Swarthmore Horticultural Society

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Swarthmore Horticultural Society

The 13 gardens created and maintained by the SHS now beautify Swarthmore's Borough Hall, Town Clock, Co-op, Gateway Park, Centennial Park, and the Post Office.

SHS is a volunteer organization founded in 2001 dedicated to enhancing our town's public landscapes and promoting an understanding of the value of horticulture. The Swarthmore Horticultural Society (SHS) is a volunteer organization dedicated to enhancing the borough's public landscapes and promoting an understanding of the value of horticulture and nature within our community. Founded in 2001 by a

group of Swarthmore gardeners headed by Charles Cresson, noted horticulturalist and garden author, the SHS works to create floral displays in Swarthmore's public spaces for visitors and residents to enjoy from early spring to the onset of winter. SHS volunteers design, plant and maintain the beds working together in teams. All of SHS's work is funded by contributions from individuals, community groups, and the Cresson Horticultural Trust of the Swarthmore Centennial Foundation. The Society welcomes all new members. For more information about membership, please contact us.

06/07/2026

Please join us at an informal open garden event at Charles Cresson's Hedgleigh Spring, showcasing a jazz performance by Stephen DiBonaventura and Steve Giordano. Acclaimed tenor banjoist DiBonaventura brings his distinctive lyrical jazz style, and will be joined by jazz guitar virtuoso Steve Giordano. DiBonaventura is, as his acclaimed album is entitled, "Not Your Average Banjo Player." He is renowned for his innovative use of the tenor banjo in modern jazz, and for his technical excellence and expressive lyricism. Giordano has been his long-time collaborator, and uses his deep knowledge of the full spectrum of modern music to explore lush harmonic textures and expressive composition. Bring beverages and a blanket or folding chair so you can relax and enjoy a very special concert combined with the ambiance of this remarkable garden. This event is free and open to the public, though we always appreciate donations to the SHS to support our ongoing beautification efforts.

06/03/2026

It’s Open Gardens Day!
This Saturday, June 6th, 1pm to 4 pm
Rain or shine (though it looks like shine!)
Five of your Swarthmore neighbors have graciously invited you to see their lovingly-tended gardens. Treat yourself to drama, whimsy, and peaceful spaces, all within our borough! The event is free to Hort members, $10 to non-members. Sign in at the table in front of the Swarthmore Public Library to receive addresses and a map. Bring a water bottle - looks like it’ll be a hot one!

05/28/2026

Open Gardens Day
Saturday, June 6th, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Rain or shine
Free to members, $10 to non-members

Early June is when many of our gardens are at their best. This is a great chance to stroll through some of your neighbors’ lovingly tended gardens. Get ideas for your own space, or simply admire the natural beauty June brings!

Sign in at the table in front of the Swarthmore Public Library, 121 Park Avenue, to receive the garden addresses and a map.

05/15/2026

Don’t forget to pick up a red-twigged dogwood or corkscrew willow at the “Second Chance” plant sale at Saturday’s Farmers Market in Swarthmore! Cash or check gets you a healthy plant at a great price. Meet us on the grassy bank by Dartmouth Ave at 9 a.m., because these lovelies will go fast!

05/09/2026

“Second Chance” plant sale!
Saturday, May 16th, 9 am til sold out
Next to the Swarthmore Farmers Market (on Lafayette)

Treat yourself to a healthy plant at a low, low price when we change over our Town Center containers! We will have some Cornus cerisea ‘Cardinal’ (a dogwood like the one in the pic), and some Salix ‘Swizzlestick’ (corkscrew willow), and possibly a few others. Come early, bring a check or cash - they’ll sell out quickly!

05/05/2026

Give these plants a second chance!

Saturday, May 16th, 9 a.m. til sold out
Lafayette by the Swarthmore Farmers Market
Cash or check

Take home one of our old plants when we make room in the Town Center containers for our new plants! We’ll have some Salix ‘Swizzlestick’ (corkscrew willow like the one here) or Cornus sericea ‘Cardinal’ (red-twigged dogwood), priced to sell fast!

04/28/2026

Guys! Don’t you love plant sale season? Here’s another one you should not miss! Go see our friends in Wallingford this weekend! You know you need more plants.

04/25/2026

Buy Native Plants!
Today (Sat, April 25th), until noon
Swarthmore lot next to Borough hall

Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’) is a pollinator powerhouse and a good spreader - more bang (excuse fireworks pun) for your buck! (It doesn’t cause allergies, that’s ragweed.) Find this beauty and more at the sale, and help support the Hort!

04/23/2026

Native shrub and perennial sale!
Saturday, April 25th, 9 to noon
Swarthmore municipal lot
Rain or shine!

The bad news: it’s looking like rain on Saturday.

The good news: we’ll be there with beautiful, healthy native plants anyway!

More good news: $5 discount if you buy 3 of the same plant or 2 of the same shrub (like this Clethra ainifolia ‘Ruby Spice’ summersweet) See our website for the full catalog

Even more good news: we need the rain, and it’ll make it easier to dig in your new plants!

04/11/2026

Native Shrub and Perennial Plant Sale
Saturday, April 25th, 9-noon,
Swarthmore municipal parking lot

Did you know goldenrods, like this Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks,’ are pollinator powerhouses? We have chosen a good variety of healthy, hardy, low maintenance native plants from reputable growers that pollinators love! See our website for the full selection. Cash, check, and card accepted

Address

Swarthmore, PA
19081

Website

http://www.swarthmorehorticulturalsociety.org/

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