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Restoring Longwood’s Guardian Lions
a statue of a foo dog in front of topiary trees

Restoring Longwood’s Guardian Lions

The removal, restoration, and reinstallation of these finely detailed—and heavy—sculptures required a delicate, almost surgical approach and in the process, we delved into their history and purpose at Longwood.

By David Sleasman, on April 19, 2023
Sharing Our Underground Railroad Connection
a cemetary with bright green grass, blue skies, and two large trees

Sharing Our Underground Railroad Connection

As we continue to immerse ourselves in the history of the cemetery and its place in southern Chester County past and present, we develop a deeper understanding of the mid-19th century context in which the cemetery and meeting house were founded, so that we can better share those stories.

By David Sleasman and Jennifer Fazekas, on February 22, 2023
Alice du Pont's Support of Pennsylvania's Unique History
oil painting of two people sitting in a garden with a gold placque that reads Longwood PA 1936

Alice du Pont's Support of Pennsylvania's Unique History

Alice du Pont played a very important role in the 1926 acquisition of one of the Philadelphia Museum of Art's well-known period rooms—which made quite a stir upon its opening—and can still be viewed today.

By Gillian Hayward, on August 31, 2022
Another Branch of the Longwood Story
sepia tone image of an old stone house

Another Branch of the Longwood Story

Very close to Route 1, just south of the entrance to Longwood Gardens, stands a 19th century farmhouse that silently bears witness to an illustrious history ultimately connected to today’s Longwood Gardens.

By David Sleasman, on June 1, 2022
A New Take on an Old Favorite: Rhododendrons 
pink and white rhododendron plants

A New Take on an Old Favorite: Rhododendrons 

Longwood has made continual efforts to strategically build a beautiful and diverse collection of rhododendrons—and the dozens of newly donated plants soon making their way to Longwood represents a new milestone in our rhododendron collection.

By Peter Zale, on May 18, 2022
A Labor of Love: The Topiary Garden
view of a topiary garden with blue sky

A Labor of Love: The Topiary Garden

With 35 specimens and more than a dozen forms ranging from wedding cakes to spirals to birds, our Topiary Garden is much more than a collection of yews (Taxus)—it’s also a collection of stories told by those who have so expertly cared for it.

By Gabby Rowe, on May 4, 2022
Trees as Connectors
image of a tree looking up at the sky next to the trunk

Trees as Connectors

The Songs of Trees is this year’s Community Read selection for Haskell’s poetic take on how human history, ecology, and well-being are intertwined with the lives of trees.

By Alison Miner, on April 27, 2022
Unraveling a History Mystery
a black and white photo of a stone walkway with plants growing along the walls and roof

Unraveling a History Mystery

In August 2021, the Longwood Gardens Library received a sizable donation of archival material from the Kennett Library, documenting the lives and stories of the people of Kennett Square— foremost among them the famous author and diplomat Bayard Taylor.

By William Niner, on January 19, 2022
Longwood’s Weeping Beeches: Their Origins and Significance
a Weeping Beech with a bright blue sky and fluffy white clouds in the background

Longwood’s Weeping Beeches: Their Origins and Significance

Longwood is the proud home of two specimens on view that represent a strikingly impressive form of Fagus sylvatica, and whose beautifully undulating lines are perhaps best appreciated during the winter months after their leaves have fallen.

By Kristina Aguilar, on January 5, 2022
A Farmhouse, A Story
a stone farmhouse with red shutters and a large tree behind it

A Farmhouse, A Story

The Webb Farmhouse’s history spans a long time before Longwood Gardens existed, and the evolution of the land helps tell its story.

By Madison Thibodeau, on October 6, 2021
Moving, By the Book
a row of books in various sizes and colors placed on a library shelf

Moving, By the Book

Whether we’re transplanting our plant collections or moving our precious, one-of-kind library and archives (right down to our oldest book, dated 1635), we must practice a high level of care along the way.

By Gillian Hayward, on July 21, 2021
The Tale of Bayard Taylor
a scanned photograph of a large victorian home surrounded by evergreen trees

The Tale of Bayard Taylor

There are many stories to be told about the lives of the residents of the Longwood Cemetery, located just outside of the Longwood Gardens entrance.

By Gillian Hayward, on March 31, 2021
Home for the Holidays
a pink tricycle with a green bowl on it and wrapped presents in the background

Home for the Holidays

Our Christmas display is one rooted not only in beauty, but also in a spirit of giving that has resonated here at Longwood for the last century … and, to us, that spirit can be warmly felt in each lovingly placed ornament to each impeccably grown flower showcased throughout this year’s display.

By Gillian Hayward, on December 23, 2020
A Very Lucky Rabbit’s-Foot
a large hanging fern basket suspends from the ceiling of a greenhouse

A Very Lucky Rabbit’s-Foot

This hard-to-miss green giant hangs in the center of the Tropical Terrace and measures a sprawling 9.5 feet in diameter.

By Gillian Hayward, on September 2, 2020
Glorious Groves and Glades: Oak and Conifer Knoll
landscape of knoll trees with a bench in spring

Glorious Groves and Glades: Oak and Conifer Knoll

Towering, century-old trees, winding pathways, and hidden benches await guests any time of year in Oak and Conifer Knoll. It is an all-season destination with a rich history and serene beauty.

By Gillian Hayward, on July 22, 2020
The Drama and Appeal of Our Theatre Garden
garden path on a misty day

The Drama and Appeal of Our Theatre Garden

Designed by noted landscape architect Thomas Church, the Theatre Garden features drought-tolerant plants that can survive tough conditions … and gives a textural, star-studded performance each year during the summer’s heat and bright sunlight.

By Gillian Hayward, on July 1, 2020
Our Evolving Rose Garden
plants in black containers on a bed of soil

Our Evolving Rose Garden

When you return to visit us again, we hope you’ll make the Rose Garden one of your first stops … there is something new to see!

By Judy Stevenson, on June 22, 2020
The Mystery of Longwood’s Iris Garden

The Mystery of Longwood’s Iris Garden

Very little trace of this iris garden survives today (we don’t even know where it was located!), and only by delving deep into the archives are we able to piece together the story of this long-vanished garden.

By Judy Stevenson, on May 27, 2020
Hungry for History: Our Carnivorous Collection
close up image of a carnivorous plant

Hungry for History: Our Carnivorous Collection

With their visual appeal and botanical interest, it is little wonder that carnivorous plants have long had a place on display in our Gardens.

By Gillian Hayward, on May 14, 2020
Farewell to an Iconic Tree

Farewell to an Iconic Tree

This magnificent tree, thought to be nearly 200 years old, was the first tree at Longwood to be designated a state champion tree, meaning it was deemed the largest of its kind of Pennsylvania—and then went on to be deemed the largest in the nation.

By Katie Mobley, on May 11, 2020