spring seasonal highlights

SP RING

Spring Blooms March 31–May 20

Watch as spring color emerges to paint the landscape in vibrant hues. Tulips, dogwoods, wisteria, and more herald spring’s arrival indoors and out. Breathe in the fresh spring air and relish the beauty of the Gardens, where every day something new is coming up.

Our outdoor gardens highlights include:

Spring Blooms On view March 31–May 20

Flowering Dogwoods (Cornus florida)Japanese Flowering Dogwoods (Cornus kousa)Princess-trees (Paulownia tomentosa)Flowering Cherries (Prunus)Azaleas (Rhododendron)Lilacs (Syringa)Wisterias (Wisteria)

Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera)Foam-flowers (Tiarella cordifolia)Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea)Daffodils (Narcissus)Tulips (Tulipa)Ornamental Onions (Allium)Spinach (Spinacea oleracea) Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

A Lifetime Love Affair with Tulips

(1) Tulips (Tulipa) have been a favored flower at Longwood Gardens for more than a century. In 1911, our founder, Pierre S. du Pont, noted numerous varieties of early and late-blooming tulips planted on the Flower Garden Walk. In 1915, Mr. du Pont evaluated the outdoor tulips twice a day, at 10-day intervals, commenting on color, use, and length of bloom. In the late 1950s, about five years after Mr. du Pont’s death, Longwood began planting elaborate tulip displays in an organized color scheme. These have evolved into today’s vibrant Flower Garden Walk display of over 100,000 bulbs that fill beds with a kaleidoscopic rainbow, from cool purples and pinks, stretching through hot reds and yellows, to pure whites. Tulips bloom far beyond this display—this year, an estimated 246,000 bulbs were planted throughout the Gardens.

Surround Yourself with Foxgloves

(2) At the start of May, take a stroll down Flower Garden Drive and surround yourself with the natural beauty of our blossoming pastel pink, cream, and white foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea). New to our Flower Garden Drive display, these large and colorful foxgloves are planted in mid-April and grow taller than many guests, with flower spikes reaching four to six feet. These tall architectural plants add a bold splash of color and texture to the other light and wispy flowers in our spring gardens. It takes seven months of preparation by a team of gardeners to get these vibrant foxgloves ready for spring. In September of the previous year, our nursery team begins growing the plants in greenhouses to “force” them to flower earlier for the spring season.

Our Trees in a Blooming Progression

(3) As the weather gets warmer in early spring, large woody plants flower in progression around the Gardens. Of course Mother Nature can alter the bloom times, but typically starting the first week of April winter-hazels (Corylopsis) are bright yellow, followed by the beautiful white blooms of Yulan magnolia (Magnolia denudata) near the Flower Garden Walk. By the third week in April, several species of flowering pink and white cherries (Prunus) are in full bloom in Oak Knoll, followed by the amethyst-colored redbud (Cercis canadensis) in several areas in the Gardens. In early May, flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) are in full bloom, followed by silverbell (Halesia) blooming white in Peirce’s Woods. The white, delicate fringe-tree (Chionanthus) is blooming by the third week in May, followed by the magnificent Japanese flowering dogwood (Cornus kousa) along the Cow Lot.

Get Swept Away by Wisteria

(4) Few plants equal wisteria (Wisteria) in its ability to create enchanting ambiance—its long clusters of purple, white, and light pink pendant blossoms arrive in many areas of our Gardens just in time for Mother’s Day. With a bloom duration of only about two weeks, if you plan your visit appropriately, experiencing wisteria is a natural wonder you’ll never forget. In peak bloom, our wisteria can be found cascading on the Peirce-du Pont House, Wisteria Garden, Open Air Theatre Tower, and the Eye of Water. Our Wisteria Garden showcases nine 10-foot standards trained in 1976 that have been a permanent fixture in the Gardens ever since. Training vines to grow up the steel support adds height and texture, allowing clusters of blooms to dangle at different levels.

Highlights fromOur Gardens

Free Daily Programs

There is so much to do, see, and hear every day at Longwood Gardens. Dive into our rich history on a heritage tour, learn about Longwood’s historic trees on a Champion Tree Tour, embark on a guided walk to see spring bulbs in

full bloom, spot some of our feathered friends on a bird walk, and much more.

