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Snow, Salt, and Sustainability
A freshly fallen snow with a paved path leading toward a large house in the distance.

Snow, Salt, and Sustainability

While the use of rock salt, or sodium chloride, has served as a widespread, traditional method of combating snow and ice, in recent years a more advanced and efficient approach has gained popularity with the use of brine.

By Katie Testa and Mike Raign, on February 21, 2024
The Secret in Our Soil
A bulldozer moving a large pile of dirt.

The Secret in Our Soil

Whether compost is being used in our Gardens or in your garden, its benefits are numerous.

By Jourdan Cole, on June 21, 2023
Stewardship Science: Testing Techniques to Benefit Biodiversity
a forest floor with many black pots of small trees lined up in a row

Stewardship Science: Testing Techniques to Benefit Biodiversity

The practice of land stewardship constantly raises new questions—how best to approach a new problem; what methods work best—that can be answered using the tools of ecological science.

By Lea Johnson and Kristie Lane Anderson, on April 26, 2023
Turf Care, Rooted in Data
large green grass lawn with big trees surrounding it

Turf Care, Rooted in Data

Although we may be best known for our floral displays, turfgrass is an essential component of the overall health and appearance of our Gardens—and caring for our turfgrass is an ever-evolving science.

By Shawn Kister, on July 13, 2022
Edible Plants that Feed Pollinators, Too
close up of small purple flowers with a bee flying near one bloom

Edible Plants that Feed Pollinators, Too

This week is National Pollinator Week, an annual event that celebrates pollinators, addresses the urgent issue of declining pollinator populations, and supports all we can do to protect them.

By Alex Correia, on June 21, 2022
Eco-friendly Home Gardening
blues stones covered by water in a natural bird bath contained in a nest of woven brown twigs and wire, elevated on a pole of white birch

Eco-friendly Home Gardening

What does it take to be an ecological gardener, beyond filling landscapes with a diverse selection of native plants? While the vast majority of our native fauna depend on plants directly or indirectly for their survival, many animals also have specific environmental needs that must also be met, as the physical environment of the garden provides shade, shelter, and living space for its residents.

By Colin McCallum-Cook, on June 20, 2018
What Lies Beneath: A Deeper Look into an Engineering Marvel

What Lies Beneath: A Deeper Look into an Engineering Marvel

Built in 1931 by Pierre S. du Pont, the Main Fountain Garden was inspired by Pierre’s passion for engineering and design, and his travels to European gardens. After years of deteriorating stonework, many fountain features were turned off—leading to limited access to the Garden since the early ‘90s. In order to save this treasure, we embarked on a major restoration project. This spring will mark the halfway point of the two-year revitalization. In this post, we will go below the surface of the Main Fountain Garden and explore some of the engineering behind the beauty.

By Abbey Palutis, on April 13, 2016
The Unsung (and Unseen) Heroes of our Green Wall
a round fountain surrounded by walls with thick, green vegetation

The Unsung (and Unseen) Heroes of our Green Wall

It’s not a matter of “if” the Green Wall will get pests; it’s a matter of “when.” Longwood’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) staff battles these pests with a non-chemical approach called biological control.

By Mike L., on May 8, 2012
Proud to be Beautiful
grouping of large trees with pink flowers

Proud to be Beautiful

“The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes. If you foolishly ignore beauty, you will soon find yourself without it. Your life will be impoverished. But if you invest in beauty, it will remain with you all the days of your life.” (Franklin Lloyd Wright)

By Paul B. Redman, on April 10, 2012
Longwood Gardens’ Bright Future

Longwood Gardens’ Bright Future

Today marked an important milestone at Longwood Gardens.

By Paul B. Redman, on June 16, 2011
Making the Season Bright

Making the Season Bright

Christmas at Longwood Gardens: What a wonderful time of year!

By Andrew L., on December 22, 2010
Introducing The New East Conservatory Plaza

Introducing The New East Conservatory Plaza

Starting Saturday, October 9, 2010, you will be able to experience an exciting, new area of the Gardens: The East Conservatory Plaza! The East Conservatory Plaza has been in the making for over 3 years. From the beginning, we worked with the renowned, British landscape architect Kim Wilkie.

By Rodney, on October 7, 2010
It’s Not Always Easy Being Green: Preparing Longwood’s New Green Wall
a wall filled with green ferns with white door ways

It’s Not Always Easy Being Green: Preparing Longwood’s New Green Wall

Longwood often hunts the globe for new or extraordinary plants to conserve and showcase in the Gardens. Recently, I went on a different sort of expedition—to inspect the plants for Longwood’s new East Conservatory Plaza green wall. My mission was to identify any potential pests or diseases that could threaten the new display.

By Casey Sklar, on September 30, 2010
Grow in Green: Biodegradable Pots

Grow in Green: Biodegradable Pots

Biocontainers offer an exciting opportunity for plant producers and home gardeners to become more earth friendly. Currently the majority of ornamental crops are produced in petroleum-based plastic containers. The extensive use of plastic results in a significant waste disposal problem and the plastic ends up in a landfill or hopefully gets recycled.

By Matt Taylor, on September 27, 2010
Have Vegetables, Will Travel
green beans in a basket

Have Vegetables, Will Travel

This year, the students came up with a new idea—sell fresh, locally grown produce to Longwood’s Terrace Restaurant. After meeting with the Terrace Restaurant Head Chef, the Restaurant Manager, and the Senior Gardener for the Idea Garden (Longwood’s Idea Garden has been providing produce to the Restaurant for several years), everyone decided that the goal was to produce high-quality and fresh, locally grown vegetables, using low-input/organic methods.

By Gavins Landscaping, on August 13, 2010
Finding a "Greener" Grass

Finding a "Greener" Grass

Stop by the "Frog Hollow" area, to the West of the Chimes Tower to view the turf grass trial. Although simple in scope, this 5-year study could have a dramatic eco-friendly outcome for Longwood Gardens. Currently, staff mow the turf areas about once a week during the growing season—and there are a lot of turf areas throughout Longwood Gardens! If this study proves fruitful, then Longwood could replace some of its turf with a grass from this study and drastically reduce mowing in portions of the garden. This will greatly reduce fuel consumption and mower vehicle emissions.

By Shawn Kister, on July 14, 2010