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Flurries of Activity in our Meadow Garden
"So, what's going on in the Meadow these days?" I've heard this question a lot recently, and it's easy to see why. Looking out over its frigid expanse, I sometimes feel as if the entire garden is in suspended animation until warmer weather. But while the Meadow Garden has been icy, it's hardly been put on ice!
Something to See: The Rare V3
This year, we’ve brought a unique and rare Phalaenopsis Sogo Yukidian ‘V3’ hybrid to Orchid Extravaganza, which we believe is being displayed for the first time in a US public garden. The ‘V3’ moth orchids featured on the center walk of our Orangery have unusually long flower spikes with as many as 18 open flowers on a single spike (with more buds yet to open)! Photo by Trilbey Smith.
The Great Kapok Tree: A Family Community Read
A community of animals—among them a boa, a toucan, a sloth, and a jaguar—call the kapok tree their home. Each whispers to the man who comes to cut the tree down, filling his dreams with the kapok's life-giving secrets. The man wakes to the wonder of this tree in the Amazon rain forest, drops his axe, and walks away.
The Making of our Orchid Meadow
Learn how our gardeners created this miniature indoor landscape, which was inspired by the colors, textures, and organic feel of Longwood’s new Meadow Garden. Photo by Duane Erdmann.
Setting the Standard
One definition of a "standard" is a norm by which similar things can be measured. In horticulture, however, a standard is a plant that is trained or grafted to have a single stem, and a crown of leaves and flowers. Combine the two meanings, and you have the degree of excellence achieved by Longwood in the beauty of its standard forms. Photo by Larry Albee.
Winter Birdwatching
Early winter is a special time of year for birds and bird watchers alike, as cold temperatures bring seasonal migrations to a fever pitch and instill a new sense of urgency in our resident species. Photo by Duane Erdmann.
A Rare Bird
If you’ve visited the Gardens recently, you know that Longwood has taken flight this season with a stunning bird-inspired holiday display. What you may not know is that this area of Pennsylvania has a rich history in the study of ornithology. Illustration of American sparrow hawk and field sparrow, drawn from nature by A. Wilson, engraved by A. Lawson. From American Ornithology.
Camera Man
The enduring photographic legacy of Longwood gardener turned staff photographer Gottlieb Hampfler.
Make Your Own Edible Ornaments
The Holiday Dish at 1906
Exploring the Global Garden: Vietnam
A plant exploration team from Longwood recently spent three days climbing to the peak of Fan Si Pan Mountain, the highest peak in the Hoang Lien Mountain Range. One day soon you might find one of their delightful discoveries in our Gardens.
Mini Mum Magic
This fall, be sure to explore our Bonsai Display, where some of the best surprises of Chrysanthemum Festival come in small packages. Anemone Chrysanthemum x morifulium ‘Kotoi No Kaori’, photo by William Hill.
A Culture of Chrysanthemums
This year, 230,000 chrysanthemum blooms fill our 4-acre Conservatory in forms of cascades, shields, spirals, pagodas and of course, our most impressive Thousand Bloom Mum yet, featuring 1,515 blooms.
The Meadow Gardener
As Longwood's new Meadow Garden enters its first fall season, gardener Colin McCallum-Cook shares his expertise and excitement about the plants that make up the Meadow's palette of Autumn's Colors.
Reaching New Heights
Pierre S. du Pont's extraordinary Main Fountain Garden has entertained guests with its beauty and showmanship for eighty-three years. Now Longwood Gardens will carry Mr. du Pont's legacy to New Heights through the Fountain Revitalization Project that begins in mid-October.
A Core Collection: Nymphaea
Longwood's history with growing and displaying Nymphaea dates back to 1957. A review of its development, management, and display.
Purple Martin Moments: Bird Talk in the Idea Garden
July evenings in the Idea Garden can be home to some pretty raucous behavior. At this time of year, young martins negotiate the air on untested wings as they return to the nest sites where they were hatched and raised.
A Century of Song and Dance Under the Stars
The Open Air Theatre celebrated 100 years of arts in 2014. A fond look back.
Growing Orchids at Home
Our guests frequently ask me how to properly take care of orchids at home. Many home gardeners are intimidated by orchids, thinking that they are difficult to grow. However, with some simple instructions, many home gardeners will find great success. If you are considering buying an orchid, the most important thing to be aware of is the type of orchid you are purchasing so that you can replicate the conditions of the orchid’s native habitat within your home.
Sand County Almanac: An Interview with Curt Meine
As part of Longwood’s Community Read of A Sand County Almanac, I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Curt Meine, author of Aldo Leopold: His Life and Work, published by the University of Wisconsin Press. Meine currently serves as Senior Fellow with the Aldo Leopold Foundation, Senior Fellow with the Center For Humans & Nature, and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.