Longwood Gardens Kennett Square PA

Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square PA is a truly magical place.

The beginning of our journey through Longwood Gardens Kennett Square PA

Hanging gardens along the path

My first visit to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square was when I was a little girl. I remember my parents taking me there as a child and loving it so much. I recollected its magnificent beauty and wanted to return. Sadly, it was 65 or 70 years before I got to return. I’m sure a lot had changed since my first visit. And, if anything, it was even more magnificent than I remembered!

Our visit to Longwood Gardens Kennett Square PA

Tall white flowers and low red flowers blooming in the Conservatory at Longwood Gardens Kennett Square PA

Golden Arrow blooming in the Conservatory

Steve and I were staying at a lovely RV park in Hatfield PA and began planning what we wanted to see while there. At the top of my list was that long awaited return visit to Longwood Gardens. It was a long, but gorgeous drive to Kennett Square. We passed WAWA headquarters, the WAWA train station and WAWA University! When we arrived in the early afternoon, we were quite surprise to find the vast parking lot so full. Timed reservations were required, but apparently once visitors arrive, they don’t leave until closing time.

Bright orange flowers known as Mexican Sunflowers blooming in the conservatory at Longwood Gardens Kennett Square PA

Mexican Sunflowers in the Conservatory

I thought we wouldn’t be staying that late. Boy was I ever wrong. As it turned out we were among the last to leave. There is that much to see and do. There are restaurants, gardens, water shows and the spectacular Bruce Munro Light Installations (June 30 2022-October 30 2022). We strolled the gardens while the sun was shining and then again as the sun was setting for a totally different experience.

Water fountains dance as they're lit in deep pinks and purples at The nighttime spectacle Light: Installations by Bruce Munro opens June 30 at Longwood Gardens. Created by English/Australian artist Bruce Munro, Light features eight installations, spanning indoors and outdoors. Highlights include the luminous Field of Light featuring 18,000 illuminated bulbs stretching across the landscape, a flamboyance of 1,000 flamingoes wading near the Chimes Tower, and C-scales, a shimmering canvas of 8,960 CDs in the Exhibition Hall that reflect colorful projections inspired by Longwood’s water gardens.

The very colorful water show at spectacular Longwood Gardens

And at the culmination of our day we stood enthralled by the mesmerizing water show that started at sunset. There are no words adequate to describe how spectacular the show was. The water literally danced to the tempo of Bollywood music. By the time the water show was over it was quite late in the evening and we were exhausted. We had walked miles. And it wasn’t until we got in the car that we realized we had never stopped to eat. So we stopped at a WAWA for hoagies and soft pretzels. We devoured the pretzels on the ride back to Ladybug and ate our hoagies for dinner at 11:30 at night!

Longwood Gardens History

A rectangular reflecting pond with fountain surrounded by plants at Longwood Gardens Kennett Square PA

One of the many water features at idyllic Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square PA

The Gardens were founded by Pierre S. du Pont. They’re a living expression of everything that he found inspiring, meaningful, and beautiful. Long before it became a public garden, the land was home to the native Lenni Lenape tribe and Quaker farmers. Over the years it has undergone significant transformation. Today Longwood Gardens is a magnificent place that is enjoyed by more than a million guests each year.

The 6 Districts

White and pink flowers and other plants line a garden path at Longwood Gardens

Tiny white and pink Silene flowers line the garden paths

Formal Italian style water gardens at Longwood Gardens Kennett Square PA

The formal Italian Water Gardens

There are six districts that represent distinct regions of their almost 200 acres. Each district is completely unique. There are the very formal and meticulously manicured plantings of the Main Fountain Garden District. But there are also the sweeping vistas across lands left to grow naturally in the Meadow and Forest District.

Chimes Tower District

Bigleaf Magnolia

The Chimes Tower District is a stunning hillside of rare, expertly curated plants. There’s an historic bell tower anchored on a 50-foot waterfall and award-winning trees. And all of that is within view of the stellar Main Fountain Garden.

