James G. Kaskey Memorial Park – Home of the BioPond and Biology Greenhouse

The James G. Kaskey Memorial Park honors its past as the first Botanic Garden of the University of Pennsylvania, bolsters research and educational opportunities within the Department of Biology, and enriches community well-being by creating a verdant oasis for plants and people.

This month in the park:

New leaves of Hydrangea quercifolia emerge light green and covered in soft hairs.
Flowers of Staphylea trifolia develop into inflated seed pods, so when they fall off they can float down waterways, seeding themselves in as they go.
Flowers of the wood spurge, Euphorbia amygdaloids var. robbiae, are an electric green.
Neviusia alabamensis, the Alabama snow wreath, is one of the oldest plants in the park. Our stand is believed to be from a collection made by Dr. Rothrock at the turn of the 20th century.
Warm days bring many out to the pond to watch the wildlife that lives there.
Fragrant flowers of this lilac, Syringa vulgaris cv., permeate the South Lawn with their sweet scent.
New growth of Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Storm Cloud' emerges a smoky purple-blue.
Mosses reproduce via spores, which are held in these capsules.
Bleeding hearts, Lamprocapnos spectablis, has uniquely shaped flowers that are blooming now, along the Main Path.
This pink crabapple, Malus cv., is blooming now, creating a pink umbrella over the Picnic Area.
Brunnera macrophylla produces a profussion of small blue flowers throughout the spring.
Ficaria verna, also known as lesser celandine, is a noxious introduced invasive species that, unfortunately, thrives in the moist soils of the park.
Daffodils and grape hyacinths mingle with boxwoods and sedges growing on the east side of Leidy.
Our terrarium contains a variety of carnivorous plants including Nepenthes spp., Pinguecula spp., and Drosera spp.
Muscari aucheri 'Ocean Magic' contrasts with the chartreuse foliage of Spiraea thunbergii 'Ogon'.
New foliage of the red buckeye, Aesculus pavia, dramatically unfurls.
Enkianthus perulatus has clear white, urn shaped blooms, characteristic for the heath family.
This unusual cultivar of flowering cherry, Prunus 'Gyoiko', produces green and white striped flowers.
We are beginning to prepare for pathway renovations. This is the first step to make our park more accessible for all visitors.
Prunus 'Ichiyo' produces fluffy, candy colored flowers.
The Felipei lancepod, Lonchocarpus felipei was described by Biology Faculty Daniel Janzen and is currently growing in the Biology Greenhouse's teaching collection.
Tulipa 'Sonnet' is blooming now on the plaza.
Flowers of Narcissus 'Moonlight Sensation' are a soft yellow when in bud, but become white with age.
These flowers of Cercis canadensis, the eastern redbud, are typical for the pea family.
Virginia bluebells, Mertensia virginica, bloom along a hidden path.

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