The Best of Spring Gardens

Every year or two we make it a point to visit Longwood Gardens on the former Dupont Estate in Pennsylvania, but very near the village of Kennett Square and the Delaware border. This year we traveled the extra few miles to visit Delaware and add that state to our states traveled map.

Longwood is one of the most fantastic garden displays in the world. The garden changes with the season and specialty shows coincide with holidays and special events. There are casual gardens, formal gardens, inside and outside gardens, waterfalls and ponds, streams, bell towers, garden planning areas, local summer garden idea centers...and on and on. If you love gardening, this is a must see stop on your travels. There is a modest fee to enter the enormous grounds and complex. There is something spectacular to see in every direction at all times. You will not be disappointed!

Spring was just beginning to "spring" on this trip. But not to worry, plenty of color and beauty...

In the main Spring garden area, some 250,000 bulbs were coming into bloom. Every size and shape and color imaginable is on display. There are often nearly as many photographers on location as there are flowers- but still plenty of room so that you won't feel crowded at all. Ever.


The solarium always has magnificent displays going. There are so many rooms in the building that nearly every garden environment can be displayed and explored- tropical, desert, temperate, rain forest, just to name a few. My favorite is always the lush bromeliad room, with its streams, waterfalls, misting heads and incredible layout. I could live in that room! (not shown here)

The orchid room is a real winner as well. You will see varieties here that you may not find anywhere else! Period.
Bird room? Bird of Paradise, yes. Flying birds? No.

Above and below, young and old alike can get good ideas in the Imagine Garden.
All of the species shown here are readily available and relatively easy to grow.
The massive formal gardens are meticulously kept and provide year round enjoyment. NOTHING is ever out of place in Longwood Gardens and this is especially true in "the formals." Put it on your list as "Gotta Do!"