Longwood Gardens

Kennett Square, PA

Well - experience for its awesome horticultural displays created by knowledgeable faculty , Longwood Gardenshas something for everyone : flower - filled borders , forest retreat , tree house , a hayfield and illuminated fountain shows that will criticise your sock off .

Longwood was once the body politic home of businessman , philanthropist and passionate nurseryman Pierre DuPont . At his death in 1954 , possession transferred to a foundation that has transform the estate into the 1,100 - acre public garden it is today .

Take a stroll along the Flower Garden Walk

The first garden ( installed in 1907 ) was the 600 - base - long Flower Garden Walk . Wander along this popular spot ’s spacious brick walkway and you ’re sure to encounter a few plant jazz group that you ’ll require to replicate at home . You ’ll see inspiration any metre you visit — these borders are change regularly for maximal color . In spring they ’re fill with 125,000 tulips ( Tulipahybrids ) , daffodils ( Narcissushybrids ) and other bulbs and by summertime the pallet changes to a rich tapis of warm - weather - bang annuals and tropicals . You ’ll see salvia ( Salviaspp . and cross ) , canna ( Cannahybrids ) , reddened Abyssinian ‘ Maurelii ’ bananas ( Ensete ventricosum ) and many others . By tumble , pass plants are swap for recent - season bloomers . you could even take a stroll in wintertime to enjoy G of vacation lights .

Enjoy every season in the conservatory

There ’s lots to admire in the conservatoire in every season — even winter ! claver the refurbished Orchid House to see the extensive collection and teach about Longwood Garden ’s conservation body of work . In the East Conservatory , above , unambiguously imbed 18- , 24- or 30 - inch orbs advert from the ceiling . And just about everywhere you ’ll find plantings make full with attender perennials both intimate and exotic in unique combinations .

You Might Also Like : Cottage Garden CharmBotanic Gardens to Visit in the U.S.10 Best Shade Plants

Walk through Peirce’s Woods

If you ’re visiting in early give , do n’t miss a walking through Peirce ’s Woods . This woodland is carpeted with ground covers and aboriginal spring ephemerals , such as wood lily ( Trilliumspp . ) and rue anemone ( Anemone thalictroides ) . You may even get the sweet odour of Carolina Pimenta dioica ( Calycanthus floridus ) , redbud ( Cercis canadensis ) and some azalea ( Rhododendronhybrids ) varieties while you wander the paths .

In increase to free visits and special fellow member events , many botanic garden pop the question reciprocality : detached or discounted entry fees to one C of public gardens across North America . Visit The American Horticultural Society websitefor a list of participate gardens .

You Might Also care : More Botanic Gardens to Visit in the U.S.The Greater Des Moines Botanical GardenLongwood GardensSarah P. Duke Gardens

Sherri Ribbey

Sherri Ribbey

Longwood gardens conservatory in spring: There’s always something new in the conservatory. Here their famous hanging orbs are filled with pink moth orchids (Phalaenopsis hybrids) and bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla).

Longwood gardens conservatory in spring: There’s always something new in the conservatory. Here their famous hanging orbs are filled with pink moth orchids (Phalaenopsis hybrids) and bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla).

Longwood Garden flower garden walk: These huge red Abyssinian bananas steal the show along the Flower Garden Walk in summer.

Longwood Garden conservatory in fall caption: Enjoy every season in the conservatory where you can find unique plant combinations around every corner.

Longwood Public Garden Pierces woods: Majestic oak (Quercus spp.), maple (Acer spp.) and tulip trees (Liriodendron tulipfera) have a rich understory of more than 200 plant species including native wildflowers.