Seasonal Highlights: Spring 2024

SP RI NG

Spring Blooms

March 30–May 5

Spring is an extremely popular time to visit our Gardens. So we may provide an extraordinary experience for you, throughout Spring Blooms Members require timed reservations Wednesday–Monday (closed Tuesday) from open to close.

Looking to visit early in the day? Members and Innovators enjoy a special morning hour from 9–10 am every Saturday and Sunday throughout Spring Blooms. Timed Member reservations are still required during this morning hour for Members, but our Gardens will be available only to Members during that time. Reservations are limited, so please plan ahead.

Gardens Premium Members and Innovators do not require reservations at any time during Spring Blooms

Spring Blooms

On View

March 30–May 5, 2024

The season of fresh beginnings is here. From early spring bulbs, to budding trees, to late vibrant blooms, spring is in the air—and all around you— in our Gardens.

Along with springtime splendor, new moments of wonder are here as we prepare for our fall opening of Longwood Reimagined.

One moment you won’t want to miss is our redesigned Idea Garden, now open for you. With an expanded Ornamental Kitchen Garden, more pathways, and new display areas, we invite you to explore this freshly planted space as it continues to grow and evolve over the coming months—with dramatic views to our soon-to-come West Conservatory. Spring has sprung.

Rediscover Summer

With the fall opening of Longwood Reimagined just around the corner, our Festival of Fountains season serves as a beautiful prelude to this muchanticipated debut. Among this summer’s many exciting experiences is our spectacular Summer Performance Series, as well as the return—and reimagination—of our Fireworks & Fountains Shows. There’s much to enjoy this summer—and much to experience just ahead.

Fireworks & Fountains Shows

Tickets On Sale April 9 at 10 am

Purchase tickets at longwoodgardens.org

Fireworks & Fountains Shows are back and better than ever. With imaginative new shows, an enhanced surround-sound system, new reserved seating throughout the entire venue, and new vistas— including our new tiered Conservatory Overlook—consider your Fireworks & Fountains Shows experience reimagined.

Stars and Stripes Forever

Wednesday, July 3, 9:15 pm

Get ready for a star-spangled evening of rousing patriotic anthems that promises to be an inspiring tribute to America the Beautiful

Take Me with U: Inspired by Prince

Saturday, July 20, 9:15 pm Party like it’s 1999 while reveling in the legacy and far-reaching influence of icon and innovator Prince.

Get Back: The Beatles

Saturday, August 10, 9:15 pm

Celebrate one of the most memorable musical moments of Yesterday with this celebration of the 60th anniversary of The Beatles’ performance on The Ed Sullivan Show

Someone Like You:

Artists Who Inspired Adele

Sunday, September 1, 8:15 pm

Enjoy a captivating soundtrack of such hits as Someone Like You and Rolling in the Deep, woven together with the powerhouse sounds of Adele’s influences.

Italian Spectacular

Saturday, September 28, 8:15 pm

Celebrate the stunning musical legacy of Italy set to a majestic classical score, leading to one of music’s most stupendous finales.

A special ticket is required.

New this year, all seating for Fireworks & Fountains Shows is reserved. Reserved seating allows you to select your seat and then arrive to your seat placed and waiting for you—no need to bring your own chair.

Ticketing

$50–$75 Reserved Seating

$42–$63 Gardens Preferred, Gardens

Premium Members, and Innovators

Specific levels of Membership and Innovators receive discounted Fireworks & Fountains Shows ticket pricing. If you are eligible to receive this discounted pricing, your discount code is printed on the back of the brochure.

All guests, except for those under 1 year of age, must purchase a ticketed Fireworks & Fountains Show seat.

Ticketing fees apply and phone orders incur a processing fee. All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. Shows will proceed in rain. Tickets are limited and sell out is likely. Gardens close at 6 pm to everyone but Fireworks & Fountains ticketholders on the dates of Fireworks & Fountains Shows.

Summer Performances

Our summer performance series shines. Experience these spectacular performances, among many others:

Angélique Kidjo

June 9 at 7:30 pm

Five-time Grammy Award-winner from West Africa.

Alan Cumming & Ari Shapiro: Och & Oy, A Considered Cabaret

June 30 at 7:30 pm

Alan Cumming and Ari Shapiro transport audiences to other worlds through their stories.

Longwood Debut

Andrew Bird and Amadou & Mariam

August 18 at 7:30 pm

Grammy Award-nominated folk musician Andrew Bird and worldrenowned Afro-pop duo Amadou & Mariam.

Longwood Debut

Chucho Valdés Royal Quartet

August 25 at 7:30 pm

Legendary Cuban pianist, composer, and arranger.

Longwood Debut

Tickets On Sale March 18 at 10 am: Pre-sale (Gardens Preferred, Gardens Premium Members, Innovators) March 19 at 10 am: Public Sale

Tickets limited. Sell out likely.

