Longwood Gardens; a World-Class Garden in Pennsylvania

[Jason in Orlando]

I recently travelled back to my old home of Norristown, Pennsylvania, which is very near Valley Forge and about 15 miles from Philadelphia. While I was there I made a point of visiting Longwood Gardens in Chester County's mushroom growing capital of Kennett Square.

Longwood Gardens is a 1077 acre property originally founded by Pierre du Pont (DuPont chemical). Du Pont purchased the property from the Pierce family in 1906, but an arboretum had already been established there by the Pierces in 1798. The Pierces originally purchased the land from Pennsylvania founder William Penn in 1700. Du Pont further developed the land into much of what is seen today between 1907 and the 1930s. Du Pont created a foundation which took control of the gardens in 1946, and its first director was hired after du Pont's death in 1954.

For me the highlight of the gardens is the four acre conservatory complex. Built between 1919 and 1921, this complex includes glass houses devoted to bromeliads, succulents, orchids, roses and hibiscus, bonsais, bananas, fruits and vegetables, wildflowers, a children's garden, and of course, palms. There are also large manicured indoor show gardens with water features in the main conservatory as well as an outdoor aquatic garden.

Other highlights of Longwood Gardens are the "tree houses," Chimes Tower and Carillon, the Eye of Water, the main fountain complex, the ampitheatre (which I have performed at!), and the Italian Water Garden. There are two restaurants at the gardens; one cafeteria style restaurant called The Cafe, and one sit down called 1906. Both are in the same building near the east side of the conservatory complex. The entrance/visitors center has a very nice gift shop that sells books, art, photos and prints, and of course plants.

If you are in the Philadelphia are, make a point of seeing this garden. You will not be disappointed. My suggestion would be to go there in March to coincide with the nearby Philadelphia Flower Show. So with all that being said, let's get to the pictures!

The day I went was unfortunately cloudy, although it was quite hot. Here is the Visitors Center as you walk in from the parking lot. The glass globes are part of an art exhibit by Bruce Munro called Light. Many of these and other structures were placed around the gardens. At night they are illuminated. I do not, unfortunately, have any photos of them illuminated.

[Jason in Orlando]

As you walk into the gardens and head north and west, you will come across a topiary garden.

[Jason in Orlando]

Just outside of the topiary garden are a rose garden and a gazebo walk.

[Jason in Orlando]

As you proceed through the topiary, you come upon the main fountain and the conservatory complex. There is a lower entrance to the conservatory just in front of the fountain. Above this entrance is a viewing platform for the fountain shows, which are held several times daily and last for about 15 minutes.

[Jason in Orlando]

After the fountain show it was into the conservatory! The outside front was lined with potted Adonidia merrillii while potted Bismarckia nobilis guarded the east side entrance.

[Jason in Orlando]

Walking into the East Conservatory you are immediately immersed in a beautiful tropical setting. Mature queen palms and Washingtonia robusta are present, as was a large Phoenix species (no photo).

Looking back toward the east entrance:

Water features:

[Jason in Orlando]

The most impressive plant in the East Conservatory was by far the large Encephalartos woodii. The top of the tallest leaf was around 10' (3m).

[Jason in Orlando]

Walking west out of the East Conservatory you enter the Exhibition Hall. The structures hanging from the ceiling are part of the Light exhibit. The dangling ends are lit by an optical fiber. A thin layer of water covers the floor giving it that incredible shine.

[Jason in Orlando]

Just outside of the Exhibit Hall is the Aquatic Garden/Waterlilly Display. This display is only open from June through October. Many waterlilly species and hybrids, as well as lotus, canna, and other aquatic plants were on display.

[Jason in Orlando]

More water lillies:

These were far more impressive in person than they are in the photo:

And some others:

[Jason in Orlando]

Coming back inside you can see the opposite view of the exhibit hall, then it's down a long corridor called the Acacia Passage.

[Jason in Orlando]

The Acacia Passage leads to the Orchid House. There were some nice hybrids and a few species on display. Longwood's Orchid Extravaganza was held from January 20-March 25 this year and culminated with the International Orchid Show & Sale.

Encyclia sp.

Coelogyne sp. Similar to C. pandurata, but I couldn't find the label so I'm not sure exactly what it is.

Disa hybrid

[Jason in Orlando]

So now on to the part you've all likely been waiting for, the Palm House!

