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

  • Flower with orange petals and red dots.

    Blackberry-lily

    Iris domestica

    Blackberry-lily, is not a lily but an iris that is native to large parts of eastern and southern Asia. It can grow to four feet tall with iris-like fanned foliage, topped by orange flowers with red spots in summer. In the fall, the seed pods open to reveal shiny black seeds, giving the plant its common name.

  • Spiky, brown and purple flower with spikes jutting out.

    Cardoon

    Cynara cardunculus
  • Long, string-like purple flowers and green leaves.

    Kiss-Me-Over-the-Garden-Gate

    Persicaria orientalis
  • Cone shaped spear of white flower clusters.

    Panicle Hydrangea

    Hydrangea paniculata ′DVP Pinky′ Pinky Winky™

    Blooming from mid summer to early fall, panicle hydrangea gets its name from its large, showy panicles of flowers.  Leaving the dried flowerheads on the plant can add interesting forms and textures to the garden in winter.  Combined with its long bloom time, panicle hydrangea offers nearly year-round interest. 

  • Pink petaled flower with orange center.

    Chinese Anemone

    Anemone tomentosa 'Robustissima'
  • Light pink flower grouping.

    Coastal Plain Joe-Pye-weed

    Eutrochium dubium 'Little Joe'
  • Tall, stems with purple, layered flowers along the top.

    Lemon Bee-balm

    Monarda citriodora
  • Two bees sitting on long white flowers.

    Culver's-root

    Veronicastrum virginicum 'Fascination'

    Native to eastern and central North America, Veronicastrum virginicum is a tall perennial which grows in low meadows, prairies, moist open forests, thickets and along roadsides. Its small white flowers are arranged in a spike up to 8 inches long and will bloom from June through to September. Bees and butterflies are attracted to the plant's pollen and nectar.

  • Light yellow rose.

    Grandiflora Rose

    Rosa 'Meikanaro' Sunshine Daydream

From Our Blog

A Labor of Love: The Topiary Garden
view of a topiary garden with blue sky

A Labor of Love: The Topiary Garden

By Gabby Rowe, on May 4, 2022
How to Grow Early Spring Vegetables

How to Grow Early Spring Vegetables

By Alex Correia, on February 25, 2021
Growing for Good
a plot of plant harvest

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