Longwood Gardens

Back in 1906, Pierre S. Du Pont bought 202 acres known as Peirce Park in the midst of the Brandywine Valley.  That piece of land, now known as Longwood Gardens, is now 1077 acres in size and resplendent with flowers, trees, fountains, and more.  We spent a lovely day wandering the paths and admiring this beautiful park.

Bennett and his parents eagerly enjoyed the tree house.

He then stood front and center to watch the fountains dance to music.

Even in the fall, the gardens display brilliant colors.

In the conservatory, we admired the record-setting 1416-blossom chrysanthemum.  Longwood gardeners went to Japan to learn how to make a single-stem cutting of the mum.  It took the staff 1500 hours over a 17-month period to create this perfect blooming dome.  Next year it will have more blossoms, setting a new record. 

Another mum was grafted with a hundreds of different types of blossoms. 

We watched the gardener tend the eight-foot-in-diameter water lilies.

 After an excellent lunch in the café, we watched the main fountains dance.

Bennett traipsed on the bridge in the children’s area and tumbled into the pumpkins.

What held his attention the most was the model railroad trains.  The man working with the trains was so delighted with Bennett’s interest, he gave him a train catalog to pick out future gifts.  Zaidy plans to get his childhood set ready for his grandson to enjoy.

These gardens exceeded our expectations and we look forward to visiting them in other seasons