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Designing WATER Post-Conference Reflections
A professional group photograph of 15 people

Designing WATER Post-Conference Reflections

One of the pleasures of organizing a convening like Designing Water, which happened last week at Longwood, is that—by setting up a theme of disciplinary concerns, a framework for discussing them, and gathering smart and talented people—something great unfolds. Usually, hopefully, you wind up with a conversation that is different from the one you imagined because of all the intelligence in the room. This convening did just that.

By Julia Czerniak, on October 22, 2018
Longwood Fellows Discover Importance of Boards at Jenkins

Longwood Fellows Discover Importance of Boards at Jenkins

As Fellows, the Longwood Fellows Program helps us develop our leadership fluency and understanding of organizational management. As part of the program, we visit gardens with distinct missions that set them apart from others. Our most recent salon was hosted at Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens, which is nestled in the busy Main Line area of the Philadelphia metro region.

By Chelsea Mahaffey, on October 16, 2018
A Longwood Gardens Trail Guide
walking trail path of the Forest Walk at Longwood Gardens with sun rays shining through the tall trees

A Longwood Gardens Trail Guide

From shaded woodland paths to sunny wildflower-lined trails, our Gardens provide perfect spots for relaxed strolls as well as more energetic treks. Take a peek at just a few of our welcoming walking trails below and discover much more with a visit to our Gardens.

By Katie Mobley, on October 5, 2018
Longwood Fellows Engage in Leadership Salon at Winterthur

Longwood Fellows Engage in Leadership Salon at Winterthur

The Longwood Fellows Program curriculum includes salon-style discussions hosted by regional public garden and cultural arts leaders who have expertise in specific leadership-related areas. Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library was aptly selected to host the discussion of “How the Garden Fits into Institutional Mission.”

By Erin Hepfner, on September 27, 2018
Growing Dahlias at Home
close up of large red dahlia

Growing Dahlias at Home

If you’re looking to augment your garden with late season blooms at a time when most perennials begin to fade, consider dahlias. Dahlias come in many colors, shapes, and sizes, and because of their variety, can be incorporated into many garden landscapes. Dahlias are also beautiful in the home, as they make excellent cut flowers.

By Roger Davis, on September 19, 2018
Plantologists Unite!
two kids holding a basket of strawberries

Plantologists Unite!

Seed Your Future is growing the next generation of horticulturists.

By Susan E. Yoder, on September 1, 2018
Our Award-Winning Orchid Collection
orchid with many red flowers in bloom on black background

Our Award-Winning Orchid Collection

Recently, we were able to bring some orchids from the Longwood collection to the Mid-Atlantic American Orchid Society (AOS) Judging Center. We were thrilled to receive 10 awards on eight plants, and among them are some rather important awards!

By Greg Griffis, on August 31, 2018
Making Our Fountains Dance

Making Our Fountains Dance

Our imaginative fountain choreographers utilize cutting-edge technology and artistic finesse to create astonishing performances.

By Katie Mobley, on August 17, 2018
The Botany of Beer

The Botany of Beer

For the past several years, we have been working closely with Victory Brewing Company to create a unique collection of botanically-inspired beers. While some of the ingredients used in flavoring these beers have come to us from around the world, others were grown right here at our Gardens. All, however, possess rich botanical histories that have imbued these beers with a unique character (and flavor!) that is quintessentially Longwood. Get to know our brews better by taking a closer look at some of the plants essential to our brewing process.

By Colin McCallum-Cook, on July 25, 2018
Designing Longwood’s Fireworks & Fountains Shows
landscape image of the Main Fountain Garden performance with fireworks above

Designing Longwood’s Fireworks & Fountains Shows

When it comes to fireworks at Longwood, our legacy runs deep—or, rather, sky high.

By Katie Mobley, on July 16, 2018
Pipe Dreams
person photographing someone playing an organ

Pipe Dreams

Open Organ Console Day invites guests to try their hand at playing The Longwood Organ.

