Connecticut (I live about an hour north of New York City) is what you might call a bi-polar state during the month of March. While there is still plenty of snow on the ground, there are also lots of nice purple and white crocus flowers in my back yard. It's this time of year when impatient gardeners (like me) stand in the yard and stare at the muddy garden beds waiting for May and June to bring enough warmth to the ground to plant.
If you find yourself in the same situation, now is the time to gather gardening inspiration and one of the best places in the country to do that (and one of the best for photographing beautiful plants, inside and out) is Longwood Gardens, about 30 miles south of Philadelphia. Longwood consists of more than 1050 acres of formal gardens (bring your comfortable shoes) as well as some of the best indoor conservatories that you'll find anywhere. In fact, there are nearly five acres of indoors gardens, greenhouses and displays and even better, they're open 365 days a year! (The only downside is that you have to fight New Jersey traffic if you're coming from the north to get there.)
And here's the coolest thing: the flowers and plants, while unimaginably beautiful if you get there at the right time, aren't even the most fascinating part of this garden (keep reading)...
This rambling former estate was purchased by industrialist Pierre S. du Pont in 1906. Today Longwood features a broad cross-section of gardens that include formal beds, experimental growing areas, rock gardens, hillside gardens, a rose garden, woodlands and meadows. There are a total of 20 outdoor gardens and (just in case you happen to go in winter or hit a rainy spell) 20 indoor gardens within 4+ acres of heated greenhouses. Those steamy hot greenhouses are a great place to hang out in February, by the way, and lots cheaper than flying to Hawaii!
Longwood displays 11,000 different types of plants and the first time I went I expected to spend one or two days wandering the gardens and ended up spending five days! You literally cannot see the gardens in less than two or three days--and you could easily spend a week photographing plants and leave feeling like there were lots of shots you had to leave behind. So my suggestion in terms of time is to plan on a long weekend, or better yet, go mid-week to avoid crowds.
Now, as I said, as spectacular as these gardens are (and this truly is one of the best gardens in the world), there is another aspect to Longwood that is just as alluring: a collection of fountains that will simply blow your mind. We're not talking about little cute garden fountains here, but an extraordinary and intricate collection of outdoor fountain displays that are spread across the estate. Some of the fountains run continuously, others surprise you at various intervals with jets that can reach as high as 130 feet (yes, 130 feet!) in the air. The main fountain garden is over five acres in size.
Even more interesting, several nights each week the fountains are illuminated with colored lights and synchronized to classical music. And as corny as I thought that might be, the first time I saw the show I was spellbound and I knew I'd be returning for years to come--it's that intense. I mean, if there is anything that the photographer in me is attracted to, it's color and light--and at these fountain displays, you'll get plenty of both. And several times each summer they combine this great show with fireworks (which I've yet to see--it rained last time I was there to see them and so we bailed out--though I think the show went on anyway).
There are a lot of educational opportunities (and some great entertainment) here, too. Here's some additional info from their website:
"Longwood also hosts extensive educational programs including classes, horticultural career training and internships; and 800 horticultural and performing arts events each year--from flower shows, gardening demonstrations, courses, and children's programs to concerts, organ and carillon recitals, musical theatre, and fireworks displays."
Finally, there is also (believe it or not) a world-class restaurant on the grounds (as well as a nice cafeteria with outdoor seating). All-in-all, no matter what season you go, you'll fall in love with Longwood Gardens. You just have to see this place to believe it. Oh, by the way, it's a very popular place with Amish and Mennonite visitors, so you'll see (and can candidly photograph) lots of interesting-looking folks--and perhaps have a nice conversation, too.
No tripods allowed during public hours, but you can bring them in prior to opening, I believe (ask first). You can bring in a monopod and I always do.
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