Longwood Gardens is kicking off the summer season with the unveiling of the Waterlily Court, which has been undergoing renovations for the past 3 years, as part of its Festival of Fountains display.
The area has dark, reflecting pools with floating flowers, and nearly 100 varieties of tropical and hardy waterlilies, aquatic cannas, and lotus.
Longwood has a new 32,000-square-foot glasshouse, and the West Conservatory Plaza overlooks Brandywine Valley. Inside, there are Mediterranean-inspired plants and water features.
Through mid-June, the Bonsai Courtyard has Satsuki azalea bonsai at the peak of their bloom.
Plan a visit around the Fireworks & Fountains Shows, which are six different shows that match fireworks to the water fountains and music. A separate ticket is required for the shows on July 3 and 19, August 9 and 31, and September 13 and 27.
You can also watch as the Illuminated Fountain comes to life in the Main Fountain Garden on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
Or plan a weekend of family fun during Fountain Fest Weekends, which include themed fountain shows, live entertainment and food selections. You can climb to the top of the Chimes Tower to view the gardens and the 62-bell carillon. Each weekend is themed: Taylor Swift May 23-25, songs from animated movies June 27-29, and ABBA August 15-17.
Other special events include the Summer Performance Series with The Savoy Company’s performance of The Mikado on May 30 and 31, BalletX on June 5, and two-time Grammy Award nominee Cody Fry on June 18. Preacher Lawson will perform his standup comedy on June 20 in honor of Juneteenth. From July 23-26, The Brandywiners present the musical Something Rotten. On August 13, two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz singer-songwriter Gregory Porter takes the stage. Just in time for the Beatlemania Fountain Fest Weekend, Britain’s Finest offers their take on the Beatles August 22-24.
When it’s time for a snack, you can order soups, salads and entrees from The Café or sit for full-service dining in 1906, which will introduce a new seasonal menu. Longwood’s Beer Garden has live music on Friday and Saturday nights, featuring regional artists.
You don’t have to come to Longwood just for the extras; any day, you can walk through the Rose Garden, take the Flower Garden Walk, head to Peirce’s Woods, go through the Idea Garden, see the Ornamental Kitchen Garden and check out the highlights of the Meadow Garden.
There are also classes held throughout the season, including yoga and meditation, a wine tasting, a hummingbird workshop, and a digital photography workshop.
The Festival of Fountains season is on view daily from May 9 through September 28 at Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA. Festival of Fountains hours are 10 am to 6 pm Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; and 10 am–10 pm Friday-Sunday, May 9 through August 31. From September 1-28, Friday, Saturday and Sunday hours are 10 am to 9 pm. The Gardens are closed on Tuesdays. Timed admission tickets are required and should be purchased in advance. Timed reservations are required for members Fridays to Sundays from 3 pm to close.
Two-Day Passes are available Wednesdays through Sundays from May 9 through October 26; you get 10 percent off.
Gardens By Day and Night tickets are available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from May 9 through October 26. For an additional $6 per ticket, you have the flexibility of date-specific, untimed entries, and the ability to explore the gardens twice in one day.
Tickets are available at longwoodgardens.org.
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