Arnold Arboretum (Boston, USA): detailed description, address and photo. Opportunities for sports and recreation, infrastructure, cafes and restaurants in the park. Reviews of tourists.
According to Toppharmacyschools, the Arnold Arboretum, owned by Harvard University, is considered the second “bead” in Boston’s Emerald Necklace. The park, founded in 1872, was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Its territory covers more than 280 acres, where about 15 thousand plants of almost 4 thousand taxonomic units are collected. Particular attention in the arboretum is given to plants from North America and East Asia. The oldest collections of plants were brought by travelers at the beginning of the 20th century, the newest were delivered from Japan and Korea in 1977, and later from China and Taiwan.
The Bradley rose collection occupies 2 hectares of territory, on which almost 800 plants of about 400 species are planted. 85% of them are roses. As a result of a four-year renovation that took place in the rose garden, in 2011 a new gazebo appeared here, and the landscape design was completely redone. Today, you can admire the Cherry Blossom Promenade, which reaches its peak bloom from late April to early May, or enjoy the views while sitting by Dawson Pond or on the Bradley Bench in the western part of the garden, which offers a wonderful view of the garden from above.
The International Society for the Conservation of Botanic Gardens has recognized the Arnold Arboretum’s maple collection as the most valuable in the world in terms of species conservation.
Anderson’s bonsai collection was brought to the United States in 1913 when Anderson returned from Japan, where he served as ambassador. The core of the collection was seven large specimens of hinoki compact cypress (all between 150 and 275 years old) that Anderson donated to the arboretum.
The lilac collection belonging to the arboretum is very beautiful. Here you can see almost 400 plants of about 165 species, all of which bloom in the spring and spread a stupefyingly thick aroma around. Among the special types of lilacs that can be seen here are the bluish “President Lincoln”, the potassium permanganate “McKean Arch” and our own “Beauty of Moscow”. This is one of the finest collections of lilacs in North America.
The second Sunday of every May in the arboretum is called “Lilac Sunday”. This is the only day of the year when picnics are allowed on site.
In addition, the Arnold Arboretum has a large collection of different types of maples (140 species out of 230 known to science). The collection is especially rich in rare and unusual Asian maples, including endangered species. The International Society for the Conservation of Botanic Gardens has recognized the Arnold Arboretum’s maple collection as the most valuable in the world in terms of species conservation.
“Rhododendron Hollow” is a wonderful landscape garden with evergreen and hybrid rhododendrons, the collection of which began in the 1910s. Today, about 240 plants of about 110 species have been collected here. The garden is well equipped for walking: there are paths, stone signs and a picturesque bridge over the Bassi stream.
A large area is occupied by the Leventritt Garden, the collection of which is dedicated to agricultural plants. Designed by a renowned landscape designer, the garden occupies terraces lined with stone, on which bushes, conifers and vines grow.
Practical Information
Address: The visitor center is located at 125 Arborway.
The main entrance to the arboretum is located on Route 203, literally a couple of steps from the interchange with Jamaicaway. You can get here by public transport on the MBTA orange line to the terminus (“Forest Hills”) or by bus number 39 to the monument on Jamaica Plain.
Opening hours: The garden is open from dawn to dusk 365 days a year. The Hunnewell Visitor Center is open daily except Wednesdays from November to March from 12:00 to 16:00 and from April to October from 11:00 to 18:00.
