Our team interacts with horticulturist from all over the world to find, obtain and trial 500 to 1000 new plants each year. New plants are obtained from plant exploration trips to foreign countries, through seed distributions from specialty plant societies and public gardens throughout the world, purchases from nurseries, cooperation with breeders and gifts. Non-hardy plants trials and greenhouse experiments are conducted in our 5500 square foot research greenhouses and hardy plant trials and field research occupy about 8 acres at the Longwood nursery.
The health and display quality of plants can often be improved through better growing methods. Researchers at Longwood manipulate various cultural techniques such as temperature, light intensity, day length, nutrition and growing media to determine the optimum growing conditions for specific plants.
The Research group continues a long history of improving crops through breeding and selection. Over 130 new cultivars have been named and distributed by Longwood Gardens.

We also use a number of different techniques for propagation of plants, which includes germinating seeds, rooting cuttings, grafting and micro-propagation or tissue culture.
In addition to conducting research and plant trials, we also provide diagnostic services to the entire gardens for soil analysis and plant virus testing. Research staff shares plants and research information nationally and internationally through distributions, publications, presentations, and workshops.
Jim Harbage is the Research and Production Division Leader and the five full time research staff includes:
Curator of Plants - Tomasz Anisko
Plant Recorder - Kristina Aguilar
Research Horticulturist - Matt Taylor
Research Assistants - Alan Petravich and Barrett Wilson
We welcome you to browse the research section of Longwood Gardens’ website to familiarize yourself with past and present research projects.
Enjoy a night of hot jazz in a floral paradise at The Jazz Club at Longwood Gardens. Performers include Grammy winner Terence Blanchard, stunning vocalist Jane Monheit and the captivating duo of Joshua Redman & Brad Mehldau Duo.
When a dozen roses just isn't enough, surround your sweetheart with flowers, sweet desserts and luscious cuisine during this one-of-a-kind event in the Conservatory.
Celebrate Samuel Barber's 100th birthday with Barber's String Quartet Op.11, a well-crafted three-movement work performed by the talented musicians of the Curtis Institute of Music.
Longwood Gardens takes you inside the unmapped universe of scent with Making Scents: The Art and Passion of Fragrance, an interactive exhibition that explores the art, science and mystery of fragrance.
A team of Longwood Volunteers gathers horticultural highlights from the Outdoor Gardens and Conservatory. Download a pdf of their top picks for the week, including photos and locations.