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A Community Read Conversation with Chris Thorogood
Painting of large hollow red plants with pitcher-like openings on a green hillside with misty hills in the background

A Community Read Conversation with Chris Thorogood

Chris Thorogood invites you to engage with plants that have long captured his imagination, inspired his art, and shaped his career.

By Lynn Schuessler, on March 11, 2020
A Community Read Conversation with Sue Burke
cover of book, "Semiosis" by Sue Burke perched in front of plants

A Community Read Conversation with Sue Burke

Now in its seventh year, a rousing discussion has always been a defining feature of our Community Read. But this year marks a few firsts, including our first science fiction selection by debut novelist Sue Burke.

By Lynn Schuessler, on February 25, 2020
The Clear Beauty of the Late Winter Landscape
A delicate white bud dangles from a small, spring green flower stem on a field of pine needles

The Clear Beauty of the Late Winter Landscape

Wintertime allows the clear details of the garden to come forward and highlights the harmony that a garden builds with its surrounding landscape.

By Andrea Brunsendorf, on February 20, 2020
The Winter Meadow Garden: Full of Life
a field of brown winter grasses with a thick layer of fog in the background

The Winter Meadow Garden: Full of Life

In the Meadow Garden this time of year, life is all around when you look for its clues—and careful observation yields beautiful results.

By Lea Johnson, on February 12, 2020
Starting Fresh: Our Indoor Children’s Garden
a person sweeping the floor inside of an indoor garden

Starting Fresh: Our Indoor Children’s Garden

The process of replanting, replacing the soil, and refreshing the Indoor Children’s Garden involves many staff from our Horticulture and Facilities departments. Our plumbers, electricians, masons, and painters work tirelessly to make sure all is in perfect, and beautiful, working order.

By Lauren Hill, on February 6, 2020
Lights, Camera, Learning
zoomed in photograph of a video camera

Lights, Camera, Learning

For more than five years, Longwood Gardens has offered fun, interactive, free virtual programming to public and private schools around the world via our Virtual Field Trip program, improving science knowledge and introducing 10,000 students per year to the exciting possibilities of a career in horticulture.

By Kellie Saraceno, on February 4, 2020
Indoor Plants for Every Home
zoomed in photograph of bright green and dark green plant leaves

Indoor Plants for Every Home

It doesn’t matter if you live in an apartment, cottage, or even a yurt … there’s an indoor plant that can easily match your lifestyle.

By Karl Gercens, on January 30, 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
Crafting an Orchid Orb, Floating on Air
a wide view of the fern floor

Crafting an Orchid Orb, Floating on Air

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.

By Katie Mobley, on January 21, 2020
Climate Change and Our Trees
sunlight peeking through the tree tops above a walkway in the forest

Climate Change and Our Trees

Trees are an exceptionally important part of Longwood Gardens’ heritage and our future … they are nothing less than the backbone of our Gardens. When considering our tree management efforts in the context of climate change modeling, we not only consider the future, but also the present.

By Shawn Kister and Katie Mobley, on January 13, 2020
Inspiring a Love of Nature
a small boy holding a magnifying glass up to his eye

Inspiring a Love of Nature

Even though we find ourselves in the winter months right now, it’s still a fantastic time (as is any time) to broaden children’s understanding of the natural world around them.
By Michelle Cugini, on January 6, 2020
Full Circle
headshot of person with yellow bushes in background

Full Circle

Longwood Fellow Barbara Wheeler reflects on an educational journey that has spanned the globe.

By Barbara Wheeler, on January 1, 2020
Tremendous Tillandsia: How to Care for These Gems
close up of an air plant ornament

Tremendous Tillandsia: How to Care for These Gems

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.

By Joyce Rondinella, on December 31, 2019
Tunnel Vision
wire tunnel wrapped in white Christmas lights

Tunnel Vision

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.

By Katie Mobley, on December 23, 2019
Health and the Garden: Fellows Leadership Salon
child in wheelchair uses shovel to place soil in hand-painted flowerpot

Health and the Garden: Fellows Leadership Salon

The public garden community readily encourages their communities to engage with plants and the green spaces around them … the desire for this engagement is ever-present in our work.

By Nanette Wraith, on December 20, 2019
Shapes that Speak Volumes
tall shrubs decorated in white lights line the walls of a corridor

Shapes that Speak Volumes

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.

By Jim Sutton, Display Designer, on December 12, 2019
A Tale of Three Ribbons

A Tale of Three Ribbons

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.

By Kevin Bielicki, on December 5, 2019
Farewell to a Beloved Beech
branch with bright orange and red leaves

Farewell to a Beloved Beech

Measuring about 90 feet in height, this particular copper beech is among those ordered in either 1928 or 1933 by Longwood founder Pierre S. du Pont, as well as one of Longwood’s champion trees.

By Katie Mobley, on December 3, 2019
Pining for the Perfect Christmas Tree?
A close up of a Christmas tree with white pine cones, gold and red ornaments, and gold decorations

Pining for the Perfect Christmas Tree?

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.

By Troy Sellers, on November 26, 2019
Craving Some Christmas Whimsy?

Craving Some Christmas Whimsy?

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.

By Katie Mobley, on November 20, 2019