Longwood Gardens’ Winter Wonder on View January 21 – March 26 2023

KENNETT SQUARE, PA- Warm up to winter with colorful floral displays inside Longwood’s lush Conservatory during Winter Wonder, on view Saturday, January 21 through Sunday, March 26 at Longwood Gardens. In addition to the horticultural splendor, Winter Wonder also offers the chance to learn a new skill with Longwood’s unique lineup of educational opportunities and enjoy captivating performances in an unmatched setting this winter. The Gardens are open from 10 am–5 pm every day except Tuesdays. To purchase tickets, visit longwoodgardens.org. 

Horticulture Highlights
Those looking for an exotic daytrip can escape to a lush sanctuary in Longwood’s Conservatory where nearly two acres of gardens under glass feature a variety of blooming plants from around the world—see vibrant Streptocarpus ‘Concord Blue’ hanging baskets, mysterious Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Dowon' Raven, and towering Clerodendrum schmidtii (chains-of-glory), whose abundant cascading blooms delight throughout the season. In addition, the Orchid House bursts with colorful standouts from Longwood’s expansive collection. The display, featuring nearly 300 blooming orchids, is changed throughout each week as new orchids come into brilliant flower. In March, the towering, striking, and unusual plant, Echium wildpretii, ‘tower-of-jewels’, graces the Conservatory and Longwood’s famed blue-poppy (Meconopsis 'Lingholm') returns. Native to the high elevations of the Himalayan Mountains, Longwood’s talented horticulturists use precise techniques to force the blue-poppies to flower in March. The substantial petals are a mesmerizing sky-blue color and are a must-see.

Outdoors, winter’s subdued beauty illustrates how plants can be used for both aesthetic and habitat benefit. Stroll among the serene landscape of the Hillside Garden or reflect among a symphony of copper and umber hues in the 86-acre Meadow Garden. 

Science Saturdays and Classes
New for 2023, join Longwood’s talented for staff for a behind-the-scenes look at some of the many plant research and conservation projects staff are working on at Longwood and around the globe during Science Saturdays on January 21, February 18, and March 18. Each Science Saturday includes a 1 pm talk by a Longwood expert on a specific topic followed by the chance to see some of the plants connected to Longwood’s research efforts. Topics include Reading the Landscape (January 18), Plant Exploration Around the World (February 18), and Plant Collections: Clivia (March 18). Science Saturdays are free with Gardens Admission.

For those looking for more in-depth plant knowledge or interested in improving their gardening skills, Longwood offers a number of classes for beginners and more seasoned gardeners alike. Classes throughout the winter months include Pruning 101, Floral Design, Plant Propagation for Beginners and more. 

Performing Arts and Exhibitions
There is no more inviting a venue than Longwood’s lush Conservatory to enjoy a live performance. A stellar winter lineup features renowned artists in classical, jazz, and organ music for those looking to expand their musical horizons. Highlights include: from Beat to Bird, Emi Ferguson and Rukus, and chairman of The Julliard School’s organ department and celebrated organist Paul Jacobs. Special tickets are required for the performances.

Beginning March 1, take a powerful journey through the gardens as the exhibition Voices in the Landscape: Deeply Rooted with Storyteller Charlotte Blake Alston returns. Encompassing 10 audio stops in both the indoor and outdoor Gardens, Alston honors and celebrates the strength, resilience, and contributions of the African American community through the lens of horticulture and the power of story. This year the exhibition features new original content for children at select stops.

Winter Wonder runs January 21–March 26. The Gardens are open every day except Tuesdays from 9 am–5 pm. Admission is $25 for adults; $22 for seniors (age 62+); $13 for students (ages 5–18 or with valid student ID) and free for ages 4 and under. Group rates available. For more details, visit 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. 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.