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The Most Wonderful Time of the Year at Swarthmore

While snow might be the first thing to come to mind when you read the phrase “the most wonderful time of the year,” in my opinion, the most wonderful time of the year here at Swarthmore is undoubtedly the springtime. Swarthmore is located on the Scott Arboretum, and is, as a result, home to hundreds (if not thousands) of stunning trees and flowers that you will never get sick of (as long as you don’t forget to take your Claritin!). Luckily for me and the rest of Swarthmore’s community, this natural beauty is hard to miss, even on a short walk from your dorm to class or the dining hall. Because of my love for the arboretum, I decided to compile a list of some of my personal favorite natural wonders around Swarthmore, for your reading pleasure. 

Close-up of small vibrant green leafy plants with water droplets on the leaves.

First up, we have the plants that are the very closest to my dorm. These little sprouts are small but mighty, and are gorgeous and extremely vibrant, especially right after a sprinkle of spring rain. 

A hillside covered with blooming yellow and white daffodils next to a sidewalk and leafless trees.

Second, we have another closeby wonder, this little hill of daffodils which is on the edge of campus, right next to my dorm. Whenever I walk to the town of Swarthmore for coffee or a workout, these flowers brighten my day!

A small tree with pink and yellow blossoms in a garden area next to a bench and a building in the background.

I might be cheating a little bit with this one since it’s not technically on campus, but this tree just outside of the ville’s post office is a  gorgeous combination of pink and yellow, which I think is completely beautiful. 

A stone planter filled with tulips in various stages of bloom, including red, pink, and yellow flowers, placed on a paved courtyard outside a building.

Fourth is one of many places on campus where you can find tulips, one of my favorite types of flower. These potted tulips are in the courtyard of Kohlberg. I get to spend lots of time in and around Kohlberg because it’s home to the Anthropology Department, which houses my major. I’ll miss these tulips in the fall!

A garden bed filled with colorful tulips in various shades of purple, yellow, orange, and red, surrounded by green plants and mulch, located in the Dean Bond Rose Garden.

Fifth is yet another spot to see a gorgeous tulip, the Dean Bond Rose Garden. Yes, rose garden, with tulips. I didn’t do the landscaping! 

A wide, flowering tree with a thick trunk in a landscaped garden area near a college building, surrounded by various green plants and shrubs.

Sixth is a tree just outside of one of the main freshman dorms, Willets Hall. This tree is one of the widest I’ve seen on campus, and it’s simply quite majestic. 

Wisteria with purple flowers growing over the west side of the north entrance to a stone building.

Seventh is the wisteria that grows over the west side of the north entrance to Parrish, the campus’ main administrative building. Wisteria can be found all over campus, but I think this plant is especially beautiful. 

Clusters of purple and white flowers growing in a garden bed on campus near the Matchbox and Ware Pool.

Eighth is all of the flowers that grow outside of the Matchbox (campus gym) and Ware Pool, including the ones pictured here. 

Bright pink flowering trees and other green foliage in a courtyard with a building in the background under a clear blue sky.

Ninth is the courtyard of the science building, which is home to some of the most brightly colored trees from all of campus.

Tree with pink buds and a weeping tree with white blossoms next to a round green-roofed building under a clear blue sky.

Tenth is this beautiful tree in between Sproul and Wharton Hall with flowy hanging vines of flowers. 

Bright pink rhododendron bushes blooming beside a stone building with a shingled roof under a clear blue sky.

Second to last is perhaps my favorite on this list: a set of rhododendrons in the courtyard between Olde Club and the Gender and Sexuality Center. This whole courtyard is gorgeous, being home to the “Our Food” community garden and many other natural gems, but these plants are so eye-catching that I can’t help but find excuses to reroute to that side of campus. This courtyard also has two hammocks, which makes it an amazing study spot in warmer weather. 

Snow-covered trees in a campus arboretum during a winter snowfall.

Last, but certainly not least, I want to point out that the campus is gorgeous in all seasons, not just spring! This was one of my favorite trees on campus in mid-February when we had the most snow on the ground, and I think this is one of the most beautiful pictures in this list. The arboretum is wonderful, 24/7/365. 

There are many more plants to get to know on campus, as you can see below. This map shows a green dot for each arboretum-registered plant.

Map of Swarthmore College campus showing green dots marking arboretum-registered plants and blue icons clustered in the central area.
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Erin Picken

Hi! My name is Erin and I’m a first-year at Swarthmore College. My prospective majors are medical anthropology and political science. I grew up in Pendleton, Oregon, but went to high school in Tacoma, Washington. Outside of class, I’m the chief layout editor for The Phoenix, Swarthmore’s student newspaper, as well as a writer for Small Craft Warnings, Swarthmore’s literary journal, and an officer for Swarthmore’s Health Humanities club.