BECCA MATHIAS
Longwood Gardens is one of more than 30 gardens in the Philadelphia region known as America’s Garden Capital – and the Spring Blooms festival is the best time to see the gardens in all their glory.
CAROL GROSS
There’s so much to see among the 1,100 acres of gardens, woodlands and meadows. Already growing are hardy bulbs, crocus, forsythia and cherry blossoms. By next week, more than 150,000 tulips and other spring bulbs are expected to reach peak bloom along the 600-foot-long Flower Garden Walk. Come a little later in the season for flowering magnolias and dogwoods.
AMY SIMON BERG
The Bonsai Courtyard has about 60 deciduous trees alongside flowering cherry trees. Through April 27, a blooming Kurume azalea bonsai will be on display. The Meadow Garden is full of Eastern redbud, Carolina silverbell and flowering dogwood trees. The Idea Garden has a sweeping bulb lawn, plus containers filled with flowering bulbs. In the Hydrangea Room garden, you’ll see alliums and daffodils, dark-leaved ninebark, towering eremus and snapdragons.
SCOTT HUMMEL
Another beautiful, seasonal sight is Longwood’s fountains in the Open Air Theatre, beginning April 18, followed by the Italian Water Garden on April 25. The Main Fountain Garden shows return May 8.
BECCA MATHIAS
There’s even more to explore inside. In the West Conservatory are giant kangaroo-paws, Tower-of-Jewels, South African bulbs, Cape Cowslip, stock Matthiola, wart-stemmed Pincushion and foxgloves. Inside the East and Main conservatories, you’ll see – and smell – freesia, campanula, honey bells, hydrangeas, foxgloves, varieties of fuchsia and “Lord Beaconsfield” baskets.
BECCA MATHIAS
While exploring, take a minute to make a reservation at 1906, Longwood’s signature restaurant. Ingredients come from Longwood’s Ornamental Kitchen Garden and local sources. Reservations are required and can be made at longwoodgardens.org/dine. On Thursday, April 23, there will be a special Duckhorn Vineyards 50th Anniversary Wine Dinner.
AMY SIMON BERG
If you want to learn how to care for your home garden, consider signing up for a spring learning workshops. Topics include bulb wreaths, decorative floral design and a series on the science behind plants.
HOLDEN BARNES
Get back to nature with spring foraging or a sound bath; or get tickets for when Dr. Damin Spritzer performs the works of musical greats like Bach and Beethoven on Longwood’s 10,010-pipe Aeolian organ on April 23.
CAROL GROSS
Longwood Gardens is located at 1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square, PA.
Hours are Wednesday to Monday, from 10 am to 6 pm, through April 17. From April 18 through May 7, the gardens are open Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 6 pm; and Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 9 pm. The gardens have special hours on “Tulip Tuesdays,” April 21, 28 and May 5, from 10 am to 6 pm. There are extended evening hours until 9 pm April 18, 19, 24-26, and May 1-3.
BECCA MATHIAS
General admission tickets for Spring Blooms are $35 for adults, $31 for seniors (ages 65+), $26 for active U.S. military and veterans (with valid ID), $20 for youth (ages 5 to 15). Children age 4 and under are free. Timed admission tickets are required for all who plan to visit.
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