Public Gardens and Arboretums | Philadelphia Tri-State | Stephen Coan Garden Design

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Public Gardens & Arboretums

This is a curated list of public gardens and arboretums in the Philadelphia tri-state (NJ/PA/DE), plus a few exceptional destinations just beyond the region that are well worth the trip. Use it for seasonal inspiration, plant learning, and to experience mature, plant-forward landscapes with real structure and long-term legibility.

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LONGWOOD GARDENS

Longwood Gardens, established by Pierre S. du Pont (1870-1954), is a world-class Garden located in Kennett Square, PA.

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The High Line is an inner-city elevated train-track garden in New York City running through Chelsea. This is a very extensive site that includes a plant list for the seasonal blooms and plantings by Piet Oudolf. Google maps has added a virtual tour of the park. Go to http://maps.google.com/ and type in "High Line Elevated Park, New York, NY" and zoom in to view the entire length.

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MT. CUBA CENTER

Mt. Cuba Center is dedicated to the study, conservation, and appreciation of plants native to the Appalachian Piedmont Region through garden display, education, and research. Located in Hockessin, DE.

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CHANTICLEER GARDENS

Chanticleer is one of the great public gardens of the Philadelphia Region located in Wayne, PA.

One of the newest treasures in the region, Calder Gardens blends modern art and natural beauty into a peaceful, contemplative space along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.

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THE MORRIS ARBORETUM

The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania is an interdisciplinary center that integrates art, science and the humanities.

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BARTRAM'S GARDEN

Bartram’s Garden is many things to many people: a home for horticulture, an ancient riverfront, an African Diaspora farm, and a place of untold histories.

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THE PHILADELPHIA RAIL PARK

The Reading Viaduct Project in Philadelphia is an attempt to reclaim the old Reading elevated train trestle and turn it into an elevated park similar to the High Line in Manhattan NYC.

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BOWMAN'S HILL WILDFLOWER PRESERVE:

Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve inspires the appreciation and use of native plants by serving as a sanctuary and an educational resource for conservation and stewardship.

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THE SCOTT ARBORETUM

The Scott Arboretum is the Swarthmore College campus in Swarthmore PA.

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TAYLOR ARBORETUM

Taylor Arboretum in Wallingford, PA is dedicated to promote the "health, enjoyment and education of the public in perpetuity"

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TYLER ARBORETUM

Tyler Arboretum encompasses 650 acres of horticultural collections, rare plant specimens, ancient trees, historic buildings and extensive hiking trails.

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A stunning mansion featuring the most significant collection of American decorative arts in the world. A world-class naturalistic garden set within 1,000 acres of rolling hills, streams, meadows, and forests. A leader in the preservation and study of cultural heritage.

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THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL ARBORETUM

The United States National Arboretum is living museum that is used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for research and education. Located in Washington, DC.

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THE UNITED STATES BOTANIC GARDEN

The United States Botanic Garden provides "living laboratories" for environmental, horticultural, and botanical education in a contemplative setting. Located in Washington, DC.

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BATTERY PARK CITY PARKS CONSERVANCY

The Battery Park City Parks Conservancy is another amazing inner-city park system in New York City's Battery Park area.

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PHILADELPHIA MAGIC GARDENS

The Philadelphia Magic Gardens is a wonderful and magical artistic garden created by the artist Isaiah Zagar at 10th and South Streets in Philadelphia.

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FERRET HOLLOW GARDENS

A small Certified Wildlife Habitat and Certified Polllinator Habitat Garden located in Collingswood, NJ. It is the demonstration garden for the Collingswood NJ Community Habitat Project. It's open to the public once a year during the town's Garden Tour. Private visits upon request.

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