Meadow & Forest District

Gardens in this District

Forest Walk

Forest Walk

Wander paths in a realm of scenic, intimate woodland beauty, shaded by soaring tulip-trees and the canopy of other deciduous hardwoods. Don’t miss two of our famed treehouses for a squirrel’s eye view into sylvan serenity.
Meadow Garden

Meadow Garden

Enjoy expansive vistas, sweeps of stunning native plants, and a tapestry of texture as you wander miles of trails past carefully managed wetlands, ponds, open fields, and the forest’s edge, set to the hum of busy insects and rustling plants.

Explore Our Natural Lands

Approximately 65 percent of our 1,100-acre property consists of natural lands—meadows, forest, wetlands, and agricultural fields—that provide an oasis for migratory birds and native wildlife while creating a buffer between the Gardens and neighboring properties. The Meadow and Forest District represents 120 acres of these managed lands that are open to our guests for exploration, learning, meditation, and beauty. Our legacy of conservation, preservation, and restoration continues here in the richly biodiverse habitats that can only thrive where they are given the proper care and space. We continue to shape this land with the same spirit of beauty, innovation, and stewardship that has led a century of progress at Longwood.

In the Meadow and Forest District, we harmonize the best practices in ecological restoration with garden design—allowing us to showcase horticultural excellence and amplify beauty for our guests while prioritizing plant and animal communities. By following this approach, we preserve and improve the quality of the entirety of Longwood’s ecosystems, and biodiversity, from water to soil to air—while celebrating the human connections along the way.

District Highlights

Two small children run down a dirt path through a field of green and yellow plants at sunset

A small stone house with red shutters sits beside a tall tree behind an area of meadow plants under a blue sky

The Webb Farmhouse provides a space to warm up on a winter hike. Stop by to learn about the history and ecosystem of the Meadow Garden.

A small blue bird sits atop a wooden bird house in the middle of a light gold meadow bed of plants

A set of stairs leads up to a tall wooden and metal tree house sitting among green trees

A long bridge over a body of water leads into the distance with a wooden arching side railing

A long tin blue insect hovers mid-air next to a brown prickly plant

During the summer months, the common blue damselfly is one of the many beneficial insects that call the Meadow home.

A wooden path leads to a large treehouse surrounded by tall green trees

What’s in Bloom

Purple Poppy-mallow

Callirhoe involucrata
Wild Bergamot

Monarda fistulosa

This native plant, like its garden counterpart, bee-balm (Monarda didyma), has tubular shaped fragrant flowers, ranging from pinkish purple to pale lilac, that are a favorite of hummingbirds and bees as well as a wide variety of butterflies. It is also grown for its showy flowers and for mint tea made from its aromatic leaves. It grow 2-4 feet tall in full sun or part shade and well-drained soils. In winter, the round, honeycomb heads of bergamot pods are one of the longest lasting seedpods in the Meadow.
Prairie-coneflower

Ratibida pinnata
Coastal Plain Joe-Pye-weed

Eutrochium dubium 'Little Joe'

Coastal Joe Pye Weed, is a hardy, native perennial prized for its bold presence and ecological value in the garden. Native to the eastern coastal regions of North America, this compact species typically grows 3 to 5 feet tall and is well-suited to smaller garden spaces compared to its taller relatives. From mid to late summer, it produces dense, dome-shaped clusters of mauve-pink flowers that attract a wide array of pollinators, including butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Thriving in moist, well-drained soils and full to part sun, Coastal Joe Pye Weed is a valuable addition to rain gardens, meadows, and naturalized plantings. Its strong stems, attractive foliage, and late-season blooms provide lasting visual interest and support for native wildlife. Find other species and cultivars of Joe-Pye-weed in bloom throughout the gardens!
Blazing-star

Liatris spicata ′Kobold′
Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias incarnata

Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed) is a native perennial of moist meadows, wetlands, and streambanks throughout eastern North America. A member of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae), its fragrant pink flowers attract monarch butterflies, while its leaves provide the only food source for developing monarch caterpillars. In autumn, its seed pods open to reveal seeds attached to silky, parachute-like fibers that are carried by the wind. An excellent choice for rain gardens and other consistently moist sites, swamp milkweed combines ornamental beauty with exceptional ecological value.
- Hillside Garden
- Meadow Garden