Longwood Gardens
Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Over three hundred years ago in 1700, a Quaker family purchased the original property from William Penn to establish a farm. Joshua and Samuel Peirce began planting an arboretum on their family's holding in 1798. By 1850, it was considered to be one of the finest collections of trees in the country.
Pierre du Pont bought the property in 1906 to preserve the trees and, until the 1930’s, developed much of what the Gardens look like today. He turned Longwood over to a foundation in 1946. Pierce's Woods still stand and some of du Pont's features include the Fountain Garden, the Chimes Tower, the Italian Water Garden and the Topiary Garden. Don't miss the Sequoiadendron giganteum trees near the Eye of Water on the hill above the Chimes Tower and their ingenious anti-squirrel defenses.
The brobdingnagian Conservatory built in 1921 now hosts a seasonal summer display of fuchsias hoisted high overhead in over sixty massive hanging baskets, set in planters and planted in the display beds around the main halls. The main cultivar is ‘Lord Beaconsfield,’ selected for its heat resistance. The summer displays change variously from the beginning of June through mid-September so call ahead to get the exact dates for the fuchsias. This is one fuchsia spectacle not to be missed.
Pierre du Pont bought the property in 1906 to preserve the trees and, until the 1930’s, developed much of what the Gardens look like today. He turned Longwood over to a foundation in 1946. Pierce's Woods still stand and some of du Pont's features include the Fountain Garden, the Chimes Tower, the Italian Water Garden and the Topiary Garden. Don't miss the Sequoiadendron giganteum trees near the Eye of Water on the hill above the Chimes Tower and their ingenious anti-squirrel defenses.
The brobdingnagian Conservatory built in 1921 now hosts a seasonal summer display of fuchsias hoisted high overhead in over sixty massive hanging baskets, set in planters and planted in the display beds around the main halls. The main cultivar is ‘Lord Beaconsfield,’ selected for its heat resistance. The summer displays change variously from the beginning of June through mid-September so call ahead to get the exact dates for the fuchsias. This is one fuchsia spectacle not to be missed.
