The Spark Explores the Morris Arboretum and Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania
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Asia Tabb
AIRED; January 28, 2026
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For those who picture a small, quiet garden when they hear the word “arboretum,” the Morris Arboretum and Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania may come as a surprise.
Spanning 92 acres in Philadelphia’s Chestnut Hill neighborhood, the Morris Arboretum and Gardens is a public space that blends history, science, conservation, and beauty — and it’s been doing so for more than 90 years.
“The Morris Arboretum and Gardens is part of the University of Pennsylvania,” said Stephanie Bruneau, who works in education at the Arboretum. “It’s a 92-acre public garden about 15 miles away from Penn’s campus, in the very northwest corner of the city. It’s a gorgeous place to come with your family, to go for a walk, to see beautiful trees, cultivated garden spaces, wild natural areas, and just explore.”
Before it became a public destination, the Arboretum was a private estate owned by siblings John and Lydia Morris. In the early 1900s, the brother and sister assembled the property by purchasing several smaller parcels of land, eventually creating a sprawling estate filled with trees, gardens, and architectural features.
“Upon their death, they left their grounds to the University of Pennsylvania,” Bruneau said. “In 1932, the Arboretum opened to the public as part of Penn.”
Today, the Morris Arboretum and Gardens serves multiple roles at once: a public garden, a living museum, and a research and educational institution focused on environmental conservation.
“We’re a living history museum of trees and garden spaces,” Bruneau said. “We’re also a place of research focused on environmental conservation and education, as well as a beautiful garden to come and visit with your family or on your own.”
While arboretums are technically defined as curated collections of trees, Bruneau says the Morris goes far beyond that definition. In fact, the institution officially added “and Gardens” to its name to better reflect what visitors experience when they walk through its gates.
“The Morris is so much more than trees,” she said. “We have many different garden spaces to explore — gardens of different scales and different focuses. There’s a Victorian fernery, seasonal garden exhibits, and places where you can wander and see different plants in bloom throughout the year.”
The Arboretum’s historical significance was formally recognized in 1978, when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. That designation highlights not only its landscape design and plant collections, but also its rare and well-preserved structures.
“It was recognized for its unique collection of trees from around the world and its Victorian-era landscape design,” Bruneau said. “There are historic features like an 18th-century mill that’s still functioning and a 1908 pump house that still pumps water. Those kinds of features are really rare to have intact and operational.”
One of the most surprising aspects of the Morris Arboretum and Gardens is that it offers something new to see in every season — even winter.
“Something I love about the Morris is that every week there’s something different that’s interesting,” Bruneau said. “Even in the winter, there’s always something to notice.”
Right now, that includes winter-blooming witch hazels, snowdrops pushing through the snow, and holly shrubs heavy with colorful berries.
“We actually have the largest collection of witch hazel, I think, in the country,” she said. “They bloom in shades of yellow, orange, and sometimes pink, and they’re really resistant to the cold. Seeing that in winter can really lift your spirits.”
While spring and summer are popular times to visit, Bruneau encourages people not to overlook the quieter months.
“Sometimes I think the off-season is the best season,” she said. “When do we need to see something beautiful that connects us to the natural world more than in February? Seeing a flower bloom when you don’t expect it is incredibly heart-lifting.”
Whether it’s a sunny summer afternoon or a cold winter day, the Morris Arboretum and Gardens continues to offer visitors a place to slow down, explore, and reconnect with nature — right in the heart of Philadelphia.
