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Philadelphia Gardens: Part 2 Longwood Gardens

© Keith Muraoka

When last we left you in the City of Brotherly Love, garden communicators from across North America were touring gardens amid rowhouses in the Center City area. In this second of a two- part series on gardens of Philadelphia, we'll visit Longwood Gardens.

Longwood Gardens encompasses 1,050 acres of gardens, woodlands and meadows, as well as 20 outdoor gardens, 20 indoor gardens within four acres of greenhouses. It is located some 30 miles west of Philadelphia. It truly is a spectacular garden, with 11,000 different types of plants, spectacular illuminated fountains, extensive educational programs and 800 events each year.

Longwood's gardens are overseen by 20 gardeners, with another eight groundskeepers in charge of lawns. Seven arborists care for the thousands of trees. Extra assistance is provided by seasonal workers, volunteers and college interns.

The 500 garden communicators on the tour enjoyed a night time Festival of Fountains. The fountains have more than 1,700 jets rising as high as 130 feet and recirculating nearly 17,000 gallons of water a minute. All of it is illuminated by colored lights during a show done to music. Computerized controls permit split-second synchronization, down to individual drumbeats and cymbal crashes.

Another summer/fall attraction that drew the garden communicators were the outdoor waterlily display. Five huge waterlily pools grow more than 100 types of day and night-blooming waterlilies. Of special interest are the giant waterplatters with seven-foot-wide rimmed leaves. The leaves can grow three to six inches daily in warm weather, and weigh up to 10 pounds.

The huge conservatory is equally impressive. Some 181 feet wide by 204 feet deep, it houses a changing scene depending on the season. A wealth of 40,000 bulbs bloom in spring, 20,000 chrysanthemums in fall, with begonias, bougainvilleas, pansies and more throughout the year. Large expanses of lawn grows inside the conservatory and English ivy climbs the indoor columns.

There are also separate gardens plants for roses, topiaries, wisteria, peonies and heathers. The five-acre idea garden, Italian water garden, oak knoll garden, several lakes, Chime Tower and more all add to the experience.

This time of year, some 2,000 poinsettias are planted, along with towering Christmas trees and fragrant white narcissus - all of which transforms the indoor gardens into a warm retreat during the holidays. Some 400,000 white lights turn outdoors into a twinkling wonderland.

Longwood's history dates back to 1700 when the property was bought by the Peirce family from fellow Quaker William Penn. Pierre S. du Pont, chairman of the DuPont and General Motor

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