Spring bloom season is in its full splendor at The Morton Arboretum. Flowers can be seen throughout the Arboretum, in the woodlands, in lawns with daffodil plantings, in the gardens, and in the tree and plant collections. There are blooms for everyone!
For bright pops of color, enjoy the container plantings and seasonal displays of bulbs and annual flowers in the areas around the Visitor Center, the Administration and Research Center and the Grand Garden (Parking Lot 1), as well as the Thornhill Education Center (Parking Lot 21). With many perennials and flowering shrubs now in bloom, the garden areas are well worth extended visits. Spend time in the Ground Cover Garden (Parking Lot 1) as well as the adjacent Grand Garden, or stroll through the Four Seasons Garden, the Fragrance Garden, and the Joy Path gardens near Thornhill (Parking Lot 21).
In the tree and plant collection areas, there are still plenty of magnolias in bloom, although the earliest-flowering trees lost many blooms to cold temperatures and wind after a recent warm spell. On the East Wide, lavender-flowered and yellow-flowered magnolias are blooming now on Frost Hill (Parking Lot 3) and in the Magnolia Collection (Parking Lot 5).
Near Parking Lot 2, look for blooming daffodils, ironwood, and blue-beech. Cherry trees are beginning to flower near Parking Lot 3. Serviceberry, quince, cherry trees, and pear trees are blooming near Parking Lot 4, with crabapples soon to flower. Buckeye trees are in bloom near Parking Lot 6. Many tree flowers are more subtle; oaks are flowering in the Oak Collection and nearby maples are setting their “helicopter” fruits, which will soon begin fluttering to the ground.
For wildflower lovers, a prime place to enjoy them is in the East Woods, along the trails between parking lots 8 and 16. In bloom are spring beauty, toothwort, Dutchman’s breeches, white and yellow dog-toothed violets, bellwort, hepatica, ironwood, sugar maple, Virginia bluebells, wood anemone, and false rue-anemone. A lavish spread of blue Virginia bluebells can be seen near Parking Lot 11. Soon to bloom will be May-apples and woodland phlox.
Flowering trees and shrubs in the China Collection (Parking Lot 17) include fragrant honeysuckle, pears, and rhododendrons.
On the West Side, Parking Lot 19 is the place to stop to take in daffodils and flowering trees including pears, magnolias, and early crabapples. Parking Lot 21 is the stop for Thornhill Education Center, Fragrance Garden, and Joy Path blooms. The West Side Alternate Route takes you through daffodils in Sargent’s Glade (Parking Lot 26) to Lake Marmo (Parking Lot 28), where there are Virginia bluebells and pink redbuds in flower. The West Side Main Route leads through Daffodil Glade (Parking Lot 22), with its mix of daffodils and wildflowers, to the Schulenberg Prairie (Parking Lot 25).
Birches and nut trees are blooming near Parking Lot 31, with wind-pollinated flowers hanging in long catkins. End your bloom tour at Godshalk Meadow (Parking Lot 33) with a mix of blooming pear trees, lilacs, and early perennials.
Visit often to see all the blooms that come and go throughout the season at The Morton Arboretum.
