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The Stories We Tell: A Visit to Shofuso
a traditional tea house with green shurbs and hedges surrounding it

The Stories We Tell: A Visit to Shofuso

As the docent intern at Longwood, I focus on how we interpret and share such details, so I am constantly thinking about the stories we tell in our garden, as well as the design choices, gardening techniques, and plant selections we employ to tell them.

By Esther Leaming, on September 29, 2021
A Brilliant Return
bruce munro smiling for the camera with a light blue shirt and navy sweater around his shoulders

A Brilliant Return

Next summer, we have the immense honor of taking the interplay of nature and people a step (or ten) further, when artist Bruce Munro returns to Longwood for Light: Installations by Bruce Munro.
By Katie Mobley, on September 21, 2021
Name of the Botanical Game
bed of in bloom purple Russian sage plants

Name of the Botanical Game

While I’ve often heard gardeners jokingly remark that botanists like to change names just to keep them guessing, botanical name changes happen often and represent advances in science and our understanding of the relationships in the plant world.

By Anthony S. Aiello, on September 15, 2021
Wine and Dine into Fall
a set table with a flower vase and a plate of food

Wine and Dine into Fall

We thought we’d challenge ourselves to pick just a few of our featured Wine & Jazz wines, share their stories, and pair them with some great recipes you can make from home to lead us all into fall on a delicious note.

By Executive Chef Will Brown, on September 1, 2021
Learning Together, Near and Far
two adults viewing the main fountain garden through a camera screen at dusk

Learning Together, Near and Far

It’s been nearly 18 months since we last welcomed students into the Gardens as part of our in-person Continuing Education programming … but all of that changes this October.

By Matthew Thomas, on August 25, 2021
New Potential for Our Azalea Bonsai
close up of a bonsai tree getting trimmed and wired

New Potential for Our Azalea Bonsai

It’s been more than two years since we embarked on the process of training an azalea standard into a bonsai. It’s now time to share what our old friend has been up to in the last year.

By Kevin Bielicki, on August 18, 2021
What’s in a Name: Indigenous Orchids of the Andes Mountains
close up image of a white and yellow Masdevallia chuspipatae orchid

What’s in a Name: Indigenous Orchids of the Andes Mountains

In my first few weeks here at Longwood, I found that my linguistics background would definitely come in handy … especially when I made an orchid discovery that would bring my past studies and my current plant records work full circle.

By Emily Conn, on August 11, 2021
Floating Ideas on Our Floating Islands
water lily display in the pond with surrounding plants

Floating Ideas on Our Floating Islands

As the gardener responsible for the Waterlily Display, I can say firsthand just how much we delight in sharing the beauty and the display possibilities of our aquatics collection with our guests.

By Tim Jennings, on August 4, 2021
Welcoming Our Fellows
Five member class of 2021 Longwood Fellows posing outside

Welcoming Our Fellows

Our Fellows Program brings talented professionals to Longwood to live and study alongside one another … all while learning more about themselves and the further contributions they can make.

By Katie Mobley, on July 28, 2021
Moving, By the Book
a row of books in various sizes and colors placed on a library shelf

Moving, By the Book

Whether we’re transplanting our plant collections or moving our precious, one-of-kind library and archives (right down to our oldest book, dated 1635), we must practice a high level of care along the way.

By Gillian Hayward, on July 21, 2021
Made in the Shade Garden
outdoor garden walkway path with bench at Longwood Gardens

Made in the Shade Garden

While sun gardens are places in which every flower color under the sun can be showcased, shade gardens are more subtle and elegant … and definitely a way to enjoy your outdoor space while taking refuge from the midsummer heat.

By Michael Strengari, on July 14, 2021
Going the Distance
a black pool with large water lily pads and white flowers

Going the Distance

Caring for our aquatic collection during Longwood Reimagined calls for far-reaching collaboration.
By Katie Mobley, on July 8, 2021
New Homes for Old Friends
inside of a greenhouse filled with tropical green plants

New Homes for Old Friends

We are the steward of one of the most important collections of gardens and glasshouses, and one perfect example of that commitment lies in the 55 plants we’ve moved from their previous West Conservatory locations to new permanent homes in our Main and East Conservatory display spaces.

By Katie Mobley, on July 7, 2021
Follow Our Discovery Trail
tree with signage for the discovery trail

Follow Our Discovery Trail

Discover hidden secrets in the Main Fountain Garden, identify trees in Peirce’s Woods, search for wildlife in our Meadow Garden, and even take a meditative moment with garden-inspired yoga poses.

By Katie Mobley, on June 30, 2021
With Bells On
a small pond surrounded by large green trees, a waterfall, and a stone tower in the distance

With Bells On

Our live carillon concerts—held on select Sunday afternoons through September—allow our 62-bell, five-octave Longwood Carillon to truly shine.

By Katie Mobley, on June 23, 2021
Going Beyond Beauty
close up image of a pink orchid

Going Beyond Beauty

The field of ethnobotany—the study of how a region’s plants are used by the local culture and people—is a fascinating topic and one that considers much more than a given plant’s aesthetic appeal.

By Peter Zale, on June 16, 2021
Rediscover Our Bonsai
a collection of bonsai trees displayed on elevated platforms

Rediscover Our Bonsai

Our guests now have the chance to interact and engage with our bonsai … including the 10 stunning azalea bonsai trees with cloud-like, vibrant flowers we’ve just now put on display in our East Conservatory, as part of a new rotating bonsai display.

By Kevin Bielicki, on June 9, 2021
Weathering the Storm
view from atop a tree from an arborist

Weathering the Storm

Among Longwood’s many methods of caring for our trees and helping facilitate their longevity is our lightning protection plan. Journey along with me as I walk you through the field of lightning protection.

By Tyler Altenburger, on June 2, 2021
A Lesson in Signature and Identity
a wooden walking path zig-zags through a bed of greenery

A Lesson in Signature and Identity

After not being able to have a Student Exhibition Garden in 2020 because of the onset of COVID-19, we are incredibly excited to once again proudly showcase our students’ beautiful visions, hard work, and utmost care in the form of the three distinct gardens that reflect this year’s Student Exhibition Garden theme—signature and identity.

By Katie Mobley, on May 26, 2021
Setting the Tone
a group of three musicians performing on a small stage with trees in the foreground

Setting the Tone

We are beyond thrilled to once again offer live music in the Beer Garden, welcoming back these talented local performers to once again treat us to their vibrant sounds of bluegrass, traditional Cuban and Latin jazz, Caribbean steel pan, and much, much more in the unforgettable setting of our Beer Garden.

By Katie Mobley, on May 12, 2021