Check our website or inquire in the Visitor Center for a detailed listing of free programs during your visit.

Insects Keep our Green Wall Healthy

We have a holistic approach to the plant healthcare of our indoor and outdoor Gardens through Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM is a toolbox of pest management strategies to reduce pests to a tolerable level while considering the environmental, economic, and human impact. One of these strategies, biological control (the

use of beneficial predatory insects and animals), was implemented with our Green Wall and is a true success. Specifically, we release five different species of minute predatory insects and mites every two weeks in different locations along the Green Wall. These insects and mites pose no danger to our guests, but feed voraciously on pests. Longwood staff continuously monitor the Green Wall for predators and are very pleased to report little to no pest activity.

A Greener Way of Life for Our Bluebirds

Longwood’s Eastern Bluebird Volunteer Team has maintained a bluebird nesting box program for more than 30 years. The team maintains 150 boxes that fledged more than 250 young bluebirds and numerous young tree swallows last year. This season will mark the second year of an ongoing study into the utility of green roof-covered bluebird nesting boxes. Planted with a mix of sedums, green roofs replace standard asphalt-shingled roofs on boxes. We hypothesized that with the addition of the green roofs, conditions within boxes would not be hotter than the outside temperature. Although outdoor temperatures were over 100 degrees several times throughout the summer, temperatures in the boxes never exceeded 91 degrees. In 2011,

preliminary results suggested that the addition of green roofs actually improved the temperature conditions within the boxes. We will expand our testing this year to include boxes with and without a shingle roof for comparison.

Experience Continuing Education

Now in Three Sessions: Deer-Resistant BulbsApril 5–19

Discover the many kinds of hardy bulbs seldom affected by deer and other critters. These easy-to-grow bulbs and other tuberous plants provide a succession of blooms in a wide range of colors and reappear each year in increasing numbers.

Re-think…Re-purpose…Recycle to Make Dramatic Floral ArrangementsMay 5

Uncage your imagination and make a one-of-a-kind floral arrangement while learning to use wired flower tubes to build unusual structures. This technique enables designers to use almost any starting point for a design and repurpose an ordinary object into a dramatic, re-usable structure.

*Register online (space limited): ce-registration.longwoodgardens.org

Arbor Day Lecture: Among the Ancients April 28, 11 am & 1 pm

What is happening to our forests and what can we do to save them? Ecologist and nature writer Dr. Joan Maloof, author of Among the Ancients: Adventures in the Eastern Old-Growth Forests, will discuss her love affair with ancient trees. A scientist with a poet’s heart, she will take you to some of the 26 forests she explored for this book. Dr. Maloof has worked with trees from all angles: as a horticulturist, as an ecologist, and now as a writer and activist. She will give a reading from her book and will discuss her latest venture—the Old-Growth Forest Network, an organization that aims to identify and protect at least one forest in every county in the nation. A book signing follows each lecture.

Free with Gardens admission (space limited). Advanced registration required: longwoodgardens.org or 610.388.1000

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Earth Day Friday, April 2012–4 pm

Arbor Day Celebration Friday, April 27Saturday, April 28 12–4 pm

Join us as we celebrate sustainability and beauty on Earth Day at the behind-the-scenes open house of our Production Greenhouse facility. Activities include:

– Make a wildflower seed ball

– Explore our big machines

– Scoop up a bag of our compost

– Learn more about our Solar Field and other land-steward projects

– “Gearing up” to experience the life of an arborist

– Birds of Feather kids activity station

– Champion Tree Tours

Bring the whole family to celebrate the beauty of trees! The first 400 guests each day receive a voucher for a free tree seedling. Activities include:

Discounted Fireworks & Fountains Shows Promotion dates: May 10—20

Members get the exclusive opportunity to purchase deeply discounted tickets for the following Fireworks & Fountains Shows:

Swan Lake, July 21 The Amazing ‘80s!, August 11

Members promotional prices: Ages 16 & over $25 Original price $38 Ages 15 & under $12 Original price $22

