Our Blog

Our Blog


Blog All Items Title
All Recent Articles

Sharing Our Underground Railroad Connection
a cemetary with bright green grass, blue skies, and two large trees

Sharing Our Underground Railroad Connection

As we continue to immerse ourselves in the history of the cemetery and its place in southern Chester County past and present, we develop a deeper understanding of the mid-19th century context in which the cemetery and meeting house were founded, so that we can better share those stories.

By David Sleasman and Jennifer Fazekas, on February 22, 2023
Change and Adaptation, Designed
a person outdoor on a green grass trail overlooking a meadow

Change and Adaptation, Designed

This year, as part of the Professional Horticulture Program, our nine students have been asked to design, create, and maintain three garden designs based on the theme of change and adaptation.

By Kyle Post, Allison Edmonds, and Kinga Obartuch, on February 15, 2023
Every Orchid is an Individual
a terra cotta pot with a purple orchid set against a dark backdrop

Every Orchid is an Individual

Since 1955 all orchids in our collection have been accessioned and their life status tracked in a system whose “record will be of information and great value for our program of public education,” as was reported to our Board of Trustees in October 1955.

By Kristina Aguilar and Beth Pantuliano, on January 25, 2023
From Rust to Regeneration in the Steel City
a view of Pittsburgh and the Phipps Botanical Gardens

From Rust to Regeneration in the Steel City

At Phipps, the Fellows had the opportunity to learn about the principles of regenerative thinking during a workshop led by Phipps Chief Executive Officer Richard V. Piacentini and Senior Director of Communications Joe Reed.

By Danny Cox and Ryan Gott, on January 18, 2023
Careers Cultivated Here
Interns in green shirts plant bulbs in a garden bed

Careers Cultivated Here

Find out how some of our previous interns got their start in public horticulture and where their careers have gone since—and how their time at Longwood helped them get there.

By Jourdan Cole, on January 4, 2023
The Art Behind the Lights
two large trees lit with purple and pink christmas lights with blurry lights on the right side

The Art Behind the Lights

Follow along as we share just a few of the many artistic elements—and the artists behind them—that light the way for this year’s fantastic outdoor display.

By Katie Mobley, on December 21, 2022
How to Create Your Own Living Succulent Tree
a close up image of succulents forming a tree

How to Create Your Own Living Succulent Tree

One of the many elements of botanical artistry on display during this year’s A Longwood Christmas greets you just as you enter the Conservatory—an 8-foot-tall, 4-foot-wide living tree swathed in 1,800 gorgeous hardy Sempervivum, or hens-and chicks.

By Kerry Zwack, on December 14, 2022
Shining a (Christmas) Light on Continuing Education
amarylis plant with red christmas balls around them

Shining a (Christmas) Light on Continuing Education

We are excited to be highlighting a facet of Mr. du Pont’s vision: practical education, in the form of spectacular fresh-cut floral arrangements and intricate botanical art, all proudly displayed in our Conservatory for the duration of A Longwood Christmas.

By Timothy Gould, on December 7, 2022
Ornamental Beauty
a red and gold ornament hanging on a christmas tree

Ornamental Beauty

Follow along as we track the process behind selecting Longwood ornaments for display, and where each spends most of its time alongside 66,999 of its closest friends.

By Kirsten Berlin, on November 30, 2022
Sculptural Botanical Splendor: A Collaboration with Drexel Westphal
a person with pliers near a floral bouquet of red and gold flowers and leaves

Sculptural Botanical Splendor: A Collaboration with Drexel Westphal

Longwood proposed that Westphal design students create two couture gown-like sculptures that would be completely designed and constructed out of botanicals, and displayed in the Music Room during this year’s A Longwood Christmas.

By Julia Kimball, on November 23, 2022
Plants as Our Palette: Holiday Recipes
a plate of food, drink, bowl of soup and a vase of flowers on a wood table

Plants as Our Palette: Holiday Recipes

This year, as we showcase botanical splendor at its finest with our horticulture artists using plants as their palette, I’m inspired to showcase the jewels of the garden with a selection of botanical-forward dishes perfect for any holiday gathering.

By Executive Chef Will Brown, on November 16, 2022
Engaging Experiences in a Spirited Space
three people planting a a plant in a painted terra cotta pot

Engaging Experiences in a Spirited Space

Through our Longwood @ The Creamery collaboration, not only are we able to connect with new learners and those in our community through fun, lighthearted events—but we’re also able to make an impact and offer public programming designed to serve the needs of our wonderful community.

By Matt Thomas, on November 9, 2022
Paperbark Maple: A New Look at an Old Friend
close up of the bark of a paperback maple tree

Paperbark Maple: A New Look at an Old Friend

Paperbark maple’s attributes alone make it worth promoting, but its conservation status has lent additional importance to working with it.

By Anthony S. Aiello, on November 2, 2022
The Beauty of Beneficial Bugs
a hand sprinkling a container onto a large green leaf

The Beauty of Beneficial Bugs

For many, seeing insects in a garden may lead to initial alarm and raise questions about what harm those insects could inflict on the plants. Not all insects, however, are bad and here at Longwood, we regularly release beneficial insects in certain parts of our Gardens.

By Beth Pantuliano and Rachel Schnaitman, on October 19, 2022
Longwood Reimagined: The Project Continues
steel beams in the shape of arches forming a conservatory

Longwood Reimagined: The Project Continues

In recent months, we’ve reached several notable milestones as our garden expansion continues to take shape and as our cultural landscape evolves … and now is a wonderful time to share with you some of that progress.

By Katie Mobley, on October 12, 2022
Unveiling Big Bonsai News
image of a bonsai tree in a blue pot and gray rock in its roots

Unveiling Big Bonsai News

Our bonsai collection is about to grow by significant depth and breadth and, of course, tremendous beauty.

By Kevin Bielicki with Katie Mobley, on October 4, 2022
A Floral Design Journey
floral arrangement in a brown vase with small bamboo rods and yellow and orange flowers hanging at the top of the rods

A Floral Design Journey

Floral desing became a journey that meandered through time and brought me to unexpected and wonderful places, including my time at Longwood working toward my Certificate of Merit in Floral Design.

By Cres Motzi AIFD, on September 28, 2022
Orchids as Emblems of National Pride
a variety of orchids in pots on a lattice backdrop

Orchids as Emblems of National Pride

In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 through October 15), which pays tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society, we share the stories of some of the orchids that serve as floral emblems in Hispanic countries, and the importance of those orchids as part of our collection and display here at Longwood.

By Kristina Aguilar, on September 21, 2022
Telling Stories in Our Idea Garden
vegetable garden filled with corn, squash, and other plants at sunset

Telling Stories in Our Idea Garden

This summer, the Idea Garden is home to three special plots that showcase a guest favorite, as well as culturally significant crops that tell robust stories.

By Alex Correia, on September 14, 2022
Alice du Pont's Support of Pennsylvania's Unique History
oil painting of two people sitting in a garden with a gold placque that reads Longwood PA 1936

Alice du Pont's Support of Pennsylvania's Unique History

Alice du Pont played a very important role in the 1926 acquisition of one of the Philadelphia Museum of Art's well-known period rooms—which made quite a stir upon its opening—and can still be viewed today.

By Gillian Hayward, on August 31, 2022