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Flurries of Activity in our Meadow Garden
a snowy path in the early morning sun with a line of trees in the background

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!

By Colin McCallum-Cook , on February 26, 2015
Something to See: The Rare V3
a row of white hanging orchids inside of a greenhouse

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.

By Jim Harbage & Lee Alyanakian , on February 20, 2015
The Great Kapok Tree: A Family Community Read
The Great Kapok Tree placed on a white bench

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.

By Lynn Schuessler, on February 12, 2015
The Making of our Orchid Meadow
a pink orchid on a flower bed floating in water

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.

By Sam Hoadley, on February 6, 2015
Setting the Standard
yellow trained mums with green ferns behind

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.

By Jim Harbage, on January 26, 2015
Winter Birdwatching

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.

By Colin McCallum-Cook, on January 13, 2015
A Rare Bird

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.

By Nicola Steel-Bryan, on January 5, 2015
Camera Man

Camera Man

The enduring photographic legacy of Longwood gardener turned staff photographer Gottlieb Hampfler.

By Longwood Staff, on January 1, 2015
Make Your Own Edible Ornaments

Make Your Own Edible Ornaments

Learn how to make edible ornaments for your own backyard, then watch in wonder as birds and squirrels enjoy the treats throughout the winter. Photo by Steve Fellows.
By Abigail Palutis, on December 19, 2014
The Holiday Dish at 1906

The Holiday Dish at 1906

Even in winter the chefs at Longwood’s fine dining restaurant, 1906, bring fresh and seasonal flavors to our guests. The new menu just debuted, and Chef Will Brown and his team invite you to peek inside the kitchen to take a look at some irresistible selections. Follow the recipes we’ve provided and share some of 1906’s magic with your family this holiday. Photo by Erin McLaughlin.
By Erin McLaughlin, on December 18, 2014
Exploring the Global Garden: Vietnam
a green mountain with a city below

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.

By Erin McLaughlin, on November 12, 2014
Mini Mum Magic

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.

By Lincoln Proud, on November 7, 2014
A Culture of Chrysanthemums
A wide view of our chrysanthemum festival

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.

By Erin McLaughlin, on October 29, 2014
The Meadow Gardener
meadow garden on a very cloudy and misty day

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.

By Colin McCallum-Cook, on October 7, 2014
Reaching New Heights
a sketch of a fountain with people walking around it

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.

By Paul B. Redman, on September 25, 2014
A Core Collection: Nymphaea
waterlilies with three pink blooming flowers

A Core Collection: Nymphaea

Longwood's history with growing and displaying Nymphaea dates back to 1957. A review of its development, management, and display.

By Longwood Staff, on July 1, 2014
Purple Martin Moments: Bird Talk in the Idea Garden
white and green bird house with three birds perched

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.

By Jesse Grantham, on July 1, 2014
A Century of Song and Dance Under the Stars

A Century of Song and Dance Under the Stars

The Open Air Theatre celebrated 100 years of arts in 2014. A fond look back.

By Colvin Randall, on July 1, 2014
Growing Orchids at Home
multiple orchid flowers on display at Longwood Gardens

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.

By Lorrie Baird, on March 31, 2014
Sand County Almanac: An Interview with Curt Meine

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.

By Lynn Schuessler, on March 3, 2014