Wednesday, March 7, 2018

HOT HOUSE

While we may have had a relatively warm and mild winter here in Bucks County, we are in the midst of yet another snow storm today, which is suppose to produce our biggest snow fall yet!!! And after Friday's big snow disaster, I had a personal day on Monday,  and was in need of a good get out, to shake off the winter doldrums before I finish my hibernation. I went to the only place I know where other hot house flowers hang out....Longwood Gardens.
I love visiting gardens whenever I can, especially during this time when many conservatories are filled with colorful orchid displays. If you're in or near historic Kennett Square, Pennsylvania from now through March 25th, I encourage you to make a stop at Longwood Gardens to see the annual "Orchid Extravaganza". Longwood Gardens is the kind of place where you lose track of time because there’s just so much beauty to see. The gardens were founded by the DuPont family and consist of over 1,077 acres of gardens, the Du-Pont mansion, woodlands, a spectacular tress house, and meadows. It is open year round and holds seasonal attractions, lectures, workshops and performances. Not only are there over 4,000 varieties of orchids, but their also displayed all over Longwood...not just in the main conservatory and in the Orchid House. 

Take a gander at this amazing Bonsai!
Another treat was the people got to see Martha Stewart who was at QVC Studios that day and stopped to see the show also.
She even had photo opts!!! She didn't appear to be the slightest stand off at all and mingled with all. I thought of inviting her with me to the café for wine, I could have got a first hand knowledge of gardening with her.

For those of you at a distance who need to shake off the winter, I hope this little tour puts you in a springy mood! 

50 comments:

  1. Love Longwood Gardens, though I was surprised at how small the house was. And Martha? I've always suspected she's rather nice.

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    1. I have to say she seems very cool and open. A friend of mine does set work for svc, and said she has been nothing but nice and a wicked sense of humor.

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  2. A beautiful oasis of colour, greenery and lushness in the midst of winter!

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  3. SO NICE to see colors and flowers on a snowy day! spouse and I have off work today; naps and drinking and classical music and knitting are comprising our day.

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    1. My boss called and told me not to come in, so I have a snow say too. It's coming down here now. Candles, classical music and big breakfast were the order of today.

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    2. Classical and reading for us here. Great minds must think alike.

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    3. you KNOW it, sister! now if only cello josh were here...

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  4. Really beautiful place…. one of my favorite places to go when I lived in Philadelphia. Talk about a great day out. You got some stunning pictures.

    Meanwhile, you and Martha!!!!! Now that would have to be a interesting conversation. You should have asked!!!!

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    1. can you imagine those two getting drunk and snarking on everybody? I CAN!

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  5. What a beautiful visit you had and thanks so much for sharing the beautiful photos of the various orchids. Your blog is always so informative about what you have seen, and such a treat for our eyes. Keep up the great work and photo displays. We all need beautiful pictures as it will be a bit yet until spring apparently.

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  6. I don't mind winter, but I'm sure we could all use some spring! OOOOOOH these photos of the flowers are so pretty! I really love the floral archway.

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  7. So very, very pretty!

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  8. Holy cow... how magnificent! Longwood Gardens is a place not to be missed, when in the Philly area. I've been there, and it's awe inspiring. What gorgeous displays of the orchids, mixed with other plants... so very artful. I've always been very impressed and a little jealous, with people, who have the talent to have the healthiest plants and most beautiful gardens.

    Doesn't hurt you ran into Martha too! She looks down to earth to me.

    Stay warm and cozy. How much snow are you getting today?!?!

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    1. 6-10 inches; more than a mouthful, dear! :)

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    2. hell, 6-10 inches isn't anything for the mistress.

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    3. Are you implying it would be like throwing a hotdog through the Holland Tunnel?????

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    4. @maddie - no, that's michelle duggar's vagina (a hot dog through the holland tunnel)!

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  9. Absolutely gorgeous as I look out at the squirrels racing up and down our bare maple branches... :-)

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  10. Ooooh, pretty, pretty flowers, yummy yummy colours, green, green plants, thank you Hottie Maddie.

    Ya that's it, screw you winter!!! Lol

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  11. What a great to see these pictures today!!!! Stunning flowers and color. I just got released from work.

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  12. Oh wow so pretty! I’ll have to stop by this if I have time when I head through Philadelphia in a week. So impressive!

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  13. Such a spectacular presentation of color and artistry. I love Longwood any time of the year.

