The Arboretum at Penn State

05/26/2026

Reset your week with Yoga in the Gardens 🧘‍♀️☀️

Join us for a peaceful yoga experience amidst the beauty of nature, with instructor Nicole Harmon.

🗓️Wednesday’s May 6–September 30 | 6:00–7:00 PM
ℹ️Bring your own mat (a limited number available if needed).

Pricing:
•$15 standard | $12 students & volunteers
•Save more when you book multiple sessions.
•Drop-ins welcome, or reserve your spot in advance.

➡️Link to register: https://arboretum.psu.edu/events/

05/22/2026

One of our long-blooming favorites, Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’ (Catmint)🪻

Commonly known as catmint, this herbaceous perennial brings lavender-colored blooms from spring through early fall and is a favorite among pollinators. Part of the Lamiaceae family, which includes mints, it grows about 2–2.5 feet tall.

You’ll spot this plant throughout the gardens, including at the entrance to The Arboretum and Palmer Museum of Art, the Overlook Pavilion and the Rose and Fragrance Garden.

➡️ Find these locations and explore more using our Arboretum Explorer tool https://psu.arboretumexplorer.org/

05/19/2026

🌿 Voting is officially OPEN for Centre County Favorites!

We’re honored that The Arboretum at Penn State has been nominated in several categories this year, including:

✨ Favorite Family Attraction
💍 Favorite Wedding Venue
📚 Favorite Tutoring / Educational Services
🎃 Favorite Annual Event / Festival (Pumpkin Fest)

From peaceful gardens and educational programs to seasonal traditions and special celebrations, the Arboretum is proud to be a place where community, learning, and nature come together.

🗳️ Voting is open through June 5 at 5 p.m.
🔗 https://www.votecentrecounty.com/

Thank you for supporting the Arboretum and the experiences that help make Centre County so special! 💙

05/17/2026

Finishing out our scavenger hunt for with one of our favorite trees: the Quercus alba (White Oak), also known as The Hosler Oak 🌳

Snap a photo of YOUR favorite tree or plant and share it using and
don’t forget to tag us so we can see what you find!

Did you know? 📚💡The Hosler Oak tree has witnessed the Arboretum’s growth while honoring the late Dr. Charles Hosler, senior vice president for research, dean emeritus of the graduate school, and professor emeritus of meteorology, along with his wife, the late Anna Rosa Hosler. The tree was donated by Penn State alumnus George Biemesderfer, whose career was deeply influenced by Dr. Hosler.

05/15/2026

Looking for a fun way to get outside with the family? Join us for an Arboretum Explorers Family Hike! 🥾🌳

We’ll venture beyond the gardens to explore some of the Arboretum’s lesser-known spaces, including Hartley Wood and our prairie lands. After a short welcome at the Overlook Pavilion, we’ll head out on the trails together for an afternoon of discovery. 🌿

📅 Friday, May 22, 2026
🕜 1:30–2:30 p.m.
📍 Overlook Pavilion
🎟️ Free, but registration is required

Wear comfortable shoes for the trails and dress for the weather!

The hike will take place rain or shine unless severe weather pops up. Children must attend with a parent or guardian, and we ask that pets stay home for this program.

➡️ Register via the link! See you there! 🌳 https://arboretum.psu.edu/events/arboretum-explorer-family-hike-9/

05/12/2026

It’s and we’re continuing the scavenger hunt with this time to find a pond!
 
Located near the Pollinator and Bird Garden, you’ll find a small pond tucked into the landscape. Take a stroll along the boardwalk or cool off in the shade under the Orchard Shade Trellis while you explore.
 
📸 Snap a photo and share it using and don’t forget to tag us so we can see what you find!

05/11/2026

It’s and today’s scavenger hunt challenge is to find a bird or nest! 🪺🐦

We spotted robin-blue eggs brightening the gardens. Can you find a bird or nest while exploring?

📸 Take a photo of your find and share it using and , and don’t forget to tag us so we can see what you find!

05/09/2026

It’s and we’re on a scavenger hunt! This time for pollinators. Can you find one too? 🐝

While exploring the gardens, keep an eye out for bees, flies, butterflies, beetles, and hummingbirds helping our plants thrive!

Snap a photo of your find and share it on social media using and and don’t forget to tag us so we can see what you discover! 🌼📸

05/07/2026

Check out the beautiful photos from the Penn State Today 2026 spring photo contest! 🌷

The winning picture in the 2026 spring photo contest was submitted by Priyasha Fernando, a graduate student in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, of a single white tulip standing out against purple flowers at the Arboretum. Click on the photo or headline to see more of the top overall submis...

05/06/2026

Pop by the Rose and Fragrance Garden 🌸 Hybrid tree peonies (Paeonia × suffruticosa) are starting to bloom and typically only last 1–2 weeks. They usually peak around Mother’s Day, while herbaceous peonies following closer to Memorial Day.

The collection includes 37 Japanese and Chinese tree peonies, plus 20 herbaceous and intersectional (Itoh) peonies that bloom one after another throughout the season, so there’s always something new to see!

➡️Learn more on our blog and use the Arboretum Explorer Tool to find locations and photos of our peony collection: https://arboretum.psu.edu/about/news/dont-delay-tree-peonies-now-on-display/

📸:
Paeonia × suffruticosa (Botan Group) ‘Hanakisoi’ (Japanese tree peony) - Photo 1
Paeonia (American Group) ‘High Noon’ ( lutea-hybrid tree peony) - Photo 2
Paeonia × suffruticosa (Mudan – Central Plains Group) ‘Zi Hong Zheng Yan'(Chinese tree peony) - Photo 3
Paeonia rockii (Mudan – Gansu Group) ‘Lan He’ (Chinese tree peony) - Photo 4