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Pennsylvania

Topiaries, Pleasure Gardens and Botanical Gems in Philadelphia and Beyond

Program No. 21967RJ

Join local experts to explore Longwood Gardens, the Mount Cuba Center, Ladew Topiary Gardens, Chanticleer, the Barnes Foundation’s Arboretum and more!

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6 days

5 nights

11 meals

5B 3L 3D

Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner

Philadelphia, PA

Bartram's Garden, Longwood Gardens

Philadelphia, PA

Wyck, Morris Arboretum

Philadelphia, PA

Chanticleer Garden, Free Time

Philadelphia, PA

Ladew Topiary Gardens, Mt. Cuba Center

Philadelphia, PA

Barnes Foundation Arboretum, Program Concludes

Philadelphia, PA

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At a Glance

Philadelphia is a little-known hub for some of the finest botanical gardens on the East Coast. Discover an array of hidden horticultural gems not just in Philadelphia, but also within a short drive of it in Delaware, Maryland and surrounding townships. Join gardening experts for a special exploration of the native plants of the Mount Cuba Center in Delaware, the sculptured greenery of Ladew Topiary Gardens in Maryland, the pleasure gardens of Chanticleer in Pennsylvania, and the beautiful botanical gardens of Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. Expert-led field trips to Morris Arboretum and the Arboretum of the Barnes Foundation, among others, offer additional opportunities to thrill in the natural beauty of some of the region’s premier gardens.

Activity Level

Keep the Pace

Walking and standing for up to two hours.

Small Group

Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

Explore botanical treasures at Chanticleer, a pleasure garden, and Longwood Gardens' Glass Conservatory.
Hear the story of John Bartram — the father of American botany — at his historic home and gardens.
Journey to Maryland to explore the Ladew Topiary Gardens, considered the finest topiary garden in the country.

General Notes

Join us in Philadelphia as we celebrate, "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" - 250 years of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Featured Expert

All trip experts

Tish Byrne

An artist and historian, Tish Byrne is passionate about all aspects of her native city and its environment after having lived in and led explorations at the Physick House, which belongs to Philadelphia Landmarks. She is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts later becoming an administrative assistant to the Director of the school. Presently, she leads excursions for the mural arts program, is a docent at Historic Christ Church and leads explorations of Philadelphia landmarks.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Tish Byrne View biography

Mitchell Kramer View biography

Mitchell Kramer has a B.A. in playwriting from Hampshire College and attended Circle in the Square acting conservatory. He has worked off-Broadway and in regional theater including the New York Theater Workshop and Dorset Theater Festival. He is a costumed Historic Interpreter portraying Benjamin Franklin in Old City Philadelphia. Mitchell has written and produced plays for children and adults and a series of historically accurate stories about 18th century Philadelphia for Historic Philadelphia, Inc. He is on the Board of Directors of Mount Sinai Cemetery.

Jenny Rose Carey View biography

Jenny Rose is an educator, historian, author and former senior director at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Meadowbrook Farm in Jenkintown. An avid, hands-on gardener who has worked in both England and the United States, she has lectured nationally and internationally for many years. Jenny Rose and her gardens have been featured on the PBS series 'The Victory Garden' and in the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Grow magazine and the Pennsylvania Gardener. Her latest book, 'Glorious Shade,' was released in 2017.

Lauren Kain View biography

Lauren Biddle Kain is the site coordinator for Philadelphia Landmarks Road Scholar. She received her BS/BA from Randolph Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. After marriage and transfer to the San Diego area, she began working at EVENT NETWORK, a leading experiental retail operator, on behalf of cultural attractions such as zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, museums, science centers and other cultural attractions. Lauren and her family now reside in the Philadelphia area. She started working with Road Scholar as a junior Group Leader for Grandparent Programs.

Kirk Brown View biography

Kirk Brown has won landscape design awards from the Perennial Plant Association, Association of Professional Landscape Designers, and Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association. He represented Joanne Kostecky Garden Design as a leader in the design/build industry. He is a past president of www.GardenComm.com and in 2021 was inducted into their Hall of Fame. He worked as Outreach Coordinator for America’s Oldest Ornamental Garden. He has delivered hundreds of keynote addresses, guest lectures, teaching symposiums, and certified instruction over the past quarter century.