A mature and fruiting Licuala grandis greets you as you walk inside. Just to its right past the queen sago are some mature and fruiting bottle palms (no photo).

Looking up into the main part of the house are the tops of some triangles and a fruiting Chambeyronia macrocarpa!

Beyond are Aiphanes horrida and Pritchardia remota.

[Jason in Orlando]

The floor of the palm house was sunken approximately 10-15' (3-4m) below the ground level. A walkway goes around all four sides of the house, rising several feet towards the back. A number of species were below walkway level. Here are several:

Chamaedorea fragrans

Rhopalostylis baueri

Chamaedorea ernesti-augustii

Areca vestiaria (not looking too well)

[Jason in Orlando]

Somehow I also managed to miss getting a picture of the Cyrtostachys renda that stood on the opposite side of the Orchid House door from the Licuala. My father was complaining about the heat at the time, so I was probably feeling rushed. Also not pictured was a juvenile Corypa umbracaulifera planted in a corner near the Areca vestiaria. I'm not sure what they were thinking on this one. Pelagodoxa henryana was also apparently present in the Palm House, but I didn't see it. I did however see this old man palm, Coccothrinax crinita, which guards the passageway from the Palm House to the Bonsai!

[Jason in Orlando]

I don't know much about bonsai. The individuals on display here were impressive, and some have been "in training" for over 100 years. I'm sure there are much older ones out there, but I thought this was pretty cool nonetheless.

[Jason in Orlando]

You couldn't miss the nearly over-powering but pleasant fragrance from the Estate Fruit House. There are trellised nectarine trees that were laden with fruit. The grapery is also quite an interesting room.

[Jason in Orlando]

Leaving the Fruit House you are taken down yet another corridor toward the Cascade Garden. Along the way is a small nook with some carnivorous plants.

Nepenthes X mixta var. superba

Various (the venus flytraps are behind the butterworts)

The Cascade Garden entrance; note the door of Tillandsia

[Jason in Orlando]

The Cascade Garden was constantly being misted for the benefit of the bromeliads, and consequently it was by far the most comfortable house to be in on that day. The trickling sound of small waterfalls really added a nice ambience to the room.

[Jason in Orlando]

The Rose House and Tropical Terrace are the next two rooms along the way through this tropical labrynth. The Rose House has several terraces and contains not just roses, but also the hibiscus collection. Unfortunately the steps up into the terraces are closed off, so a close up of individual plants is often impossible.

Roses and hibiscus

Roses

Hibiscus

The Tropical Terrace contained this spectacular 6' (2m) torch ginger

As well as this Chamaedorea metallica clump

And some crotons

[Jason in Orlando]

Between the roses and the next house is located the Banana House. Several large bananas with fruit were in this small room. The Banana House leads into one of the most spectacular conservatories in the whole complex, the Silver Garden. There are many cacti and succulents in this room, including some nice large and flowering Pachypodium (no photo).

Entering the room, the Pachypodium may be glimpsed in the distance on the left

Brahea armata in the background

Another cool cycad, Encephalartos lehmannii

Hairy cacti

[Jason in Orlando]

Leaving the Silver Garden you enter the Main Conservatory. While it is quite large and very nicely manicured, there wasn't much in that room that was particularly noteworthy. There were many triangle palms around the perimeter, as well as some more Adonidia clumps. More Lights globes also hung inside.

[Jason in Orlando]

A walk along the aptly-named Garden Path brings us to the Children's Garden. There are several interesting fountains and other features, and the children ceratinly seemed to enjoy them.

This feature was kind of neat. In the cubby-hole at the top of the wall is a bell. A small fountain below it shoots a stream of water upward every minute or so ringing the bell

This sculpted railing is along a short stair that leads up into a sort of gazebo with a large chinese dragon head

Going around the dragon gazebo takes you into a small dead end passageway with a view of this fountain. The likenesses of three animals spit into the center

Another fun fountain adorns a passage wall

[Jason in Orlando]

The Garden Path continues along back towards the east entrance. Just before leaving is the Camelia House. One of the plants inside had some of its flowers fertilized, and the developing fruits were bagged and tagged (no photo). Just before leaving the conservatory complex was another interesting choice for a potted palm specimen...

Really?

