The Barnes Arboretum at Saint Joseph’s University

Merion, Pennsylvania, United States

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The Barnes Arboretum at Saint Joseph’s University in Merion, Pennsylvania, covers 12 acres and holds a diverse collection of over 2,500 types of woody and herbaceous plants, including rare species and extensive peony, lilac, and fern collections, some dating back to the early 1900s.

Originally established on historic grounds with trees first assembled in the 1880s, the arboretum was shaped by Laura Barnes, who founded a horticulture school onsite in 1940. Today, the arboretum serves as a vital resource for plant conservation, education, and research, offering a horticulture certificate program, public workshops, and access to herbarium specimens.

The site is open to the public daily for quiet reflection and appreciation of nature, with walking paths, seasonal blooms, and a tranquil environment maintained through its partnership with Saint Joseph's University.