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The Beauty (and Possibilities) of Dried Flowers
a close up of a Christmas tree with dried flowers and green ornaments

The Beauty (and Possibilities) of Dried Flowers

Here at Longwood (and at home), arrangements made from dried flowers serve as spectacular options for the holiday (or any) season … and they help showcase and celebrate the beauty of plants long after their natural growing season.

By Michael Strengari, on December 8, 2021
The Art of Alpine
a pool of water with a fountain in the middle and icicles along the sides with large Christmas trees surrounding the water

The Art of Alpine

Our Exhibition Hall has been transformed into a true environment, meant to whisk you away to an entirely different world. How we created this world is a story in itself.

By Kevin Bielicki, on December 1, 2021
New Forms, New Displays, New Fun
a chrysanthemum bonsai on a wooden platform

New Forms, New Displays, New Fun

This imaginative display serves as the largest and oldest of its kind in North America, and it’s a spectacular time of year in which we stretch our horticultural limits to put on a colorful show for our guests.

By Jim Sutton, Display Designer and Kevin Bielicki with Katie Mobley, on October 27, 2021
The Artform of Sashiko in Luminary Form
softly glowing luminaries nestled in grass at dusk

The Artform of Sashiko in Luminary Form

On October 14, 15, and 16, we are honored to share a very special Luminaria Nights display inspired by the artform of sashiko—a traditional hand-stitching practice developed in Japan.

By Katie Mobley, on October 12, 2021
A Brilliant Return
bruce munro smiling for the camera with a light blue shirt and navy sweater around his shoulders

A Brilliant Return

Next summer, we have the immense honor of taking the interplay of nature and people a step (or ten) further, when artist Bruce Munro returns to Longwood for Light: Installations by Bruce Munro.
By Katie Mobley, on September 21, 2021
Floating Ideas on Our Floating Islands
water lily display in the pond with surrounding plants

Floating Ideas on Our Floating Islands

As the gardener responsible for the Waterlily Display, I can say firsthand just how much we delight in sharing the beauty and the display possibilities of our aquatics collection with our guests.

By Tim Jennings, on August 4, 2021
Follow Our Discovery Trail
tree with signage for the discovery trail

Follow Our Discovery Trail

Discover hidden secrets in the Main Fountain Garden, identify trees in Peirce’s Woods, search for wildlife in our Meadow Garden, and even take a meditative moment with garden-inspired yoga poses.

By Katie Mobley, on June 30, 2021
The Height of Care
landscape image of a garden bed with two foxglove plants that are half in bloom

The Height of Care

These late spring flowers have just recently made their debut along Flower Garden Walk, but we’ve been carefully planning and coaxing their arrival since last summer, using a growing technique rooted in precision and care.

By Katie Mobley, on April 29, 2021
Specimens of Beauty
a zoomed in photograph of a vibrant purple orchid bloom

Specimens of Beauty

Our frequently-changing display of specimen orchids gives our guests the chance to see some of the most spectacular and unusual selections from our collection of approximately 5,500 orchids.

By Greg Griffis, on March 10, 2021
March is a Month of Icons
wide view of a conservatory

March is a Month of Icons

With iconic, impactful, and simply gorgeous plants gracing nearly every corner of our Main and East Conservatory display, March is the time that many of our most signature plants are on view in full spectacular bloom.

By Karl Gercens, on March 3, 2021
The Beauty of Height
a hanging basket of yellow blooms suspended above a sunny hallway filled with greenery

The Beauty of Height

For this season, we’ve created a true sanctuary of warmth inside our Conservatory, with a record number of more than 50 baskets throughout our East Conservatory and Main Conservatory spaces.

By Jim Sutton, Display Designer, on February 3, 2021
Telling the Inside Story
pathway leading to the meadow gardens at Longwood Gardens

Telling the Inside Story

At a time in which we find ourselves connected to—quite fortunately—one another via wireless technology, it may be hard to remember that we, as human beings, are wired for storytelling and for time spent in nature.

By Katie Mobley, on January 19, 2021
How We Make Our Living Succulent Wreaths

How We Make Our Living Succulent Wreaths

As a Longwood Senior Horticulturist, I’ve had the pleasure of creating dozens of living wreaths and many succulent creations throughout my time here, but this year’s Silver Garden wreath is especially poignant and beautiful to me.

By Kat McCullough, on December 30, 2020
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
How to Photograph Holiday Lights

How to Photograph Holiday Lights

Whether you’re using a smartphone or a DSLR/camera, follow along as I share some tips on how to take fantastic photos of Christmas lights during your Longwood visit.

By Becca Mathias, on December 16, 2020
The Poinsettia: An Evolving Tradition

The Poinsettia: An Evolving Tradition

The poinsettia is an iconic holiday plant with an interesting history that, despite being notoriously difficult to grow, we’ve woven into many facets of this year’s Christmas display, grown in shapes and sizes found nowhere else on Earth.

By Betsy Beltz, on December 9, 2020
Christmas Tree Decorating, by Design

Christmas Tree Decorating, by Design

Decorating a tree is not only a cherished holiday tradition, but a practice that is rooted in design and one meant to evoke a feeling of warmth and cheer.

By April Bevans, on December 2, 2020
A Longwood Christmas Cheer is Here

A Longwood Christmas Cheer is Here

While it’s been a year full of challenges, it’s also been one of hope and resilience … and it was exceedingly important that a spirit of cheer shine through in each and every aspect of this year’s A Longwood Christmas display.

By Jim Sutton, Display Designer, on November 25, 2020
The Show Must Go On

The Show Must Go On

Here at Longwood, we always look forward to our annual Chrysanthemum Festival for so many reasons … it’s a chance for us not only to put on a colorful show of rare and beloved cultivars, but also a way for us to stretch our horticultural limits and proudly share with you the fruits of that labor.

By Jim Sutton, Display Designer, on October 28, 2020
Orchid Extravaganza: “Big Lip” is Big News

Orchid Extravaganza: “Big Lip” is Big News

We’re excited to showcase a beautiful representation of the new and exciting Phalaenopsis “big lip” breeding lines, displayed for the first time here at Longwood.

By Greg Griffis and Lee Alyanakian, on January 24, 2020