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Our American Elm: A Survivor's Story
large yellow elm tree outside the exit of Longwood Gardens in the cow lot

Our American Elm: A Survivor's Story

The American Elm was once a staple on the streets of America until Dutch elm disease was introduced in the 1930s. Today, small groups of elm trees can still be found in the woods or on the side of the road, but it is rare to find large specimens along streets or in landscapes. The American elm on the Cow Lot at Longwood Gardens is the only straight species of American elm remaining in the Gardens. Standing just outside the Visitor Center, this tree provides a majestic welcome to our guests, and gives everyone a taste of what's to come as they begin their way through the Gardens.

By Ben W., on July 11, 2012
The Art of Grafting Chrysanthemums
a dome of chrysanthemums with white, yellow, and purple flowers

The Art of Grafting Chrysanthemums

Ever wonder what is going on in the greenhouses at this time of the year? While you are enjoying the beautiful summer display, Longwood's growers are already getting ready for fall! One of our biggest projects at this time of year is to complete the grafting process that allows us to grow the large specialty chrysanthemums that will be on display during our Chrysanthemum Festival.

By Yoko & Linda, on June 29, 2012
Top 10 Plants for Night Gardens
long, thin flower spike is covered in small, white flowers

Top 10 Plants for Night Gardens

When you hear the word “garden,” chances are you think of green plants and brightly colored flowers blooming under a bright sun. But did you know that there’s such a thing as a night garden, too—a garden is designed to thrill the senses when the sun has gone down, the air is cool and the bustle of the day has diminished?

By Jim Sutton, on June 27, 2012
Nighttime Photography Tips
multi-colored lights along a lake at night

Nighttime Photography Tips

Field of Light at Longwood Gardens Longwood Gardens can be a paradise for photographers, with acres of flowers in bloom, interesting architectural details around every corner, and stunning natural areas. This summer, with the opening of Light: Installations by Bruce Munro, our guests have yet another fascinating subject for their images. However, nighttime photography poses a unique set of challenges, and requires a much different approach than taking pictures during the day.

By Jennifer Fazekas, on June 20, 2012
Illuminating Gardens
bright, yellow bulbs reflecting in the water

Illuminating Gardens

A personal look at the ideas, inspiration and down-in-the-dirt hard work that goes into producing the horticultural displays for one of the premier gardens in the US.

By Paul B. Redman, on May 15, 2012
The Unsung (and Unseen) Heroes of our Green Wall
a round fountain surrounded by walls with thick, green vegetation

The Unsung (and Unseen) Heroes of our Green Wall

It’s not a matter of “if” the Green Wall will get pests; it’s a matter of “when.” Longwood’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) staff battles these pests with a non-chemical approach called biological control.

By Mike L., on May 8, 2012
Giants Among Us

Giants Among Us

Longwood Gardens has so much to offer in the way of trees. Thanks to Pierre du Pont, we have this beautiful garden and its amazing old trees. Pierre bought the land for exactly that reason: to save a group of trees. The trees that he saved are incredible specimens, but I am here to tell you about the giants living among us.

By Kyle P., on April 27, 2012
Proud to be Beautiful
grouping of large trees with pink flowers

Proud to be Beautiful

“The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes. If you foolishly ignore beauty, you will soon find yourself without it. Your life will be impoverished. But if you invest in beauty, it will remain with you all the days of your life.” (Franklin Lloyd Wright)

By Paul B. Redman, on April 10, 2012
Longwood Launches New ‘Fireworks’

Longwood Launches New ‘Fireworks’

I am excited to introduce to you a completely new type of Fireworks at Longwood Gardens—Clivia miniata ‘Longwood Fireworks’!

By Alan Petravich, on March 9, 2012
How to Make Gingerbread Ornaments at Home

How to Make Gingerbread Ornaments at Home

We are thrilled to welcome Liz Marden & her daughter Kat Marden from Liz Marden Bakery & Cafe in Kennett Square, PA as guest bloggers for Behind-the-Plants! Liz and Kat created more than 8,000 gingerbread cookies--as well as two stunning gingerbread models of the Conservatory and the Peirce-du Pont House--that are used throughout this year's Christmas display. They share their "construction grade" gingerbread recipe below!

By Liz Marden, on December 14, 2011
One Singular Sensation
tall and red mums

One Singular Sensation

The tall, single stemmed chrysanthemums you see in the Conservatory here at Longwood Gardens are quite different than the mounded shrubs loaded with small flowers that you find at your local garden center. These are a specialty florist type, the product of hundreds of years of breeding to reach those stately heights and flower size and are not winter hardy for us in Southeast Pennsylvania.

By Jason, on November 14, 2011
No Ordinary Mum
thousand bloom mum in the distance with trees and water surrounding it

No Ordinary Mum

Do you hear the word chrysanthemum and picture those simple household flowers from the local garden shop? At Longwood Gardens, we take the ordinary mum and make it extraordinary, turning it into a work of art—the Thousand Bloom Chrysanthemum!

By Yoko & Linda, on October 27, 2011
Sound Inspiration, Sound Designs

Sound Inspiration, Sound Designs

Historically, the students in Longwood's Professional Gardener Program were given plots to design and maintain at their residences, so that they could be responsible for every aspect of garden design--from concept through to implementation. But since last summer, the students have been creating new, unique gardens near the Idea Garden for Longwood's visitors to enjoy.

By John M., on August 30, 2011
Christmas in July
A green lawn, beds of red poinsettias and white narcissus, and large hanging baskets of poinsettias inside a grand glasshouse

Christmas in July

Every year, Christmas comes early at Longwood Gardens as we prepare for our largest annual display!

By Sharon, Rachel, and Maddie, on July 29, 2011
Now We Are Cooking… with Summer Vegetables!
close up of hands holding a bundle of green snap peas

Now We Are Cooking… with Summer Vegetables!

Summertime is full of sunshine, blue skies, and the EXTREME temperatures that veggies love!

By ksterner12, on July 28, 2011
Longwood Gardens’ Bright Future

Longwood Gardens’ Bright Future

Today marked an important milestone at Longwood Gardens.

By Paul B. Redman, on June 16, 2011
The Newest Member of the Royal Family

The Newest Member of the Royal Family

In January 2010, we posted a blog about our “King of the Conservatory,” Encephalartos woodii. The Encephalartos is the most prized plant in Longwood’s Conservatory since it is extinct in its native environment of South Africa.

By Lorrie, on May 5, 2011
A True Blue Spectacle
close up image of a blue poppy flower in full bloom

A True Blue Spectacle

The first Himalayan blue-poppies (Meconopis ‘Lingholm’) of the season went on display at Longwood Gardens just before the opening of the Philadelphia Flower Show. Unlike last year when some plants went to Philadelphia, this time the blue-poppies can be seen only here at Longwood.

By Juergen Steininger, on March 17, 2011
'Longwood Debutante' Ready for Debut

'Longwood Debutante' Ready for Debut

After 35 years of clivia breeding, Longwood Gardens is releasing its first named clivia when the North American Clivia Society holds its International Symposium and Show at Longwood Gardens March 19 and 20, 2011.

By Alan Petravich, on March 4, 2011
Making the Season Bright

Making the Season Bright

Christmas at Longwood Gardens: What a wonderful time of year!

By Andrew L., on December 22, 2010