Main Fountain Garden District

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

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

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

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

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

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

Glory-of-the-snow

Chionodoxa forbesii

Chionodoxa forbesii is in its glory in late March to early April as its upward facing, sky blue flowers begin to appear. It should be placed in a partially shaded location with well-drained soil. Because it seeds freely, glory-of-the-snow, is an excellent choice for naturalizing. Reaching 6 inches these flowers are growing on Oak Knoll, in the Hillside Garden, outside the Peirce-du Pont House and under the beeches south of the Main Fountain Garden.
- Hillside Garden
Border Forsythia

Forsythia × intermedia ′Spring Glory′
- Idea Garden
Cornelian-cherry

Cornus mas
- East Conservatory Plaza