Throughout his career, pioneering landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted created naturalistic masterpieces like the Arnold Arboretum through a guiding set of principles, including a strong belief in the essential benefits of parkland to urban health and democracy. His passion on this subject played a decisive role in Harvard University’s decision to give the Arboretum’s land […]
Among the core values of the Arnold Arboretum is a commitment to social justice, which includes fostering an environment for diversity and inclusion as a free public garden and providing equal opportunities for women to succeed in science. For Women’s History Month, we honor some of the remarkable women who have helped shape our legacy. […]
An interesting byproduct of planting related species side by side is that pollinating insects can become unwitting hybridizers. Such was certainly the case with one of the Arboretum’s most famous introductions, Hamamelis × intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’. A beautiful and vigorous witch hazel, ‘Arnold Promise’ was named to honor the place where it began, a happy […]
As a partner in the educational mission of Harvard University, the Arboretum leverages its resources to support undergraduate education. Arboretum-based faculty and researchers, state-of-the-art laboratories, and the living collections provide field experiences for diverse Harvard classes ranging from the biology of plants and urban ecology to landscape design. A summer short course connects students with […]
The Arnold Arboretum flourishes through the cooperation of individuals who generously contribute their time, energy, and passion for nature as Arboretum volunteers. Through continuous learning and engagement, Arboretum docents have welcomed and informed Arboretum visitors through personally-crafted tours that reveal the rich stories of our plants and landscape, our history, and our research. On weekends […]
Dedicated to stewardship and discovery, the Arnold Arboretum advances conservation programs as a priority. Founding Director Charles Sprague Sargent set the stage as author of the Forestry Census of 1884, a groundbreaking document in the formation of US conservation policy. Sargent also initiated the Arboretum’s pioneering work in plant exploration, extending global reach to our […]
On this official first day of winter, I wish all of you the best for the season and hope you will include time on the grounds of the world’s most magnificent garden of trees, the Arnold Arboretum! Pictured are just a few of the perfectly ordinary reminders of the extraordinary beauty of nature: the single […]
The Arnold Arboretum is a public-private partnership of the City of Boston and Harvard University, but derives all funding from past and present philanthropy. Founded through the bequests of farmer Benjamin Bussey and whaling merchant James Arnold, the Arboretum blossomed through important contributions like the Larz Anderson Bonsai Collection and the extensive book collections of […]
Oh, great memories George! Can you imagine the number of (...)
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Why thank you! Plants inspire us to be creative in many (...)
