Behind every item in The Garden Shop is a thoughtful curatorial process that ties together the skill and creative eye of our Shop staff with the beauty that can be found in our Gardens. If you’ve ever been inspired by Longwood’s horticultural masterworks, sprawling natural scenes, architectural grandeur, or fun seasonal displays … so has our Shop staff! Their inspiration manifests into unique items that commemorate days in the Gardens, high-quality tools that help you bring garden magic to your own homes, elegant décor or practical finds that elevate any space, and more. Here, get a behind-the-scenes look at how we make The Garden Shop into the beautiful and unique place that it is … and check out our top 5 summer favorites recommended by Shop staff.
Much like our Gardens, The Garden Shop is a space that is often months to years in the making. Associate Director of Retail Purchasing & Product Development Lora Pietrangelo leads the process of planning the assortment of products on the floor. She works closely with Associate Director of Retail Operations Matty Pura and Director of Retail Operations Mary Manning to create concepts for The Garden Shop that reflect what is happening within our garden gates. From seasonal displays to timely blooms to festivals and more, moments in our Gardens translate to concepts, aesthetics, and products in our Shop.
From artisanal, local items to international finds, Pietrangelo and Pura are on a constant search for new products to incorporate into The Garden Shop. “We go to craft fairs,” Pietrangelo shares. “That’s where we find a lot of local vendors. It’s a lot of word-of-mouth as well. I’ve been in retail for a long time, so I know a lot of vendors. We also travel twice a year to see specific vendors such as those in the Netherlands or Germany. I always say how lucky I am that we all work so well together. We have a collaborative mindset when it comes to these trips because we have to think so far ahead and plan out concepts.”
The Garden Shop staff works so far in advance that they are already starting to look at plans for fall and Christmas 2027 … simultaneously as they prepare for the 2026 holiday season.
Associate Director of Retail Operations Matty Pura and Associate Director of Retail Purchasing & Product Development Lora Pietrangelo explore a Christmas market in Germany. Photo provided by Mary Manning.
The result of their work with local to international artisans is a collection in which each item has a place, a purpose, and a story to tell that feels as carefully curated as the Gardens themselves.
The Garden Shop Staff Picks for Summer
Of all the treasures that pass through the Shop, a few have earned a special place in the hearts of the people who curate them. Here are 5 Shop-staff favorites that are not only popular items among guests, but also summer essentials to bring a touch of local to Longwood flair to your season.
A Garden Shop bestseller! Used by staff in their own outdoor spaces at home, these are essential for summer to keep pests away.
These flyaway sticks are made with a blend of geraniums, Texas cedar, cloves, and other ingredients to keep unwanted mosquitoes, horseflies, hornets, and the common fly at bay. Photo by Meghan Siano.
Warwick Furnace Farms Products
A favorite local vendor that has been featured in The Garden Shop for years is Warwick Furnace Farms. Established as a farm in 1867 after producing iron for almost 130 years, with stone buildings and barns that date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, the farm has now been owned and operated by Ed and Dolly Rosen and their four grown daughters for almost 10 years. In June of 2020, their lavender fully bloomed for the first time. They revived and reimagined the farm and now grow close to 16 lavender cultivars—and we are proud to carry their products in The Garden Shop. Their story as a family-run business that utilizes the skills and creative expertise of each member of their family is so inspiring. “They just fit so well with us in terms of their product and their branding. They have such a nice story. They have been great to work with,” shares Pietrangelo. Their products are a staple for refreshing, summer self-care.
At The Garden Shop, we feature Warwick Furnace Farms’ lavender-based salves, mists, toners, eye pillows, and more. Photo by Adelyn Duchala.
Another long-time regional vendor that partners with us is Tait Farm Foods located near State College, PA. The farm got their start in 1950 when Marian and Elton Tait purchased the property and established it as a hobby farm where they could raise their three children; take care of sheep, chickens, hogs, horses, and a few Basset Hound dogs; and grow Christmas trees. In the summer of 1986, it rained for nearly two weeks and rather than allow a bumper crop of raspberries to spoil, it was picked and frozen for winter. A family friend reminded Marian and Elton’s son, David Tait, of an old colonial beverage called Raspberry Shrub—and this became their first preserve product. Since that time, Tait Farm Foods Inc. has grown into an award-winning specialty food company that sells shrub, chutneys, condiments, and jams. The Garden Shop stocks several culinary items and Tait Farm Foods provides special jams and condiments from strawberry to sweet onion jam, all made in small batches by hand in their production facility.
These jams are perfect for summer! Photo by Meghan Siano.
Anju
In-store only. We’re always excited about new partnerships we create. Recently, we worked with Anju to create custom Longwood tote bags and pouches perfect for year-round use. Anju is a US-based vendor who partners with an artisan group in India to create unique, hand-crafted products that blend traditional craftsmanship with modern trends. Through Anju, with the sale of each tote bag, one textbook is donated to a school-going child in India. They work directly with schools in India and raise money to provide these much-needed textbooks and school supplies to children. Looking forward to fall, we will be adding new autumnal patterns from Anju to The Garden Shop soon.
These pieces are not only beautiful and unique—they also benefit communities across the world. Photo by Meghan Siano.
Houseplants
In-store only. A staple of our Garden Shop, houseplants are a universal favorite for all garden lovers who visit us—from staff to guests. From annuals and perennials to houseplants like succulents, ferns, and orchids, The Garden Shop’s plant selection is diverse with many of our available plants seen on display in the indoor and outdoor gardens.
Behind all that is living in The Garden Shop is a plant buyer with a passion for all things green and growing: Green Goods Buyer and Garden Shop Manager John Rapini. Responsible for curating the entire selection of indoor houseplants, as well as the vibrant Garden Shop Patio selection, he carefully sources exceptional plants that inspire gardeners of every experience level. His work with vendors across the country allows him to discover stunning tropical varieties, while local partnerships bring in unique bonsai, orchids, and specialty plants. He also oversees both the indoor and outdoor bulb programs, with many of the premium bulbs imported directly from Holland. Working closely with the Longwood Horticulture team, he brings in plants that reflect the beauty and seasonal displays throughout the Gardens. Through the Longwood Grown program, guests are given the opportunity to purchase plants that were previously featured in Longwood's displays and have been changed out as the seasons evolve—giving these beautiful plants a second life in home gardens. Longwood Grown also gives guests access to plants from our research program and unique orchids propagated from the Longwood collection.
We have a selection of seasonal houseplants to bonsai trees to gardening essentials ready for you to take home. Photo by Meghan Siano.
There’s much more to discover in person in The Garden Shop and online. Each product we bring into the Shop is carefully chosen to reflect what’s in our Gardens and resonate with guests long after they leave.
Editor’s note: Get more out of your summer shopping and enjoy exclusive morning access to The Garden Shop with Early Bloom Saturday on August 15. Browse the full shop at your leisure, explore a featured plant promotion on the outdoor patio, and enjoy coffee and light snacks available for purchase. Plus, receive a complimentary gift with purchases over $50. Admission to Longwood Gardens is not required to visit The Garden Shop. This shine-only event is subject to weather.
