It has been few years ago when Longwood Gardens celebrated Christmas with a French-inspired holiday display...every time we see the photos we took, we feel so nostalgic. (This was our visit in 2017).
The gardens were decorated with a French royalty-inspired floral symbols such as fanciful topiaries, ornate mirrors, imaginative wreaths and sparkling crystal ornaments on more than 50 trimmed trees.
My favorite was the intricate mosaic in the grand tradition of a French parterre garden at the Fern Floor Exhibition Hall inside the Conservatory!
The green apples and gold walnuts go perfectly together and arranged in a pathway design that lead towards the fountain at the center, while apples and cranberries arranged in symmetrical flanking spaces create an abstracted fleur-de-lis patterns on the floor. The sunken floor where the fruits was arranged helps people to appreciate the design best seeing it from above angle.
A Christmas tree near the green wall shimmers in reds and golds. Hanging close to the tree on a wall is a Eucalyptus wreath with yellow sugared fruit.
The Music Room is decoratively inspired with "The Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, France.
At the outdoor patio extends the grand and festive view of the Music Room, with arc-dried branches.
Eucalyptus garlands which also hang on the wall leading to the Potting Shed is a living fleur-de-lis wreathe decorated with yellow kalanchoe, bird's nest fern and red ribbon.
At night, outdoor light displays become a wonderland of a half million lights making the gardens so magnificent!
Organ sing-alongs are fun way to enjoy Christmas at the Conservatory Music Room. It's also a good resting place to sit and enjoy the Christmas carols with all the others singing with the pianist! Songs are family-friendly holiday sing alongs (the traditional way) as the Longwood organ music fills the air!
Here is the sample: :)
Longwood Organ and Me:
This is the Longwood Organ at the Music Room in the Conservatory composed of 10,010 pipes divided into 146 ranks. It is considered to be the largest Aeolian organ ever constructed in a residential setting. In 1930, this became as a replacement from the original organ with a much larger, custom-designed Aeolian model that remains in the Conservatory up to this day. It took 7 years to restore this organ back t its 1930 original state beginning in 2004; - completely rewired, repainted, releathered and refurbished!
The late spring of 2017 was a great time for Longwood Gardens, the fact that the Main Fountain Garden has made its grand return to the public for a more and better spectacular presentations and performances when it comes to colorful fountains and fireworks that light up the sky up to the summer months!
It now has a revitalized garden, including the Grotto which features a cascading water, surrounded by natural stones and plants, - making it a cool, quiet place to relax for guests who enjoy tranquil environment in the garden.
Behind the Scenes Tour schedules are posted on their website 4 days a week. It's interesting knowing all about the fountain garden above ground to the huge tunnel system underneath. (i haven't done this yet as of this writing)....a good reason to always go back! 😉👌
At Longwood Gardens, there is always that summer spectacular happening! It is because they are presenting to the public a light and sound experience called "Nightscape"; - by Klip Collective, which started in June 1 to October 31, 2015. It was really a unique experience for the summer of 2015.
Nightscape transforms the gardens starting at dusk through the work of art with a combination of colorful lights, movement and sounds through the landscape of the gardens. Moving lights dances with shadow while music is in the air.
After dark, your journey begins as you experience a spectacular kind of beauty as you witness yourself moving imagery of lights beautifully animated and projected onto a living canvas on the garden's landscape.
Nightscape has 9 installation points all throughout Longwood Gardens from the Conservatory to the Large Lake and Topiary Garden in the outdoors. You don't have to worry about rain checks, because Nightscape can be viewed rain or shine, which is also an indoor-outdoor experience.
It is only available for viewing every Wednesday-Saturday from July 1-October 31. You'll get more information about time schedules on their website as they change every month.
Longwood Gardens is one of the most visited garden in the U.S. It is more than an ordinary botanical garden you will ever see; - it is a place for learning, entertainment, peaceful retreat and a place to commune with nature while enjoying thousand of species of plants and flowers in every season.
As you keep coming back to visit the garden, there are new attractions it offers to the garden and nature lovers. Visitors never get bored of coming to visit because there are always new ones to discover every visit.
