It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
Does anyone else remember that Staples commercial where the Dad is dancing down the aisles, tossing school supplies into the cart with joyful abandon while the kids look completely miserable? I still giggle when I think about it.
I’ve always loved September. Cooler mornings and evenings, getting back into a routine, it feels like a chance to start fresh. Kind of like January, but without all the pressure to reinvent yourself.
Every September, I try to learn or do something new. This year, that something has been in our backyard.
We installed a meadow on the sunny side of our property, which has sent me down a bit of a rabbit hole learning about native plants, what belongs where, what the deer won’t devour and, most importantly, how to keep everything alive. Now I’m slowly making my way around the rest of the yard, planning new garden areas and adding more native plants.
Which is how I recently found myself at Jenkins Arboretum.
I knew Jenkins had its annual plant sale, but I had no idea that they sell plants for much of the year, or how much else goes on there. You can wander the gardens for free, take a class or workshop, do yoga, see an art exhibition, bring the kids to a program or join one of their guided walks. They even offer golf cart tours for visitors who have difficulty getting around.
It made me want to visit the incredible public gardens and arboretums we have right in our backyard, and how much more they offer than just beautiful places to walk. There are lectures, classes, plant sales, children’s programs, workshops and events happening throughout the year.
So, in honor of September and my annual urge to go “back to school,” I pulled together a few local gardens worth exploring. Think of it as Back to School: Garden Edition.
Whether you want to learn about native plants, find inspiration for your own yard, take a class or simply spend a beautiful fall afternoon outside, there’s probably a garden nearby you haven’t explored yet.
Although, fair warning: you may come home wanting to dig up half your yard. I speak from experience.
Enjoy!
Regina
GARDENS WORTH EXPLORING
Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens — Devon
631 Berwyn Baptist Road, Devon, PA 19333
This is the one that sent me down the rabbit hole. Jenkins is free to visit and beautiful in every season, with woodland paths, native plants, azaleas, rhododendrons and a pond. But what I didn’t realize is how much more they offer guided walks, yoga, photography, art exhibitions, workshops and programs for kids. And don’t miss the Garden Shop: the outdoor nursery carries more than 300 plants during the growing season, including native perennials, shrubs and trees, with helpful information about deer resistance, growing conditions and wildlife value.
Good to know: Admission is always free, and the gardens are open daily, everyday.
Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens
Chanticleer, a pleasure garden — Wayne
786 Church Road, Wayne, PA 19087
If you live on the Main Line and haven’t been to Chanticleer lately, put it on your list. This 35-acre “pleasure garden” is less about traditional botanical displays and more about really creative gardening, unexpected plant combinations, gorgeous containers, vegetable gardens, woodland areas and spaces that change throughout the season. It’s one of those places where you come home wanting to redo your entire yard. They also offer classes, workshops, lectures and tours.
Good to know: Open Wednesday through Sunday during its April–November season. Admission is $15 for ages 13+, and children 12 and under are free. Parking reservations are required at certain busy times.
Chanticleer Garden
The Barnes Arboretum at Saint Joseph’s University — Merion
50 Lapsley Lane, Merion, PA 19066
I think this may be one of the lesser-known ones on the list. The original Barnes property is home to a 12-acre arboretum with more than 2,500 types of woody and herbaceous plants, including rare trees, magnolias, lilacs, peonies, ferns and a National Hosta Display Garden. Laura Barnes was every bit as passionate about plants as her husband was about art, and she founded the horticulture school here in 1940. Today they still offer horticulture classes, workshops and a certificate program.
Good to know: Admission is free and no reservation is required. It’s generally open weekdays from 8:30–5:30 and weekends from 11–5:30.
The Barnes Arboretum at Saint Joseph’s University
Scott Arboretum & Gardens — Swarthmore
500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081
The beautiful Swarthmore College campus is also an arboretum, and one you can wander for free. Scott calls itself a “garden of ideas,” which I love, because the gardens are designed to give home gardeners inspiration for their own landscapes. They also have an impressive calendar of lectures, guided tours, wellness programs, plant sales and family activities.
Good to know: Free and open to the public from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year. Dogs are welcome on leash, and picnicking is allowed.
Scott Arboretum & Gardens
Tyler Arboretum — Media
515 Painter Road, Media, PA 19063
This one is for when you want a little more room to roam. Tyler encompasses 650 acres of gardens, woods, wetlands and meadows, with 17 miles of hiking trails, historic trees, a pollinator preserve and plenty for kids. Beyond walking and hiking, they offer guided experiences, wellness programs, classes and workshops, family programs and camps.
Good to know: Open daily; currently 9–6 April through October and 9–4 November through March. Adult admission is $18, with reduced rates for seniors and children.
Tyler Arboretum
Stoneleigh: a natural garden — Villanova
1829 East County Line Road, Villanova, PA 19085
If native plants are on your mind, this is the place to go. Stoneleigh is a 52-acre former Main Line estate that Natural Lands has transformed into a public garden showcasing how beautiful a landscape filled with native plants can be. There are sweeping lawns, old trees, meadows, intimate garden areas and a gorgeous century-old pergola, and lots of ideas you could actually borrow for home. Their calendar includes garden tours, yoga, family programs, workshops and accessible golf cart tours.
Good to know: It’s free and open Tuesday–Sunday, 10–5, year-round.
Stoneleigh: a natural garden
