Dates
Learn about our Science and meet the talented staff behind the work.
Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 1:00 pm
The Stories Behind our Plants
Caroline Kim
Fountain Room
Every plant has a story to tell—from its discovery in the wild to the research, trials, and care that allow it to thrive in the garden. Join Longwood Research Specialist Caroline Kim for an insightful look at remarkable plants now flourishing in Longwood's displays that began as research projects or exploration discoveries. Through their stories, discover how curiosity, collaboration, and experimentation transform promising seedlings into horticultural showpieces. From trial beds to display-ready collections, see how the legacy of plant discovery continues to bring new beauty, diversity, and inspiration to our Gardens.
Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 1:00 pm
How to Protect Your Native Plants
Ellen Oordt
Location to be determined
Not every beautiful plant belongs everywhere. Join Longwood Land Stewardship and Ecology Technician Ellen Oordt for an inside look at how Longwood identifies, manages, and prevents the spread of invasive plants as part of our commitment to healthy, resilient landscapes. Discover how science-led stewardship supports the balance and diversity of native habitats and gain practical tips for recognizing and safeguarding your own garden from aggressive, non-native species.
Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 1:00 pm
The Secret Wildlife of Longwood Gardens
Ryan Pardue
Location to be determined
Beyond the beauty of Longwood Gardens’ plants and landscapes lives a rich community of wildlife. Mammals travel quietly through meadows and woodlands, amphibians inhabit wetlands, birds nest in towering trees, and pollinators move through seasonal blooms. Join Longwood Senior Land Stewardship Technician Ryan Pardue for this talk that explores the surprising diversity of animals that call Longwood home and how thoughtful land stewardship helps support them within an actively managed landscape. By revealing how habitat, water, and plant choices shape where wildlife lives and thrives, this program will also highlight simple ways gardeners can make their own landscapes harmonize with local mammals, amphibians, and other wildlife.
Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 1:00 pm
Training Flowers to be Trees
Kevin Murphy
Conservatory Ballroom
From lantana to poinsettia to Clerodendrum and more, Longwood’s experts transform flowers and vines into stunning tree forms—known as standards—through years of meticulous care. These iconic plants are more than artistic displays—they’re living examples of scientific precision and horticultural skill. Join Longwood Floriculture Manager Kevin Murphy to uncover the science behind the training, the species that make these designs possible, the design techniques that add height, and the teamwork that brings each display to life. Explore how research, patience, and creativity combine to turn horticultural science into breathtaking beauty.
Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 1:00 pm
How Beauty Shapes Scientific Discovery
Jessica Turner-Skoff, Ph.D.
Conservatory Ballroom
At Longwood, beauty is more than an outcome—it’s a catalyst for curiosity, creativity, and scientific discovery. Join Longwood Associate Director of Science Communications Jessica Turner-Skoff, Ph.D., and explore how visually compelling landscapes, elegant plant forms, and artful design sharpen observation, inspire research, and enrich the scientific process. Drawing from Longwood’s tradition of display-driven discovery, and global examples where aesthetics and science intersect (from botanical art that advances taxonomy to garden design experiments that reveal ecological patterns), consider how beauty helps us see more clearly, think more imaginatively, and pursue solutions that connect people, plants, and place. This talk invites you to consider beauty not as ornament, but as an essential partner in scientific exploration.
September 2026
Digging into Compost Science
Erik Stefferud
Location to be determined
Compost is more than garden gold—it’s a driver of innovation and sustainability. Join Longwood Soils and Compost Manager Erik Stefferud for an inside look at Longwood’s composting research, including trials that evaluate which food-service products—utensils, cups, plates, bowls, and more—can successfully break down within our composting system. Explore how we transform waste into a resource through thoughtful compost formulations that support a circular approach to soil health. Plus, learn practical tips for turning everyday materials into living compost at home, creating healthier plants and a healthier environment.