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

Cup-plant

Silphium perfoliatum

The Meadow Garden is filled with plants that benefit wildlife. Cup-plant is a native perennial that grows to 8 feet tall. Its perfoliate leaves, which clasp around the stem forming a cup, collect water for birds and insects. Cup-plant provides nectar and pollen for a variety of bees, while birds, especially goldfinches, eat its seeds.
- Flower Garden Walk
- Meadow Garden
Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias incarnata

Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed) is a native perennial of moist meadows, wetlands, and streambanks throughout eastern North America. A member of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae), its fragrant pink flowers attract monarch butterflies, while its leaves provide the only food source for developing monarch caterpillars. In autumn, its seed pods open to reveal seeds attached to silky, parachute-like fibers that are carried by the wind. An excellent choice for rain gardens and other consistently moist sites, swamp milkweed combines ornamental beauty with exceptional ecological value.
- Hillside Garden
- Meadow Garden
Clustered Mountain-mint

Pycnanthemum muticum

Pycnanthemum muticum is an underused plant, native to Eastern North America and can be found growing in open grassy places such as meadows and fields. The leaves, when crushed, give off a minty aroma similar to spearmint. This plant can be used to make tea, and was traditionally used by indigenous people for treating illnesses such as fevers, colds, and other physical ailments. While not particularly showy, this plant is very popular with pollinators, particularly bees, and is a vigorous and easy grower. Mountain mint is an outstanding filler plant in a flower arrangement!
- Hillside Garden
- Meadow Garden
Culver's Root

Veronicastrum virginicum

Culver’s Root, is a tall, graceful native perennial celebrated for its elegant spires of tiny white to pale lavender flowers that bloom in midsummer. These slender, candelabra-like flower spikes rise above whorled leaves on sturdy stems, adding vertical interest to meadows, prairies, and pollinator gardens. It is a magnet for a wide range of pollinators, including native bees, butterflies, moths, and wasps, and is especially valuable for specialist pollinators. Look for a variety of cultivars on display in other areas of the gardens.
Swamp Sunflower

Helianthus angustifolius
- Meadow Garden