New Branching Out Lecture Series Registration opens April 1

Gardens In a Whole New Light—with Director Paul B. Redman and Artist Bruce Munro Saturday, June 9 7 pm

Illuminating the Night Garden—with Longwood experts Alan Petravich & Koa KanameeThursday, July 127 pm

10 Tips to Better Garden Photography—with Rob CardilloSunday, September 302:30 pm

Wicked Plants—with Amy StewartSunday, October 282:30 pm

Free for Members, Member guests $25Advanced registration required, longwoodgardens.org or 610.388.1000

Members-only Moments

Experience Light FirstMembers-only Preview Nights for

Light: Installations by Bruce Munro

Thursday, June 7

Friday, June 8

5–11 pm

Members have the first opportunity to explore our new summer exhibit!

Advanced reservations required.Free for Members, Member guests incur a fee. Registration starts April 1. Formal invitation to follow.

The Gardens will close to the public at 5 pm on these dates. For complete details visit longwoodgardens.org

Member Appreciation DayWednesday, June 27

Members enjoy exclusive 20% discounts in The GardenShop, 1906, and The Café.

Reservations for 1906 are strongly recommended via opentable.com

5 Deer-Resistant Bulbs

4–6 pm * Class 1 of 3 Anoushka Shankar 8 pm 2

7 Easter Weekend

9 am–5 pm Breakfast with the Easter Bunny 8 am & 9:30 am 1 Sold Out

Harp Music Featuring Janet Witman 12–3 pm Easter Buffet 1–5 pm 1

8 Easter Weekend

9 am–5 pm

Harp Music Featuring Janet Witman 12–3 pm

Easter Buffet 10 am–5 pm 1

10 Home School Day—Go Figure

Native Spring Wildflowers 7–9 pm * Class 1 of 6

11 Fresh Table Designs

6–9 pm * Simone Dinnerstein 8 pm 2

12 Sketching for Designers

12:30–4:30 pm * Sold Out Class 1 of 3 Deer-Resistant Bulbs 4–6 pm * Class 2 of 3

13 Unbridled Bouquets

9 am–4 pm * Champion Trees of Longwood Tour 10 am–1 pm * Sold Out

Application Deadline **High School Summer Internship Program

14 Daffodil Show

9 am–6 pm Advanced Floral Design II 9 am–4 pm * Sold Out Class 1 of 3

Performance Pruning: Shrubs 9 am–12 pm or 1–4 pm *

Sold Out

Girl Scout Badge Day: Brownie Scouts 10–11:30 am

15 Daffodil Show

9 am–6 pm

Growers and experts bring hundreds of blooms to the Delaware Valley Daffodil Society’s Show.

Interpretations in Colored Pencils Studio 1–3:30 pm * Class 1 of 4

16 Senior Day

Floral Arranging Demonstrations, 10:30–11 am Cooking Demonstrations, 11:30 am–12 pm

Silent Movie with Organist Wayne Zimmerman 2 pm

17 Senior Day

Silent Movie with Organist Don Kinnier 2 pm

18 Floral Fun Class: April Showers

10 am–12 pm *

12:30 pm–4:30 pm * Sold Out Class 2 of 3 Deer-Resistant Bulbs 4–6 pm * Class 3 of 3

20 Early Morning Light

7 am–1 pm *

31 Spring Blooms March 31–May 20

Watch as spring color emerges to paint the landscape in vibrant hues. Tulips, dogwoods, wisteria, and more herald spring’s arrival.

Orchid Extravaganza Sale 9 am–6 pm

Beginning Bonsai 9 am–3 pm *Sold Out Boy Scout Merit Badge Workshop 10–11 am High School Workshop: Painting Spring Flowers with Oil Pastels 10 am

Tulips Expected to Be on Display in Early April

Visit the Flower Garden Walk and the Idea Garden to see hundreds of thousands of blooms in a rainbow of colors.

