Enjoy a "Seek and Stroll" Walking Tour This Fall
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public gardens and landscapes
Follow this 45-minute Walking Itinerary with a Garden Themed Spotify Playlist to Enjoy Fall’s Colorful Magic at 4 of PHS’s Iconic Public Gardens and Landscapes
September 25, 2023 – PHILADELPHIA, PA – Get ready for sweater weather! With the official start of the fall season now underway, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society shares a “Seek and Stroll” walking tour, spanning 4 of its iconic Center City public gardens and landscapes. This self-guided walking tour is perfect to experience fall’s abundance of rich colors, highlighting the best of Philadelphia’s fall foliage and flowers without leaving Center City!
Residents and visitors are encouraged to bring a friend or a loved one and follow this itinerary, complete with an accompanying garden themed Spotify playlist to see spectacular plant displays and enjoy some of Philadelphia’s most iconic public spaces. No need to hit shuffle – just hit play from the first song and this playlist will guide you through the unique feeling and mood of each garden!
Starting at Philadelphia’s LOVE Park, then moving to Logan Square, the Rodin Museum, and concluding with the Eastern State Penitentiary, the stroll will take 45-60 minutes. At each stop, walkers are encouraged to keep their eyes peeled for 2-3 unique fall plant highlights at each garden. Enjoy the specially curated playlist of songs inspired by the uniqueness of each garden alongside fall themed tunes to enjoy as you walk from garden to garden.
Below is the itinerary to enjoy these stunning PHS fall gardens with loved ones.
Show us your pictures from your walk!
#PHSSeekandStroll
Facebook: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
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PHS’s Fall “Seek and Stroll” Itinerary
Click below for Google Maps directions and our Spotify Playlist!
LOVE Park – A playful, dreamy garden with romantic flourishes
PHS’s Fall “Seek and Stroll” tour begins at one of Philadelphia’s most iconic locations – LOVE Park! Put on your walking shoes, snap a photo with the LOVE statue, and take in beautiful fall plantings by PHS adorned in colors of red, orange, burgundy, pink, and green. This garden’s fall planting palette invites visitors in with a playful, whimsical, and dreamy feel sure to get you feeling the magic of fall. See if you can spot the yellow-burgundy gradient leaves and bright orange flowers of Canna ‘Tropicana,’ and the burgundy grasses with fuzzy tips, Pennisetum setateum ‘Rubrum.’
Musical Inspiration: Beatles “Magical Mystery Tour,” Gary Wright “Dream Weaver,” Sufjan Stevens “Mystery of Love”
Logan Circle – A passionate, wild, and provocative urban jungle
From LOVE park, continue down the Ben Franklin Parkway to another iconic Philadelphia spot – Logan Circle! This 360-degree garden allows visitors to be totally immersed in stunning fall shades of red, burgundy, purple, burnt orange, and even hints of stunning metallic silvers and whites. Set within the hustle and bustle of Philadelphia and some of its most popular museums, this space is a lush urban jungle for visitors. This garden’s plantings evoke feelings of excitement and passion – be sure to keep an eye peeled especially for the bright red, upright, Amaranthus ‘Red Garnet’, spindly green leaves of Abelmoschus ‘Chief Kubo’s Pride’, and broad, deep green glossy leaves of Ricinus communis ‘Zanzibarensis.’
Musical Inspiration: Guns N Roses “Welcome to the Jungle,” Nirvana “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” Steppenwolf “Born to Be Wild”
Rodin Museum – A calming, restful, and ethereal garden grounded in pink
Continuing down the Parkway, make a stop at the Rodin Museum to take in the museum’s breathtaking sculpture garden, which evokes a feeling of romance and tranquility. These gardens are designed to celebrate the harmony between nature and sculpture with an ethereal quality. During this fall season, enjoy tones of pink, magenta, white, green, and gray as they come together in a harmonious blend. While you explore, see if you can spot the delicate, pink-purple Agastache ‘Ava,’ vibrant fuchsia flowers of Anemone x hybrida ‘Pamina,’ and the lacey floral clusters of Cleome hasselerana.
Musical Inspiration: The Psychedelic Furs “Pretty in Pink,” Aerosmith “Pink,” Frank Ocean “Pink + White”
Eastern State Penitentiary – A rugged, naturalistic garden, inspired by the urban prairie
The last stop on this Fall Seek and Stroll takes you into the heart of one of Philadelphia’s most popular neighborhoods – Fairmount! Make a right on Fairmount Ave and make your way to Eastern State Penitentiary, a history-rich and iconic Philly landmark. Beautiful gardens span the perimeter of the Penitentiary, complete with a variety of beautiful grasses, native and pollinator plants, and fall colors of tawny, brown, silver, grey, taupe, and rust. The native and pollinator-heavy plant palette at this garden cultivates a wild, austere, urban prairie vibe that is perfect for the autumnal season. While you explore, keep an eye out for the feathery grass, Nasella tenuissima, the jungle-like green leaves of Rhus glabra, and the vibrant yellow-orange fruits of Rosa sp.
Musical Inspiration: Elvis Presley “Jailhouse Rock,” Sublime “Doin’ Time,” The Eagles “Take it Easy,” Luke Combs & Billy Strings “The Great Divide”
ABOUT PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), an internationally recognized nonprofit organization founded in 1827, uses horticulture to advance the health and well-being of the Greater Philadelphia region. PHS programs create healthier living environments, increase access to fresh food, expand access to jobs and economic opportunity, and strengthen deeper social connections between people. PHS’s work spans 250 neighborhoods; an expansive network of public gardens and landscapes; year-round learning experiences; and the nation’s signature gardening event, the Philadelphia Flower Show. PHS provides everyone with opportunities to garden for the greater good as a participant, member, donor, or volunteer.
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