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Making Lunch Count

Making Lunch Count

National Make Lunch Count Day (April 13) serves to remind us all to unplug midday and enjoy a true (and delicious) lunch break, no matter where you’re working or what you’re working on.

By Executive Chef Will Brown, on April 7, 2021
The Tale of Bayard Taylor
a scanned photograph of a large victorian home surrounded by evergreen trees

The Tale of Bayard Taylor

There are many stories to be told about the lives of the residents of the Longwood Cemetery, located just outside of the Longwood Gardens entrance.

By Gillian Hayward, on March 31, 2021
The Art of the Great Gardener

The Art of the Great Gardener

Behind every great garden is a great gardener telling a story through his or her design.

By Katie Mobley, on March 24, 2021
Community Read: A Conversation with Author Mya Thompson
Closeup of smiling person with long blonde-brown hair against a background of green grass

Community Read: A Conversation with Author Mya Thompson

We had the pleasure of recently speaking with Mya Thompson about her work, her inspiration, and her recommendations for how families can get involved in birding and nature appreciation.

By Gillian Hayward, on March 17, 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
How to Grow Early Spring Vegetables

How to Grow Early Spring Vegetables

If timed carefully, the vegetable gardener can reap the rewards of frost-tolerant spring vegetables—peas, broccoli, kale, arugula, cabbage, spinach, carrots, radishes, scallions, cilantro, and lettuce, to name a few.

By Alex Correia, on February 25, 2021
Reimagination Realized

Reimagination Realized

We are thrilled to announce our newest—and most ambitious—change. Longwood Reimagined: A New Garden Experience is the largest expansion, reimagination, and preservation of our Conservatory and surrounding landscape in Longwood’s modern history.

By Paul B. Redman, on February 18, 2021
A Poignant Reading Journey

A Poignant Reading Journey

Explore the following selections that serve as fantastic sources of excellent nature writing, each with its own perspective of the African American experience.

By David Sleasman, on February 10, 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
Winter Recipes to Warm the Soul

Winter Recipes to Warm the Soul

No matter where you’re enjoying the beauty of winter, when it’s time to come in from the cold, these seasonal cocktails and treats (many with a bright citrus twist!) will surely help keep the chill off.

By Executive Chef Will Brown, on January 27, 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
Windows of Opportunity

Windows of Opportunity

Our new nursery production greenhouse is much more than a new building. With its groundbreaking design, it allows us unprecedented flexibility to accommodate a variety of plant materials, growing methods, and environments, all in one remarkable facility.

By Katie Mobley, on January 15, 2021
Ensuring the Longevity of Our Boxwood
close up of a branch of boxwood leaves

Ensuring the Longevity of Our Boxwood

While we nurture each and every plant across our Gardens with the utmost care, it is with solemnity that we must say goodbye to a portion of our tree boxwood in the eastern part of our Gardens due to boxwood blight infection.

By Katie Mobley, on January 12, 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