Conservatory District

Fountains of water in front of the Conservatory at night at The nighttime spectacle Light: Installations by Bruce Munro opens June 30 at Longwood Gardens. Created by English/Australian artist Bruce Munro, Light features eight installations, spanning indoors and outdoors. Highlights include the luminous Field of Light featuring 18,000 illuminated bulbs stretching across the landscape, a flamboyance of 1,000 flamingoes wading near the Chimes Tower, and C-scales, a shimmering canvas of 8,960 CDs in the Exhibition Hall that reflect colorful projections inspired by Longwood’s water gardens.

Part of the Fire and Water Show in front of the Conservatory

Cobalt blue water with flames of fire at the tops at The nighttime spectacle Light: Installations by Bruce Munro opens June 30 at Longwood Gardens. Created by English/Australian artist Bruce Munro, Light features eight installations, spanning indoors and outdoors. Highlights include the luminous Field of Light featuring 18,000 illuminated bulbs stretching across the landscape, a flamboyance of 1,000 flamingoes wading near the Chimes Tower, and C-scales, a shimmering canvas of 8,960 CDs in the Exhibition Hall that reflect colorful projections inspired by Longwood’s water gardens.

Now you can see the Fire AND Water!

The Conservatory District is thought of as the centerpiece of Longwood Gardens. The Conservatory itself has stunning 19th-century architecture that works in perfect harmony with a perpetual flower show under, literally, acres of glass

House and Theater District

Brick house and theater extension with white arches at Longwood Gardens Kennett Square PA

House and Theater District at Longwood Gardens

The House and Theater District was developed with the specific goal of display and performance. This district gives you the opportunity to experience a look into the early days of Longwood.

A field of small white globes on sticks at Longwood Gardens Kennett Square PA

A field of white globes that will be transformed at dusk

In this district you’ll find the shaded canopies of Peirce’s Park and Peirce’s Woods, as well as the dazzling glory of Flower Garden Walk. There’s also the three compartment gardens showcasing fragrant wisteria, vibrant peonies, and constantly changing summer annuals. It’s here that we got to enjoy the Fire and Water Show!

Lakes District

A trio of colorful floating sculptures at Longwood Gardens Kennett Square PA

Any idea what these floating sculptures were created with?

Lit up colorful trio of floating sculptures in a pond at The nighttime spectacle Light: Installations by Bruce Munro opens June 30 at Longwood Gardens. Created by English/Australian artist Bruce Munro, Light features eight installations, spanning indoors and outdoors. Highlights include the luminous Field of Light featuring 18,000 illuminated bulbs stretching across the landscape, a flamboyance of 1,000 flamingoes wading near the Chimes Tower, and C-scales, a shimmering canvas of 8,960 CDs in the Exhibition Hall that reflect colorful projections inspired by Longwood’s water gardens.

The trio of colorful floating sculptures lit up as the sun waned. So cool, they were composed of fishing rods!!!

Treehouse lit up as the sun goes down at Longwood Gardens Kennett Square PA

Fabulous treehouse aglow as the sun goes down

The Lakes District is the place to slow down and take a breather. Here there’s an abundance of water in a picturesque setting that’s so tranquil that you will be rejuvenated. Take a moment to gaze at the formal Italian Water Garden with its splashing fountains. And this is where you can enjoy a stroll among the rolling green lawns and still waters of the Large and Small Lakes. Ascend to the Canopy Cathedral Treehouse and you will have a chance to appreciate the expansive view from high up in the trees.

Main Fountain Garden District

Tall fountains of water appear to dance in the night sky at The nighttime spectacle Light: Installations by Bruce Munro opens June 30 at Longwood Gardens. Created by English/Australian artist Bruce Munro, Light features eight installations, spanning indoors and outdoors. Highlights include the luminous Field of Light featuring 18,000 illuminated bulbs stretching across the landscape, a flamboyance of 1,000 flamingoes wading near the Chimes Tower, and C-scales, a shimmering canvas of 8,960 CDs in the Exhibition Hall that reflect colorful projections inspired by Longwood’s water gardens.

The dancing waters began to show off as the sun set over Longwood Gardens

The classical gardens and grand theatre of this district are more than 90 years old. This district was inspired by du Pont’s travels to Europe’s great water gardens, world’s fairs, and expositions.

