Explore Longwood Gardens

A two-story stone farmhouse with red trim sits at the far edge of a tree-lined meadow.
Carol DeGuiseppi

Longwood Gardens, one of America’s quintessential landscapes, is a place of ever-changing seasonal beauty, handcrafted feats of horticultural wonder, and an awe-inspiring collection of the most beautiful plants from around the globe. 

From our humble beginnings as a Quaker farmstead and arboretum, to Pierre S. du Pont’s forward-thinking stewardship, to today’s collection of renowned landscape designers, horticulturists, and architects, our great garden of the world evolves and emerges again and again.

Through Longwood Gardens and its program of outstanding horticultural display, every visitor to the Gardens has the opportunity to gain, culturally and spiritually, a better peace of mind.

Russell J. Seibert, Longwood’s first director

Explore nearly 200 acres of lush, formal gardens, open meadows, and winding paths to breathtaking Brandywine Valley vistas. Together, mesmerizing displays, feats of engineering, and science-based research and conservation work harmoniously toward the overarching goal to unite and inspire our guests in appreciation of beauty—as only Longwood can. 

Explore Our Gardens

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  • Our Districts
    A stone path winds through a lush room of colorful plants with a hanging light above

    Our Districts

    Explore nearly 200 acres of lush, formal gardens, open meadows, and winding paths.

  • Our Seasons
    looking through fall leaves to the canopy cathedral treehouse

    Our Seasons

    We honor the four seasons with five unique Longwood seasons, celebrating the bounty of our gardens throughout the cycles of renewal, growth, and ever-evolving splendor. 

  • Our Plants
    close up of orange Clivia Miniata with green and yellow center

    Our Plants

    Explore over 10,000 species and varieties of plants, representing 200 different plant families. 

  • Our Science
    A person holds a small vial with plant material inside in a lab

    Our Science

    Our scientific work lays the groundwork for discoveries that expand our understanding of the natural world and help perpetuate and celebrate its beauty for generations to come.

What's in Bloom

See More of What's in Bloom

  • Atlantic Ladies'-tresses

    As an autumn blooming orchid, Spiranthes bightensis is a native plant to the north-eastern United States. It is a small terrestrial plant that can often be found growing alongside of other bog dwelling plants in areas of low competition. Its spirally arranged flowers are small, white, and fragrant, scented of vanilla and jasmine. Spiranthes have tuberous roots and basal rosettes of papery or fleshy rounded leaves.

  • Indian Snake Gourd

    Several of the most popular varieties grown in our Ornamental Kitchen Garden belong to the squash family (Cucurbitaceae). Most cucurbits prefer hot weather and should be planted after frost, and most should be direct-sown. Gourds grow extremely long and do best on large, sturdy trellises. At full maturity they become hollow and can be used for fall décor, carving, and reuse as bowls. Commonly grown cucurbits are highly susceptible to pests and disease like powdery mildew; the best way to prevent damage is to follow good cultural practices like crop rotation and not getting the leaves wet, as well as planting extra and planning to lose a few plants here and there.