Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve

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United States of America - Pennsylvania - New Hope

Institution Code: BHWFP

BGCI Member: No

Cypripedium parviflorum, Large Yellow Lady's Slipper Orchid. Growing on the Fern Trail at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve.
Cypripedium parviflorum, Large Yellow Lady's Slipper Orchid. Growing on the Fern Trail at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve.

About the Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve

Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve (BHWP) is a showcase for the native flora of the Delaware Valley of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Our 55-hectare site includes hillside and floodplain, woodland and meadow, providing diverse habitat and permitting the presentation of nearly 800 native plant species.

The focus of the collection is native wildflowers, but ferns, grasses, sedges, rushes, shrubs and trees are also well represented. Included in the collection are over 50 species protected in Pennsylvania as rare, endangered or threatened.

Our wildflowers and other native plants are presented in naturalistic style. A network of trails and paths lace the various habitats allowing visitors to encounter plants as they might be found in the wild.

In addition to signage, guided walks provide further interpretation for visitors. Our full education program includes classes, lectures and an annual symposium.

BHWP operates a native plant nursery to provide members and local gardeners with plant material propagated in accord with conservation principles.

BHWP is a member of the American Public Gardens Association and an accredited member of the American Association of Museums.

Main Address:
Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
P.O. Box 685
New Hope
Pennsylvania 18938-0685 United States of America

Telephone: (215) 862-2924
Fax: (215) 862-1846
URL: www.bhwp.org
Primary Email: bhwp@bhwp.org

Staff Details

  • Director's Name: Peter Couchman Executive Director
    Curator's Name: Jason Ksepka
    Plant Records Officer's Name:
  • Total Staff:
    Horticultural Staff Number: 2
    Educational Staff Number: 2
    Research Staff Number:
    Administration Staff Number: 3

About the Garden

  • Institution Type: Botanic Garden
  • Status
  • Status: Private: Yes
    Status: Educational: Yes
    Status: Municipal: No
    Status: Satellite: No
    Status: Trust: No
  • Date founded: 1934
  • Physical Data
  • Natural Vegetation Area: Yes
    Natural vegetation area: Size: 50 Hectares
  • Landscaped Area: Yes
    Landscaped Area: Size: 5 Hectares
  • Total Area: 55 Hectares
    Latitude: 40.20
    Longitude: -74.57
    Annual Rainfall: 1200 mm
    Altitude: 30.00 Metres
  • Locality: Information
  • Locality: Garden Name:
  • Local Address: 1685 River Road
  • Locality: City: New Hope, 18938
  • Locality: State: Pennsylvania

Features and Facilities

  • Herbarium: No
    Arboretum: Yes
    Arboretum Size: 5
  • Micropropagation/ Tissue Culture Facilities: No
    Seed Bank: No
    Published Plant Catalogue: Yes
    Computer Plant Record System: Yes
  • Open to public: Yes
    Friends society: Yes
    Retail Outlet: Shop: Yes
    Retail Outlet: Plant Sales: Yes
    Disabled access: Yes
  • Number of Visitors: 30000
    Number of Volunteers: 150

Plant Collections

  • Accession Number: 230
    Cultivation Taxa Num: 800
  • Special Collections:The focus of the plant collection is on plant species native to Pennsylvania, especially southeast Pennsylvania. Traditionally, the collection has been strong in ephemeral woodland wildflowers of springtime. In recent years, a meadow was installed to showcase summer and fall wildflowers. In addition to flowers, the collection includes trees, shrubs, grasses, sedges, rushes and ferns.
  • Invasive Species Monitoring: Yes
    Invasive Species Policy: Yes
    Plant Collection Policy: Yes

Conservation Programmes

  • Conservation Programme: Yes
    Medicinal Plant Programme: No
    Ex Situ Conservation Programme: Yes
    Reintroduction Programme: Yes

Research Programmes

Education Programmes

  • Visitor/Education Centre: Yes
    Education Signs in Garden: Yes
    Public Lectures/Talks: Yes
    Education Booklets/Leaflets: Yes
    Guided Tours: Yes
    Permanent Public Displays: Yes
    Special Exhibitions: Yes
    Courses for School Children: No
    Courses for University/College Students: No
    Courses for General Public: Yes
    Education Programme: Yes