I and my husband prefer coming back here from mid-spring to early or late summer to spend more outdoors! It was at this visit that we discovered the newly opened garden - The Meadow Garden.
This is an ideal place to do a walk and hikes, while at the same time admiring the beauty of nature and living things. A new experience for those who haven't seen the garden yet ;).
The Meadow Garden was designed for walking and hiking trails with a spanning area of 86 acres. Trail maps are always available for those who prefer to self-explore, although there are also expert guides that can lead visitors for shorter walks/hikes in some selected days.
The garden has more than 3 miles of walk and trail hikes as you continue to enjoy at your own leisure and at the same time discovering lush wetlands, open refreshing fields as well as seeing amazing diverse habitats for flora and fauna.
Saw a toad!
...and a turtle!
Take note however, that guided walks and hikes are weather dependent. It's always a good idea to visit and inquire at the Visitor Center at the entrance to the garden or by visiting them online. (longwoodgardens dot org.)
A new garden ready for public to see has recently been opened in June 2014 at Longwood Gardens! This outdoor garden is called the Meadow Garden that spans at 86 acres wide, has more than 3 miles of walking and hiking trails and features native and colorful wildflower plants with engaging narrative and insightful programs throughout the seasons.
If you get lucky enough, you can get the chance to see some wildlife particularly in the early morning or early evening along the trail and depending on where you are on the trails.
Birds are common sightings, but larger animals such as "the white-tailed deer can be an unexpected visitor at times.
It's surely a fact that often times, we spend little time appreciating the forms of beauty from nature - I mean, how many people in this world would be head-over-heels feeling so crazy about visiting gardens, and admire the natural beauty of their own? How much percentage of the human population love to connect with nature and at the same time be thankful enough of what the nature is giving them?
Nature's beauty is always free! Public gardens are almost everywhere for everybody to enjoy. A bed of roses is a typical form of a nature's beauty, so much so with colorful beds of tulips arranged in kaleidoscopic colors!
It was a one day visiting experience at Longwood Gardens once again, and I embrace this visit as colorfully awesome!
It's nice to be back once again at Longwood Gardens! Every trip visit that we do going there is always worth it. This time, it wasn't just a visit to the gardens smelling the flowers, but to watch the Golden Dragon Acrobat Show at open-air theater in the gardens as well.
The show didn't start until 1pm. While waiting, we visited the topiary garden and had some fun taking photos of the roses fully in bloom! Thank goodness for our ever reliable tripod cam as well. We managed to take both our photos together;).
The Golden Dragon acrobats had a spectacular performance! It was indeed a show of breath taking skills and spell binding beauty combining them with acrobatics, traditional dance, spectacular costumes and ancient contemporary music.
The show lasted for an hour 1/2 and we can say it was really worth the watch. Photography wasn't allowed during the show, but I was glad I was able to sneak some quick shots without the flash! :) After the show, I bought a souvenir (hand fan) that looked simple but elegant...perfect for hot summer days!
Didn't I say Longwood Gardens is our favorite hang out? ;). We didn't had any plans of what is for the weekend for the July 4th celebration, but yesterday, it was a spur of the moment when the hubby called and suggested to go back visit the gardens for the ?th time, and it was just perfect that today, the Philadelphia Orchestra was playing in the gardens.
After checking in at MendenHall, which is just 5 minutes away from the gardens, we proceeded to the gardens and arrived there around 4pm and had a late lunch at the Terrace Restaurant.
The concert started at at 7pm, at Longwood Meadow and since the reserved seats were all sold out, we got the lawn seating ticket. As always, we got our portable chairs and grabbed some snacks and drinks because hubby was sweating non stop! LOL!
The concert was done at around 8:05pm, and we proceeded at the main fountain area for the fountain show at 9:15pm. We had watched the fountains so many times, and it is spectacular as always.
We went back to our hotel around past 10pm, and hubby was dead tired and flat on bed right away! Poor hubby!
But the best thing is we had fun time together celebrating our early July 4th!
Advance Happy Birthday, America!
This was our 4th visit to our favorite Longwood Gardens, but my first time to see this fountain called "Eye of Water." Obviously, it looks like an eye! :)).
