Visit the Palmer Museum of Art’s summer exhibit, Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper, and then stroll through the Arboretum to see some of the plants used to make this type of paper.
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If you’re eager to see beautiful blooms, now is a great time to visit the Rose and Fragrance Garden at the Arboretum’s H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens. You won’t want to miss the short bloom period (usually only 1 to 2 weeks) of the hybrid tree peonies!
Magnolias are incredibly diverse, appearing in many forms, colors, and sizes, and they are actually the defining genus of an entire order of plants, the Magnoliales, whose members also include the pawpaw, tulip trees, and custard apples.
The nodding, bell-shaped inflorescences of the Lenten rose resemble muted, antique-hued hoop skirts. Hellebore blooms open as early as December in some areas, and their color and form persist for up to 4 or 5 months!
As the daylight and temperatures increase, a noteworthy plant emerging from the dormant winter landscape can be seen. Scilla, commonly referred to as squill, is a member of the Asparagaceae family and is a perennial herbaceous plant.
Flowering bulbs are often the first sign of spring, with some pushing their blooms through the snow as early as February and March. Learn about the species and varieties in the Arboretum’s permanent collections by using our interactive bulb map.
Witch hazels are large deciduous shrubs that offer year-round ornamental interest in the landscape, including fragrant flowers in the winter, spring, and fall (depending on the species).
Spring’s arrival may still feel out of reach here in Central Pennsylvania, however, there are still many evergreen plants on display adding seasonal interest to your Arboretum winter walk!
Our skilled horticulture team, staff, and volunteers have been hard at work creating holiday cheer. Take a stroll through the gardens this winter season and view our festive seasonal displays, complete with planted containers, decorated trees, hand-made wreaths, and winter light displays!
As the autumn leaves fall and the vibrant foliage fades, few plants will stand out in the gray of winter. One such plant is Cornus sericea, commonly known as the red-twig dogwood or red-osier dogwood.