Press Release
Bulbs and other vibrant blooms herald the arrival of spring
KENNETT SQUARE, PA – Spring awakens in spectacular fashion at Longwood Gardens, where the much-anticipated Spring Blooms display flourishes both indoors and out from March 28 through May 5. As winter’s chill melts away, the Gardens burst with a breathtaking symphony of color, featuring more than 150,000 tulips and other spring bulbs along the iconic 600-foot-long Flower Garden Walk. Peaking in mid-April (weather permitting), this dazzling display is just one aspect of the seasonal splendor. In addition to flowering magnolias, cherry trees, and dogwoods painting the outdoor landscape with the soft pastels of spring, other flowering bulbs dot the landscape and adorn planting beds in the newly redesigned Idea Garden. Furthermore, the new Bonsai Courtyard welcomes spring with a full complement of 50-60 trees on display, showcasing this ancient horticultural artistry.
Inside the New West Conservatory
In the West Conservatory, extraordinary plants captivate the senses. Marvel at the unique shape bold hues of giant kangaroo-paws (Anigozanthos ‘Orange Cross’ and ‘Yellow Gem’), the striking Leucospermum ‘Brandi dela Cruz’, and the otherworldly blooms of Echium wildpretii. Delicate South African bulbs, including Lachenalia aloides and Lachenalia liliflora, add an element of surprise and botanical interest.
“We are excited to showcase spring in the West Conservatory for the first time,” said Chad Davis, Longwood’s Associate Vice President of Conservatories and Horticulture Design. “Guests will enjoy striking Echium spires, a variety of South African bulbs in bloom, colorful Grevillea, and more throughout the Mediterranean-inspired garden.”
Inside the East and Main Conservatories, guests are greeted with the timeless fragrances of blooming freesia and campanula, while hanging baskets of honeybells (Hermannia verticillata) will infuse the surroundings with rich aromas. Seasonal favorites such as hydrangeas, foxgloves, and fuchsia color walkways and dazzle from above.
Beyond the Glass: A Springtime Escape
Outside of Longwood’s spectacular conservatories, spring unfolds. The recently opened Bonsai Courtyard displays a masterful selection of deciduous trees leafing out in perfect scale and proportion alongside flowering cherry trees. Later in April, a vibrant selection of blooming Kurume azalea bonsai from both Longwood’s collection and The Kennett Collection will be on display. Just beyond in the recently renovated Idea Garden, guests will find thousands of bulbs blooming just as plentiful containers burst with life and 90 new hydrangeas take root.
In Longwood’s Meadow Garden, Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis), Carolina silverbell (Halesia carolina), and flowering dogwood (Cornus) bloom in harmony with nature. Elsewhere, stroll through whimsical topiaries, explore grand treehouses, and wander serene woodlands for new perspectives on spring’s emerging moments.
Spring Blooms
Spring blooms fill paths to the Chimes Tower.
Yellow tulip blooms surround the Square Fountain.
Flower Garden Walk features more than 150,000 blooming bulbs.
The gardens burst with a symphony of spring color.
Peirce's Woods fills with colorful blooms in spring.
Seasonal Flavors at 1906
A new spring menu is featured at 1906, Longwood’s fine dining restaurant, where seasonally-inspired dishes take center stage. Enjoy an elegant lunch every day the Gardens are open or spring dinner service during extended hours on Friday through Sunday evenings beginning April 18. Featuring ingredients from Longwood’s Ornamental Kitchen Garden and local purveyors, each dish reflects the season’s bounty.
1906 Nights, an exclusive dining experience, offers limited-seating dinners on select evenings: March 28, April 4, 5, 10, 11, and 30. Reservations are required and can be made at longwoodgardens.org/dine.
Spring Learning and Performances
The season of growth also brings new programs and learning opportunities from classes for gardening enthusiasts, to lectures, interesting reads, and more. See all events and programs at longwoodgardens.org.
Design Tuesday: Mini Moss Walls
April 8 or 22, 2025
6:00–8:00 pm
Fee: $128
Join Longwood’s Garden Shop team for a fun evening as they guide you through the fundamentals of creating a 12x12-inch birch-framed preserved hanging moss wall perfect to display at home. Work with a variety of preserved mosses and natural elements.
