Press Releases from Greater Philadelphia Gardens

Southwest Philadelphia (April 2012) Bartram’s Garden, home to America’s first great native botanist John Bartram and Philadelphia’s largest public riverfront green space, will celebrate spring with a grand opening weekend May 4-6, 2012. Visitors of all ages can enjoy a plant sale, hands-on gardening activities and guided tours of the historic site, including a new educational Green Room, native plant nursery and community farm. The opening weekend is one of several exciting events happening at Bartram’s Garden this spring.

“Philadelphians and tourists will not want to miss a visit to Bartram’s Garden this season,” said interim director Stephanie Phillips. “Not only will we share new interpretations of Bartram’s history, but provide hands-on experiences like never before.”

The Green Room, made possible by a $25,000 grant from the Philadelphia Cultural Management Initiative of the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage, and The Lang Family Foundation, will open in Bartram’s historic stable. The Green Room harkens back to a time when the garden was a destination for curious travelers who wished to know more about nature and plants. Visitors will be able to borrow binoculars for bird watching and watercolors for painting. An educator will be on hand to answer questions and provide tours, and guest feedback will directly influence how the Green Room evolves.

“This space will not only help tell the Bartrams story but change with the seasons,” said
Public Programs Manager Kim Massare. “For the month of May, the theme will be
sprouts and dedicated to Bartram’s youngest visitors and garden enthusiasts.”

Photo Op: A ceremonial opening of the Green Room doors will occur Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 10:15 a.m. at Bartram's Garden, located at 54th St. & Lindbergh Blvd., in Southwest Philadelphia.

Members are invited to attend a preview for the grand opening on Friday, May 4, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. where they will have their first pick of plants and attend a special reception.

The garden will be open to all on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entrance is free. Day passes, which include a guided house and garden tour, and access to seasonal activities in the Green Room, are $8 to $12. Those who join Bartram’s Garden receive free and unlimited access to tours, the Green Room, plus a 10 percent discount on plants and Garden Shop purchases.

On-hand Saturday and Sunday:

Spring Planting Tips: Design professionals will offer tips for spring gardening.

Children’s Activities: Children will be able to pot their own seeds and enjoy musical
performances.

Plant Sale: Bartram’s will be offering an expanded selection of plants this year, most of which were grown on site in a new nursery, located next to the Garden Shop. The nursery, made possible by the Philadelphia Cultural Management Initiative of the Pew
Center for Arts and Heritage, is part of a vision to bring Bartram’s mission to life through compelling stories and hands-on, meaningful experiences.

“The nursery shows how Bartram's is not just as a place where great people lived and historic things happened, but as a place where growing plants and learning about them still happen,” Phillips said.

Vegetable starts, berry bushes, some rare and native plants as well as the Garden’s signature Franklinia trees will be on sale. (William Bartram first brought seed back to the garden in 1777 and named the plant Franklinia in honor of his father’s close friend Benjamin Franklin.)

”There is a long history of plants being grown here commercially,” Massare said. “The Bartrams were the first to publish a seed catalog in the United States and had more than 10 greenhouses onsite at the peak of their business. The plant sale is a direct tie to the history here and a way for everyone to bring home a piece of that history.”

Tours: Guided tours will leave every hour on the hour. Highlights will include The Green Room, a new orchard, community garden and future site of the Schuylkill River Bicycle Trail.

New Orchard: In partnership with the Philadelphia Orchard Project, Bartram’s Garden has planted more than 40 heirloom fruit trees adjacent to Bartram’s new community garden. The orchard was made possible with seed funding from the Four Seasons of Philadelphia.

Community Garden: Last year, workers cleared invasive shrubs and removed unused tennis courts and baseball fields from the southern end of the property to make way for a 1.5-acre
community garden in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania’s Agaston Urban Nutrition Initiative, the City of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Twenty five of the 60 plots are now being used by the community. The farm is being operated with help from John Bartram High School Students while a portion of the food is donated to PHS’s City Harvest Program for needy families. A new Green Resource Center will be used to provide seedlings for the UNI farm, community gardeners and for the Roots to Re-Entry green jobs training program this spring.

Bicycle Trail: Coming this summer to Bartram’s Garden, a one-mile portion of the Schuylkill River Trail will be completed and connect to the 58th Street Greenway, the Cobbs Creek Parkway and eventually lead to Valley Forge and points beyond.

“This trail, which will wind through Bartram’s beautiful meadow and show off views of the Philadelphia skyline, will not only be a great addition to Bartram’s Garden but to the City of Philadelphia,” Phillips said.

Also this Spring:

(Calendar Listing)
Join Bartram’s Garden for the Grand Opening of the 2012 season. Check out our cozy Green Room and chat with an educator or enjoy a tour. Take a plant home from the new Bartram Nursery or browse our updated Garden Shop for gifts. Check out the progress of the trail construction! Or simply come to see what’s new.

Bartram Members get a preview reception, discounts on plants, and free admission. Nursery catalog coming soon!Member Preview Party: Friday, May 4, 5:00 to 7:30. Opening Celebration: Saturday and Sunday, May 5 and 6, 10 am to 4 pm. Bartram's Garden is located at 54th St. & Lindbergh Blvd., 215-729-5281,

Bartram’s Bitters Fundraiser
On May 16 from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Bartram’s Garden will hold its first Bartram’s Bitters Fundraiser. Partnering with Fair Foods and the Philadelphia Distilling Co., Bartram’s will host four mixologists to stir up sweet and savory recipes using artfully and locally crafted bitters from an 1830’s Bartram family recipe during this cocktail party event. Catering will be supplied by Power Catering and Supper Restaurant. Recipes will be available for guests to take home. Proceeds will help Bartram’s Garden connect people to nature through horticulture, education and community building. Tickets: $75 for individuals; $125 for ticket and one-year membership to Bartram’s Garden. Tickets available at www.bartramsgarden.org.

About Bartram’s Garden:
Bartram's Garden (www.bartramsgarden.org) is a member-supported nonprofit and the
largest public riverfront green space in Philadelphia, nestled on the banks of the Schuylkill
River. It is the home of America ’s first great native botanist John Bartram. His lifelong curiosity made Bartram’s Garden a hub of international plant knowledge and sharing in 18th century. His children and grandchildren continued the tradition, growing a trans-Atlantic plant and nursery business that spanned four generations and changed how Europeans and Americans understood the native landscape. Today Bartram’s Garden honors its history by encouraging lifelong learning, inspiration from nature, and the mandate of stewardship.It is a National Historic Landmark, free and open to the public daily, and serves nearly 39,000 visitors each year.