Explore Longwood Gardens

Large white stars on a lake are glimpsed through bright red winterberry holly.
Amy Simon Berg

Longwood Gardens, one of America’s quintessential landscapes, is a place of ever-changing seasonal beauty, handcrafted feats of horticultural wonder, and an awe-inspiring collection of the most beautiful plants from around the globe. 

From our humble beginnings as a Quaker farmstead and arboretum, to Pierre S. du Pont’s forward-thinking stewardship, to today’s collection of renowned landscape designers, horticulturists, and architects, our great garden of the world evolves and emerges again and again.

Through Longwood Gardens and its program of outstanding horticultural display, every visitor to the Gardens has the opportunity to gain, culturally and spiritually, a better peace of mind.

Russell J. Seibert, Longwood’s first director

Explore nearly 200 acres of lush, formal gardens, open meadows, and winding paths to breathtaking Brandywine Valley vistas. Together, mesmerizing displays, feats of engineering, and science-based research and conservation work harmoniously toward the overarching goal to unite and inspire our guests in appreciation of beauty—as only Longwood can. 

Explore Our Gardens

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  • Our Districts
    A stone path winds through a lush room of colorful plants with a hanging light above

    Our Districts

    Explore nearly 200 acres of lush, formal gardens, open meadows, and winding paths.

  • Our Seasons
    looking through fall leaves to the canopy cathedral treehouse

    Our Seasons

    We honor the four seasons with five unique Longwood seasons, celebrating the bounty of our gardens throughout the cycles of renewal, growth, and ever-evolving splendor. 

  • Our Plants
    close up of orange Clivia Miniata with green and yellow center

    Our Plants

    Explore over 10,000 species and varieties of plants, representing 200 different plant families. 

  • Our Science
    A person holds a small vial with plant material inside in a lab

    Our Science

    Our scientific work lays the groundwork for discoveries that expand our understanding of the natural world and help perpetuate and celebrate its beauty for generations to come.

What's in Bloom

See More of What's in Bloom

  • American Holly

    This pyramidal tree, with spiny evergreen foliage, will grow up to 50 feet tall. Starting in October, the female trees of this US native produce red berry-like fruit that persist into winter, providing an important food source in the late fall and winter to birds and mammals. A nearby male pollinator is necessary for fruit production. American holly grows well in acidic, well-drained soil and will tolerate most light conditions, but prefers full sun and protection from the wind.  Like most fruiting hollies, it is a traditional favorite in winter holiday decorations and displays.

  • Tatarian Dogwood

    Several shrubby dogwoods, such as Cornus alba, are prized for their vibrant red, orange or yellow colored bark during the bleak winter months. The stem color is most pronounced on young branches and it intensifies in late winter, especially when temperatures drop below freezing.  This Tatarian or red-stemmed dogwood has a compact form and bright red stems along the shores of our Large Lake.