Gardens: Arboretum

Permanent reference collection of over 800,000 specimens of dried pressed plants for scientific studies in agriculture, horticulture, botany, medicine, and other related fields. Contains plants from around the world, with a special emphasis on cultivated plants. Especially well represented groups include azaleas, cherries , daffodils, daylilies, hollies, oaks, viburnums, and willows.

The Morton Arboretum’s mission is to collect and study trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world, to display them across naturally beautiful landscapes for people to study and enjoy, and to learn how to grow them in ways that enhance our environment.

By the time The Dawes Arboretum was founded in 1929, over 50,000 trees had been planted and the grounds had doubled in size to 293 acres. Beman and Bertie Dawes created The Arboretum “To encourage the planting of forest and ornamental trees… to give pleasure to the public and education to the youth.”

Covering 100 acres, the Red Butte Garden and Arboretum is run by the University of Utah. While the university’s botanists conserve and research the collection, visitors can enjoy over 20 acres of themed gardens. The stunning Four Seasons Garden creates a colorful display throughout the year. This plot also frames Red Butte peak, the backdrop…

This 230-acre arboretum covers much of Seattle’s Washington Park. The site is managed by the University of Washington Botanic Gardens and contains several themed gardens. The Arboretum’s biggest attraction is undoubtedly the spring blooms of the Azalea Way. The Pacific Connections Garden showcases a fantastic collection of Pacific plants native to Australia, China, Chile, and New Zealand. The garden is organized into geographical areas, including a 2.5 acre stretch of New Zealand forest. Other popular gardens include the Japanese Garden and the Rhododendron Glen.

The North Carolina Arboretum is nestled within the Pisgah National Forest near Asheville. The 434-acre site is divided between an arboretum and a botanical garden. The current incarnation of the site opened in the late 1980s. The Blue Ridge Quilt Garden is a colorful parterre that pays homage to the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. The Arboretum also displays the National Native Azalea Repository, which contains every type of azalea native to the US.

The University of Kentucky Arboretum aims to preserve and research Kentucky’s native flora. The 100-acre site opened in 1991 and became Kentucky’s State Botanical Garden in 2000. Admission is free. The collection of Kentucky’s native plants and trees is the main draw. The site displays approximately 100 species native to Kentucky and a grand total of 1,200 plants native to the US. The “Walk Across Kentucky” trail showcases species representing the state’s seven regional ecosystems.

Adkins Arboretum is nestled within Tuckahoe State Park. The grounds cover 400 acres and showcase more than 600 plants native to Maryland. The site opened in 1980 and includes a diverse range of habitats such as meadows, wetlands, and woodlands. The area is also laced with five miles of walking trails.

Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum has the distinction of being America’s oldest public arboretum. The 280-acre site was opened back in 1872. The collection is studied by staff at Harvard to conserve trees and educate visitors.