Monica Stockbridge 2020-01-07 01:59:18
For nature lovers, there’s nothing like a stroll along a hiking path surrounded by wildflowers or a leisurely visit to a blooming botanical garden. Thankfully, Pennsylvania has an abundance of beautiful options for viewing wildflowers, native plants, and gardens. These destinations provide a peek at some of the area’s most peaceful places to stop and smell the roses — and other flowering flora. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Pop Up Gardens on South Street in Philadelphia transform vacant lots into verdant gathering places. Learn about gardening, take a succulent workshop, or sip a botanical cocktail among the flowers and vegetables. At Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope, all are welcome thanks to a new Universal Access Trail. This ADA-compliant trail meanders from the Visitor Center to a peaceful pond dotted with American lotus and water lilies. The Devon-based Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens spans 46 acres of natural beauty. Admission is free to enjoy trees, shrubs, flowers, ferns, and some of the country’s best rhododendron and azalea collections. In State College, the Arboretum at Penn State is a prime place for admiring roses, irises, and wisteria in the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens. This University-run facility offers guided group tours and accessible walkways. Indulge in the beauty of horticulture at Hershey Gardens. In the summer, the Hershey Rose Garden features 275 rose varieties and hundreds of other plant species and cultivars in bloom. On select dates in August, take a wagon ride to a field of sunflowers at the Sunflower Festival at Maple Lawn Farms in New Park. Explore the field, take keepsake photos, and enjoy a farmers market, food trucks, and wine tastings from Maple Lawn Winery. All guests get a sunflower to take home. Lace up your hiking boots for a visit to the Wildflower Reserve trails in Raccoon Creek State Park. This Hanover destination spans 314 acres with more than 5 miles of trails for viewing 700 different plant species. The 1.5-mile Jennings Trail is known for wildflowers and fall foliage. FURRY FRIENDS: BRING YOUR PETS Pennsylvania’s outdoor oases are perfect for bringing four-legged friends. Take a walk on the Montour Trail, the longest suburban rail-trail in the U.S., and then stop at pet-friendly Cappy’s Café in Pittsburgh for a snack break. At Presque Isle State Park in Erie, hike the A-Trail, where you will come across a vernal pond — a great place for your pet to take a quick splash to cool off. In Philipsburg, Black Moshannon State Park offers boat rentals that allow you to take your pup out for a relaxing water ride. Along with pet-friendly trails, Pennsylvania allows dogs at more than 50 state parks.
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FLOWER POWER
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