UNIVERSITY PARK — The Arboretum at Penn State, in collaboration with the new Palmer Museum of Art, is embarking on a community initiative called the Palmer Plant-Out. The initiative aims to plant 100,000 flowering perennials and grasses throughout May. The project offers community members an opportunity to “put down roots at Penn State” by inviting volunteers to participate in planting activities in preparation for the art museum’s public opening on Saturday, June 1.
“Whether you’re a long-time local or you’re a student, it’s a nice opportunity to come and leave your mark on the place,” Aubrey Tallon, The Arboretum at Penn State’s volunteer program manager, explained. “Another thing that our volunteers get is a sense of ownership, like responsibility and stewardship, over the space.”
The choice of perennials is deliberate; they signify longevity, ensuring that visitors who return to the area can witness the lasting impact of their contributions through blooms that return every year.
The project not only aims to beautify the surroundings but also underscores the intersection of art and nature, which is integral to both the Palmer Museum and the Arboretum. The landscape around the Palmer Museum of Art, designed by the nationally recognized landscape architecture firm Reed Hilderbrand, features plants selected in collaboration with the Arboretum’s horticulturists.
“The design is meant to emulate some of the strengths that the Palmer’s collection has in 19th and 20th century American landscapes,” The Arboretum at Penn State’s H.O. Smith Endowed Director, Casey Sclar, said. “So, the landscapes and plant materials that were chosen were chosen to emulate different plant communities that are native to Pennsylvania.”
Sclar likened the 100,000 plants to a tapestry, emphasizing community involvement in weaving a landscape that seamlessly integrates with the surroundings.
“I always tell people that horticulture is four things,” Sclar explained. “It’s an art, it’s a science, it’s a business and it’s a technology. When you talk to our Palmer partners, the theme is really rooted in nature, so it’s art and nature for them, that is a huge intersection in what they do.”
The planting kicked off on Tuesday, May 7, with volunteer sessions scheduled from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday each week, along with an additional session on Friday, May 24. Planting will pause on Saturday, May 25, for the Palmer’s opening and will resume on Wednesday, June 5 if the planting is not completed prior to the museum’s opening. However, Tallon suggested early participation is ideal for those eager to get involved as planting will continue only as materials last.
“We’ll be ending sessions when we run out of plants to plant,” Tallon said. “If we move extra quick, then we might not have sessions the whole way through the end of June. So, if you’re interested in signing up for a session, the sooner sessions are a good idea.”
The Palmer Plant-Out is actively seeking volunteers. Interested individuals can sign up via The Arboretum at Penn State’s website under the “Get Involved” section. Tallon and Sclar emphasized that volunteering fosters connections with nature and the community.
“I think it’s a nice opportunity for folks to learn some new techniques, grow as a community and get the opportunity to leave their mark somewhere and get their hands dirty,” Tallon said.
The Palmer Plant-Out is one of many volunteer opportunities offered by the Arboretum. Throughout the year, the Arboretum facilitates various activities such as planting, environmental education and workshops, encouraging community involvement that supports local treasures like the Arboretum and the Palmer Museum.
“We’re really excited about the new partnership with the Palmer Museum of Art and welcoming them into the Arboretum space here,” Tallon said. “It reflects on the mission of the Arboretum as a whole and to elevate that nature piece and that culture piece. We are so appreciative of our volunteers who are interested in coming out and the ones who have been coming out already for a long time.”
