Meadow & Forest District

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

Wild Bergamot

Monarda fistulosa

This native plant, like its garden counterpart, bee-balm (Monarda didyma), has tubular shaped fragrant flowers, ranging from pinkish purple to pale lilac, that are a favorite of hummingbirds and bees as well as a wide variety of butterflies. It is also grown for its showy flowers and for mint tea made from its aromatic leaves. It grow 2-4 feet tall in full sun or part shade and well-drained soils. In winter, the round, honeycomb heads of bergamot pods are one of the longest lasting seedpods in the Meadow.
Field Thistle

Cirsium discolor
- Meadow Garden
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