We began our Christmas holiday celebrations with a visit to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA where more than half a million lights, beautifully decorated Christmas trees, spectacular fountain shows and 'Victorian' carolers made the night memorable for H.H and me. We strolled through the grounds marveling at the miles of lights illuminating the trees. Our first stop was the open air theater where colorful fountains danced to holiday music with 750 jets of water. But it was a cold night so we were glad to spend most of our visit in Longwood's four acre heated conservatory where 16,000 seasonal plants flourish. Take a tour with us:
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| I liked the white lights better than the colored ones on the outside trees |
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| A grand piano filled with lights inside the conservatory |
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| The succulent tree was my favorite |
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| Succulents included Aloe, Echevena, Sedum and Kalanchoe |
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| Living wreath of Kalanchoe and spleenwort ferns |
The conservatory displayed many out-of-season blossoms ...
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| Clockwise from top: Hydrangea, roses and orchid |
... as well as seasonal ones such as amaryllis and poinsettia.
I loved this unusual red and green combination:
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| From top: Swiss chard, curly parsley and sweet alyssum |
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| The children's Christmas trees |
Another favorite of mine was a tree dressed in blues, purples, oranges, yellows and reds. I liked it because the colors were reflected in the plantings at its base.
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| Plantings reflect the colors of the tree decorations. |
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| Stunning silver and white display |
I wish I could show you the waterfalls and various water features in the conservatory, but my poor skills with an iPhone camera didn't do them justice. I especially liked the Cascade Garden with its sheets of water cascading down 'earthen' walls.
Back outside it was colder than ever, so we went to the restaurant for hot chocolate before walking to the Peirce-du Pont House. On the way we were glad to come across one of three fire pits where we could linger to warm ourselves. In the Peirce-du Pont house we greatly enjoyed the 'Victorian' carolers. Their angelic voices put me in the Christmas mood more than any other event up to that moment.
Our final stop was the Garden Railway. We visited it other years with our grandchildren, but not after dark when it is truly enchanting.
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| The Garden Railway |
We left Longwood Gardens cold but happy, spending the night in a hotel before returning home where our own Christmas tree and holiday decorations greeted us.
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| Our 2016 Christmas tree |
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| Some of our decorations. |
Wishing you all a blessed Christmas,
Pamela x
I love reading your comments. I hope you leave one so I’ll know you visited!
I look forward to visiting your blog in return.
Magestic! Those trees are unbelievably beautiful! Very creative design! Your Christmas house looks warm and festive, Pam! Thank you and the Best Holiday wishes to you!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! What a wonderful place to visit during the Christmas season.
ReplyDeleteThe trees look fabulous smothered in those white lights. Wishing you and your loved ones a very merry Christmas and all the very best for 2017.
ReplyDeleteThank you Pam for showing us this beautiful excursion you took away from home. It all would have enhanced my Christmas mood that's for sure, plus being in the cold, warming up and having hot chocolate. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's been in the 80's down here which doesn't make it feel very Christmasy.
Your comment on my latest post made me smile about your telling your husband you appreciated him. Thank you for doing that for your husband and for sharing that with me. It makes my heart happy.
Have a lovely Christmas in your sweetly decorated home.
FlowerLady
Pam, thank you so much for sharing your trip. Oh! The work that went into that succulent tree. It made me gasp just thinking about it. I have never been to Longwood, but one day, I'll get there. Many blessings to you this Christmas. I'm having a friend over on Friday for tea, homemade #gf scones and clotted cream and jam. Yum.Hugs and love from Oklahoma.~~Dee
ReplyDeleteYour Longwood images are wonderful. I follow them on FB and saw the succulent tree which is amazing. It is such a beautiful place in winter around Christmas. I love your tree too. Merry Christmas, Pam.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this beautiful place Pam. Longwood Gardens has been on my bucket list for a long time, so hopefully someday I will get there. I am glad to visit virtually.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing Longwood and your own decorations with us. What a beautiful place. Four acre conservatory!!?? I have just added Longwood to my bucket list. I live about ten minutes from Butchart Gardens, have you ever been there?
ReplyDeleteThat must have been a great outing to Longwood gardens. That succulent tree looks fantastic to me, but I think the whole setting is great.
ReplyDeletethe white lights and the succulent tree - me too!!
ReplyDeleteOh what a delight to see Longwood Gardens in all its holiday finery.....I hope to visit it someday at the holidays. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas Pam!
ReplyDeleteIt's all so magical, but my favorites are the succulent tree, and the extra colorful one with matching plantings at the base. Just delightful!
ReplyDeleteVery nice! That Kalanchoe/fern living wreath is incredible. Your decorations are beautiful, too. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the wonderful pictures and Happy and Healthy New Year to you and family
ReplyDeleteI had the pleasure of visiting Longwood last spring. Wow, what a place, and the Xmas decor is stunning. I enjoyed the peek into your own homey and festive decor too. And what a fun surprise to see my book sitting on your shelf! I have a stack to read too and am hoping the holidays will provide some good reading time. Merry Xmas and happy New Year to you!
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