Suggested Reading List (20 books)

Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop

You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

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Topiaries, Pleasure Gardens and Botanical Gems in Philadelphia and Beyond

Program Number: 21967

List of Woody Plant Materials

by Barnes Foundation Arboretum

Native Plants of the Northeast: A Guide for Gardening and Conservation

by by Donald J. Leopold

If you've always wanted to garden with native plants, this book is for you. With entries for nearly 700 species of native trees, shrubs, vines, ferns, grasses, and wildflowers from the northeastern quarter of the U.S. and eastern Canada, its comprehensive horticultural coverage is unsurpassed by any other single volume. The natural ranges of many of the plants discussed extend beyond the Northeast; the information on horticultural uses applies to any garden. Each plant description includes information about cultivation and propagation, ranges, and hardiness. An appendix recommends particular plants for difficult situations, as well as attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, and other wildlife. Illustrated throughout with color photographs.

Private Gardens of Philadelphia

by Nicole Juday

The Life and Gardens of Harvey Ladew

by Christopher Weeks

Travels through North South Carolina, Georgia, East and West Florida.

by Bartram, William

Chanticleer: A Pleasure Garden

by Adrian Higgins

, A GUIDE TO THE GREAT GARDENS OF THE PHILADELPHIA REGION

by Author: Adam Levine Illustrator: Rob Cardillo

Finally, for every resident and visitor to the region, a comprehensive guide to the gardens of eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and northern Delaware. Magnificently illustrated with nearly 200 full color photographs, A GUIDE TO THE GREAT GARDENS OF THE PHILADELPHIA REGION provides essential information on how to locate and enjoy the finest gardens the area has to offer. As the horticultural epicenter of the United States, Philadelphia and the surrounding towns, suburbs, and countryside are blessed with more public gardens in a concentrated area than almost any other region in the world.a Stretching from Trenton, New Jersey through Philadelphia and down to Newark, Delaware, this area (often called the Delaware Valley) offers more horticultural riches than a visitor can possibly see even in a couple of weeks of hectic garden-hopping. In A GUIDE TO THE GREAT GARDENS OF THE PHILADELPHIA REGION you will find: Detailed coverage of almost 100 gardens

Plant Exploration for Longwood Gardens

by Tomasz Anisko

The Ultimate Flower Gardener’s Guide: How to Combine Shape, Color, and Texture to Create the Garden of Your Dreams

by Jenny Rose Carey

Mt. Cuba

by Rick J. & Jeanne Frett Lewandowski

Native Trees for North American Landscapes.

by Sternberg, Guy, and Jim Wilson

The Natures of John and William Bartram

by Thomas P. Slaughter

John Bartram "Father of American Botony"

Restoring American Gardens: An Encyclopedia of Heirloom Ornamental Plants

by Adams, Denise Wiles.

Glorious Shade: Dazzling Plants, Design Ideas, and Proven Techniques for Your Shady Garden Glorious Shade: Dazzling Plants, Design Ideas, and Proven Techniques for Your Shady Garden

by Jenny Rose Carey

The Art of Gardening: Design Inspiration and Innovative Planting Techniques from Chanticleer

by R. William Thomas

Discover a world of beauty and creativity! Chanticleer has been called the most romantic, imaginative, and exciting public garden in America. It is a place of pleasure and learning, relaxing yet filled with ideas to take home. And now those lessons are available for everyone in this stunning book! You’ll learn techniques specific to different conditions and plant palettes; how to use hardscape materials in a fresh way; and how to achieve the perfect union between plant and site. And Rob Cardillo’s exquisite photographs of exciting combinations will be sure to stimulate your own creativity. Whether you’re already under Chanticleer’s spell or have yet to visit, The Art of Gardening will enable you to bring the special magic that pervades this most artful of gardens into your own home landscape.

Gardner’s Art Through the Ages, 10th edition.

by Helen Gardner

Observations on the Inhabitants, Climate, Soil, Rivers, Productions, Animals and other matters worth of Notice.

by Bartram, John

Field Guide: 14 Gorgeous Philly-Area Gardens and Arboretums to Visit Now

by SANDY HINGSTON, EMILY LEAMAN AND ASHLEY PRIMIS

The Signature of All Things.

by Gilbert, Elizabeth

Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, and the Shaping of the American Nation.

by Wulf, Andrea.

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Topiaries, Pleasure Gardens and Botanical Gems in Philadelphia and Beyond

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At a Glance

Best of all, you’ll…

General Notes

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