Gardeners on the Go

There is no better opportunity to experience the sights, smells, sounds, and textures of the plants and gardens in our region than on these unique trips.

Come along with our groups as we hit the road to learn design fundamentals in exceptional and varied gardens, buy plants at undiscovered nurseries, view massive champion trees, or just be inspired. Learn from your interaction with our experienced guides and share insights with other garden enthusiasts as you relax and let someone else do the driving on these daylong jaunts.

Courses:

Behind the Scenes at the Philadelphia Flower Show

with Jane Godshalk

DATE: Tuesday, March 2; 6:30 am to 3:00 pm
FEE: $130 Garden pass member / $145 non-member
WHERE: Meet Visitor Center Parking Lot

Avoid the maddening crowds by taking advantage of this early morning guided tour of the Philadelphia Flower Show. This is a unique opportunity to fully experience the renowned Philadelphia Flower Show and to enjoy the unique perspective of our floral instructors, who will accompany students on this trip.

This exciting day begins with small group tours of around 10, personally led throughout the show by behind-the-scenes guides before it opens to the public. Later enjoy a floral demonstration; and use the hospitality lounge throughout the day. There will be time to shop in the retail section, enjoy a leisurely lunch in or around the Convention Center, or explore the show further. Everyone will take home a goody bag and an additional ticket in case you’d like to return to the show at a later date.

No need to worry about driving or parking in downtown Philadelphia – we’ll travel to the show in a comfortable coach bus. Come see the Philadelphia Flower Show in a whole new way!

Specialty Nursery Tour

with David Culp

DATE: Friday, June 4
8:00 am to 6:00 pm
FEE: $130 Garden pass member / $145 non-member
Lunch included
WHERE: Meet Visitor Center Parking Lot

This unique trip will visit some relatively unknown regional nurseries where participants will find high-quality and often hard-to-find plants for their gardens. Many of these nurseries are not open to the public and are specifically chosen by a notable plantsman. The only thing really needed for this trip is a little bit of self control amongst the dynamic selection of annual and perennial plants at great prices.

Purchases will be loaded into a truck and delivered back to Longwood to take home that day. Its fun, it’s hectic, and it’s not for the faint of heart.

Dress for all kinds of weather and bring your wish list. Sunscreen and a hat advised.

A Peek Through the Back Door with Longwood Staff

Fabulous Fruits and Vegetables
with Harold Taylor
DATE: Saturday June 26; 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM
FEE: $18 Garden pass member / $20 non-member
WHERE: Visitor Center Auditorium Lobby

or

Topiary Tales
with Roger Davis
DATE: Saturday July 17; 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM
FEE: $18 Garden pass member / $20 non-member
WHERE: Visitor Center Auditorium Lobby

or

Mowing Patterns with a WOW Factor
with Michael Zawislak
DATE: Saturday September 11; 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM
FEE: $18 Garden pass member / $20 non-member
WHERE: Visitor Center Auditorium Lobby

Experience Longwood Gardens in the early morning before the gates open to the public. Join a small group to enjoy this informative, “insiders” view of the gardens. You’ll see the displays at their peak and learn how the magic is created. Wear comfortable shoes, and be prepared for an all weather walk.

Coffee will be provided to get you started. Come early and stay the day. Sunscreen and a hat advised.

LONGWOOD INSPIRATION: The Great Gardens of Italy

Travel with us!

DATE: September 7, 2010 depart from Philadelphia for Rome
September 18, 2010 depart from Florence for Philadelphia

View the itinerary at a glance.

For more information please contact Joan McClintock at jmcclintock@longwoodgardens.org.

Longwood founder Pierre S. du Pont (1870-1954) adored Italian gardens and derived inspiration from them as he built his own landscape and hydraulic wonders. We will experience firsthand the placeshe so loved as well as some more recent creations.

Rome will be our starting point and we’ll stay outside the city in Frascati for the first few days, after which we travel north to Viterbo and Siena. We’ll spend our final days overlooking Florence at the Villa Gamberaia, the model for Longwood’s Italian Water Garden and just recently available for lodging! All the gardens we’ll be visiting have been thoughtfully selected by Colvin Randall, Longwood’s PS du Pont Fellow who has studied Longwood history for three decades and who has travelled to Europe 14 times to visit gardens, and by Alessandro Tombelli, an Italian horticulturist based in Florence with a broad base of knowledge and a love for Longwood Gardens.

Join us for the First International Study Abroad Tour focusing on the Italian Gardens that inspired Pierre du Pont.

Garden Tour – Style & Material Focus

with Jeff Jabco

DATE: Friday, September 24; 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
FEE: $108 Garden pass member / $120 non-member
Lunch included
WHERE: Meet Visitor Center Parking Lot
Landscape Design Core Course

Students will visit a variety of unique gardens, both public and private, and will study the theory and structural design of the garden. The focus will be on design philosophy and the designer’s individual style, as well as material selection and use of special features such as water, lighting, and structures. Attention will also be given to determining the designer’s philosophy and individual style, as well as material selection and utilization of special garden features.

Students wishing to receive credit fortheir Landscape Design Certificate must complete and submit a worksheet or other assignment for a grade.

On the Trail of Champion Trees

with Scott Wade

SOLD OUT 

DATE: Friday, October 15
8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
FEE: $63 Garden pass member / $70 non-member Lunch included
WHERE: Meet Visitor Center Parking Lot

Come along and be a witness to what time can do in the landscape. This pleasurable trip has participants on the lookout for champion trees: the biggest, tallest, and oldest trees in our region, and in some cases, even in Pennsylvania and the nation. Students will measure and record tree circumferences, heights and spreads, and discuss tree identification and structure. Putting your hands on living history and standing at the base of one of these giant trees is an indescribable experience.

Limited enrollment.

Pennock Floral Company Tour

with Jane Godshalk

DATE: Friday, November 5; 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM
FEE: $63 Garden pass member / $70 non-member
WHERE: Meet Visitor Center Parking Lot

Start your holiday decorating with new ideas and purchases from the Pennock Company, one of Philadelphia’s leading flower wholesalers. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to tour its new facility, which is not normally open to the public. Learn how they purchase, prepare, and store fresh flowers. We will also tour the extensive design supply, silk and dried flower, and container departments where we will see the operation of this business in action.

This is a popular annual trip and a great opportunity for you to shop and/or open accounts after the tour. The bus will leave the back of the Main Visitor parking lot promptly at 12:30 PM (brown bag lunches are welcome) and return by 5pm.

Please bring a warm coat, you will be touring coolers kept at 37°F.