Christmas at Longwood Gardens

An American gem, nestled right over the line from Delaware into the rolling hills of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is Longwood Gardens.

With an impressive history both in geography, use, and ownership, Longwood is a botanical treat of elegant tradition and modern elements.  At Christmas, it's a lighted wonderland!

Hubby and I are fortunate to live next door to parents of Wendy, one of Longwood's master gardeners.  She invited us up, and treated us to a personal evening tour of each of its gardens and spaces.

I took 124 photos, but I will just share a few of the more spectacular ones with you.

I am not going to write much, but will caption certain photos with interesting information related to that photo.  I just want you to look at the photos and enjoy.  The gardens speak for themselves and do not need my additional commentary.

This year's theme was "The Tree Reimagined."

If you are interested in visiting Longwood, visit the link above for more information and procure tickets.  Because Christmas is one of their busiest times, you must purchase tickets or you will not get into the gardens.

Now... let's get started.

These lighted snowflakes are used every year, usually in a different way.

The "Gardener's Tree."

This tree was draped with Begonias and "diamond" icicles that looked like Tiffany earrings.

All shapes of pink ornaments to compliment the pink poinsettias.

The icicles are all twisted and faced glass among strands of red balls.

This was Wendy's display (our hostess and tour guide).  She and her team decorated multiple live trees that were hung over the reflection pool.  They looked like beautiful chandeliers.

Here's a great view of one of Wendy's Chandelier Trees.

Longwood found an Etsy artist who hand folds designs with book pages.  They were all over the room!

For $60,000 you too can have a tree that continually spins in the center of your room!

Another folded wonder!

Poinsettias backed with mirror to "double" the view.

Twiggy chandeliers in copper and white.

Another Etsy artist handmade strips of green stained glass that was then hung to form a tree.
I think this was my favorite installation.

This was my second favorite tree.  It's western tumbleweed formed to resemble the iconic cone shaped tree.  It was a beautiful powdery blue and seemed to glow!

The fountains which "perform" to traditional Christmas Carols.

A tree made of bird houses with reclaimed wood from the estate.  Notice the different sizes of houses and holes to represent different types of birds.  Each house is lighted so that it appears that each bird is at home!

This all tropical fruit tree has to be "re-freshed" every few days.

A sweet reminder of the season is this "Wishing Tree" located inside the gift shop.  People are encouraged to write wishes on a tag and then attach them to the tree.  There were some beautiful sentiments and wishes on the ones I read.  It captured the true meaning of Christmas.


I hope you enjoyed looking at just a few of the photos I've shared here.

I would highly recommend taking a trip to see the gardens, day or night, if you live close.