Explore Longwood Gardens

Wide and soaring indoor view of glass house with arched glass roof, arched windows, lush greenery, floral accents, and a series of waterfalls flowing into a pathway of water.
Becca Mathias

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
    looking through fall leaves to the canopy cathedral treehouse

    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

  • Witch-hazel

    Hamamelis × intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’, a hybrid witch hazel, is valued for its bright yellow, ribbon-like flowers that appear in late winter when little else is in bloom. A cross between the Japanese and Chinese witch hazels, this cultivar was selected at the Arnold Arboretum for its abundant flowering, strong fragrance, and reliable performance. The spidery blooms unfurl on bare branches during the coldest months, often persisting through frost and light snow. In autumn, the foliage turns a clear golden yellow, extending its season of interest. Hardy and adaptable, ‘Arnold Promise’ is an excellent choice for  landscape, where it provides welcome color, fragrance, and early nectar for emerging pollinators at a time when floral resources are scarce.  

  • Oriental Trumpet Lily

    Oriental Trumpet lilies often referred to as OT hybrids, are the result of crossing Oriental lilies with Trumpet (Lilium) species. This combination blends the large, fragrant blooms of Oriental lilies with the height, strength, and classic flower form of Trumpet lilies.  These vigorous plants typically grow 4 to 6 feet tall and, under ideal conditions, can reach 6 to 8 feet, earning some varieties the nickname “tree lilies.” Their strong stems support very large, outward-facing or slightly pendant blooms in shades of white, cream, pink, yellow, apricot, and bi-color blends. OT lilies bloom in mid- to late summer, extending the season after Asiatic and often alongside late Oriental hybrids. They are highly fragrant, making them excellent choices for garden impact and cut flower arrangements.