1 Orchid Extravaganza Orchid Sale 9 am–6 pm Curtis Student Recital Summer Hu, Cello 1 pm

Spring into Pastels 1–4 pm *

Branching Out Lecture Series: Designing the New Kitchen Garden 2:30–4:30 pm Sold Out

Spring CalendarBling It On! 9 am–12 pm *

Champion Trees of Longwood Tour10 am–1 pm *Sold Out

Earth Day 12–4 pm Celebrate Earth Day at the behind-the-scenes open house of our Production Greenhouse facility.

21 Advanced Floral Design II

9 am–4 pm * Sold Out Class 2 of 3 Vegetable Gardens: Beyond the Basics 9 am–12 pm * Sold Out Soil to Sky Tour 2–4 pm * Sold Out Paquito D’Rivera Quartet 8 pm 2

Girl Scout Badge Day: Junior Scouts 10–11:30 am

22 Interpretations in Colored

Pencils Studio 1–3:30 pm * Class 2 of 4 Organ Concert Featuring Paul Fleckenstein 1 pm

Kennett Symphony of Chester County 7 pm 3

24 Designing Accessible Gardens

6:30–8:30 pm * Sold Out Class 1 of 4 Native Spring Wildflowers 7–9 pm * Class 3 of 6

25 Soil to Sky Tour

2–4 pm * Sold Out

12:30–4:30 pm * Sold Out Class 3 of 3 Eroica Trio 8 pm 2

27 Zooming In on Spring Blooms

7 am–1 pm * Trough Making 9 am–12 pm * Sold Out

Arbor Day Celebration 12–4 pm

9 am–4 pm * Sold Out Class 3 of 3

Pencils Studio 1–3:30 pm * Class 3 of 4

MayWisteria Expected to Be On Display in Early May

Discover these blooms on the Peirce-du Pont House, Wisteria Garden, Open Air Theatre Tower, and the Eye of Water.

Application Deadline ** College & University Internships and International Intern & Trainee Programs (For September start date)

5 Birding at Longwood

Gardens: Warblers 7 am–10 am * Sold Out

Orchid Repotting 9 am–12 pm *

Water Gardening in a Container 9 am–12 pm * Sold Out

Re-think...Re-purpose...Recycle 1–4 pm *

*** Reservations required: opentable.com

Special ticket required: longwoodgardens.org, 610.388.1000 Special ticket required: ticketphiladelphia.org, 215.893.1999

Special ticket required: kennettsymphony.org 610.444.6363

School & Youth program. Pre-registration required: longwoodgardens.org

Branching Out Lecture Series. Registration required: longwoodgardens.org, 610.388.1000, Members: Free, Guests: $25

Make a pre-performance dinner reservation at opentable.com & enjoy a complimentary coffee reception after the performance.

* Advanced registration and fee required: ce-registration.longwoodgardens.org, 610.388.5454

For a complete list of our Continuing Education opportunities visit us online. Members save 10%.

** To apply: longwoodgardens.org

Education

Performance

Dining

Family Fun

Members-only

Horticulture

Pencils Studio 1–3:30 pm * Class 4 of 4 The Delius Society Presents Michael Stairs, Organist 2:30 pm

Branching Out Lecture Series: Beautiful No-Mow Yards 2:30–4:30 pm Sold Out

9 Weed Identification

9 am–12 pm *

Tips for Turf Diagnosis: Insect and Disease Management 1–4 pm *

11 Peter Richard Conte

8 pm 2

12 Mother’s Day Weekend

9 am–5 pm

Mother’s Day Buffet 10 am–5 pm 1

Flute-Cello Duo Featuring Monica Buffington and Cheryl Everill 12-3 pm

Contain Yourself! 9 am–12 pm *

Digital Storytelling I: A Class For Teachers 9 am–3:30 pm

9 am–5 pm

Mother’s Day Buffet 10 am–5 pm 1 Flute-Violin Duo Featuring Monica Buffington and Mugurel Radu 12-3 pm Carillon Concert: Doug Gefvert 3 pm

17 Plant Disease Identification

9 am–12 pm *

18 Trough Planting

9 am–12 pm *

19 Potted Potential

9–11 am *

20 Carillon Concert:

R. Robin Austin 3 pm

24 Floral Fun Class: May Basket

6:30–8:30 pm *

26 Fireworks & Fountains Show

Swan Lake 9:15 pm1

Swan Lake features some of Tchaikovsky’s most beloved music from what is probably the most famous ballet of all, about a princess transformed into a swan by an evil sorcerer.

