Occupying half an acre, the Morgan's Sam Caraboolad Garden grows plants for papermaking and natural dyes and is one of the largest groves of cultivated Japanese Kozo in the United States. With a rain barrel watering system, the Morgan Conservatory embraces sustainable practices, rooted in tradition, by growing the raw materials of papermaking onsite and reducing our environmental impact - from plant to paper.

 

Each November, the Morgan's Annual Kozo Harvest presents a free, hands-on opportunity for the community to learn the entire process of traditional Eastern papermaking, beginning with the plants themselves. The Morgan preserves this ancient art form, which is over 2,000 years old. It serves as the foundation of papermaking and the Morgan itself.

 

In Spring and Summer especially, the Sam Caraboolad Garden is teeming with life - both plants and people. Our garden would not be what it is today without the support of our dedicated volunteers and interns who help with seeding, pruning, weeding, transplanting, and overall care of our garden each season.

 

In 2025 and 2026, the Morgan will additionally be designing and installing a new Native Plant and Rain Garden next door to our front entrance to help beautify the neighborhood, create habitat for native species, and manage stormwater runoff. Join us on Saturday May 10th, 2025 to participate in designing the garden beds during our Community Open House event, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.