Andalusia Receives New Arboretum Designation

Andalusia Historic House and Gardens can now add Arboretum to its name after being awarded Level II accreditation by ArbNet and is now recognized in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s tree-focused public gardens. The ArbNet program is sponsored and coordinated by the Morton Arboretum in cooperation with the American Public Gardens Association and Botanic Gardens Conservation International. It is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta based on a set of professional standards, including planning, governance, number of species, staff or volunteer support, education and public programming, as well as tree science research and conservation.

Andalusia Historic House, Gardens and Arboretum is located on a wooded promontory overlooking the Delaware River 13 miles upstream from Philadelphia. The 100-acre property is the ancestral home of the Biddle family and is a natural paradise of native woodlands and spectacular formal gardens. The centerpiece of Andalusia is the “Big House”, the early nineteenth century Greek Revival mansion with its monumental columned porch, placed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks in 1966. The estate, carefully maintained in the 19th century tradition, is home to more than 800 trees in the living collection including nearly 250 unique specimen and cultivars from around the world. The Andalusia Foundation was created in 1980 in order to maintain and preserve this national living treasure for the benefit of the public.

“ArbNet international accreditation connects Andalusia to a global collaboration that shares tree collections information to advance education, management, science, and conservation,” says Connie S. Griffith Houchins, Executive Director of the Andalusia Foundation. “We’re pleased to be recognized for our diverse plant collections and land management practices, and will continue to work toward higher levels of professional standards. We look forward to sharing our beautiful gardens and arboretum with visitors from both near and far.”

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22nd and Arbor Day on April 24th, we’re sharing a list of some of our favorite trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials:

· Trees: Paperbark and Japanese Maples, Shagbark Hickory, Blue China-fir, Saucer Magnolia, Dawn Redwood, Yellowwoods and Willow, Water and White Oaks

· Shrubs: Camellia, Forsythia and Cameo Flowering Quince

· Herbaceous Perennials: Hellebores, Virginia Bluebells and Dwarf Iris

Please check Andalusia’s website and social media channels for photos and updated information on the temporary closure of the site during the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis.

www.andalusiapa.org

www.instagram.com/andalusiapa/

www.facebook.com/andalusiapa.org/

About Andalusia Historic House, Gardens and Arboretum

Andalusia, ancestral home of the Biddle family, is surrounded by spectacular grounds that feature architectural delights and breathtaking gardens. Placed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks in 1966, the Big House continues to provide an unparalleled look into our nation’s past, while allowing visitors a glimpse into the lives of a family that helped shape its future. Visit andalusiapa.org for more information.

About ArbNet

ArbNet is an interactive, collaborative, international community of arboreta. ArbNet facilitates the sharing of knowledge, experience, and other resources to help arboreta meet their institutional goals and works to raise professional standards through the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program. More information is available at www.arbnet.org.