7 Easter Weekend

8 Easter Weekend

9 am–5 pm

14 Daffodil Show

Sold Out

15 Daffodil Show

9 am–6 pm

16 Senior Day

17 Senior Day

10 am–12 pm *

7 am–1 pm *

25 Soil to Sky Tour

2–4 pm * Sold Out

Education

Performance

Dining

Family Fun

Members-only

Horticulture

9 am–12 pm *

8 pm 2

9 am–5 pm

9 am–12 pm *

18 Trough Planting

9 am–12 pm *

19 Potted Potential

9–11 am *

6:30–8:30 pm *

Swan Lake 9:15 pm1

7 Easter Weekend

8 Easter Weekend

9 am–5 pm

14 Daffodil Show

Sold Out

15 Daffodil Show

9 am–6 pm

16 Senior Day

17 Senior Day

10 am–12 pm *

7 am–1 pm *

25 Soil to Sky Tour

2–4 pm * Sold Out

Education

Performance

Dining

Family Fun

Members-only

Horticulture

9 am–12 pm *

8 pm 2

9 am–5 pm

9 am–12 pm *

18 Trough Planting

9 am–12 pm *

19 Potted Potential

9–11 am *

6:30–8:30 pm *

Swan Lake 9:15 pm1

7 Easter Weekend

8 Easter Weekend

9 am–5 pm

14 Daffodil Show

Sold Out

15 Daffodil Show

9 am–6 pm

16 Senior Day

17 Senior Day

10 am–12 pm *

7 am–1 pm *

25 Soil to Sky Tour

2–4 pm * Sold Out

Education

Performance

Dining

Family Fun

Members-only

Horticulture

9 am–12 pm *

8 pm 2

9 am–5 pm

9 am–12 pm *

18 Trough Planting

9 am–12 pm *

19 Potted Potential

9–11 am *

6:30–8:30 pm *

Swan Lake 9:15 pm1

Performances that Inspire

Anoushka ShankarApril 5, 8 pm

Daughter of the legendary Ravi Shankar, sitar player and composer Anoushka Shankar is one of the leading figures in world music today.

A World of Music SeriesTickets: ticketphiladelphia.org215.893.1999 $40, Members $34

Simone DinnersteinApril 11, 8 pm

Pianist Simone Dinnerstein gained international recognition due to the success of her recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations.

Classical SeriesTickets: ticketphiladelphia.org215.893.1999 $35, Members $30

Enjoy a pre-performance dinner in 1906. Visit opentable.com for reservations.

Paquito D’Rivera QuartetApril 21, 8 pm

Paquito D’Rivera has won 11 Grammy Awards and was the first artist to win Latin Grammys in both Classical and Latin Jazz Categories.

Jazz SeriesTickets: ticketphiladelphia.org215.893.1999 $45, Members $38

Eroica TrioApril 26, 8 pm

Comprised of Erika Nickrenz on piano, Susie Park on violin, and Sara Sant’Ambrogio on cello, the Grammy-nominated Eroica Trio is considered one of the most sought-after trios in the world.

Classical SeriesTickets: ticketphiladelphia.org215.893.1999 $35, Members $30

Peter Richard ConteMay 11, 8 pm

Peter Richard Conte has served as the Grand Court Organist of the world-famous Wanamaker Organ at the Macy’s Philadelphia department store since 1989.

Organ SeriesTickets: ticketphiladelphia.org215.893.1999 $40, Members $34

Summer’s Hottest Lineup On Sale Now!Exciting acts fill the Gardens with music this summer including:

– Jonny Lang and Robert Randolph, June 13– David Sanborn and Brian Culbertson, June 19– The Bacon Brothers, July 10– Vince Gill, August 15

Buy tickets at ticketmaster.com or call 1.800.745.3000

These concerts are in association with BRE Presents

– Barbara Cook, July 7– Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, July 11– Pat Metheny Unity Band, August 9– The Manhattan Transfer, August 23

Buy tickets at ticketphiladelphia.org or call 215.893.1999

Concerts are still being added. Visit our website for the most up-to-date summer schedule.

