Science Series

Cracking the Code on Endangered Plants

Peter Zale, Ph.D.

Conservatory Ballroom

Understanding how to grow plants—and helping them thrive—is one of the most powerful tools for protecting the plant diversity that surrounds us. Join Longwood Director of Conservation Horticulture and Collections Peter Zale, Ph.D., as he reveals how horticultural expertise fuels the preservation of rare and endangered species, from local landscapes to global ecosystems. Some of these plants may even be familiar from your walks through our Gardens. Explore how Longwood leads, collaborates, and integrates these practices behind-the-scenes, throughout our Gardens, and beyond, and discover how your own garden can become part of a larger story of stewardship and enduring beauty.

Fleeting Beauty of Spring Ephemerals

Pandora Young

Conservatory Ballroom

The first heralds of spring appear not in towering trees but on the forest floor—small, delicate plants known as spring ephemerals. These fleeting beauties emerge quickly to capture sunlight before the canopy closes and summer begins. Though their season is brief, their impact is lasting. Hear from Longwood Senior Land Stewardship Technician Pandora Young as they describe how Longwood protects, manages, and cares for these charismatic native flowers. Discover practical steps you can take to help these spring beauties flourish and learn how their presence reveals the health of the forests we all depend on.

The Stories Behind our Plants

Caroline Kim

Conservatory Ballroom

Every plant has a story to tell—from its discovery in the wild to the research, trials, and care that allow it to thrive in the garden. Join Longwood Research Specialist Caroline Kim for an insightful look at remarkable plants now flourishing in Longwood's displays that began as research projects or exploration discoveries. Through their stories, discover how curiosity, collaboration, and experimentation transform promising seedlings into horticultural showpieces. From trial beds to display-ready collections, see how the legacy of plant discovery continues to bring new beauty, diversity, and inspiration to our Gardens.

Training Flowers to be Trees

Kevin Murphy

Conservatory Ballroom

From lantana to poinsettia to Clerodendrum and more, Longwood’s experts transform flowers and vines into stunning tree forms—known as standards—through years of meticulous care. These iconic plants are more than artistic displays—they’re living examples of scientific precision and horticultural skill. Join Longwood Floriculture Manager Kevin Murphy to uncover the science behind the training, the species that make these designs possible, the design techniques that add height, and the teamwork that brings each display to life. Explore how research, patience, and creativity combine to turn horticultural science into breathtaking beauty.

The Allure of Disa Orchids

Harold Koopowitz, Ph.D.

Conservatory Ballroom

Renowned orchid expert, author, and conservation biologist Harold Koopowitz, Ph.D., brings decades of leadership in orchid taxonomy, propagation, and conservation to an in-depth exploration of one of the most captivating, and horticulturally challenging, orchid groups: South African Disa orchids. Drawing on extensive field experience and pioneering work across orchid genera, Dr. Koopowitz illuminates the extraordinary diversity, ecological specificity, and cultivation nuances of Disa—showing how their biology informs both conservation priorities and horticultural practice. Hear directly from a global authority on Disa, whose insights help advance our understanding of the plants that shape Longwood’s collections and the future of conservation horticulture.

How to Protect Your Native Plants

Ellen Oordt

Conservatory Ballroom

Not every beautiful plant belongs everywhere. Join Longwood Land Stewardship and Ecology Technician Ellen Oordt for an inside look at how Longwood identifies, manages, and prevents the spread of invasive plants as part of our commitment to healthy, resilient landscapes. Discover how science-led stewardship supports the balance and diversity of native habitats and gain practical tips for recognizing and safeguarding your own garden from aggressive, non-native species.

How Beauty Shapes Scientific Discovery

Jessica Turner-Skoff, Ph.D.

Conservatory Ballroom

At Longwood, beauty is more than an outcome—it’s a catalyst for curiosity, creativity, and scientific discovery. Join Longwood Associate Director of Science Communications Jessica Turner-Skoff, Ph.D., and explore how visually compelling landscapes, elegant plant forms, and artful design sharpen observation, inspire research, and enrich the scientific process. Drawing from Longwood’s tradition of display-driven discovery, and global examples where aesthetics and science intersect (from botanical art that advances taxonomy to garden design experiments that reveal ecological patterns), consider how beauty helps us see more clearly, think more imaginatively, and pursue solutions that connect people, plants, and place. This talk invites you to consider beauty not as ornament, but as an essential partner in scientific exploration.

Digging into Compost Science

Erik Stefferud

Compost is more than garden gold—it’s a driver of innovation and sustainability. Join Longwood Soils and Compost Manager Erik Stefferud for an inside look at Longwood’s composting research, including trials that evaluate which food-service products—utensils, cups, plates, bowls, and more—can successfully break down within our composting system. Explore how we transform waste into a resource through thoughtful compost formulations that support a circular approach to soil health. Plus, learn practical tips for turning everyday materials into living compost at home, creating healthier plants and a healthier environment.