Longwood Gardens - Then and Now

Christmas display of poinsettias at Longwood Gardens (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

When we visited beautiful Longwood Gardens for the first time in April this year, we vowed to return for the holiday display. We traveled there last weekend and what a wonderful experience it was to see the gardens decked out in half a million Christmas lights, thousands of poinsettias, and some unusual blooms for the time of year.  And how very different from the gardens in April. I took loads of photographs and here are a few to give you a taste of the two very different seasons at Longwood Gardens.

Spring tulips were everywhere in April ...

H.H. and tulips

The trees were bursting with leaves and blossoms ...

Trees (with bluebells) in April

Longwood's trees decked out for Christmas

The trees looked very different this time! We arrived after dark to fully experience the beautiful lights.  Lights were wrapped around or hanging from every trunk and branch. The hanging lights in the top right of the picture above are suspended from an enormous old elm tree.

Longwood Gardens has an enormous conservatory which was not short on lights either.

More decorated trees inside the Conservatory.

Inside and outside there are numerous water features at Longwood. In April I took this picture of the cascade garden inside the Conservatory where you can see plants found in a rain forest.

Cascade Garden

The most dramatic water feature in December is the dancing fountain area outdoors. We watched the fountains 'dance' to the music of The Nutcracker. As the waters rose and fell, the colors changed, and it was quite magical.

 

On my first visit, I was amazed to see roses in bloom (in the Conservatory of course) so early in the year ...

...  I was even more surprised to see them in December.

Roses of all colors in full bloom. Yellow is my favorite.

The orchids at Longwood Gardens are superb. I don't grow them myself, and I am always impressed with their beauty ...

The Orchid House in April

I was not disappointed with Longwood's December display.

Orchids Cymbidium Mixed cultivars

MORE FAVORITE SPRING BLOOMS:

MORE FLOWERS BLOOMING IN DECEMBER:

Herbs and Hydrangeas

Throughout the winter Conservatory you are aware of the heavy scent of lilies.

Lilies and Poinsettias

Finally, my favorite displays in the Conservatory. First, in April ...

The delphinium border.

... I've shown this picture before. Love those delphiniums!

Then in December, a table set for a wedding. With water on either side it seems to float ...

The wedding table is set with crystal candelabra, white roses, orchids, and twinkling white lights. So.o.o romantic!

A visit to Longwood Gardens is fabulous at any time of the year, but the Christmas display will surely put you in the holiday mood!

Merry Christmas everyone!
Pamela x

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