General Information
The 144-acre Arboretum is located in the western section of Colonial Park. The Arboretum, a living tree museum, contains labeled specimens of flowering trees, evergreens, shade trees, dwarf conifers, and flowering shrubs. Established to display ornamental trees and shrubs, which grow well in central New Jersey, the Arboretum is a valuable resource to homeowners planning to landscape their properties.

The section of the Arboretum located on either side of parking lot A and the Rose Garden contains deciduous and evergreen trees and larger shrubs. Here the visitor will find many species and varieties that are native to the United States, as well as Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East. There are also various types of dwarf conifers. Some of the genera represented are Abies (firs), Acer (maples), Carpinus (ironwoods), Picea (spruces), Celtis (hackberries), Cedrus (cedars), Aesculus (buckeyes), Cephalotaxus (plum yews), Ilex (hollies), Juniperus (junipers), Chamaecyparis (false cypress), Pinus (pines), Quercus (oaks), Sorbus (mountain ashes), and many more.

The Arboretum is of interest to students of botany and horticulture, as well as all plant enthusiasts and gardeners. It is now in the beginning stage of a multi-year planting and renewal project; each year there will be more new and interesting specimens to see.

A Shrub Garden is located in the northern section of the Arboretum, behind the Perennial Garden, and is under renovation. This garden will contain many flowering shrubs that are known to be deer-resistant, as well as trees and perennials.

Also located in the Arboretum are the Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden, the Fragrance and Sensory Garden and the Perennial Garden.

Wedding ceremonies, pictures, and guided tours by permit only. Please call 732 873-2459 ext 21.

COLONIAL PARK ARBORETUM SHRUB AND TREE LIST (PDF)

LOCATION: Colonial Park (Lot A & F) Mettlers Road Somerset, NJ 08873 (Franklin Township) HOURS: Sunrise to Sunset (Daily) ADMISSION: None

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Somerset County Park Commission Horticulture Department Colonial Park 156 Mettlers Road Somerset, NJ 08873 Tel: 732 873-2459 Fax: 732 873-3896 TTY: Use the NJ Relay Service @711 (for individuals with hearing/speech impairments)