As a horticulturist, early morning hours mean waking up before the sun, as in winter and early spring, our workday begins before sunrise. Sunrises are what inspire the day, taking each quick glance up from planting to take in the beauty all around, illuminating all the work waiting to be done. By contrast, sunsets are typically reserved for guests enjoying the summer months at Longwood; thoughts of evening fountain shows, live music, and shadows dancing across a meadow of goldenrod come to my mind. This spring, however, Longwood guests have the unique experience of viewing our spring displays in the evening, thanks to new extended evening hours. Just recently, I had the extraordinary experience of walking the Gardens as they come alive at evening. Here I share with you all I saw—and photographed—and all there is for you to see during our spring evenings.
I started my evening stroll on the eastern end of the Gardens, in one of Longwood’s most iconic spring destinations: our historic Flower Garden Walk. Here, I reveled in thousands of spring bulbs that have emerged from the annual display beds, anticipated to reach their peak bloom just in time for our extended spring hours. Photo by Patrick Greenwald.
From there, I went towards the cool beauty of Peirce’s Woods. I made sure to take in all the glorious spring ephemeral wildflowers emerging from the forest floor. Taking advantage of the extra sunlight on the floor of the deciduous woodland, I found a brilliant display of Trilliums, Hepatica, Virginia bluebells, and others as they put on quite a show. Photo by Patrick Greenwald.
From there, my stroll took me to the Meadow Garden. Stopping at the meadow ponds, I couldn’t help but take in all the bird sounds surrounding me. The recognizable calls of piliated woodpeckers, robins, and red-winged blackbirds filled the air. Along the Meadow Boardwalk trail, an early emerging colony of skunk cabbage can be seen in the moist low woodland. Photo by Patrick Greenwald.
My stroll took me across the Gardens to the west, where rivers of (Narcissus ‘Tete a Tete’) flow through a blue carpet of glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa) in Oak & Conifer Knoll. This fleeting display of spring bulbs planted everywhere in the lawn beneath the trees first begins with lavender crocuses, quickly transforming to golden yellow and deep blue of Narcissus and Chionodoxa. Here, with its rivers of blue and yellow beneath the dangling blossoms, you’ll find a spring storybook-worthy experience. Photo by Patrick Greenwald.
Next, rhododendron, winter-hazel (Corylopsis ‘Winterthur’), and andromeda (Pieris japonica) adorn the winding pathways of the Hillside Garden. A sea of alternating shades of maroon and white Lenten-rose (Helleborus orientalis), carries the eye down to flowering magnolias near the Chimes Tower as it plays a familiar tune. Photo by Patrick Greenwald.
My travels then took me to the newly reopened Ornamental Kitchen Garden. Catching my eye was a newly installed bamboo arch, which provides support for future vining crops and perfectly mimics the trusses of the West Conservatory in the distance. Photo by Patrick Greenwald.
Wandering through the colorful displays of Mediterranean plants within the West Conservatory, it is the season for Echium and tall ruby red spikes of flowers of Tower of Jewels’ (Echium wildpretii) combined with blooms of all the colors of the rainbow bringing to life the silvery foliage within. Photo by Patrick Greenwald.
Ending my stroll on the western end of the Gardens, as night was getting near, one astonishing moment was the reflection of the sunset off the new West Conservatory. This magnificent scene appears more like an idyllic painting than reality and serves as my favorite time to experience the West Conservatory. Do make sure to head to the grove of London plane-trees (Platanus × hispanica) to the west of the West Conservatory to enjoy a fantastic view of the setting sun across the countryside, perfectly reflected in these towering peaks. Photo by Patrick Greenwald.
Come enjoy the evening hours in the garden this spring, and take in the beauty of the Gardens in a whole new way … I know I enjoyed it.
Editor’s note: Fancy an evening stroll through the tulips? Looking to take in a spectacular sunset amid our grove of London plane-trees? Care to enjoy an evening cocktail or dinner at 1906? New this year, enjoy extended evening and 1906 dining hours until 9 pm every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday starting April 18 through May 4 … giving you even more time, and new ways, to savor the splendor of spring.
