Meadow & Forest District

When visiting the Meadow and Forest District, it’s not uncommon to get lost—in the moment, that is. While immersed in this expansive landscape, all of your senses will come alive, from the rhythmic sounds of the resident insects to the fleeting flash of a swooping bird. Wander miles of trails that traverse sunny fields and shaded forest alike, taking in carefully choreographed grand vistas of managed ecosystems, home to hundreds of flora and fauna that play a vital role in the overall health of our gardens and beyond.

About This District

The Meadow and Forest District is a large-scale landscape shaped over time and reflecting thousands of years of human cultivation. From the eastern deciduous woodlands where the indigenous Lenni-Lenape lived, hunted, and planted crops, to the European-style livestock pastures of the 18th and 19th centuries, to the principles of garden design and science-based land management that guide us today, this land takes guests not only on a journey through diverse habitats, but also time.

Gardens in this District

Forest Walk

Forest Walk

Wander paths in a realm of scenic, intimate woodland beauty, shaded by soaring tulip-trees and the canopy of other deciduous hardwoods. Don’t miss two of our famed treehouses for a squirrel’s eye view into sylvan serenity.
Meadow Garden

Meadow Garden

Enjoy expansive vistas, sweeps of stunning native plants, and a tapestry of texture as you wander miles of trails past carefully managed wetlands, ponds, open fields, and the forest’s edge, set to the hum of busy insects and rustling plants.

Explore Our Natural Lands

Approximately 65 percent of our 1,100-acre property consists of natural lands—meadows, forest, wetlands, and agricultural fields—that provide an oasis for migratory birds and native wildlife while creating a buffer between the Gardens and neighboring properties. The Meadow and Forest District represents 120 acres of these managed lands that are open to our guests for exploration, learning, meditation, and beauty. Our legacy of conservation, preservation, and restoration continues here in the richly biodiverse habitats that can only thrive where they are given the proper care and space. We continue to shape this land with the same spirit of beauty, innovation, and stewardship that has led a century of progress at Longwood.

In the Meadow and Forest District, we harmonize the best practices in ecological restoration with garden design—allowing us to showcase horticultural excellence and amplify beauty for our guests while prioritizing plant and animal communities. By following this approach, we preserve and improve the quality of the entirety of Longwood’s ecosystems, and biodiversity, from water to soil to air—while celebrating the human connections along the way.

District Highlights

Two small children run down a dirt path through a field of green and yellow plants at sunset

A small stone house with red shutters sits beside a tall tree behind an area of meadow plants under a blue sky

The Webb Farmhouse provides a space to warm up on a winter hike. Stop by to learn about the history and ecosystem of the Meadow Garden.

A small blue bird sits atop a wooden bird house in the middle of a light gold meadow bed of plants

A set of stairs leads up to a tall wooden and metal tree house sitting among green trees

A long bridge over a body of water leads into the distance with a wooden arching side railing

A long tin blue insect hovers mid-air next to a brown prickly plant

During the summer months, the common blue damselfly is one of the many beneficial insects that call the Meadow home.

A wooden path leads to a large treehouse surrounded by tall green trees

What’s in Bloom

Celandine-poppy

Stylophorum diphyllum

Providing a splash of bright color in the spring woodland, celandine-poppy has 2 inch wide deep yellow flowers that bloom in early spring. It likes moist, dappled shade. The stems, deeply lobed leaves, and flower buds are pubescent. They grow to be 1.5 feet tall at maturity and self-seed easily. This plant is native to Pennsylvania and the rest of the eastern US.
Virginia Bluebells

Mertensia virginica

Mertensia virginica is native to the woodlands of the eastern United States, particularly in the Appalachian and Ozark regions. It’s often found in moist, shady areas along streams or in deciduous forests. The vibrant blue bell-shaped flowers start as pink buds and gradually turn to a striking blue as they mature. This color transition is a unique feature that adds even more interest to this early blooming ephemeral. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators, especially bees and butterflies, which are drawn to the sweet nectar. The plant’s blossoms are especially favored by the fritillary butterfly, which often lays its eggs on the plant.
Showy Trillium

Trillium grandiflorum

Commonly known as the white trillium or large-flowered trillium, a stunning wildflower that is native to eastern North America. Known for its striking, three-petaled white flowers, which give it a distinctive and elegant appearance. The flowers typically turn pink. The name "trillium" comes from the Latin word "trillium," meaning "three," which reflects the three petals, three sepals, and three leaves that all make up this flower's structure. It’s a prime example of the number three in nature! The white trillium is one of the most iconic wildflowers of spring and is sometimes referred to as the “queen of the woodland flowers.” It’s commonly seen in forested areas, where it creates a beautiful carpet of white flowers in the spring.
- Peirce's Woods
Eastern Redbud

Cercis canadensis ′Appalachian Red′

Cercis canadensis is native to eastern North America, ranging from the Midwest to the southeastern United States. One of the most notable features of the eastern redbud is its vibrant pink to purple flowers that bloom in early spring, before the leaves appear. Flowers grow directly on the branches and the trunk, which is called cauliflory. Redbuds are a great tree for attracting wildlife. The flowers provide early nectar for pollinators like bees and butterflies, and the tree’s seeds are eaten by various birds. In Native American folklore, the redbud tree is sometimes seen as a symbol of love and new beginnings due to its bright blossoms signaling the arrival of spring. Look for the cultivar 'Alba' as you enter Peirce's Woods!