Freaky Flora Self-Guided Walk - The Arboretum
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Thursday, October 8; 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Freaky Flora Self-Guided Walk

Located in all parts of the garden

October 1-31, 2026

How can a fig tree strangle another tree to death? Why was wormwood once blamed for madness and hallucinations? What plant was believed to keep evil spirits from entering your home? And which blood-red fruit became a symbol of the Underworld?

Discover the eerier side of our collections with Freaky Flora, a self-guided exploration featuring 20 strange, spooky, and fascinating plants throughout the garden.

As you wander, keep an eye out for little scarecrows tucked along the paths. Each one marks a Freaky Flora stop and includes a QR code connecting you to the full route, where you can uncover creepy folklore, unusual adaptations, strange histories, and other freaky plant facts.

Explore all 20 stops at your own pace and in any order—no set route required. A fun seasonal adventure for curious visitors of all ages!

Photos courtesy of Marlyn Woo

Cost

Included in admission

More Information

Self-guided experience
No tickets required- included with paid admission
Participants must either download the Freaky Flora document from the website or have a phone with them to access the route and plant guide via the QR code

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