Explore Longwood Gardens

Closeup of water-platter with bud and pink blossom.
Candie Ward

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

View All Gardens
  • 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

  • Aromatic Aster

    Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘Raydon’s Favorite’, is a standout late-season bloomer that brings a splash of vibrant lavender-blue flowers to the fall garden. Native to the central and eastern U.S., this tough, drought-tolerant perennial forms a tidy, bushy mound and blooms profusely from late summer into frost, providing crucial nectar for pollinators when few other flowers remain. The foliage lives up to its name—crush a leaf, and you’ll notice a pleasant, minty aroma. ‘Raydon’s Favorite’ is often praised for its long bloom time, resistance to mildew, and ability to thrive in poor or rocky soils. It performs best in full sun and well-drained soil, and makes a beautiful, low-maintenance addition to native plant gardens, borders, or naturalized areas. Bonus: it's also deer-resistant!

  • Ornamental Pepper

    Capsicum annuum 'Midnight Fire' is a striking ornamental pepper cultivar celebrated for its deep purple foliage and vibrant, multicolored fruit. Native to Central and South America, Capsicum belongs to the Solanaceae (nightshade) family and includes both ornamental and edible varieties of pepper plants. 'Midnight Fire' produces small, upright peppers that transition from deep purple to orange and finally bright red, creating a fiery contrast against the dark leaves. While the fruits are edible, they are intensely hot and primarily valued for their decorative appeal. Compact and bushy, this variety thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for containers, borders, and garden accents.  Enjoy the variety of cultivars are on display throughout the gardens!