Learn all about Dutchman’s Pipe and the Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillars who feast on it in preparation for their pupal stage.
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From late May into July, one of the most popular and important native wildflowers will be blooming here in our gardens and prairies and along roadsides! Bloom time can extend into the early fall season, depending on the species.
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.
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!