Healthy Trees, Healthy Streams: Managing Waterways for a Resilient Future
Saturday, April 19, 2025
11:00 am
Free with Gardens Admission
The monthly Science Series invites guests to delve into one of Longwood’s many plant research and conservation projects, and meet the talented staff behind the work. On April 19, Lea Johnson, Ph.D., associate director of land stewardship and ecology, details Longwood’s water stewardship story and the powerful connection between mindful land management and a thriving natural world.
Longwood Gardens and the American Pops Orchestra present UNFORGETTABLE, A Celebration of Nat King Cole
Friday, April 25, 2025
6:00 pm and 8:30 pm
Fee: $65-$248
Enjoy an unforgettable evening celebrating the memory of the barrier-breaking, legendary Nat King Cole. Honored by American Pops Orchestra Conductor Luke Frazier and a stellar lineup of amazing artists—dynamic entertainer Justin Guarini, Grammy Award-winner Sydney James Harcourt, and celebrated singer-songwriter Nia Drummond—celebrate his enduring influence with timeless classics and relive the nostalgia of his music and talent.
A cash bar will be available. Choose from a variety of seating and experience options, including a meet-and-greet after the second show only.
Pasión y Arte
Saturday, April 26, 2025
1:00 and 4:00 pm
Free with Gardens Admission
Pasión y Arte empowers women through self-expression by embracing bold experimentation that challenges traditional flamenco gender stereotypes. The Tabloa includes live musical accompaniment for a fully immersive experience.
International Organ Day
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Live organ demos at 11:30 am, 2:30 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:30 pm
Free with Gardens Admission
Join as we celebrate International Organ Day with live organ demos by Thomas Gaynor.
A competitor in the 2013, 2016, and 2019 Longwood Gardens International Organ Competitions, Gaynor is the Assistant Organist & Choirmaster at Saint Mark’s Church in Philadelphia, an adjunct professor of organ at Westminster Choir College of Rider University, and a winner of the Gold Medal and Audience Prize at the St. Albans International Organ Competition.
Organist Tedde Gibson
Sunday, April 27, 2025
3:00 pm
Free with Gardens Admission
One of few musicians able to play classical and theatre pipe organ, jazz, and gospel on the Hammond and piano, Tedde Gibson integrates these styles into his playing, performing across the country and serving as Director of Fine Arts at Mount Pleasant Church and Ministries (Baltimore, MD) and organist of Capitol Hill Seventh-Day Adventist Church (Washington DC).
Floral Masterclass: Luxury Wedding Design with Sarah Campbell
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
9:00 am–4:00 pm
Fee: $449
During this engaging masterclass and lunch experience, create luxury wedding floral designs, including bouquets, centerpieces, and more. Working in small groups, design lavish tablescapes, large centerpieces, and tablescape smalls, and explore the art of installation.
Blue-poppy Prints at the Garden Shop
New at the Garden Shop, exclusive Longwood blue-poppy illustrations by Felix Doolittle are available in the form of cards, prints, stickers, and more. These elusive sky-blue blooms (a rarity in the plant world) are a guest favorite and grace the historic Main Conservatory with their beauty annually through late March.
Hours & Admission
The Gardens are open Wednesday-Monday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm from March 28 through April 17. From April 18 through May 8, the Gardens are open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00 am through 6:00 pm, and Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm. Although typically closed on Tuesdays, the Gardens will be open on April 15 and 22 to allow guests additional opportunities to enjoy Spring Blooms. Timed admission tickets are required, and Members require timed reservations every day throughout Spring Blooms. Tickets and reservations are available now at longwoodgardens.org.
About Longwood Gardens
In 1906, industrialist Pierre S. du Pont (1870-1954) purchased a small farm near Kennett Square, PA, to save a collection of historic trees from being sold for lumber. Today, Longwood Gardens is one of the world’s great horticultural displays, encompassing 1,100 acres of dazzling gardens, woodlands, meadows, fountains, a 10,010-pipe Aeolian organ, and grand conservatory. Expanding on its commitment to conservation, in 2024 Longwood Gardens acquired the 505-acre Longwood at Granogue, a cultural landscape in nearby Wilmington, Delaware. Longwood Gardens is the living legacy of Pierre S. du Pont, bringing joy and inspiration to everyone through the beauty of nature, conservation, and learning. Open daily, Longwood is one of more than 30 gardens in the Philadelphia region known as America’s Garden Capital. For more information, visit longwoodgardens.org.
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