The Fran Perkins Arboretum at Seabury

The Property

The Fran Perkins Arboretum at Seabury is nestled on the more than 66 acres of beautiful Connecticut countryside that makes up the Seabury campus. Located on a former dairy farm, the Seabury campus is an idyllic natural setting, with scenic vistas in every direction. Many of the trees have been planted since Seabury opened in 1992 and the Fran Perkins Arboretum was dedicated in 2024.

Fran Perkins

Fran Perkins (1949-2021) was a city girl from Chicago. As she grew and matured, her interest in gardening came into focus. Fran was an active member of the Connecticut Horticultural Society, volunteering at Elizabeth Park and the Annual Connecticut Flower and Garden Show. She went back to school in 1998 at UConn to become a Certified Master Gardener.

Following her “keep it natural” philosophy, Fran and her husband Bob lived on three acres in East Granby. A third of the property was reserved as a wild space for bugs, birds, and small animals. A large vegetable garden and numerous plants, both native and imported, covered much of the rest. Fran also enjoyed growing specimen trees and bushes with more than two dozen spread around the property.

When dementia struck early, Fran moved into Seabury’s memory care unit. With support of caring staff, she took over the care and maintenance of the unit’s plants and gardens, delighting her fellow Residents while providing Fran with many hours of joy.

The Collection

Working with Residents and At Home Members over the decades, Seabury has sought to enhance the campus with native and exotic trees and woody shrubs. Entering from Wintonbury Drive, visitors are greeted by a delightful collection of Kwanzan Cherry Trees (Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’). Evergreens including Weeping White Pine (Pinus strobus 'Pendula'), Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis), Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Umbrella Pine (Sciadopitys verticillate) and Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) dot the landscape and provide year-round food and homes for wildlife. Seabury is especially proud of a Shagbark Hickory tree that has been on the property since its farming days. The tree produces a bumper crop of edible nuts each year and is at least 70 years old.

Panel 4 - The Collection

The Perkins Family at the dedication of the Fran Perkins Arboretum at Seabury

Red Buckeye - Aesculus Pavia — Red Buckeye
*Aesculus Pavia*

Weeping White Pine - Pinus Strobus 'Pendula' — Weeping White Pine
*Pinus Strobus ‘Pendula’*

Shagbark Hickory - Carya Ovata — Shagbark Hickory
*Carya Ovata*

Sycamore - Platanus Occidentalis — Sycamore
*Platanus Occidentalis*

Umbrella Pine - Sciadopitys verticillata — Umbrella Pine
*Sciadopitys verticillata*

The Mission

The mission of the Perkins Arboretum at Seabury is to promote the appreciation and knowledge of woody plants; to provide a place of recreation and exploration; and to serve as a model for environmental stewardship.