Longwood Gardens

by Sue Alden

Today was a beautiful day to visit Longwood Gardens, located at Kennett Square, PA.  The weather  was perfect and it was not crowded. 

Longwood Gardens' history dates back from 1700 when William Penn sold the property to the Peirce family.    In 1906 Pierre S. du Pont bought the property to save the trees when they were scheduled to be cut for timber.  Pierre du Pont developed the property with all its wonderful gardens, and after his death, he left the Gardens for public use. 

Today, Longwood Gardens is a private not-for-profit organization.  They do not receive government funds, instead relies strictly on Mr. du Pont's endowment, admission income and the Longwood Garden's gift shop.  The Gardens are maintained  through a volunteer effort. 

The Gardens are currently undergoing renovation and restoration effects, and new projects are continually being added to the schedule.

What to See:

• Cow Lot - Large open lawn framed with specimen trees
• Open Air Theatre - Outdoor theater features summer performances and fountain displays
• Peirce-Du Pont House - Longwood's Heritage Exhibit
• Peirce's Park - Includes large trees
• Flower Garden Walk - Bordered by a display of flower in the spring , summer and fall.
• Peirce's Woods - An 'art form' garden of woodland plants
• Italian Water Garden - Formal tiled pools and fountains in a woodland setting.
• Large and Small Lakes - Spring-fed lakes teem with fish, frogs, and waterfowl.
• Wisteria Garden - Violet-colored flowers.
• Square Fountain - Enclosed water feature, surrounded by seasonal flowers.
• Flower Garden Drive - 600-foot long avenue is bordered by 27 huge bald-cypresses.
• Peony Garden - Tree peonies, irises.
• Theatre Garden - Muted colors and textures.
• Rose Arbor - Old Italian wellhead surrounded by roses.
• Topiary Garden - Evergreen yews trimmed into large geometric forms and shapes.
• Lilacs - 70 different lilac varieties during April and May.
• Caryopteris Allee - Double rows of blue caryopteris and white hibiscus.
• Main Fountain Garden - 380 fountains and spouts set in Italian limestone basins and canals.
• Conservatory - Colorful flowers and exotic tropical foliage
• Waterlilies - Outdoor aquatic display and water plants
• Outdoor Children's Garden - features a bee theme
• Idea Garden - Five acre demonstration garden for the home garden.
• More areas include:  Hillside Garden, Waterfall, Chimes Tower, Frog Hollow, Heaths and Heathers, Conifer Knoll, Oak Knoll, Eye of Water, Forest Walk, Meadow and Hourglass Lake.

Photography: (Taken from Longwood Gardens' Website)

Tripods for amateur photography may be used at Longwood Gardens as follows:

• Tripods may be used any day from 9-11 am (including weekends and holidays).

• Since the outdoor gardens open at 9 am and the Conservatory opens at 10 am, a photographer can spend both hours outdoors with the tripod, or 1 hour outdoors and 1 hour inside the Conservatory. 

• All photographers must sign a permission form indicating that any photographs or video/film footage taken at Longwood will not be used for advertising commercial products or services.  (Please note that Longwood will not sign general releases giving blanket permission for stock agencies to use photos taken at Longwood.).  When I asked about this, they had not idea what I was talking about.

• Sessions are limited to garden photography, NOT wedding photography, individual or family portraits, product photography, or portfolio photography for aspiring models.

• All photographers must purchase general admission to the Gardens or be valid Frequent Visitor Passholders.

• Photography sessions must not interfere with the enjoyment of Longwood's other guests.

• April - Late October:  Outdoors 9am - 6pm
• Summer Festival of Fountains - The Gardens remain open Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturday evenings
• Late October - March:  Outdoors 9am - 5pm; Conservatory:  10am - 5pm
• Christmas Display:  Outdoors 9am - 9pm; Conservatory:  10am - 9pm

Sue Alden