.
Also of note -
The Woodlands for its inventive Grave Gardeners program!
Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope, The Gardens at Mill Fleurs and Hortulus Farm - all stunning but a little further out
Meadowbrook Farm for its plant shop
Winterthur really belongs to Wilmington, DE but this duPont estate and large, rich gardens are worth the drive down
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