Morris Arboretum Celebrates Japanese Cherry Blossom Days

 

PHILADELPHIA – This spring, the Morris Arboretum will once again host its annual Japanese Cherry Blossom Days, in partnership with the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia. The Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival is an initiative of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia with the goal of fostering a better understanding of the cultural, social and educational customs of Japan in the United States.

In the early 20th century, John and Lydia Morris (founders of the Morris Arboretum) established one of the finest collections of Japanese plants and gardens in the region at their home, Compton, which would later become the Morris Arboretum. To commemorate this heritage, Morris Arboretum celebrates Japanese Cherry Blossom Days on Saturday, April 13 and Saturday, April 20, 10am-3pm with a variety of activities, all included with garden admission. The events are for both children and adults, and will celebrate the art, culture and gardens inspired by the more than 35 varieties of cherry trees that grace the Arboretum with their blossoms each spring.

Cherries should be in flower this year during these events.  Although hard to define, the full bloom is usually based on when 70% of the Yoshino cherry (Prunus × yedoensis) blossoms are open.  Two groups in Washington, DC study the weather extensively to predict the blooming period including, The National Park Service, (www.nps.gov) and the National Cherry Blossom Festival (www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org).  Philadelphia Yoshino cherries flower about one week to ten days after those in Washington, DC, so expect bloom time to be somewhere around April 10-16.  Of course, Morris Arboretum has more than just Yoshino cherries, so there is always more to see.

 

For detailed list of activities, please visit Morris Arboretum online at www.morrisarboretum.org or call, 215-247-577.  And during your visit, be sure to stop at The Shop at Morris Arboretum for unique Arboretum-branded merchandise.  The Shop specializes in, environmentally-friendly reuse of materials, and items inspired by nature.  Gifts for children to engage and inspire young minds await you.  And for the person on your list who has everything, give the gift of a Morris Arboretum membership, the gift that lasts all year long.

Morris Arboretum is one of more than 30 Philadelphia gardens in America’s Garden Capital. This 92-acre horticultural display garden features a spectacular collection of mature trees in a beautiful and colorful landscape.  The official arboretum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, effective 1988, Morris Arboretum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and accredited by the American Association of Museums.  For more information, visit: www.morrisarboretum.org

Photo Credit:  Paul W. Meyer

Photo Caption: On Saturday, April 13 and Saturday, April 20, 10am-3pm, Morris Arboretum will once again host its annual Japanese Cherry Blossom Days, in partnership with the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia. In the early 20th century, John and Lydia Morris (founders of the Morris Arboretum) established one of the finest collections of Japanese plants and gardens in the region at their home, Compton, which would later become the Morris Arboretum. To commemorate this heritage, the Arboretum celebrates Japanese Cherry Blossom Days with a variety of activities, including taiko drumming with the Kyo Daiko Drumming Crew, pictured here.  The events are for both children and adults, and will honor the art, culture and gardens inspired by the more than 35 varieties of cherry trees that grace the Arboretum with their blossoms each spring.  For more information, please call 215-247-5777 or visit Morris Arboretum online at www.morrisarboretum.org.