LightInstallations by Bruce Munro Opens June 9

Experience Longwood Gardens in a whole new light through the evocative and imaginative art of Bruce Munro, British lighting artist. This US premiere illuminates our Gardens with large-scale, site-specific light installations.

Purchase tickets and view complete exhibition details at longwoodgardens.org

– Free mobile Light app for exclusive

installation details and more

– Upload your photos and experiences

during the exhibit to our social

media outlets

– Classes and lectures featuring

the exhibition

– Light merchandise in the GardenShop

– Light: Installations by Bruce Munro catalog

– Light Nights are fun for the whole family!

Sing-along at an outdoor concert, make

an illuminating craft, and enjoy other

family-friendly activities!

– Turn on your left and right brain during

Light Bulb Café nights! Hear some of

the region’s brightest minds explore the

science of light, then share your own

bright ideas in our StorySlam.

– Members-only preview nights

Get plugged in to Light

Download, tweet, link, like, share, upload,

listen, and more! There are so many ways

for you to be a part of Light:

Turn on Our Light!

Pre-order our Light

catalog online and

discover exquisite

photography of our

Gardens by night,

thought-provoking

essays, and more.

Start your summer on the right note. Savor fine wines and sample fresh, local fare as you enjoy the sights and sounds of live jazz in our Gardens. Featuring Grammy Award winner

Dianne Reeves Jazz great

Dominick Farinacci QuintetMore jazz artists still being added! Visit our website for a complete festival schedule.

Tickets on sale now at longwoodgardens.org

Wine & Jazz Festival Saturday, June 2

Featuring Dianne Reeves Wine & Jazz Festival Saturday, June 2

Fireworks & Fountains Shows Glittering fireworks and colorful fountains light up the night sky and dance to exciting music on select evenings in the midst of our Gardens’ lush, natural beauty.

Swan LakeMay 26 & July 21, 9:15 pm September 1, 8:15 pm

Stars & StripesJuly 3, 9:15 pm

Stars & Stripes is a salute to John Philip Sousa, who gave 14 concerts with his band at Longwood between 1922 and 1930, and evokes a Fourth of July parade.

The Amazing ‘80s!August 11, 9:15 pm September 29, 7:15 pm The Amazing ‘80s! spotlights popular rock and pop music from the decade’s most iconic artists.

Show and barbeque tickets on sale now at longwoodgardens.org

No refunds or exchanges. No blankets allowed. Chairs can be rented on-site for $5.

Fireworks & Fountains Barbeque

Savor picnic favorites with a gourmet flair. Special ticket required.

Gardens Information

Spring HoursThrough May 20 9 am–6 pm, open daily

AdmissionAdults: $18Seniors ages 62+: $15Students with student ID: $8Children ages 4 and under: FreeMembers: Free

* Prices are subject to change. Some events require a special ticket.

Dining Hours in The Terrace

The CaféStarting March 23: 10 am–5 pm

1906Starting March 21: 11:30 am–3:30 pmBrunch is served Sunday: 11:30 am–3:30 pm Reservations can be made via opentable.com or by calling 610.388.1000.

MembershipGet your GardenPass and be a part of something inspired, beautiful, cultivated, natural, spectacular, and forward-thinking. Become a Member yourself or purchase a Membership as a gift. Membership means 365 days of access to our Gardens, exclusive discounts, Members-only events, and much more.

Group Visits & RentalsGroups and private events are welcomed in the Gardens. Phone: 610.388.5223 / Email: [email protected]

* Weddings and proms are not permitted.

Stay Connected

Join in the conversation & “Like” us on Facebook at Facebook.com/LongwoodGardens

Phone: 610.388.1000Website: longwoodgardens.org

Photography credits: Larry Albee, Longwood GardensIllustration by Rebecca Clarke

spring seasonal highlights

Documents

spring gardens

spring color

favored flower

early spring

flower spikes

flower garden drive

longwood gardens

outdoor tulips