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

Redleaf Rose

Rosa glauca
- Rose Garden
Autumn Flame Miscanthus

Miscanthus 'Purpurascens'
- Rose Garden
Giant-hyssop

Agastache 'Ava'
- Flower Garden Walk
Lion's-tail

Leonotis leonurus

Widespread in its native home of South Africa, this plant favors loam or clay soils and can be found growing in full sun amongst rocks or grasslands. The orange flowers can be spotted from late summer, all through autumn, and attract birds and butterflies with their nectar, making the garden a hub of activity. Early South African dwellers (Khoisan) smoked the dried leaves and flowers, reporting a feeling of calm and euphoria, giving birth to the common name, wild dagga. The leaves are rough on the upper surface, with toothed margins and give off a herbal aroma when brushed or crushed.
- Flower Garden Walk
Rough Goldenrod

Solidago rugosa ′Fireworks′

Solidago rugosa is a native perennial that forms loose spreading clumps of arching, hairy stems. Growing from creeping rhizomes, the general height of this plant is six feet tall and grows in wet soils, open woodlands, thickets, old fields, bogs, and along roadsides. The conditions best for this plant are full sun with average well drained soil. The golden yellow flower heads are held in loose panicle-like arrays. Its adaptability and the fact that it is not as aggressive as other goldenrods make it a great native plant for perennial borders and gardens. 'Fireworks' was selected for its shorter growth habit and heavier flowering. When in bloom the open flowers resemble fireworks. This cultivar reaches only about three feet in height.
- Hillside Garden