Water fountains shoot up from the pool in a myriad of colors at The nighttime spectacle Light: Installations by Bruce Munro opens June 30 at Longwood Gardens. Created by English/Australian artist Bruce Munro, Light features eight installations, spanning indoors and outdoors. Highlights include the luminous Field of Light featuring 18,000 illuminated bulbs stretching across the landscape, a flamboyance of 1,000 flamingoes wading near the Chimes Tower, and C-scales, a shimmering canvas of 8,960 CDs in the Exhibition Hall that reflect colorful projections inspired by Longwood’s water gardens.

The water show at Longwood Gardens was as colorful as the gardens themselves. The fountains danced to the Bollywood tempo.

This area bursts with life, color, and activity during Festival of Fountains that we enjoyed once the sun set.The fountains of the Main Fountain Garden District appear to dance to the accompanying music and soar toward the night sky. This already astonishing area is enhanced by annuals in glorious bloom in the always changing Idea Garden. This is where striking colors and heady fragrances abound in the Rose Garden. And whimsical forms take in the view from the evergreen Topiary Garden.

Meadow and Forest District

Lavender trumpetweed flowers in the foreground of a field at Longwood Gardens Kennett Square PA

Lavender Trumpetweed flowers frame the wildflower fields at Longwood Gardens

The vast landscape of the Meadow and Forest District brings together the best practices in ecological restoration with garden design by showcasing horticultural excellence and beauty. At the same time it prioritizes plant and animal communities. In the sun-drenched Meadow Garden, black-eyed Susans and various sunflowers provide a vibrant visual show and habitat benefit, at the same time the shaded paths of the Forest Walk provide relief from the sun under the dense canopy.

Bruce Munro Light Installations

Glowing white and pink globes of light look like flowers at The nighttime spectacle Light: Installations by Bruce Munro opens June 30 at Longwood Gardens. Created by English/Australian artist Bruce Munro, Light features eight installations, spanning indoors and outdoors. Highlights include the luminous Field of Light featuring 18,000 illuminated bulbs stretching across the landscape, a flamboyance of 1,000 flamingoes wading near the Chimes Tower, and C-scales, a shimmering canvas of 8,960 CDs in the Exhibition Hall that reflect colorful projections inspired by Longwood’s water gardens.

Field of Light – Those white globes, more of the Bruce Munro light installations, look like glowing multicolored flowers as the lit up!

Bruce Munro lights create a cluster of Japanese umbrellas at The nighttime spectacle Light: Installations by Bruce Munro opens June 30 at Longwood Gardens. Created by English/Australian artist Bruce Munro, Light features eight installations, spanning indoors and outdoors. Highlights include the luminous Field of Light featuring 18,000 illuminated bulbs stretching across the landscape, a flamboyance of 1,000 flamingoes wading near the Chimes Tower, and C-scales, a shimmering canvas of 8,960 CDs in the Exhibition Hall that reflect colorful projections inspired by Longwood’s water gardens.

Another Bruce Munro installation looks like Japanese umbrellas.

Pink globe of glass is made of lights that change color at The nighttime spectacle Light: Installations by Bruce Munro opens June 30 at Longwood Gardens. Created by English/Australian artist Bruce Munro, Light features eight installations, spanning indoors and outdoors. Highlights include the luminous Field of Light featuring 18,000 illuminated bulbs stretching across the landscape, a flamboyance of 1,000 flamingoes wading near the Chimes Tower, and C-scales, a shimmering canvas of 8,960 CDs in the Exhibition Hall that reflect colorful projections inspired by Longwood’s water gardens.

Part of the Bruce Munro light show, this light globe in the Conservatory changed colors constantly

Bruce Munro floor light installation in the Conservatory of Longwood Gardens

C-Scales, part of Bruce Munro Light Show

We were so fortunate to be able to visit Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square PA during the nighttime spectacle of Light: Installations by Bruce Munro. This exhibit ran from June 30 to October 30, 2022. It was created by English/Australian artist Bruce Munro, Light featured 8 installations throughout the indoor and outdoor gardens. Highlights included the luminous Field of Light featuring 18,000 illuminated bulbs stretching across the landscape, a flamboyance of 1,000 flamingoes wading near the Chimes Tower, and C-scales, a shimmering canvas of 8,960 CDs in the Exhibition Hall that reflected colorful projections inspired by Longwood’s water gardens.