Autumn's Colors

Now through November 22, 2009

During the Chrysanthemum Festival, October 19 through November 22, more than 20,000 colorful, blooming chrysanthemums flourish in the palatial Conservatory. Longwood’s experts have trained these fall favorites into unique forms including towering single-stemmed beauties and thousand-bloomers.

The show reaches its peak bloom during the first three weeks of November. This year, a cloud of topiary bees above the indoor lawns are poised to pollinate the beds of flowers beneath. Topairy forms, including butterflies, spirals and our largest thousand bloom chrysanthemum ever, with over 700 blooms, adorn the Conservatory. Find out more about Longwood's largest-ever thousand bloom chrysanthemum.

Horticultural highlights this season:

Download a pdf of this week's indoor garden highlights  
Now with pictures!

Download a pdf of this week's outdoor garden highlights 
Now with pictures!

Please note that actual bloom times may vary depending on weather. The list of flowering highlights is subject to change.

Horticultural highlights this season:
General Indoor Highlights 

  • Asters
  • Cannas
  • Chrysanthemums
  • Coleus
  • Hamelias
  • Lollipop-plant (Pachystachys lutea)
  • Mexican Sage (Salvia)
  • Ornamental Peppers
  • Otacanthus (Otacanthus coeruleus)
  • Spurflower (Plectranthus)

General Outdoor Highlights 

  • Berried Shrubs
  • Bluebeard (Caryopteris x clandonensis)
  • Butterfly-bush (Buddleja)
  • Chrysanthemums
  • Day-flowering  and Night-flowering Waterlilies (Nymphaea)
  • Fall crocus
  • Fall foliage
  • Franklinia (Franklinia alatamaha)
  • Fruit trees
  • Gourds (Cucurbita)
  • Ivy Geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum)
  • Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)
  • Ornamental Grasses
  • Roses
  • Sages (Salvia)
  • Vegetables
  • Water-platters (Victoria)
  • Wildflowers

Chrysanthemum Festival

through November 22

Experience our spectacular show of exhibition chrysanthemums. Unique forms, including butterflies, spirals and our largest thousand bloom chrysanthemum ever adorn the Conservatory.


Find out more »

Timed Tickets for Christmas Display and Ice Skating Shows on sale now

Let your imagination embark on a magical journey through a Christmas wonderland at Longwood. Watch renowned ice skaters perform in a fairy-tale setting.


Buy tickets »

1906 Sunday Brunch

Sundays through November 22

The Terrace Restaurant's Fine Dining Room, 1906, will offer a new brunch menu from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm every Sunday this fall. Enjoy this four-course, prixe fixe menu for $24 per person.


See the menu and make your reservation »

The Gardens Shop

Online or in the Visitor Center

Inspired by Longwood’s seasonal displays, the Shop is the perfect place to find stunning décor, whimsical gifts, and your favorite plants.


Shop now »

The Buds and the Bees

Pollination and the Secret Lives of Plants (through November 22)

Join us for our year-long changing exhibit, which delves into the sights, sounds and science of pollination.


Find out more »