Purchase tickets at: longwoodgardens org/summer-series

Purchasing online, where you can view our interactive seating chart and select your own reserved seat, is the most efficient way to get performance tickets.

Prefer to Order by Phone?

Purchase concert tickets by calling 610.388.1000. Phone orders incur a processing fee.

Discount for Gardens Preferred, Gardens Premium Members, and Innovators

Specific levels of Membership and Innovators receive up to 15% off regular ticket prices. If you are eligible to receive the discount, your discount code is printed on the back cover of the brochure.

Spring Calendar

Free Spotlight Tours

Join a tour guide and discover more about Longwood during our free, 30-minute Spotlight Tours.

Daily at 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2 pm

Free with Gardens Admission

Inquire at the Visitor Center about the location of the tour the day of your visit. Please note: Capacity is limited.

March

26

Design Tuesdays @ The Garden

Hanging Kokedama 6–8 pm1

Community Read Conversation Looking Back to Create Something New with Julia Kelly: Inspiration for The Last Garden in England

Fully Online 6:30 pm2

Up Close and Under Glass 3-part class

Begins March 281

Flower of the Month: Pussy Willow

The Kennett Library & Resource Center 6–8 pm1

30

April

Tulips Expected to Be

6 Illuminate Your Landscape 9 am–12 pm1

Family Nature Strolls 10:30 am and 11:30 am

Bulbs for Beginners 1–5 pm1

Manchester Collective and Abel Selacoe: Sirocco 7:30 pm3

9 Fireworks & Fountains Shows On Sale

Sale begins at 10 am Turn to the Fireworks & Fountains

Shows pages of this brochure for more information

Design Tuesdays @ The Garden Shop: Foliage Terrariums 6–8 pm1

13 Picnic Area Open

Now–October 15

Please use the Picnic Area before or after your visit. Re-entry to the Gardens is not permitted after leaving the Gardens and visiting the Picnic Area.

Branches All Around

9 am–12 pm1

Welcoming Bluebirds to Your Landscape 10 am–12 pm1

Family Nature Strolls 10:30 am and 11:30 am

Composting 101 1–4 pm1

14

15

Member Orientation 10:30 am5

Learning Together:

DIY Family Garden

Fully Online 6:30–7:30 pm6

16 Sustainable Landscape Design

Fully Online

5-part class

Begins April 161

Community Read Lecture

Hidcote: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Fully Online 12 pm1

17 Painting Tulips En Plein Air 2-part class

Begins April 171

Arbor Day:

Celebrating Our Trees Webinar (Grades K–8) 10–10:30 am6

Floral Design Focus: Floral Finesse

The Kennett Library & Resource Center 6–8:30 pm1

18

By Dawn’s Early Light 3-part class

Begins April 181

Plantology on Tap: Botanical Infusions

The Creamery of Kennett Square

Doors open at 5 pm, talk at 6 pm1

19

Arbor Day:

Celebrating Our Trees Webinar (Grades K–8) 10–10:30 am6

20

Open Air Theatre

Fountains Begin 5-minute shows run at 10:15 am, 12:15 pm, 2:15 pm, and 4:15 pm daily (except Tuesdays and during stage setups, rehearsals, and performances)

Italian Water Garden Open

Creating the Ultimate Flower Garden 9 am–12 pm1

Italian-Inspired Elements of Design Tour 9:30 am–5 pm1

Family Nature Strolls 10:30 am and 11:30 am

Science Series: Seed Science 1 pm

Explore how our conservation efforts take place in our laboratory, the fields and forests of Pennsylvania, and remote regions around the world.

Transitioning to Spring: Perennial Care and Maintenance 1:30–4:30 pm1

21 Steven Patchel 3 pm

23

Design Tuesdays @ The Garden Shop: Foliage Terrariums 6–8 pm1

24 Arbor Day:

Celebrating Our Trees Webinar (Grades K–8) 10–10:30 am6

Flower of the Month:Tulip The Kennett Library & Resource Center 6–8 pm1

26 Arbor Day:

Celebrating Our Trees Webinar (Grades K–8) 1–1:30 pm6

Bryan Anderson 7:30 pm3

27

Family Nature Strolls 10:30 am and 11:30 am

Flowering Shrubs for Spring Interest 1–4 pm1

May

Peirce’s Woods Expected to Be in Bloom Stroll through Peirce’s Woods and discover creeping phlox nestled beneath flowering dogwood and Eastern redbud.

Wisteria Expected to be in Bloom in Early May

1 Painting Plants and Their Pollinators 3-part class Begins May 11

4 Getting to Know Native Orchids 9 am–12 pm1

Family Nature Strolls 10:30 am and 11:30 am

5 Gardening for Pollinators 1:30–3:30 pm1

7 Wine & Floral Design 6–8 pm1

Spring Florals for Mother’s Day Fully Online 6:30–7:30 pm1

9 Festival of Fountains On View Now–September 29

Calendar Key

Education Horticulture Performance Members/Innovators

The Garden Shop

1 Advance registration & fee required: longwoodgardens.org/enroll or 610.388.5454. For a complete list of our Continuing Education opportunities, visit us online.

