Monday, July 31, 2017

IN THE GARDENS AT LONGWOOD

Well it was a very relaxing weekend, surprisingly. My dear Mother was in town for the weekend, so I, Ms.Moorecock and the houseboys had to really clean up the acts around here. They were none to happy to be wearing a piece of material,and trust me, my mother was frisked on the way out, to make sure she didn't swipe any houseboys. She is smooth like that. She came to visit because she wanted to see the fabulous Longwood Gardens, where she hadn't been since she got married. I was more than happy to go, so it was beyond beautiful and I love being out of doors in the summer.
If your not familiar with the area, Longwood Gardens is a stunning botanical garden. It consists of over 1,077 acres of gardens, woodlands, and meadows in Kennett Square, outside of Philadelphia. Longwood Gardens has a long and varied history. For thousands of years, the native Lenni Lenape tribe fished its streams, hunted its forests.In 1700, a Quaker farmer named George Peirce purchased 402 acres of this English-claimed land from William Penns commissioners. His family owned it up till no one in his family wanted to be bothered by the land anymore. As the 19th century rolled into the 20th, the family’s heirs lost interest in the property and allowed the arboretum to deteriorate. The farm passed out of the family through several hands in quick succession, and a lumber mill operator was about to cut down the trees for timber in early 1906.This threat moved Pierre S. du Pont, American entrepreneur, businessman, philanthropist, and member of the prominent du Pont family to take action. On July 20, 1906, 36-year-old du Pont purchased the farm primarily to preserve the trees. He wasn’t planning to create what would become the spectacular Longwood Gardens, but within a few years, his desire to make it a place where he could entertain his friends transformed a simple country farm into one of the country’s leading horticultural estates and gardens. I understand he and his wife would walk the grounds everyday.

**I warn you now... ton of gratuitous eye candy** 

After Pierre S. du Pont purchased the property in 1906, he began developing the outdoor gardens further, adding the 600-foot long Flower Garden Walk. Over the years he kept adding more and more gardens, built a new "small" conservatory, as seen from above, a stunning water lily pond and more fountains, followed by stunning rose gardens, a huge treehouse and a extensive orchid collectionI took these picture for the Dog's Mother....

Orchids....
This spacious country home Peirce-du Pont House ,  resulted from five major periods of construction covering nearly 200 years. The original two-story brick farmhouse was built by Joshua Peirce in 1730 to replace a log cabin built in 1709. In 1764, a two-story addition was made to the east end of the house and included a new dining room. The house was enlarged in 1824 adding a large addition to the north of the original structure. This building campaign doubled the size of the Peirce's house. In 1909, Pierre du Pont modernized the house with a two-story addition to the north. Plumbing, electricity, and heating were added throughout the house.

While we were there, we had an incredible lunch...they pride themselves on severing "green" and healthy foods, but thanks goodness also offer beer and wines. We also met a tour guide while resting at one spot and he gave so much information to us. We found out, that Longwood has about 400 full time gardeners, and over 800 volunteers. He also said it's only been since the late 80"s they stated charging people to get. Du Pont had left a healthy sum of funds so that all visitors could come and enjoy the garden at no cost. Now a days, it cost around 30 million to keep it running. And they are extremely meticulous how they tend to the gardens. It was fun to watch them trim the hedges. I think even the Queen of England would be pleased. Our day ended with the gorgeous flower walk. The cool part? It starts at one end with yellows and oranges, into the red and pinks, and ends at the other end in blues and purples.

It was a great weekend and pretty cool to hang out with ma. We concluded we needed to just live in the garden permanently and make that tree house home.

35 comments:

  1. I'm glad you had fun with Mom, and wow that place is stunning!

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  2. Loves the water lilies and all the many water features and the whole darn place! Glad you and Mother got to go and enjoy it all. xoxoxox

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    1. If you and Engineer ever get East, I know you two would enjoy it.

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  3. Longwood is glorious enough for the Queen to hold her garden parties there, Mistress. I shall refrain from making obvious jokes about its name out of respect for its glory. Can't you give your mother one of the houseboys as a gift? It would be so Imperial Rome. :)

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    1. Oh hell, she always manages to swipe one or two anyway. I know you were probably shocked I'd enjoy Longwood right?