By Patricia Evans, on July 1, 2018
Eco-friendly Home Gardening
blues stones covered by water in a natural bird bath contained in a nest of woven brown twigs and wire, elevated on a pole of white birch

Eco-friendly Home Gardening

What does it take to be an ecological gardener, beyond filling landscapes with a diverse selection of native plants? While the vast majority of our native fauna depend on plants directly or indirectly for their survival, many animals also have specific environmental needs that must also be met, as the physical environment of the garden provides shade, shelter, and living space for its residents.

By Colin McCallum-Cook, on June 20, 2018
A Talk and Book Signing at Longwood Gardens
A group of three people smiling

A Talk and Book Signing at Longwood Gardens

This week, Kevin Sharkey and I participated in a garden discussion and book signing at the exquisite Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. More than 1,450 guests attended the talk in the historic Open Air Theatre.

By Martha Stewart, on June 18, 2018
Leadership Gone Global

Leadership Gone Global

As nature is ever-evolving and multi-faceted, so is the operation of gardens themselves. As part of the Longwood Gardens Fellows Program, our Fellows spent two months at individual field placement sites across the globe to learn from thought leaders, as well as to share and grow their own expertise.

By Julia Thomé, Patrick MacRae, Neil Gerlowski, and Kaslin Daniels, on June 6, 2018
Plant Exploration in Azerbaijan

Plant Exploration in Azerbaijan

Plant exploration is vital to bringing new and potentially useful plants to Longwood Gardens. These plants may be used for various purposes: creating displays, systematically building our collection of over 11,000 types of plants, breeding new plants, or for plant conservation. For the past two years we have targeted the Caucasus region, which encompasses the countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, to search for new hardy plants.

By Peter Zale, Ph.D., on May 20, 2018
A Plantsman’s Journey Through the Hillside Garden
a view of a yellow and green textured garden with a stone building in the distance

A Plantsman’s Journey Through the Hillside Garden

The Hillside Garden is a magical place at any time of year, offering guests a tranquil retreat brimming with diverse floral displays, a plethora of foliage and textures, and quiet places to sit and reflect. But as spring sets in, the Hillside truly becomes a plant-lover’s paradise.

By Sam Hoadley, on May 6, 2018
A Tale of Beauty, Rarity, and Mania

A Tale of Beauty, Rarity, and Mania

Every spring, thousands upon thousands of beauty-seekers head to Longwood Gardens to take in one of our most spectacular sights—our beloved tulips. Ever-changing and always stunning, our tulip display is undeniably gorgeous, but what is it about the tulip itself that draws so much attention and wonder? Why are we so attracted to this seemingly simple flower? The answer may go far beyond the tulip’s beauty and instead lie in mankind’s fascination with the unattainable.

By Katie Mobley, on April 13, 2018
Community Read: A Conversation with Hope Jahren
image of person sitting in a field of grass with trees and the sun behind

Community Read: A Conversation with Hope Jahren

We are proud to welcome Hope Jahren to Longwood Gardens on March 24, 2018, for Celebrating Women in Science and Horticulture, and for A Community Conversation. Recently we had the opportunity to ask the author some questions about her life as a scientist, and about writing her national bestseller, Lab Girl.

By Lynn Schuessler, on March 18, 2018
The Allure of Blue
blue-poppies in bloom surrounded by green leaves

The Allure of Blue

Every March, a special botanical and horticultural rarity goes on display that creates a palpable excitement and fervor among our guests—the fabled Himalayan blue-poppies (Meconopsis ‘Lingholm’). They are poster children for a horticultural pursuit from which no plant group is immune—the quest for blue flowers. There are other blue-flowered plants, but why are they so rarely encountered and why are they so alluring?

By Peter Zale, on March 6, 2018
A Flower Show Tribute to a Visionary Heiress
light green flowers with dark green leaves

A Flower Show Tribute to a Visionary Heiress

Dorrance ‘Dodo’ Hamilton was a longtime and avid supporter of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. She passed away in April of 2017. Many know her as an heiress to the Campbell Soup fortune; those of us in the Brandywine Valley region remember her more for her outstanding entries in The Philadelphia Flower Show for so many years.

By Jim Harbage, on March 2, 2018