2 Advance registration required: longwoodgardens.org or 610.388.1000.

3 Special ticket required: longwoodgardens.org or 610.388.1000.

4 Advance registration & fee required: longwoodgardens.org/ or 610.388.5377.

5 Advance registration required. longwoodgardens.org/memberorientation or 610.388.1000.

6 To register: longwoodgardens.org/ education/k–12–programs

Is the class you want sold out? Email help-ce@longwoodgardens.org or call 610.388.5454 to be put on our wait list.

Please note:

All ticketed events are limited. Sell out likely.

Our Fountains Return

Italian Water Garden

Opens April 20

Open Air Theatre Opens April 20

Main Fountain Garden

Daily shows and evening illuminated performances begin May 9

Spring Classes

Spring is a time of growth and vibrancy … and the same holds true for our fresh crop of classes!

Enjoy new opportunities for fun and learning with new offerings in the creative arts, horticulture and gardening, floral design, and much more.

Discover all of our learning opportunities at longwoodgardens.org/enroll.

Community Read Events

Explore our powerful connections with gardens with The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly—our first historical fiction Community Read book, all about the meaning, beauty, and solace we find in gardens—and, for our younger readers, The Secret Garden picture book adaptation based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, adapted by Calista Brill, and illustrated by Adelina Lirius.

Community Read Conversation

Looking Back to Create Something

New with Julia Kelly: Inspirations for The Last Garden in England

March 26, 6:30 pm

Fully Online

Free; Registration Required

Join us online as author Julia Kelly leads a discussion of the real-life people and gardens that inspired her to write The Last Garden in England

Community Read Lecture

Hidcote: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

April 16, 12 pm

Fully Online

Registration Required

Join us online to explore Hidcote Manor Garden—situated in the rolling Cotswold hills and featured in The Last Garden in England—from the comfort of home, led by Hidcote General Manager Chris Charman and Head Gardener Lottie Allen.

Register for these events, view our full Community Read events calendar, and learn more about the Community Read at longwoodgardens.org /communit yread. Our Community Read selections are available for purchase at The Garden Shop (onsite and online at shop longwoodgardens.org) and at major booksellers.

Register for these spring classes, among many others:

Composting 101

April 13, 1–4 pm

Register by April 7

Learn the fundamentals of compost and how to start this practice yourself. Go behind-the-scenes at our Soils and Composting Facility and take home a bag of Longwood compost to help get you started.

Flower of the Month: Tulip

April 24, 6–8 pm

Register by April 14

The Kennett Library & Resource Center

Celebrate the clean lines and striking colors of spring’s most iconic flower by creating your own tulip-focused arrangement to display at home.

By Dawn’s Early Light

Begins April 18

Register by April 14

Following tips and tricks for shooting in low light, enjoy exclusive access to photograph our Gardens in the early morning, just as the sun is rising.

Flowering Shrubs for Spring Interest

April 27, 1–4 pm

Register by April 21

Maximize your spring garden and make it pop with this exploration of flowering shrubs, from identifying the best plants for your home garden to learning maintenance tips for best results.

Gardens Information

Spring Blooms

March 30–May 5, 2024

Reservations

Reservations for Members are required all day Wednesdays through Mondays (closed Tuesdays) throughout Spring Blooms. Gardens Premium and Innovators do not require reservations.

Gardens Hours

Monday: 10 am–6 pm

Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday: 10 am–6 pm

Thursday: 10 am–6 pm

Friday: 10 am–6 pm

Saturday: 9 am–6 pm*

Sunday: 9 am–6 pm*

*Gardens open for Members and Innovators only from 9–10 am.

The Garden Shop Hours

Wednesday–Monday: 10 am–6 pm

Tuesday: Closed

Gardens Admission not required to visit The Garden Shop.

Dining Hours

Temporary Food Service in the Heated Beer Garden Tent

March 30–April 15

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 11 am–5 pm

Saturday and Sunday 10 am–5 pm

The Café

April 17–May 5

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 11 am–5 pm

Saturday and Sunday 10 am–5 pm

1906

April 17–May 5

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 11:30 am–3 pm

Saturday and Sunday 11:30 am–4 pm

Visit longwoodgardens.org for more details. Dates and hours subject to change.

Phone: 610.388.1000

Website: longwoodgardens.org

Free WiFi available: Connect to FreeGardenWIFI

Our Gardens are smoke-free.

Photography credits: Amy Simon Berg, Hank Davis, Bryan Kottke, Becca Mathias and Daniel Traub

© 2024 Longwood Gardens