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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Taking the opportunity to experience firsthand (and hands-on) how that magic happens, and to see all the precise steps involved in the process of creating an orchid orb, is something I will never forget.

From textural Tillandsia xerographica perched above the waterfall in our Cascade Garden, to tiny Tillandsia tectorum and Tillandsia ionatha tucked into wire and cup ornaments in our Silver Garden, Tillandsia are definitely having a Christmas moment.

With its carefully thought-out design, the tunnel provides an immersive experience, encircling those who explore it in an expanse of 7,000 gold and warm white lights.

For this year’s Christmas display, we drew inspiration from the unique figures found in nature to the iconic contours for which Longwood is known.

The sheer size of these three wooden ribbons—totaling no less than 350 total feet and made up of 50 individual ribbon modules all joined together—is meant to play up a spirit of fun and imagination and engage the viewer in a sense of wonderment.

Beyond the three types of cut trees you’ll find here at Longwood during A Longwood Christmas, there are many other types to consider for your home.

You’re in for quite a treat this year. As part of our celebration of the shapes of the season, we have transformed our iconic Music Room into a playful, fanciful upscale confectionery shop … and the result has us feeling like, well, a kid in a candy store.

Cherished for their exquisite beauty, rich hues, and delightfully distinct variations, chrysanthemums are in a class—or rather 13 classes—all their own.

Making its official opening October 3, our Blooms & Bamboo: Chrysanthemum and Ikebana Sogetsu Artistry is unlike anything ever seen at Longwood … or anywhere else in the world.

What is Ikebana? Ikebana—ike meaning arrange, bana meaning flower—is not about following a set of rules and making a pretty arrangement.

Waterlilies are so special to Longwood that they were designated a core plant collection in our first and subsequent plant collections policies … plants comprising core collections are the highest priority at Longwood and central to our mission.

Ni hao! Earlier this month, we boarded three flights, flew for 24 hours, and arrived in Taipei, Taiwan on a two-week orchid adventure to attend the Taiwan International Orchid Show, explore new orchid breeding and cultural techniques, and see firsthand new and innovative orchid display trends in an area known most notably for its spectacular Phalaenopsis, among other beautiful orchids.

As Longwood’s director of Outdoor Landscapes, I am always excited about winter. It’s one of my favorite seasons and when the interaction between a garden and its surrounding landscape is at its strongest. The bare silhouettes of the deciduous trees, shrubs, perennials, and grasses create a natural link to the wintery landscape beyond, creating a beauty unlike any other time of year. Low winter light really helps to elevate fine plant details, naturally highlighting the winter bones of Longwood.