We were recently out in Pennsylvania and has the distinct pleasure of friends taking us to the Longwood Gardens, situated about 30 minutes east of Philly in the area of Kennett Square. The Gardens comprise over a thousand sprawling acres of plantings, fountains, greenhouses, a tree house, and even a music house with a HUGE pipe organ! The land on which Longw
ood sits has a long and varied history of stewardship, from the indigenous Lenni Lenape tribe,
He bought it in 1906 primarily to save the overgrown arboretum from being razed, but du Pont's interest in gardening soon led to grand changes to the Gardens over his lifetime and the acquisition of numerous smaller adjacent parcels to give room to additional farming activities. After his death in 1954, the Gardens were given to the public, with a foundation set up to continue his goals of horticulture, education, performing arts and sustainability in perpetuity.
The holiday season is one of the most popular times at Longwood, with a fabulous display of lighted trees and fountains outside - thank goodness for the hot chocolate with baileys(!) - and impressive seasonal display inside the massive greenhouse. The chilly walk was definitely worth the price of admission, which are issued in timed tickets, so as not to crowd the many beautiful sights. You can round out the winter wonderland experience with an ice show set to music, and sing-a-long of holiday standards accompanied by the massive 10,010-pipe Aeolian organ.
I especially enjoyed the greenhouse, with numerous beautiful displays of potted bulbs: amaryllis, narcissus, and oriental lilies to name a few. These often floated in a sea of poinsettias, alyssum, or dusty miller. Numerous lighted plant 'chandeliers' and wreaths dotted the space, lending a lush and regal feel. There was even a display of apples, amazingly color-blocked in a shallow pond to delineate a green and red scroll pattern. The greenhouse also featured many walls of potted orchids, an extension of Mrs. William K. du Pont's famous collection that was given to Longwood in 1957. An impressive container collection to be sure!The orchids are part of the permanent collection and can be seen
any time. I'm very much looking forward to a return trip in the spring or early summer to see what delights the warmer seasons bring.
