Open Every Day. Free Every Day. Thanks to Members and Donors. | Mid September 2026 Renewing a Landscape of Discovery A transformative vision is beginning to take shape for Bussey Hill, thanks to an anonymous gift to fund the planning and design of a reimagined Explorers Garden and summit experience. Though long favored as a visitor destination for its sweeping views, the top of Bussey Hill underwhelms as a gallery of Arboretum plants, offering little sense of arrival or connectivity to the magnificent examples of temperate biodiversity displayed at its threshold. The proposed redesign aims to unite the hilltop and the nearly five-acre Explorers Garden through improved accessibility, enhanced circulation, and expanded plantings that better showcase some of the Arboretum’s most significant plants and their stories. Planning and design work now underway marks an important first step toward building philanthropic support for the project. If realized, this renewal will create a more welcoming and immersive destination that better reflects the Arboretum’s enduring leadership in plant exploration, horticulture, and conservation. Read More Don’t Miss Afterglow at the Arnold Last chance to secure your tickets for Afterglow at the Arnold on Thursday, September 24! As the sun sets over Bussey Hill, the Explorers Garden will transform into an illuminated gallery of botanical wonders, where remarkable trees and plants tell stories of global discovery. The evening begins at 5:30pm with a VIP Experience featuring exclusive access to Arboretum experts, encounters with charismatic plants from around the world, and delicious food and drinks in the garden. VIP guests are invited to stay for the Afterparty, co-presented with the Young Friends at the Arnold, beginning at 7:30pm. Enjoy remarks from Arboretum leadership, passed hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, music, and dancing under the stars. Proceeds support the Arboretum's mission as a free public landscape, living museum, and community resource. Tickets start at $150 for non-members—Arboretum members receive discounted ticket pricing for Afterglow at the Arnold, making this a perfect time to deepen your connection to this extraordinary landscape. Tickets are limited and expected to sell out, so reserve yours today! Learn More & Register Spot Fall’s Feathered Travelers The Arnold Arboretum is one of the best places in Greater Boston to experience the remarkable diversity of northeastern birds in a single landscape. From open meadows and conifer groves to wetlands and mature forests, its varied habitats attract resident species and seasonal migrants alike, making every visit a little different from the last. Whether you’re an experienced birder or simply curious about the birds you see on your walks, two upcoming birding opportunities offer a perfect opportunity to sharpen your skills and enjoy the sights and sounds of fall migration. These relaxed 90-minute walks explore the landscape while highlighting the seasonal movements and behaviors of the Arboretum’s feathered visitors. Bring your binoculars and your curiosity and join us Sunday, September 20 or Sunday, October 4 at 8:00am to discover what makes the Arboretum a one-of-a-kind haven for birds and birders alike. See All Events Sharing the Best of the Best Discover the stories behind some of the Arnold Arboretum’s most remarkable plants in a new episode of A Way to Garden, hosted by New York Times garden columnist Margaret Roach. In conversation with the Arboretum’s manager of plant production, Chris Copeland, the episode explores the Arnold Selects program, which identifies and shares exceptional woody plants from the Arboretum’s living collections with partner nurseries throughout the Northeast and beyond. Hear how distinctive plants are chosen for introduction, from historic Arboretum selections rediscovered for today’s gardens to unusual mutations and outstanding specimens prized for beauty, hardiness, and performance. Copeland highlights fascinating examples, including a ground-hugging Korean fir cultivar and the white-flowering ‘Arnold Banner’ eastern redbud, while offering a behind-the-scenes look at the Arboretum’s ongoing work in plant exploration, evaluation, and conservation. Enjoy a rich and engaging conversation that offers a fresh perspective on the Arboretum’s mission to share exceptional plants with the world. Listen to the Story Visit Events Stories Plants Join All images from the Arnold Arboretum © 2026 President and Fellows of Harvard College.