Acres of Spring - April 17 to May 28
"Visitors can explore the Gardens’ 1,050 acres and discover wildflowers hidden
in the woods, benches overlooking sparkling fountain gardens, and grand sweeps
of color everywhere, from drifts of roseshell azaleas to cascades of lavender
wisteria. Longwood also offers daily visitor programs, including gardening
demonstrations, flower shows, and children’s activities, that add to the magic
of springtime in the Gardens."
Peirce's Woods - May
"Longwood Gardens is known for formal gardens featuring glass
conservatories, extravagant fountains, manicured lawns, and changing displays of
exotic flowers and plants, but perhaps its most enchanting spring garden is a
seven-acre woodland called Peirce’s Woods. Here, the broad vertical lines of
woodland tree trunks play against horizontal sweeps of wildflowers and ferns
planted in single-species masses, while native azaleas fill the understory with
sensuous colors and fragrances from late April through summer. Named in honor of the family who farmed the surrounding land in the 1800s and created Longwood’s first arboretum,
Peirce’s Woods is actually an art-form garden, an artistic interpretation of a
woodland created with plants native to the eastern United States. The garden was
designed by landscape architect W. Gary Smith."
2004 Festival of Fountains - May 29 to September 4
Thousands of fountains cast their refreshing magic over Longwood Gardens during
the 2004 Festival of Fountains at the 1,050-acre horticultural showplace near
Kennett Square, PA. Three unique water gardens
perform during the day and on many summer evenings. Illuminated musical fountain
displays follow alfresco entertainment on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights
until Labor Day. Longwood’s Open Air Theatre showcases many performances,
including productions of Gilbert & Sullivan by the famed Savoy Company. Daily visitor programs, including gardening demonstrations, plant walks, and children’s activities, add to the enchantment of summertime at Longwood.
Admission and Hours
Admission
Adults $ 12 ($8 on Tuesdays)
Youths $6 (ages 16-20)
Children $2 (ages 6-15)
Under age 6 Free
(rates are higher Thanksgiving to January 4)
Frequent Visitor Passes
Good for an entire year
Adults $60
Youths $30
Children $10
Hours
Open every day of the year
9 am - 5 pm (Jan. - March / late Oct. - Nov.)
9 am - 6 pm (April - October)
9 am - 9 pm (Thanksgiving to January 4)
On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays - Fountain Nights - closing is extended
until one hour after dusk.
For more information call 610-388-1000. Longwood Gardens is located on U.S. Route 1 about 3 miles northeast of Kennett Square, PA, 30 miles west of Philadelphia and 12 miles north of Wilmington, DE. They maintain an excellent website with up-to-date information at:
You can check out 45 photos of Longwood Gardens in our own:
