Fling Prequel : Longwood Gardens
Once you've committed to a 5+ hour flight and the associated time zone warp it seems prudent to make the most of the journey, and a perusal of a map of the region made it clear that I would be flinging within reasonable driving distance to both Longwood Gardens and Chanticleer. I was able to entice a few of my east coast garden touring pals to join me and along with fling-bound Sue of Idyll Haven we rendezvoused in Pennsylvania for 2 days of garden visits.
Longwood is located in Kennett Square PA and has along history with multiple transformations from a farm, to a park to a country home for Pierre du Pont. Luckily , Mr du Pont had an interest in preserving his 'farm' and created a foundation in 1946 establishing Longwood as a public garden. I was unable to find a definitive statement of exactly how large Longwood is, but the conservatory alone is 4 acres; you could almost make a day of it just hanging out in there.
The dry climates were represented under glass as well, in the silver garden.
I manged to drag myself back outdoors and passed through the beautiful courtyard that features lotus, water lilies and other aquatics in a architecturally imposing setting -as you can see I was not up to the challenge of getting a shot that wasn't full of fellow gawkers.
I managed to grab a photo in an unoccupied corner.
It would be an understatement to say that this garden is impeccably maintained; they are clearly well-funded and well marketed as a destination that can be enjoyed by both serious gardeners and non-gardeners alike. The next several images are taken in what is called the 'idea garden/ trial garden.' There were certainly flowers in this area but the emphasis was on texture, foliage and movement.
Topiary garden.
Rapunzel was not at home.
The flower Walk is a series of long bloom-filled paths radiating from a central fountain.I almost missed this altogether, and as dinner reservations were nigh , it was a brief stroll. After returning home and starting to process all the photos I took , I saw that there were a few areas of Longwood I didn't make it to, and some notable features I failed to photograph. I guess I'm going to have to go back !
Longwood is located in Kennett Square PA and has along history with multiple transformations from a farm, to a park to a country home for Pierre du Pont. Luckily , Mr du Pont had an interest in preserving his 'farm' and created a foundation in 1946 establishing Longwood as a public garden. I was unable to find a definitive statement of exactly how large Longwood is, but the conservatory alone is 4 acres; you could almost make a day of it just hanging out in there.
The dry climates were represented under glass as well, in the silver garden.
I manged to drag myself back outdoors and passed through the beautiful courtyard that features lotus, water lilies and other aquatics in a architecturally imposing setting -as you can see I was not up to the challenge of getting a shot that wasn't full of fellow gawkers.
I managed to grab a photo in an unoccupied corner.
It would be an understatement to say that this garden is impeccably maintained; they are clearly well-funded and well marketed as a destination that can be enjoyed by both serious gardeners and non-gardeners alike. The next several images are taken in what is called the 'idea garden/ trial garden.' There were certainly flowers in this area but the emphasis was on texture, foliage and movement.
Topiary garden.
Rapunzel was not at home.
The flower Walk is a series of long bloom-filled paths radiating from a central fountain.I almost missed this altogether, and as dinner reservations were nigh , it was a brief stroll. After returning home and starting to process all the photos I took , I saw that there were a few areas of Longwood I didn't make it to, and some notable features I failed to photograph. I guess I'm going to have to go back !
Longwood is hard to beat. I took some of these same shots but they didn't come out nearly as good as these. When you and Deanne are snapping I best just keep my camera closed...lol.
ReplyDeleteI had to do quite a bit of tweaking to fix these photos Sue-I was snapping away without much attention to what I was doing. It's pretty easy to get distracted at a place like Longwood !
DeleteI must admit that my life is very West Coast-centric and that I have never visited a public garden east of the Mississippi. Clearly I'm missing out!
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely not the same out yonder in the east. I love visiting there and seeing gardens that actually get rain in summer !
DeleteWonderful photos of a fabulous garden, wish I could visit again, it's been over 20 years.
ReplyDeleteI imagine they change things every few years to make multiple visits worthwhile-I would love to go back .
DeleteIf my life were without its particular responsibilities, and had you invited me, I would have been along for this portion of your adventure in a heartbeat. Both of the gardens you mention are ones I hope to visit...someday. Your photos reinforce that.
ReplyDeleteDamn those responsibilities ! You are always invited Loree ..if you have a good excuse to go to Boston in August I'm doing Coastal Maine Botanic . Maybe PHS needs an article contrasting Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden with Coastal Maine !
DeleteMy son lived in the Philadelphia area for 10 years, and whenever we visited I tried to talk both husband and son into going to Longwood. Never could get them to go. I should have just taken off by myself. Some day I'll get there. It looks so fabulous, especially in your great photos. Thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteI know you would enjoy it Alison. I like going to gardens by myself, it's fun to pursue my own agenda.
DeleteIsabelle Greene's silver garden in the conservatory probably looks as foreign to East Coast visitors as the rest of this garden does to me -- all that rain-drenched, lush, billowing green! Fabulous. So glad you caught up with the gang!
ReplyDeleteSeems like it's been forever since I went back east, and now I'm going again in August! It was great to see everyone again. I took lots of photos of the silver garden, and probably could have given it it's own post.
DeleteWhat a spectacular garden! I've never seen it in person and I don't think I've even seen photos or videos of it since HGTV effectively removed the "G" from its line-up. Thanks for sharing your visit. Your post leaves me wondering why I haven't planted bromeliads in my garden.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you haven't planted Broms because they cost and arm and a leg ? Maybe not down there though. They are all over the place in frost free gardens in the East Bay, Oakland , Berkeley etc.
DeleteWow. That must have been seriously fun. The Conservatory looked like California under glass.
ReplyDeleteThe humid version of California !
DeleteWell, that's the way to make a Fling trip even better -- add some great botanical gardens to the front end of the trip! You got some really nice photos. I look forward to seeing your pics from Chanticleer too, since that's my favorite public garden of all time. :)
ReplyDeleteChanticleer has been on my bucket list for years Pam. I was not disappointed! Of course now I want to go back.
DeleteThese tropical glass houses are always a fun walk through. The mere colorful collection of foliage is dessert for the eyes.
ReplyDeleteThis is certainly one of the best !
DeleteFantastic photos Kathy and beautiful tour of Longwood. I'm actually going back next week for a round two. I actually did spend my entire time in the conservatory! I need to get over to the idea garden and the flower walk. So much to see and take in there.
ReplyDeleteLucky you! I would love a round 2 ...maybe some day !
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