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The Rose Garden, created in 1888, is one of the oldest features of the estate and was originally a flower garden with a marble fountain as a central feature, with four quadrants with boxed-edged walks in-between. The summer house and Italianate balustrades were added 20 years later.
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Rose Garden Urn
The above urn was discovered in the Morris Arboretum’s Bloomfield Farm barn. It was severely cracked and chipped. There was no indication that it had been part of the Rose Garden during the time of the Morris’ until we came upon an old sepia toned photo from 1926.
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It pictured the Rose Garden and shows this urn prominently displayed in the middle of Lydia Morris's Seat quadrant in the then newly created Rose Garden. With the help of Peter Cilio of Campania International, whom the Arboretum has worked with for a number of years on our ornament collection, the urn was pieced back together, along with its pedestal. Peter then created a replica of the original urn, which is what you see in the rose garden today.
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While waiting for the restoration and replication of urn, Mike Tuszynski, Morris Arboretum Rosarian re-designed the entire quadrant where the urn initially stood, to mimic the style and feel of the original layout and planting (while using many modern rose cultivars like Knock Out, Blushing Knock Out and Pink Knock Out). This design was installed in the spring of 2005, but was still missing the most important element, the urn. With much anticipation and excitement and hard work on the part of Peter Cilio, the urn arrived at the Arboretum this spring and was installed in the Rose Garden. As the garden came into bloom in late May, the visual impact was so rich, and powerful, it almost transported a visitor back to the time of the Morrises. Though the urn is distinctively Victorian - highly decorated with cherubs and ornate detailing - Peter will be offering it in his catalog this year for those with gardens, and the panache, to place this unique urn on their own property. You can view the Campania International collection at www.campaniainternational.com |
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The Rock Wall Garden was built in 1924 about same time the area was changed into a Rose Garden, as an addition to the garden terrace begun in 1888.The Rock Wall is a six-foot-high wall of Wissahickon schist filled with many alpine plants. It is situated on a sunny south-facing wall, well-drained soil and moist, cool cracks similar to alpine conditions. Plants with short stems, dense, tough or hairy foliage and those with long fibrous roots or taproots can live in this environment.
 Click here for more information on the Armillary Sphere, an important focal point in the Rose Garden
Click here for a map of our Garden Features
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