PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As flowers and trees open to celebrate Spring, a nationwide celebration of public gardens starts today, just in time for Mother’s Day.
It’s Go Public Gardens Days, sponsored here by the Greater Philadelphia Garden Collaborative.
“Philadelphia has one of the highest concentrations of public gardens in the nation," said Richard Doran with the American Public Gardens Association. They are based in Kennett Square, which is part of the Collaborative.
"There's about 37 of them within a 30 mile radius of Philadelphia, and Philadelphia calls itself America's garden capital."
The gardens include arboretums, botanical gardens and even cemeteries.
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Doran said Go Public Gardens Days runs May 7th through May 16th, including Mother’s Day.
“Mother's Day is obviously a beautiful time of year for people to get out, and it's also something where we can encourage people to go visit gardens with their mothers," said Doran.
"Many gardens across the country are offering free admission for moms on Garden Days, and you can find information about that on their individual websites and some also on our website.”
Doran said Go Public Garden Days isn’t limited to the Delaware Valley. It’s nationwide, and many gardens have virtual tours.
“The event is designed to encourage people to visit, value and volunteer at their local public gardens. The Sspringtime is one of the best times to go out and see the gardens as they're emerging into and blooming and looking as beautiful as they do," he said.
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According to Doran, it’s hard to determine if interest in public gardens has picked up in the pandemic.
“We have certainly seen anecdotal evidence that people are looking to get out to gardens as places to find respite and recovery, also just to experience nature and get out of the house.”
He said many gardens are also offering free admission for mothers this Sunday.
The following 37 Greater Philadelphia Gardens Collaborative will participate in Go Public Gardens Days through May 16:
Ambler Arboretum of Temple University
Andalusia Historic House, Gardens and Arboretum
Appleford Estate
The Arboretum of West Laurel Hill & Laurel Hill Cemeteries
Awbury Arboretum
Barnes Arboretum at St. Joseph’s University
The Barton Arboretum & Nature Preserve of Medford Leas
Bartram’s Garden
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
Brandywine River Museum of Art
Camden Children’s Garden
Chanticleer
The Gardens at Mill Fleurs
Grounds for Sculpture
Hagley Museum & Library
Haverford College Arboretum
Henry Botanic Garden
Henry Schmieder Arboretum
The Highlands Mansion & Garden
Hortulus Farm Garden
James G. Kaskey Memorial Park
Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens
Longwood Gardens
Morris Arboretum of the University Of Pennsylvania
Mt. Cuba Center
Nemours Estate
PHS Meadowbrook Farm
The Philadelphia Zoo
Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College
Shofuso
Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden
Tyler Arboretum
Tyler Formal Gardens at Bucks County
Welkinweir
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
The Woodlands
Wyck Historic House, Garden, Farm