This water feature only runs from mid-April to mid-October. Much more ideal to visit during summer!
I've learned that this "eye" sits above a 90,000 gallon reservoir which supplies the main fountain garden and the waterfall of the garden.
The garden has also gardens constructed in a larger greenhouse called conservatory. There are at least 16 gardens inside including halls which are worth visiting and as attractive as the outdoor gardens.
1.Conservatory Orangery and Exhibition Hall – Originally, this area was planted with orange trees. Now, this is filled with ever blooming flowerbeds and manicured lawns. This is the Main Conservatory which was opened in 1921. This has adjoining greenhouses to grow flowering plants and fruits.
The exhibition hall has a sunken, marble floor covered with few inches of water for reflection. On some occasions, the floor is drained for special displays and entertainment. It has creeping fig and bougainvillea trained on the pillars and walls.
If you prefer to hear and learn more about the plants, they offer a self-guided audio tour inside the conservatory, pointing out the history, design, plants and mechanical infrastructure and other behind-the-scenes facts.
2.East Conservatory – this showcases remarkable water features. A central flowing stream and 16’ wide waterfall add sound and motion to the garden. Each of the black-dyed pools is heated to support aquatic plant life year-round.
3.Children’s Garden Construction Project – this temporary exhibit highlights some of the amazing sculpted features and garden designs that will be found in the new Children’s garden. A mini-maze filled with plants entices children to explore the new design of the Children’s garden. A remote controlled camera allows them to view the construction progress.
4.Ballroom, Pipe Organ & Gallery The ballroom is unique for its elaborate finishes including a parquet floor, fabric-paneled walls, and ceiling comprising 1,104 panes of rose-colored etched glass.
The Pipe Organ Museum Gallery – interprets the history and mechanics of Longwood’s Aeolian organ and chronicles Mr. Du Pont’s interest in music as well as the 2000-year history of pipe organs. As the restoration proceeds, visitors can view the wood and metal pipes housed in the organ chamber.
5.Outdoor Waterlily Display – this displays wide variety of aquatic plants from all over the world.The pools are filled with numerous types of day-and-night-blooming tropical waterlilies, lotuses, giant waterplatters, and other aquatic and bog plants.
6.Production Greenhouses This 30,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility assists Longwood staff in growing plants for display in the neighboring4-acre conservatory.
7.Mediterranean House – this greenhouse displays plants grown in Mediterranean-type climates from around the world which are characterized by moist, cool winters and hot, dry summers. Plants from these regions require high light levels, good air circulation, and a minimum temperature of 40F. This garden is at its peak in early to late spring.
8.Palm House – this greenhouse first opened on Palm Sunday, 1966, the reason why it got its name. It features unusual palms and cycads, lush groundcover plants, and the sound of rushing water that create a tropical feeling throughout the year.
9.Bonsai – these are potted miniature trees specimens that imitate full-size plants in nature. Horticulturists periodically prune roots, branches, and leaves to shape as well as keep the bonsai from outgrowing their containers. They shape plans into a variety of forms by wrapping wire around the stems. This permits branches to be bent and trained into the desired position. The wires are eventually removed.
10.Potting Shed – the gardeners use this shed as a planning and staging area for many of the magnificent horticultural displays.
11.Estate Fruit House – this garden is a striking example of the creative reuse of existing structures. Two of the favourite fruits of Mr. Du Pont are being grown here, nectarines and grapes. The fruits is produced at least a month ahead of the outdoor season by controlling heating and ventilation.
12.Cascade Garden – this garden features water cascades splashing into clear pools and lush, richly textured plants clinging to the walls and carpeting the ground.
13.Rose House – Pierre du Pont used this greenhouse to grow roses for cutting and display from late fall to early summer. Chinese hibiscus plants have been added to the terraced beds to extend seasonal interest.
14.Tropical Terrace – Visitors enter this tropical garden of lush foliage through the dangling 20-ft.long spaghetti-like aerial roots of the princess vine. Familiar houseplants such as philodendrons and calatheas, and many unusual tropical plants with bold textures and bright colors are displayed here. A rabbit’s foot-fern hanging in the center of the greenhouse was planted in 1953 and weighs approximately 500 pounds.
