Explore Longwood Gardens

Closeup of pink waterlilies with water-platter in background.
Hank Davis

Longwood Gardens, one of America’s quintessential landscapes, is a place of ever-changing seasonal beauty, handcrafted feats of horticultural wonder, and an awe-inspiring collection of the most beautiful plants from around the globe. 

From our humble beginnings as a Quaker farmstead and arboretum, to Pierre S. du Pont’s forward-thinking stewardship, to today’s collection of renowned landscape designers, horticulturists, and architects, our great garden of the world evolves and emerges again and again.

Through Longwood Gardens and its program of outstanding horticultural display, every visitor to the Gardens has the opportunity to gain, culturally and spiritually, a better peace of mind.

Russell J. Seibert, Longwood’s first director

Explore nearly 200 acres of lush, formal gardens, open meadows, and winding paths to breathtaking Brandywine Valley vistas. Together, mesmerizing displays, feats of engineering, and science-based research and conservation work harmoniously toward the overarching goal to unite and inspire our guests in appreciation of beauty—as only Longwood can. 

Explore Our Gardens

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  • Our Districts
    A stone path winds through a lush room of colorful plants with a hanging light above

    Our Districts

    Explore nearly 200 acres of lush, formal gardens, open meadows, and winding paths.

  • Our Seasons

    Our Seasons

    We honor the four seasons with five unique Longwood seasons, celebrating the bounty of our gardens throughout the cycles of renewal, growth, and ever-evolving splendor. 

  • Our Plants
    close up of orange Clivia Miniata with green and yellow center

    Our Plants

    Explore over 10,000 species and varieties of plants, representing 200 different plant families. 

  • Our Science
    A person holds a small vial with plant material inside in a lab

    Our Science

    Our scientific work lays the groundwork for discoveries that expand our understanding of the natural world and help perpetuate and celebrate its beauty for generations to come.

What's in Bloom

See More of What's in Bloom

  • Joe-Pye-weed

    Commonly known as spotted Joe-Pye weed, Eutrochium is a hardy native perennial valued for its tall, elegant presence in the garden. Native to eastern North America, it can reach heights of 4 to 7 feet. From mid to late summer, it produces large, dome-shaped clusters of mauve-pink flowers that attract a wide variety of pollinators, including butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Beyond its striking appearance, this species plays a vital ecological role by supporting biodiversity and contributing to healthy habitats. It thrives in well-drained soils with full to partial sun, and its sturdy, spotted stems, attractive foliage, and late-season blooms offer lasting visual interest. Be sure to explore other species and cultivars of Joe-Pye weed blooming throughout the gardens!

  • Tropical Day-flowering Waterlily

    Longwood Gardens celebrates a long history of growing, hybridizing and displaying waterlilies going back to 1956. This diverse collection, consisting of some of the finest tropical and hardy waterlily hybrids, is a mainstay of the Waterlily Display during the summer months at Longwood, and is accredited as one of the best waterlily collections by the Plant Collections Network in 2012.