Topiaries, Pleasure Gardens and Botanical Gems in Philadelphia and Beyond

Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, your paperwork will be left at the front desk for your arrival. Pease locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and answer any questions you may have. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

At the hotel. If you will arrive late please email Lauren Kain. lkain@philalandmarks.org

We will be joined by an expert who will explain how Philadelphia became the garden capital of America. Philadelphia's world-class public gardens exist within a 30-mile radius of Philadelphia, more than anywhere else in the country. We’ll hear about their influence on the local economy, as well as some smaller gardens. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

At the hotel.

We will board a motorcoach and set out on a field trip to Bartram’s Garden on the west bank of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, a short ride from the hotel. The site of this oldest surviving botanic garden in North America was inhabited by Native Americans as early as 3000 BCE. Its current incarnation originated in 1648 as an outpost of the New Sweden colony. John Bartram, a self-taught botanist, purchased 102 acres in 1728 and began gathering what became the most varied collection of plants in North America. He developed a thriving seed and plant trade, had exchanges with botanists across the pond, and in 1765 was appointed “Royal Botanist” to King George III. The renowned Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus called him “the greatest natural botanist in the world.” At home, Bartram and his garden were admired and visited by notables such Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. Led by John Bartram, we’ll explore the garden with our historian who will provide an overview of early days in the Colonial era when horticulture was developing, from the John Bartram estate in Philadelphia throughout the Brandywine Valley and Montgomery County — when the sylvan countryside was its own “garden of Eden.”

En route to Longwood, we’ll have boxed lunches.

Once back aboard the motorcoach, we’ll travel to Longwood Gardens for a guided exploration with a staff member. Spanning over 1,000 acres of gardens, woodlands, and meadows, Longwood is home to more than 4,600 varieties of plants and trees, as well as stunning fountains. The garden's origins trace back to the 1800s, when it began as an arboretum on the Peirce family farm. In 1906, businessman Pierre S. du Pont saved the arboretum from being destroyed by purchasing the farm. By the 1920s, he transformed it into a public garden, originally created to entertain friends. After more than three years of development, Longwood Reimagined opened in November 2024, featuring new gardens, glasshouses, landscapes, and festive dining experiences. We’ll also have time for independent exploration.

At a local restaurant.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

Today we head north of the city to Germantown, a neighborhood of Philadelphia to explore Wyck; a National Historic Landmark house, garden, and farm that served as the ancestral home to one Philadelphia family for nine generations (1690- 1973). We will be guided through one of Philadelphia’s oldest houses, dating to 1690. Wyck is known as an assemblage of structures that evolved over time, but has remained mostly unchanged since renowned Philadelphia architect William Strickland renovated the first-floor interiors in 1824. Wyck's 1820s rose garden is widely recognized as the oldest rose garden in original plan in America, with 50+ cultivators of historic roses. Included in the garden are the original roses from the 19th century design, as well as plants from its earlier iteration as a kitchen garden. Today it stands as an authentic archetype of an early colonial American rose garden. After our tour we will travel by motor coach approximately 20 minutes to Morris Arboretum.

Under the tent at Morris Arboretum.

It has been described as “a romantic Victorian landscape garden” but the Morris Arboretum is much more. It began in 1887 as the summer home of a wealthy family. Siblings John and Lydia Morris took a barren spot with poor soil and gradually transformed it with landscaping and plants they collected during travels through America, Europe, and Asia. The Morrisses believed in the ideals of beauty, knowledge, education, and stewardship. When the University of Pennsylvania acquired the property in 1932, it became the Morris Arboretum and is the official arboretum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The arboretum continues to advance the ideals of its progenitors as an interdisciplinary center integrating art, science, and the humanities. The 92 acres of gardens, pathways, and streams encompass thousands of plants including many of Philadelphia’s oldest, rarest, and largest trees. A local expert will point out highlights from all over the world. We will also have an opportunity to view the only remaining freestanding Victorian fernery in North America, built in 1899. Filled with ferns, trickling waterfalls, and reflecting pools, it bears the name of the donor who funded its renovation, Dorrance H. Hamilton. We’ll ride back to the hotel after our field trip.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We will set out on a field trip to Chanticleer, just west of the city. This is another great public garden that began as the summer estate of a wealthy family, the Rosengartens, whose pharmaceutical firm became part of Merck. The home they commissioned in 1913 was enhanced by the landscape designs of architect Thomas Sears. After the death of the owner in 1990, the expanses of trees and lawns began to be enhanced by flowers and gardens developed by Chanticleer staff and other horticultural professionals. The result is a palette of colors and textures changing from season to season, year to year. Opened to the public in 1993, Chanticleer has been called the most romantic and imaginative public garden in America. Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the day will be free.

On your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.

On your own to enjoy the local fare of your choice.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We’ll begin the morning with a field trip via motorcoach to the award-winning Ladew Topiary Gardens in Monkton, Maryland. In the 1930s and 1940s, Harvey S. Ladew (1887-1976) created 15 thematic “garden rooms” on 22 acres he carved out of fields. Born into wealth and privilege, he did all the planning and landscaping himself without any formal training. The Garden Club of America awarded Mr. Ladew its Distinguished Achievement Award for “the most outstanding topiary garden in the country.” He did have expert help turning a rustic farmhouse into a luxurious country home. Our exploration — led by an educator from the organization — will include both the manor house and gardens as well as a sit-down presentation on aspects of horticulture.

At Ladew Gardens, we’ll have a boxed lunch.

Our field trip this afternoon is to the Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin, Delaware, outside Wilmington. It was once the estate of Mr. and Mrs. Lammot du Pont Copeland, who shared a passionate interest in gardening, flowers, and plants, especially native varieties. The formal gardens and terraces surrounding their stately manor house were designed by noted Philadelphia landscape architect Thomas W. Sears. Following Mrs. Copeland’s death in 2001, the Mt. Cuba Center transitioned from a private to public botanic garden. We will have an expert-led exploration through some of the display gardens covering more than 50 acres bordered by natural lands of more than 500 acres.

At a local restaurant.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure tomorrow.

At the hotel.

We’ll check out of the hotel, board the motorcoach, and take a short ride to Merion, Pennsylvania, where the Barnes Foundation campus features the former home of Dr. Albert C. and Mrs. Laura Barnes, surrounded by a 12-acre arboretum. They purchased the property in 1922 from Joseph Lapsley Wilson, who had spent the previous 40 years planting specimen trees. Mrs. Barnes added thousands of rare plant specimens and established an extensive horticultural library. Today, the arboretum contains more than 3,000 species of rare and unusual plants including 31 state champion trees as well as collections of hardy ferns, hostas, peonies, roses, and medicinal plants. With our educator, we’ll explore the arboretum’s vast collection and attend a presentation in the mansion’s library on Mrs. Barnes and her horticultural interests and achievements. We will return to the hotel around noon and say our goodbyes. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!