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Category: The Arboretum

Sensitive Fern

Sensitive Fern

Onoclea sensibilis The native Sensitive Fern is called sensitive because it shrivels up at the first sign of frost. It is well adapted to wet or moist soils, where it spreads out happily (and quickly) by rhizomes. In slightly drier areas it spreads more slowly though it does not tolerate completely dry soil and will dry up until next Spring if it is too dry.  It’s rather coarse texture is a welcome addition to a shady rain garden or along…

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Great Blue Lobelia

Great Blue Lobelia

Lobelia siphilitica If you’ve got a wet spot Great Blue Lobelia (also called the Blue Cardinal Flower) is the plant for you. A native of Pennsylvania Great Blue Lobelia attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and is an exceptional plant for bumble bees and other pollinators we count on. It’s happy in sun or part shade, grows 2′ to 3′ tall and provides blue blooms for late Spring. It’s been around a long time. Iroquois used it for a cough medicine. The Meskwaki…

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Christmas Tree Recycling

Christmas Tree Recycling

So it’s early on a dreary January, Saturday morning, the weather is predicted to be in the low 20’s with snow AND you’re a teenager, who’s just had a full week of school. What do you do? Get up to the Arboretum and unload Christmas Trees of course! At least that is what a very special group of local teens does each year. From 9 am to 4 pm our dedicated group of student volunteers unloaded cars, trucks and trailers….

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Sprogel’s Run Trail

Sprogel’s Run Trail

The Sprogel’s Run Trail connects the eastern end of the Arboretum to Sussel Park with its two ponds. On the western end it connects to Prout Farm Park and its field ecosystem. Sprogel’s Run a small creek run through both Sussel Park and Prout Farm Park. The Althouse Arboretum part of the trail runs along Snyder Road and is through the Penn’s Woods Trail which is being developed to remove invasives and leave native flora nad fauna that would have…

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Schuykill Highland Award

Schuykill Highland Award

Ken Hamilton was awarded the prestigious Schuykill Highlands 2015 Trails and Best Practices Award at their annual awards meeting for his deep interest and commitment to the inner connected trail network and connecting students and visitors to outdoor opportunities. The Schuylkill Highlands Partnership’s focus is to protect the natural and cultural resources, encourage economic development that creates a sustainable regional landscape and inspire people to care for, enjoy and explore the Schuylkill Highlands region. Not bad for a first year…

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