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A Tale of Three Ribbons

A Tale of Three Ribbons

The sheer size of these three wooden ribbons—totaling no less than 350 total feet and made up of 50 individual ribbon modules all joined together—is meant to play up a spirit of fun and imagination and engage the viewer in a sense of wonderment.

By Kevin Bielicki, on December 5, 2019
Farewell to a Beloved Beech
branch with bright orange and red leaves

Farewell to a Beloved Beech

Measuring about 90 feet in height, this particular copper beech is among those ordered in either 1928 or 1933 by Longwood founder Pierre S. du Pont, as well as one of Longwood’s champion trees.

By Katie Mobley, on December 3, 2019
Pining for the Perfect Christmas Tree?
A close up of a Christmas tree with white pine cones, gold and red ornaments, and gold decorations

Pining for the Perfect Christmas Tree?

Beyond the three types of cut trees you’ll find here at Longwood during A Longwood Christmas, there are many other types to consider for your home.

By Troy Sellers, on November 26, 2019
Craving Some Christmas Whimsy?

Craving Some Christmas Whimsy?

You’re in for quite a treat this year. As part of our celebration of the shapes of the season, we have transformed our iconic Music Room into a playful, fanciful upscale confectionery shop … and the result has us feeling like, well, a kid in a candy store.

By Katie Mobley, on November 20, 2019
Interaction as an Approach to Education: Fellows Leadership Salon

Interaction as an Approach to Education: Fellows Leadership Salon

At both Chanticleer and Barnes, there are no labels; there are no rules of how to experience or understand the subject, whether they are plant combinations in an artful landscape, paintings, or sculpture. There are no right or wrong interpretations.

By Mae Lin Plummer, on November 19, 2019
How to Turn Fallen Leaves into Springtime Mulch

How to Turn Fallen Leaves into Springtime Mulch

Fall is here and the trees are busy dropping their leaves. What should you do with all of these leaves? Turn them into fantastic mulch for the springtime!

By Matt Taylor, on November 8, 2019
Chrysanthemums: A Class of Their Own
close up of a light pink chrysanthemum with long petals

Chrysanthemums: A Class of Their Own

Cherished for their exquisite beauty, rich hues, and delightfully distinct variations, chrysanthemums are in a class—or rather 13 classes—all their own.

By Katie Mobley, on November 4, 2019
Together, the Grass is Greener: Fellows Leadership Salon

Together, the Grass is Greener: Fellows Leadership Salon

For our latest salon, we traveled to Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles … and host of professional and college football games, blockbuster stadium concerts, monster truck rallies, and more.

By Becky Paxton, on October 28, 2019
Character Development of a Bonsai
root system of an azalea bonsai tree

Character Development of a Bonsai

It’s been five months since we shared with you the initial steps in training one of our azalea standards into a bonsai … and the many challenges about the process. Despite its challenges, the azalea has made tremendous progress and I’m so excited to share that progress with you.

By Kevin Bielicki, on October 23, 2019
Striking a Chord

Striking a Chord

For someone of only 21 years of age, Sebastian Heindl has had quite the career in music … and one, as it seems, that the sky would be the only limit.

By Katie Mobley, on October 7, 2019
The Making of Blooms & Bamboo

The Making of Blooms & Bamboo

Making its official opening October 3, our Blooms & Bamboo: Chrysanthemum and Ikebana Sogetsu Artistry is unlike anything ever seen at Longwood … or anywhere else in the world.

By Katie Mobley, on October 2, 2019
Art for Anyone: Sogetsu Ikebana

Art for Anyone: Sogetsu Ikebana

What is Ikebana? Ikebana—ike meaning arrange, bana meaning flower—is not about following a set of rules and making a pretty arrangement.

By Cres Motzi, on September 17, 2019
The Beauty and Bounty of Grasses
a close up image of a bead of grass

The Beauty and Bounty of Grasses

Right now, beautiful examples of corn, rice, and sorghum in our Vegetable Garden (nestled in our Idea Garden) and even our Waterlily Display demonstrate the breadth and bounty of the amazing grass family.

By Kristina Aguilar, on September 6, 2019
Get to Know Our Strawberry Brew

Get to Know Our Strawberry Brew

One of the creations to come of the Longwood and Victory Brewing Company collaboration—and the beer that’s currently being featured in Longwood’s Beer Garden—is Longwood Seasons: Summer Strawberry.

By Bill Covaleski, on August 13, 2019
A Sea of Asters
a field of flowers

A Sea of Asters

While many cultivated plants in the Asteraceae are found throughout Longwood’s display gardens—from daisy-like gerbera and dahlias, summer favorites marigolds and zinnias, and fall’s spectacular asters and chrysanthemums—it’s in the Meadow Garden where you can truly appreciate the breadth of this plant family in a natural setting.

By Mary Jane Pahls, on August 9, 2019
Flowers in the Sky

Flowers in the Sky

Fireworks at Longwood span a colorful history, from their debut during founder Pierre S. du Pont’s early garden parties and July Fourth celebrations to the spectacular Fireworks & Fountains Shows of today, set in the magnificent setting of our Main Fountain Garden.

By Colvin Randall, on July 24, 2019
The Luminous Lotus
three lotus flowers with pink petals

The Luminous Lotus

While many flowers are worthy of captivating our attention, few have inspired hearts and minds throughout the ages quite like the lotus … a beautiful, interesting plant that is not only extremely useful but also incredibly symbolic.

By Raymond Carter, on July 18, 2019
International Waterlily Competition Winners Now Blooming
purple Nymphea waterlilies floating in water with green leaves

International Waterlily Competition Winners Now Blooming

Waterlilies are so special to Longwood that they were designated a core plant collection in our first and subsequent plant collections policies … plants comprising core collections are the highest priority at Longwood and central to our mission.

By Kristina Aguilar, on July 10, 2019
Bent into Shape

Bent into Shape

Here at Longwood, we like to honor the Fourth of July with a flourish that bends the norm … a patriotic design in the turf of our Italian Water Garden, achieved by bending the grass just-so to achieve a desired aesthetic.

By Derek Miller, on July 3, 2019
Designing Women
Four floral designers smile broadly at the floral creations in front of them.

Designing Women

It’s been said that those who can’t do, teach. Here at Longwood, however, the remarkably talented instructors Jane Godshalk, Cres Motzi, Nancy Gingrich Shenk, and Midori Tanimune prove that not only can they do floral design but they can certainly—and quite wonderfully—teach the art of floral design, while inspiring those students lucky enough to learn from them.

By Katie Mobley, on July 1, 2019