    More snow? Yikes...a big one too I hear. Stay warm and lit at home I hope?

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    1. the houseboyz will see to his being warm and lit and fed.

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  14. I needed this post Mistress. What absolutely stunning close ups. Nice to see some color in all this white.

    We are getting yet another snow storm also. I barely got out from the no"easter Friday and had my yard and back half of house flooded from ocean...and now more snow!

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  15. What fabulous displays! Well worth the visit, I see. I particularly like those pinky-yellow/yellowy-pink orchids in the photo directly above those incredible bonsai. And the orchids in the very last photo look an awful lot like the wild ones growing around here.

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    1. I loved those too. I wrote down some names and believe those were the Phalaenopsis Orchids, but don't quote me. I loved that little glass greenhouse, I want one.

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  16. Ok. I seriously need to get myself a pass to Longwood Gardens! This is gorgeous! A great time to go too.

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  17. Karen Ross3/07/2018

    I am glad you enjoyed your visit. We are very fortunate to live near Longwood so we visit it often. If you happen to be the area in the Spring, the gardens at Winterthur and Mt Cuba are spectacular .
    karen ross

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    1. I've been to Winterhur and it is pretty beautiful there, but will have to check out Mt Cuba.

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  18. Absolutely LOVE these pictures! The orchids in Longwood Gardens are stunning! I do believe even the Queen of England would enjoy herself seeing this.

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  19. We took a walk in the dunes today. In the sunshine. Yes we did. But, still, I would have enjoyed Longwood Gardens. Spectacular. And Martha!

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    1. I am not usually star struck, but did get a bit tickled seeing her, I too couldn't resist taking a picture.

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  20. Gorgeous! Just absolutely stunning! What beautiful flowers and wondrous setting! And a celebrity sighting, too! Awesome. Thanks for sharing these.

    Orchids were some of my Mom's fave plants. She grew and experimented with a whole bunch in her garden--so many varieties and colors and textures. People went crazy for the pinks, purples, and white ones. But I liked the Tiger variety the best.

    My fave orchid is without a doubt, the vanilla orchid, because it is the key ingredient in my fave frozen treat: Ice Cream!

    Thanks for sharing these awesome fotos. The bonsai and tiny glass house are cool! And seeing Martha Stewart and her being chill is fantastic!

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    1. That ice cream sounds amazing, I have never heard of that. I did however have violet ice cream and rose ice cream once here in New Hope. Both were very good.

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  21. Such gorgeous pictures. Carlos and I love going to Biltmore in the winter, and wandering through the green houses there. The flowers blooming, the fragrance, not to mention a little warmth!

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  22. I love all the pretty flowers at Longwood Gardens! Those orchids are to die for. What a treat to see this today. And Martha to boot? That's very cool she is friendly ....glad to hear that.

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  23. Wow everything about this is absolutely beautiful! I love orchids, but never seem to be able to keep them.

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  24. A beautiful, glorious breath of spring in the gloomy midst of winter! And, by the way, I LOVE Martha Stewart!

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    1. Me too! I thought me eye were deceiving me at first.

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  25. Oh my goodness, so much loveliness you are bringing us this post!!! They did an outstanding job on those orchids and you captured the beauty of the flowers just perfectly. Just Beautiful!!
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  26. In Texas we call that purdy.

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  27. Gorgeous doesn't even describe these pictures and Longwood Gardens adequately. I always love when we have a concert there. Richard Peter Conti did a wonderful organ concert there to kick off the Orchid show this year.

    I hear Martha is in the area lot. Maybe you'll have her to the Casa???

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    1. The houseboys would have to be on good behavior for sure.

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  28. Invite Martha back to the house and fix her dinner.

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  29. I woke up a little depressed this morning, so I had to come back here and partake of all of this loveliness. These pictures (outstanding by the way)and Mitchell's dune photos have done the trick. Thanks for the uplift, sweetie.

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    1. Thanks Deedles..it brightened my day too.

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  30. Beautiful! How sad that many of today's ultra-rich rarely make efforts like that - except for personal gains, of course (note, Steve Wynn and his art exhibits and flower shows at the Bellagio - all designed to draw people in to gamble).
    I would've chatted up Martha, and if things went well, would've invited her to coffee. Next time, try it.

    Hope you hunker down and stay warm. You know how to stay warm, I'm sure. ;-)

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  31. You took some great pictures Maddie! That place is amazing. Is it me or would Poison Ivy love this place?

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!