Main Fountain Garden District

Aerial view of a large fountain garden to the upper right, a topiary garden at the top, and a lined flower bed garden at the bottom

The Main Fountain Garden District represents the culmination of founder Pierre S. du Pont’s vision for Longwood: the garden as grand theater. In addition to stunning European-inspired architecture and mesmerizing fountain performances in the Main Fountain Garden, the Rose Garden stuns with four seasons of expression, in view of the expertly clipped Topiary Garden and its geometric shapes. To the east of the fountains, the Idea Garden echoes the orderly spirit of formal design with its Carpinus hedge and rectangular beds—defining a space that celebrates the creative process of gardening.

About This District

The classical gardens of this area have captivated guests for more than 90 years. Inspired by Pierre’s travels to Europe’s great water gardens and his seminal visits to several world’s fairs and expositions, the Main Fountain Garden highlights his lifelong passion for horticulture, engineering marvels, and the beauty of exceptional design.

Gardens in this District

  • Idea Garden
    A brick walkway with a wooden bench winds through green garden beds with fountains in the distance

    Idea Garden

    Horticultural inspiration comes closer to home in this inspired and beloved garden, where educational, experimental approaches to gardening and design are explored using plant varieties that can be reliably grown by home gardeners in the mid-Atlantic region.

  • Main Fountain Garden
    A large display of fountains shoots skyward above a stone facade, with green gardens and smaller fountains in the foreground.

    Main Fountain Garden

    Splendor awaits in this European-inspired, world-class destination: think classic garden design, extravagant theater, astounding choreography, a spectrum of color, musical accompaniment, and, on special occasions, fireworks!

  • Rose Garden
    A stone walkway leades to a small bench among garden beds of yellow, pink, and green plants with large water fountain streams seen in the background

    Rose Garden

    Striking colors, heady fragrances, and soft textures bud, bloom, and sway harmoniously from spring through fall, providing countless ways to celebrate the rose—and her many beautiful friends.

  • Topiary Garden
    A couple sits on the ground surrounded by shaped topiary with a child running in the distance during sunset

    Topiary Garden

    From playful bunnies to fanciful spirals, you’ll find more than 35 specimens of meticulously maintained, highly cultivated yews (as well as spirited games of hide and seek)  in our Topiary Garden.

District Highlights

A circular water fall of small water streams drops from the ceiling in a stone grotto
Fountains shoots water in the air illuminated by white lights across carved white stone structures
An allee of green trees with skinny brown trunks perfectly line a long walkway
Green vines climb up metal lattices attached to stone arches with hanging lanterns under a blue sky
tall fountains with fire on top

Our flame features in all their glory. Photo by Hank Davis.

a wall of fountains that glow colors of green, blue, purple, and pink

What’s in Bloom

  • Giant-hyssop

    Agastache ′Blue Fortune′

    Agastache is a genus of about 20 species, native to eastern Asia and North America, and grows in dry woodland and prairies, old fields, dry scrub and hills. ‘Blue Fortune’ is a hybrid cross between Agastache rugosa and Agastache foeniculum. It grows up to 36 inches tall and spreads up to 24 inches wide and produces a mass of soft purple, upright tubular flowers in spikes to five inches long from June to October, attracting a plethora of pollinators.  Giant-hyssop prefers full sun and grows well in average to dry soil conditions.

  • Tiny, purple flowers along stem branches.

    Downy Skullcap

    Scutellaria incana

    Scutellaria incana, commonly known as hoary skullcap, is a native perennial found in open woodlands and prairies of the central and eastern United States. It features upright spikes of soft blue to violet flowers that bloom in mid-to-late summer, providing important nectar for bees and other pollinators. It's named “skullcap” because the shape of its small, helmet-like flowers resemble a close-fitting cap. The plant's gray-green, slightly hairy leaves help it tolerate dry conditions, making it a resilient choice for native plant gardens. With its quiet beauty and ecological value, Scutellaria incana is a great addition to low-maintenance landscapes. Deer-resistant

  • Large, bright orange, gerbera-like double blooms.

    Pot-marigold

    Calendula officinalis 'Alpha'

From Our Blog

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How to Grow Early Spring Vegetables

How to Grow Early Spring Vegetables

By Alex Correia, on February 25, 2021
Growing for Good
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Growing for Good

By Nicole Krom and Alex Correia, on November 11, 2020
The Art of Heart
a bronze statue of two goats surrounded by greenery and trees

The Art of Heart

By Katie Mobley, on October 21, 2020
Midsummer is for Sowing
stem of green leafy vegetable in mulch

Midsummer is for Sowing

By Alex Correia, on July 9, 2020
Our Evolving Rose Garden
plants in black containers on a bed of soil

Our Evolving Rose Garden

By Judy Stevenson, on June 22, 2020