HOME      VISIT      EVENTS     VOLUNTEER

Photo by Meredith Oliver

Dear friend of the arboretum,

It’s June and love is in the air. Enjoy a leisurely walk on Ridge Road among the old growth hemlock trees and experience the fragrances and fresh breeze.

The blooms continue through June with rhododendrons and special gardens throughout the arboretum, including the Sensory Garden with its new additions and special plantings this year. Visit often and watch the succession of blooms throughout the season.

In June Walking and Cart Tours continue, a Wayne Hills Student Photography Show runs through the end of the month, and a special Nature Walk for Wellness in collaboration with Passaic County Recreation and Rutgers Extension will take place, along with Sound Bathing and Book Club events.                                           

Click here to learn more about what’s in bloom in June. 

The arboretum is open every day 8:00 AM to dusk,
weather permitting.

There are 7 pedestrian gates that are always unlocked.
The most commonly used are located on Home Hill to the
right of the Knippenberg Center and on Long Valley Road
near the exit from the Pines Lake Drive West parking lot.

The Knippenberg Center for Education 
is open April 7 - October 31
Tuesday through Sunday, 12 Noon - 4:00 PM

New Sculpture Installed

‘Cotyledon’ by David Boyajian

Click here to watch a video of the sculpture installation and the sculptor’s interpretation.

Annual Plant Sale

We wish to thank all the Laurelwood supporters who again made our Annual Plant Sale a great success. Volunteers work throughout the year to provide a unique combination of quality plants, container gardens, hanging baskets and crafts.

Rhododendron Bloom Weekend

        “Great Eastern”  photo by Dorothy Knippenberg                            Joe DiGiacomo giving a rhododendron tour 

Joe DiGiacomo in front of the rhododendron history display in the Knippenberg Center for Education

The timing was just right and the rhododendrons were at their finest over the Peak Bloom Weekend. Who could blame the rhododendrons for showing off in the perfect weather? The gardens were full of visitors enjoying some time in nature and appreciating how special the arboretum is. Visitors were also treated to a rhododendron tour by Joe DiGiacomo, Laurelwood’s rhododendron expert. Visit the Knippenberg Center for Education to see an interpretive display featuring the history of Laurelwood’s unique and extensive rhododendron collection.

Laurelwood Bird Walks

Birdwatching in the Sensory Garden - Photos by Meredith Oliver

                   Orange Tanager                                Yellow-rumped Warbler                                    Bluepoll Warbler

It was warbler mania at Laurelwood on May 16! Spring migration was at its peak and the weather was just perfect for insectivores. Thank you to the 30 birders who came out to traverse the trails. We spotted several amazing birds, including: Magnolia Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Ovenbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Orange Tanager, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, American Redstart, Red-eyed Vireo, Black-throated Green Warbler and Cedar Waxwing.  
-Sharon Lewis

Although the scheduled spring migration bird walks have been completed for the season, there may be pop-up bird walks if weather permits. An email will be sent to our mailing list several days before each pop-up walk and a notice will also be placed on Laurelwood’s social media.

The Gardening Season Has Begun

You can support our annual springtime campaign
by donating online at laurelwoodarboretum.org

or you can give via a donor-advised fund, make a gift of stock,
bonds or mutual funds, or transfer funds from your IRA.

Donations to Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum help to support the park's maintenance, operations and public programs.

Dues and donations are deductible for income tax purposes
to the extent allowed by law.

Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum
is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Keep Our Arboretum Green!

Copyright © 2026 Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum.
All rights reserved.

Unsubscribe