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Farewell to an Iconic Tree

Farewell to an Iconic Tree

This magnificent tree, thought to be nearly 200 years old, was the first tree at Longwood to be designated a state champion tree, meaning it was deemed the largest of its kind of Pennsylvania—and then went on to be deemed the largest in the nation.

By Katie Mobley, on May 11, 2020
Getting Started with Vegetable Gardening
row of green leafy vegetables planted in mulch

Getting Started with Vegetable Gardening

With more time at home this spring, there has never been a better time to start that home vegetable garden you’ve always wanted.

By Alex Correia, on May 6, 2020
The Glue that Binds Us
oval outdoor fountain without water

The Glue that Binds Us

As long-stemmed flowers require staking in order to thrive, Longwood has long depended on the stability of the complex system of our 210 buildings and structures, as well as our infrastructure, that together make up our Gardens—and without which our plants would not be able to grow.

By Katie Mobley, on April 29, 2020
The Power of Local Conservation
a cluster of wild orchids covering the ground in a forest

The Power of Local Conservation

At Longwood, we have developed an orchid conservation program that addresses the science, research, and curation of locally, nationally, and globally rare species.

By Peter Zale, on April 22, 2020
Preparing for a Future Flourish

Preparing for a Future Flourish

We can draw an interesting parallel between the dormancy of a plant and the temporary closure Longwood Gardens is experiencing right now … as well the necessary pause our region, our nation, and the entire world is now taking.

By Katie Mobley, on April 15, 2020
Giving Our Azalea Bonsai a New Home

Giving Our Azalea Bonsai a New Home

I’m excited to share that our azalea bonsai has reawakened, and in early March, just after shaking off the last yawns of its dormancy period, has found itself in a new home, thanks to the next step of the bonsai training process: repotting.

By Kevin Bielicki, on April 8, 2020
How to Start a Cut Flower Garden at Home

How to Start a Cut Flower Garden at Home

By creating a cut flower garden at home you can have the luxury of creating bouquets to take inside … and to enjoy them even when you’re not strolling through the garden.

By Roger Davis, on March 31, 2020
Calculating Beauty: Our Main Fountain Garden Lindens
three rows of linden trees without their leaves

Calculating Beauty: Our Main Fountain Garden Lindens

Our trees—including the 168 linden trees in our Main Fountain Garden’s south, east, and west allées —are among the most exceptional parts of Longwood’s past, present, and future.

By Tyler Altenburger, on March 25, 2020
A Beautiful Distraction

A Beautiful Distraction

After patients expressed a desire to view local scenes during treatment, ChristianaCare hired NAPCO Video of Philadelphia to capture footage at Longwood Gardens to show to patients via VR while receiving chemotherapy.

By Abbey Gau, on March 19, 2020
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