Captain Joseph Lapsley Wilson once owned the land on which the Gallery and the Arboretum of the Barnes Foundation are
situated. He began planting a number of trees as early as the 1880s. When Dr. and Laura Barnes purchased the property in 1922,
they agreed to preserve Wilson's plantings, which became the nucleus of the Arboretum.
Laura Barnes, with the support of Dr. Barnes and Dr. John Fogg, carefully enhanced the living
collections to over 3,000 species/varieties of woody plants gathered from different sources around the world.
The diversity
of species and varieties growing in such a modest area is one of the most noteworthy features of the Arboretum.
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Ranging in form, texture, color, and shape, the woody plants in the Arboretum supplement the educational programs
offered by the Foundation, which focus on aesthetic experience.
Moreover, the whole
garden is a fine example of an approach to landscaping that balances aesthetic values with
botanical and horticultural interests. Laura Barnes also established the Arboretum School in 1940, the first
of its kind in the region, to guide students to better appreciate the aesthetic appeal of plants and gardens
while providing a sound scientific base in botany, horticulture and landscape design. A well-maintained
herbarium housing 10,000 specimens, a library of 2,500 volumes, and a greenhouse with controlled
conditions and propagation facilities supplement the plant collections.
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The Arboretum features many rare and mature plants not usually hardy in this region.
Araucaria araucana, Magnolia grandiflora, Nandina domestica, Aucuba japonica,
Lagerstroemia indica, Poncirus trifoliata and Davidia involucrata are a few examples.
Extensive collections of species and varieties that are extremely significant as genetic resources and as
conservation materials such as Lilacs, Peonies, Magnolias, Crab apples, Rhododendrons, Stewartias, etc. make this
Arboretum invaluable among other public gardens. Representative specimens of different species of Acer,
Aesculus, Berberis, Cotoneaster, Cornus, Euonymus, Ilex, Lonicera, Quercus,
and Viburnum are added attractions. Very primitive plants and the Gymnosperms are represented by
Equisetum, a good collection of ornamental ferns, and notable specimens of Ginkgo biloba, Cedrus
libani, Libocedrus decurrens, Cunninghamia lanceolata, Sequoia sempervirens, Metasequoia glyptostroboides and
many species of Abies, Picea, Pinus and Taxus. The Arboretum also includes a
formal rose and perennial garden, woodland,
lawns, a pond, and a greenhouse.
The Arboretum of the Barnes Foundation is an excellent informal learning center for people of all ages.
The Arboretum of the Barnes Foundation is a member of the following organizations.
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The Barnes Foundation
300 North Latch's Lane
Merion, PA 19066-1729
610.667.0290
info@barnesfoundation.org
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