I grew up in Wilmington, Delaware and don’t remember my first trip to Longwood Gardens but I do remember many pilgrimages with my grandfather, Daddy Ott. All of my childhood recollections of this magical spot are at the side of my garden loving grandfather. I was the youngest of his grandchildren and so, he frequently was my babysitter. We would glide in his maroon Buick in the back hills of Delaware and Pennsylvania to arrive at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA. 

Longwood was originally purchased by the quaker, George Peirce, in the 1700’s. His great grandsons Samuel and Joshua Peirce planted an extensive collection of trees on the grounds and it became Peirce’s Park. In 1906, the family lost interest in the land and there was a threat of selling the land to a lumber company. Pierre S. DuPont, industrialist and philanthropist, purchased the land and developed gardens, a conservatory and fountains. In 1954, after Pierre’s death, it was opened to the public. I’m sure my first visit was in the early 1960’s.  My grandfather always admired the rock garden which is near the bell tower on the property.  I remember him telling me that the extensive rock garden in my childhood home was inspired by the rock garden at Longwood.  In my young mind I couldn’t figure out why rocks would be planted in a garden. It’s not like they will grow right?

Over the years, I returned to Longwood. While my parents still lived locally, I returned to this garden on college breaks and trips home after my grandfather passed away. There is rarely a time of year when there isn’t something in bloom.  The mums of fall or the tulips of spring, the seasons set their clock at Longwood. The Grand Conservatory was built in 1921.  For me, when I enter into that 4-acre glass house, it’s a coming home.  There are few spaces that are always meticulously manicured and breath taking with blossoms and greenery as far as the eye can see even in the dead of winter. One of my favorite rooms is the Orchid Room and it contains 200 to 300 different varieties of orchids. It’s a place of respite with the melody of falling water and the scent of exotic flowers. It’s home to the largest organ I have ever seen with 10,010 pipes and is apparently the largest organ built for a private residence (before it was opened to the public).  

One of the highlights of Longwood is the various fountains throughout the gardens.  There is the classic Italian Water Garden where my parents got engaged and the Open Air Theater fountain where water is used as a curtain for open air performances where my next-door neighbors frequently performed.  The most impressive of all is the Main Fountain Garden which is enormous 6.5 acres of fountains and greenery with 1,719 fountain jets that can shoot upwards of 175 feet in the air.  I was recently in the gardens a few weeks ago and when those jets shoot 175 feet in the air, I just gasp. I remember a fountain show at night from several years ago and somehow, they had engineered that there would be flames inside a curtain of water. It’s mind boggling. Almost a decade ago I was able to see a fireworks show which was absolutely mesmerizing with the fountain as a backdrop. 

Christmas is a peak time to visit Longwood. I can remember as a teenager, we would drive up to the parking lot of Longwood to see all the surrounding trees covered in lights. It has been transformed in the last 40 years to be quite the spectacle. Wandering at night to see the twinkling lights in branches high above to light tunnels or a giant string of lightbulbs floating on a lake; I can’t imagine the effort it takes to come up with new ideas each year to keep us all intrigued. It might be freezing cold but it’s a wonderland of light and music. 

I can mark my whole life with photos from Longwood.  Whether exploring with my beloved grandfather, taking my children in strollers and hiking to the top of the bell tower or hiking with my brothers and cousins across the meadow to the farmhouse. I have been here for every season of my life. The person I have visited Longwood the most with is my dear friend, Wendy, who worked here for a time and she knows all the history and nooks and crannies of the gardens. There is a space called the grotto under the main fountains and it’s always a place of cool tranquility on a hot day with a circular waterfall dropping from the ceiling in a rock encased cave. 

Longwood has been the standard by which I evaluate all other gardens.  It’s a tough standard to compete with. Nothing meets the sheer size and diversity of Longwood and it’s always a different experience depending on the time of year. I go there to be with my friend, to remember my grandfather and to imagine my young parents looking for a bright future together. If you haven’t been, I hope you get to experience it regardless of the season.