Category: Horticulture

February 22, 2024

Joel’s Wisdom in the Garden: Remembered by Mandy Katz

In fond memory of Curator Joel T. Fry (February 22, 1957–March 21, 2023) Almost one year past the date of Joel’s surprising illness and death, I still find myself in…

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yellow and orange maple leaves
October 24, 2023

Free yard trees available for Southwest Philadelphia residents!

Hey Southwest Philadelphia neighbors! Would you like a free tree for your yard? Register by November 7! In partnership with TreePhilly and the ROOTS Tree Crew, sign-ups are now available to…

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April 10, 2023

It’s time for spring planting!

Spring plant catalog is now available! Shop at our Welcome Center beginning April 15.

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Sketch of Ailanthus Altissima leaves. Labeled as "'Rhus sinense foliis alatis, foliolis oblongis acuminata, ad basin subrotundis & dentati"
December 15, 2022

Ailanthus: John Bartram and Philadelphia’s Most Notorious Tree

Few trees define America’s urban environments more than Ailanthus altissima, or the “Tree-of-Heaven.” If you are not familiar with that name, you are undoubtedly familiar with the tree itself. Ailanthus…

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September 20, 2022

William Bartram, Indigenous Botany, and the Roots of American Medicine

Eighteenth century American medicine was closely tied to botanical knowledge. While the Bartrams’ contribution to early American medicine through their relationships with physicians in Philadelphia is well-documented, what is less…

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August 3, 2022

The Bartrams, the White Mulberry Tree, and the Story of American Silk

The Bartrams were a family of natural scientists who would happily collect and cultivate almost any plant, but they were not immune to acquiring plants that carried the allure of…

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July 21, 2022

Summer Gardening Tips

With the summer heat rising in the city, the plants in our gardens undergo a lot of stress. Plants that are stressed are more susceptible to insect damage and diseases…

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March 17, 2022

Ready for spring planting?

Spring plant catalogue now available! Shop at our Welcome Center beginning April 1.

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August 17, 2021

Franklinia Series: Franklinia alatamaha’s near relation – The Loblolly Bay

Passages taken from “Franklinia alatamaha, A History of That “Very Curious” Shrub” by Joel T. Fry, in Bartram Broadside, Special Franklinia Edition, published by the John Bartram Association for the…

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I'm interested in:

Biking & Walking

Birds

Boating & Fishing

Flowers, Plants & Trees

Gardening

History

Kids' Activities

Sankofa Community Farm

Southwest Philadelphia

Water Quality

Workshops, Wellness & Culture

Youth Internships

I'm interested in:

Biking & Walking

Stroll the Schuylkill River Trail or join us for biking!

Birds

Look up! More than 100 species of birds rely on this ecosystem.

Boating & Fishing

Enjoy all that the Tidal Schuylkill River has to offer.

Flowers, Plants & Trees

See what’s blooming, find a favorite tree, and stroll the gardens and natural lands.

Gardening

Bring the Garden home! Shop for plants or grow food, trees, and more.

History

Uncover the interconnected stories of this historic site.

Kids' Activities

Join us year-round to learn, make, share, and wonder.

Sankofa Community Farm

“Go back and get it!” Growing food sovereignty with an African Diaspora focus.

Southwest Philadelphia

Resources and opportunities especially for neighbors in Southwest Philly.

Water Quality

Find our latest data on the river’s bacteria levels and recent rainfall.

Workshops, Wellness & Culture

Enjoy upcoming workshops, self-care, and events. Are you a Southwest artist? Let’s partner!

Youth Internships

Calling Southwest students: paid internships available with the river, the farm, and the trees.