September 9, 2026
Bus Trip to Chanticleer Garden, Wayne, PA
Friday, September 25
Bus departs the Arboretum parking lot at 10:00 AM
THE BUS IS FILLING UP BUT WE STILL HAVE SEATS AVAILABLE - DON'T MISS OUT!
Please join the Friends on a bus trip to Chanticleer, a 35-acre Pleasure Garden in Pennsylvania's Brandywine Valley - Chanticleer has been touted as one of the most beautiful public gardens in the United States.
We'll depart the Arboretum at 10:00 AM sharp and plan to arrive at Chanticleer around noon, in time for lunch. We'll leave Chanticleer at 5:00 PM for the trip home.
There is no restaurant on the premises, so please bring your own lunch and make sure it's easily carried as there is no provision for storing lunch bags. Note that Chanticleer follows a strict carry-in, carry-out policy and no trash receptacles are provided. You are welcome to picnic in any of the garden's four designated picnic areas, first come first served.
Following lunch, beginning at 1:30 PM, we'll be broken up into smaller groups of 10-12 with each group assigned a guide to lead us on a 90-minute tour of Chanticleer's distinct yet unified garden areas, each designed by a horticulturist. The first floor of the Rosengarten estate's main house is also on the tour. At Chanticleer, the gardeners lead the design and create ever-evolving displays rich in texture, form and color. The gardens include, but are not limited to the Teacup Garden, Bell's Woodland, a Ruin Garden, a Gravel Garden, the Pond Garden, Minder Woods and more!
Please keep in mind that this is a 1-1/2 mile long walking tour over varied garden terrain, including turf, gravel, stone paths, uneven surfaces, occasional inclines and some stairs.
Dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear; you might consider bringing a reusable water bottle, insect repellent, a walking stick, rain gear, and, of course, a camera! The tour will take place rain or shine.
Restrooms, water fountains, and water bottle refill stations are available throughout the garden. There is a small gift shop featuring books, postcards, magnets, etc.
Click here for a link to Chanticleer's website: https://chanticleergarden.org/garden/#garden-overview
For more information and to register, click on either of the photos of Chanticleer. The upper photo is courtesy of Chanticleer.
The lower photo, taken by Chanticleer's Lisa Roper of the soft puffs of witchgrass (Panicum capillare) along the elevated walkway is very inviting - can't you just visualize yourself strolling along this lovely path?
Saturday, November 7 - 9:00 - 3:30 PM
In person at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum
Join us for our Annual Tree Symposium, generously sponsored by Bartlett Tree Experts.
Following 9:00 AM Registration, coffee, and welcome, we are pleased to present four distinguished speakers covering a variety of interesting and informative topics:
- 10:00 AM - Underappreciated and Underused: Small Trees Living in the Shadows, presented by Carl Hesselein
- 11:00 AM - Exceptional Conifers for Adventurous Gardeners, presented by Adam Wheeler
- 12:00 Noon - Lunch break - Assorted sandwiches
- 1:00 PM - Forests Adrift: Currents Shaping the Future of Northeastern Trees, presented by Dr. Charles D. Canham
- 2:00 PM - Trees in the Landscape, Importance and Selection for our Community and the Environment, presented by Steven Kristoph
During the Symposium, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase copies of Dr. Canham's book, as well as plant materials from Pleasant Run Nursery and Steven Kristoph Nursery.
For information about each presentation, the speakers, CEUs for this program and to register, please click on the tree icon.
Saturday, November 14 - 1:00 PM
In person at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum
Chef Sal Pisani, owner of Jersey Artisan Co. brings his considerable skill as a cheesemaker to the Arboretum in this class where we will learn to make mozzarella cheese.
His Jersey Artisan Cafe, located right here in Morris Plains, was born from a deep passion for the time-honored traditions of Southern Italy, passed down through generations. He is committed to using locally sourced ingredients that support the region's ecosystem and farming community.
For more information and to register, click on the photo of Chef Sal.
AT THE FRELINGHUYSEN ARBORETUM
A few more photos courtesy of Lisa Bencivengo.
The Arboretum's gardens are overflowing with lots of colorful, and some unusual flowers. The bright orange Zinnias are a cheerful addition to this garden bed. Love-lies-bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus) is a dramatic annual flowering plant with long strings of dark red flowers; lovely surrounded by Purple top vervain (Verbena bonariensis) and Lantana. And who can resist the beautiful yellow Sunflower (Helianthus sp)?
Thanks Lisa!
Click on any of the images to see them (and many others) in our website's Photo Gallery.
FRIENDS VIDEOS AT THE ARBORETUM
Click here for a brief video by Lisa Bencivengo featuring Bruce Crawford, Manager of Horticulture Division of Cultural and Environmental Resources at the Morris County Park Commission in which he discusses the All American Garden at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum. Be sure to subscribe to our channel.
You can view all our videos in our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe.
Several of our previously recorded events are available to watch on-line.
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If you have not yet used this wonderful Member Benefit, you can view our full list of Retail Partners by clicking here.
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