The Arnold Arboretum was established as a part of Harvard University in 1872. Its 281 acre site has been the home of many great collections of native and landscape plants. Over its existence, the Arboretum has sponsored plant explorations and research that has lead to the introduction of many trees, shrubs, perennials and other plants.

Listed below are just a few of the plants that have been named to honor their association with the Arnold Arboretum:

• Acer x arnoldiana ‘Autumn Splendor’ - Maple
• Acer miyabei - Discovered in Japan by Prof. C.S. Sargent of the Arnold Arboretum.
• Cornus x arnoldiana - Dogwood
• Crataegus arnoldiana - Hawthorn
• Forsythia  x 'Arnold Dwarf' - Arnold Dwarf Forsythia
• Forsythia x intermedia 'Arnold Brilliant'
• Forsythia x intermedia 'Arnold Giant'
• Forsythia x intermedia 'Karl Sax'
• Forsythia x intermedia 'Beatrix Farrand' -  Introduction which has larger, darker flowers than the species.
• Hamamelis x intermedia 'Arnold Promise' - Witchhazel
• Liriodendron tulipifera 'Arnold' - Arnold Tulip Tree
• Lonicera amoena var. arnoldiana - Arnold Honeysuckle
• Lonicera tatarica 'Arnold Red' - Arnold Red Honeysuckle
• Malus x arnoldiana - Crabapple
• Malus x robusta 'Arnold-Canada'
• Pinus nigra 'Arnold Sentinel' - Austrian Pine
• Rhododendron 'Mello-Glo' - Arnold Hybrid Azalea
• Rhododendron 'Obtusum Arnoldianum' - Arnold Azalea
• Rosa x arnoldiana
• Sorbus x arnoldiana - Arnold Moutain Ash
• Tsuga caroliniana ‘Arnold Pyramid' - Arnold Hemlock
• Viburnum x juddii - Hybrid of V. carlesii x V. bitchiuense developed at the Arnold Arboretum by William H. Judd, propagator, in 1920.