15.Orchids and Banana House –The orchid room houses the best of Longwood’s more than 3,200 types of orchids. At least 300-500 plants at peak bloom at one time adding color and fragrance in the air. Nearby, visitors can stroll beneath a diverse collection of one of the principal food crops of the world, the banana. 20 different types are grown in Longwood and range from the towering 30-ft.plantain to the dwarf banana that is easily grown in a container.
16.Silver Garden – Displays gray and silver-foliage plants adapted to the arid landscape of the Mediterranean and desert regions. The meandering shape of the gray-blue slate hints of a dry streambed as would be found on the floodplain of a desert. Rock outcroppings catch the eye in the center, and the “stream” disappears behind the boulders.
The Outdoor Gardens: 1. The Cow Lot. The ideal thing to start your tour begins here. This large open lawn, framed with specimen trees, was once a pasture. 2. Open Air Theatre – This is an outdoor theatre built in 1913. Because of Pierre du Pont’s love of music and drama, this was completed in 1914, then re-designed and enlarged in 1926-27. Today, it features all types of music performances and fountain displays. Fountains built into the stage perform daily from spring through Christmas and after dark are illuminated by hidden colored lights. An unusual water features serves as the stage curtain, rising 10’ in front of the stage before most performances. 3. Peirce-du Pont House – Step inside the house and see the heritage exhibit on the first floor which features historic photos, artifacts and a video that tells the story of the stewards of the land who preserved and developed the property. 4. Pierce’s Park – this is an arboretum that includes many large trees planted by the Pierce family in the 1800’s. Some of the trees here are approximately 200 years old. 5. Flower Garden Walk – this garden was created by Pierre du Pont that became the first flower garden and fountain in 1907. Today, the plantings bordering the 600-ft. long brick walk are mixtures of annual and perennial flowers, spring bulbs, shrubs, and ornamental grasses. A semi-circular store called “Whispering Bench” concludes the eastern end of the walk.
Try this; - Sit on one end of the Whispering Bench and have a friend sit on the other end. Cup your hand and whisper a secret toward the center of the bench and notice how your voice travels around the curve! 6. Pierce’s Woods – This is an “art form” garden of native woodland plants that features fragrant native azaleas in April and May. 7. Italian Water Garden – the basic layout of he design was inspired from Villa Gamberaia, near Florence, Italy while Mr. & Mrs. Du Pont was having their European trip, made with a water staircase and 600 jets that re-circulate 4,500 gallons of water each minute. The underground plumbing and drainage systems represent state-of-the-art technology, and the fountain display is computer operated. 8. Wisteria Garden – showcases cascades of violet and white flowers that spill from arbors and tree-form wisteria in May. 9. Square Fountain – this is an enclosed water feature fountain, surrounded by seasonal flowers and built in 1908. 10. Peony Garden – The garden derived its name from the shrubby hybrid tree peonies that bloom each May, along with Japanese irises and golden chain trees. Architectural interests are also added such as sundial and teak branches. 11. Flower Garden Drive – this 600-ft.long avenue parallels the Flower garden Walk with a magnificent alle’e (double row) of 27 bald cypress trees, fronted by an arborvitae hedge, that provides a stately backdrop for a double flower border. 12. Theater Garden – this is a walled theatre garden designed by Thomas Church in 1975. Now, it’s considered as a garden for all seasons, a decorative patchwork of muted colors and extravagant textures. 13. The Rose Arbor – it serves as one of the outdoor staging, areas for concerts when Rosa ‘American Pillar’ blooms in June. At the center of it is an old Italian wellhead that was given to Longwood in 1970. 14. Children’s Garden – this is undergoing complete rebuilding of its indoors. The graphic panels explain the new design. 15. Conservatory Terrace and Main Fountain Garden – The conservatory has colourful flowers and exotic foliage that are combined in year-round horticultural displays. The main fountain garden has 380 fountains and spouts set in Italian limestone basins and canals that create spectacular displays throughout the summer. At night, the fountains can be illuminated by 724 colored lights. 16. Outdoor Children’s Garden – this features a lively bee-themed activities including a honeycomb maze, “buzz trail” and flower fountain. 