[Jason in Orlando]

After spending hours in the conservatories, sit down and grab a bite to eat at one of the two restaurants. Then go enjoy the other 1073 acres...

[Jason in Orlando]

Walking away from the conservatories, past the main fountain, is the Chimes Tower. The tower was built in 1929 and houses the 62 bell carillon. Concerts are held from time to time featuring guest carilloneurs. After these shows the top of the tower, which houses the bells, is open to the public. It is about a ten to fifteen minute walk from the restaurants, depending on how fast you walk. Along the way you will again pass the Topiary Garden and its attendant lions:

...not to mention one of the most unique and tastiest drinking fountains I have ever seen!

[Jason in Orlando]

The main fountain is impressive up close. And on a hot day, up close is a good place to be during the shows.

Strolling along past the fountain takes you down a lightly wooded pathway leading to the tower.

[Jason in Orlando]

The Chimes Tower is 61' (approx. 21m) tall. The waterfall next to it feeds a small pond, which in turn provides the water supply for the main fountain. The lower half of the tower is generally open to the public.

Lower tower entrance and stairs

[Jason in Orlando]

About half way up the tower is a second entrance. Inside is a sample of one of the carillon bells that visitors can ring.

Top of the tower

Beyond the tower, the stream can be traced back up the hill as it cascades down several waterfalls

[Jason in Orlando]

The source of the stream is a feature in this building called the Eye of Water. Has anyone in Costa Rica ever seen the original on which this one was based?

The Eye

[Jason in Orlando]

Heading back towards and then past the Visitors Center brings you to the vast outdoor gardens. A long walkway lined with blue agave planted in tall vases takes you down to a pond.

Across the pond are more structures associated with the Lights display

The pond was also home to many vocal bullfrogs

[Jason in Orlando]

There are three "Tree Houses" at Longwood. I saw only one, the Canopy Cathedral. The two massive columns on either side are the trunks of nearly-100-foot-tall tulip poplars.

[Jason in Orlando]

Unfortunately the Italian Water Garden was under renovation, and the fountains were not flowing. The pathway then takes you into some more woods that feature native trees and plants.

The is one notable exception to the native species in this area

[Jason in Orlando]

Emerging from the woods you will come to a hedge. Passing through leads you to the Flower Garden Walk. There are numerous beds planted with annuals (at least for Pennsylvania's climate), and several more fountains.

The hedge with 'pitcher planter'

Open courtyard with fountain

Another fountain

[Jason in Orlando]

Finally comes the Ampitheatre. Various performances are staged here during the summer months, usually in the evening. At Christmastime, the stage is removed to reveal another set of fountains, which are coordinated to move along to music and colored lights. There are many acres of fields and woodlands that I did not get to on this visit. Many of the 1077 acres are in fact not generally open to the public. There are however plenty of acres that are open to keep a visitor occupied for a full day. The gardens are open 365 days, so a trip there does not have to be in the summer. The gardens are lit up at night during the Christmas season with hundreds of thousands of lights (if not millions), and the conservatories are decorated appropriately. I hope you all enjoyed this thread!

By the way, I was lucky enough to perform along with the Savoy Company mentioned on the sign in June of 1989. We performed an obscure later work by Gilbert & Sullivan called Utopia Limited or The Flowers of Progress. I played the very small part of a First Life Guard.

[palmislandRandy]

Jason, I grew up outside Philadelphia & my grandmother used to take me there quite often. I happened to be there last July & the garden looked as awesome as I remembered. Did you see the 10,010 pipe Aeolian organ? It's built into an entire ballroom building & I could hear it across the vista. There was also this cool "green wall" near the even muy cooler, trendy new bathrooms.

I unfortunately just had my Iphone for pics. An amazing place that more people should see. Thanks for posting

[Tassie_Troy1971]

WOW thanks for posting !

certainly an amazing place done on a grand scale !

Huge Encephalartos woodii - in Pennsylvania who would have thought !

[GeneAZ]

There must be a pretty sophisticated heating system for all this space. I don't see any evidence of it above ground, so I'm presuming it's all percolating up from some system underground? Does anybody here know about it?

[Ken Johnson]

Epic post! Well done! Thank you!

[Jeff in St Pete]

Jason, thanks for the wonderful photo tour. I grew up in PA not far from Longwood Gardens and I remember being forced to go there many times with my parents and grandparents. I definitely need to go back now and see it as an adult.