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  4. my parents would take my sister and I there all the time in the 60s cause it was free. and I know one of the volunteers - a retired co-worker of mine. my fave place of all there - the orchid room.

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    1. I think you and hubby need to take another trip tootes! A lot has changed.

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  5. Amazing what the combination of taste, money and public concern can create. Longwood Gardens combines a highly developed, formal set of gardens with extensive fountains to provide a beautiful and engaging environment for strolling, enjoying the statuary, topiary and colorful fountain displays. William and I go once every summer and at Christmas. Your water lily pictures are amazing.

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  6. Next time I come East I have got to see this place. Being a garden horticulturist and landscaper, I'd be beyond more then interested to see this. Amazing pictures.

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  7. I love going there to get out of the city. There fountains are amazing and the classical organ concert in the afternoon is a not to be missed show, with the fountains. The place is quite something....so much color.....

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  8. Orchid exhibit a must see! Absolutely gorgeous, fragrant exhibit. I love botanical gardens! This by far is my favorite in the country.

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  9. I have lived here most of my life and me and my peeps finally went this summer. I have been waiting so many years to get here and I have no idea why I waited so long!

    The conservatory left me breathless alone...it's massive, and so elegant. This was a nice post to see before going into work.

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  10. Your photos are exceptional. I have never been to Longwood Gardens and don't know now when I'd ever have the opportunity.

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  11. Beautiful and relaxing! Longwood looks like a great afternoon and you took your mother. Your a good son.

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  12. C'est magnifique!

    Longwood Gardens is by far, one of the finest arboretums, beautifully designed gardens in the USA. Beauty greets you everywhere, and the conservatory ....no words on it's beauty. Looks like a great afternoon.

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  13. That conservatory is absolutely gorgeous! I have never seen anything like it, that well done. The building looks massive in size. The fan puff tree is quite amazing. Your pictures show such detail. Bravo!

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    1. I may feature other photos I a later post. A great place for picture taking.

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  14. The lush green gardens and color are absolutely beautiful! Those water lilies are so pretty.You got some amazing pictures.

    Your mother? I see the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

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  15. I see at least two weeds.

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    1. There's always one in the bunch.....

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  16. The most beautiful gardens I have ever seen. I especially like the house and the water lilies. That dragon fly picture is great. So close...

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  17. Those lily padS are HUGE!!!!

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    1. They are called Japanese water platters.

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  18. One of the most beautiful gardens ever! I remember going a couple years ago. I attended a jazz concert, Ms. Diane Reeves, and it was a wonderful concert. This history you het at the DuPont mansion is also a must see. What a cheerful post.

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  19. Longwood Gardens is definitely one of greater Philadelphia's hidden gems. What is that stone tower I see? Looks interesting?

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    1. It is a chimes tower. Pierre du Pont constructed this 61-foot-tall stone Chimes Tower based on a similar structure he had seen in France. He purchased the largest set of tower chimes he could find from the J.C. Deagan Company of Chicago after first borrowing one chime to test its carrying power. Twenty-five tubular chimes were installed in the upper tower chamber and Mr. du Pont installed a switch in the Peirce-du Pont House so he could activate the chimes from his residence. They have since replaced those with a 62 cast bells ensemble. Sounds amazing.

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  20. Your floral close ups are stunning...greeting card ready. Love the water lilies.

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  21. Beautiful! I have always thought a flower themed national drag show competition would be so fun here.

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  22. Always a premier area attraction....every time of the year.

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  23. These photos made my day - - what a fantastic place!!!
    (and, of course, I luv the dragonfly and the piano...)

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    1. I'll have you know, I included that just for you. I bet you could tickle those ivories but good!

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  24. Don't ya just wish you had the money to create and maintain something like that? Wow....

    Hugs!

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  25. Anonymous8/03/2017

    Experience the world of Longwood Gardens…a place to see dazzling displays that elevate the art of horticulture …a place to enjoy performances that inspire… a ...
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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!