17. Idea Garden – This used to be once a large vegetable garden that supplied food for Mr. & Mrs. Du Pont and Longwood employees, with a 5-acre wide garden. It was developed early 1980’s into an educational displays for home gardeners. 18. Pump House – This is part of the garden,-the equipment that drives the main fountains, waterfalls and eye of water. 19. Chimes Tower Hillside – If you come across the hillside walk, you’ll notice that exuberant bulb, shrub and perennial plants spill down the slope of it, providing colors from spring to fall. As you continue to follow the path, you’ll discover magnificent views of the waterfall and Chimes Tower, with intimate places to sit and listen to carillon performances. 20. Chimes Tower – This eye-catching tower is 61-ft. tall that features a 62-bell carillon that rings hourly and for concerts. As you walk along the Chimes Tower, it provides a series of sunny and shaded spots for tranquil contemplation amid spectacular views. Various colors of trees, shrubs, bulbs and perennials throughout the year draws visitors to the eye-catching tower. At the base of the tower is a video that talks about the history and mechanics of the Chimes Tower. 21. Frog Hollow – this is a moist, low-lying area that fills with daffodils, magnolias and grape-hyacinths and usually gives color in Spring until end of June. 22. Conifer Knoll – the sloping landscape is dominated with mature specimens of majestic evergreens. Covering the top of the knoll is a variety of conifers. 23. Oak Knoll – Various oak species dominate this knoll. From March through April, thousands of pale purple crocuses and yellow winter aconites create beneath the leafless oak tress. 24. Eye of Water – this modern water feature sits above a 90,000 gallon reservoir that supplies the waterfalls and main fountain garden. 25. Rose Garden – a traditional garden installed in 1930, features many varieties of fragrant roses that bloom from June to October. 26. Topiary Garden – this attractive garden features evergreen yews that are trimmed into large geometric forms and whimsical shapes. The desired forms take years to develop. Today, it now includes more than 20 different shapes with more than 50 specimens. Within this garden is an analemmatic sundial which took 8 years of daily readings to perfect it, which is accurate to within 2 minutes. A sign on the site explains how to read it. 27. Caryopteris Alle’e – this long, narrow alle’e between the topiary and rose gardens has double rows of blue caryopteris and white hibiscus that bloom in late summer. 28. Lilacs – features 70 different lilac varieties that has plantings of white, pink and purple lilacs on both sides of the path leading to the main fountain garden. They bloom during late April and May with delightful fragrance. 29. Forest Walk – this natural woodland walk takes visitors under magnificent tulip trees, ashes and maples. 30. Meadow – this comprises 2 areas, the meadow trailhead and the meadow bridge platform that glows with wildflowers in late summer and fall. These areas were added as a new dimension for horticultural displays. The bridge platform contains native wildflowers. It becomes attractive and alive with moths, butterflies and birds during late summer and early fa
When it comes to nature tripping, one of my favourites is the Longwood gardens. In fact, we are already a garden pass member together with my husband.
We have been visiting the gardens for many times now, but in fact, we haven’t completed visiting all the gardens yet. Well, at least we all have the valid reasons to keep going back J.
Longwood Gardens had its centennial celebration, in the year 2006. It started in 1906, and with its 100 years of existence, it had gone a long way of better improvement and constant nurturing that the beauty of it became one of the most visited gardens in the whole world.
The basic historical facts about the garden:
Longwood Gardens is located on US route 1, about 3 miles northeast of Kennet Square, PA, 30 miles west of Philadelphia, PA and 12 miles north of Wilmington, DE.
In 1906, industrialist Pierre S. Du Pont purchased the property to save its collection of historic trees. His preservation efforts blossomed into a full-fledged passion for gardening that has rarely been equalled.
Over the past 100 years, Longwood Gardens has matured into one of the world’s great horticultural showplaces. It is not only a garden per se, but also showcases the excellence and innovation in preservation, horticulture, education, philanthropy and the performing arts.
There are at least 31 (and more are coming) outdoor gardens in Longwood Gardens. To find out, the only thing you can do is visit the gardens. You will be awed by the garden’s beauty as you see various trees and plant collections in different gardens.
