Department of Biology

Flowers all year long

Josh Darfler, Greenhouse and Garden Manager

The James G. Kaskey Memorial Park sits on the grounds of the University of Pennsylvania’s original botanic garden planted in the late 1800s. Today, its three acres provide a green oasis on the south end of Penn’s urban campus, surrounded by the Department of Biology. The Park staff continues to increase the diversity of plants growing within those boundaries and there is something of interest to see almost every day of the year. As winter lingers, sweet smelling Chimonanthus praecox (yellow wintersweet) are blooming, along with Camellia japonica (camellia) cultivars. When spring finally arrives, the ephemerals will begin to bloom - be on the lookout for Erythronium americanum (trout lilies), Trillium (trillium) species, and Sanguinaria canadensis (bloodroot) to begin flowering. Follow the Kaskey Park on Facebook and Instagram (@upennbiopond) to enjoy the progression of flowers throughout the year.