Winter is here, and its cold outside. Last week was just about dark, cloudy, and rainy as it could it get. To keep warm, The Mistress and Dame celebrated indoors by visiting the solarium or conservatory, the home version of the sunroom. It can be a fully dedicated room with lots of glass and built-in flower beds or just a sun filled corner. We were off to visit one of the most renowned gardens in the county, the stunning conservatory at Longwood Gardens in the beautiful Brandywine Valley to see what tips we could up pick from the pros. The houseboys took many notes I might add.
Longwood Garden was started and added on to by Pierre S du Pont as the family's country estate and over the years was added on to even more, by his love of plants and nature and built on the family's tradition of gardening. The original mansion is still on the grounds, and the garden now encompasses thousands of acres. After the du Ponts no longer lived there, they wanted the place always opened for the public and garden lovers to come and enjoy. But the main jewel is the conservatory, a huge indoor space with twenty or so large rooms, that contain various different themes and flower variety, water features and falls, Tropicals, and their renowned Christmas display. Originally conservatories began in England as Orangeries to grow citrus fruits and indeed Longwood has its own, as well as the tropical terrace, an orchid house, rose house, rooms dedicated to grasses and ferns, palms and more. We were overwhelmed with the beauty and the heavenly scents all intermingled, but admired it all the same. It was a great way to start a dismal week. There is nothing like a greenhouse smell is there? Now on to the plant porn.
Even the grounds feature some interesting sights like this lit sculpture.
What a beautiful place. I'm in awe of your photos and wish I could see it for myself.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
It's such a joy to see lush growth after the last few weeks of horrendous weather here in the UK, and looking out at our dead garden. Come the New Year, I have no doubt we'll be making a similar pilgrimage to the glorious glasshouses at the Royal Botanical Society Kew Gardens. Jx
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to take pictures. I can only imagine how beautiful that'll be. I think our weekly weather we had last week is equivalent to what you had in the UK.
DeleteWhat beautiful flowers, displays and lights! I've spent many happy hours going to conservatories in both Winnipeg and Edmonton for a little touch of summer during winter. They're always a great place for an outing and often there are nice little restaurants attached for coffee and dessert afterwards. Sometimes there's local art displayed as well, or musicians in the foyer.
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely a good spirit lifter Debs!
DeleteTundra Bunny here.... Those Christmas trees all lit up at night inside the conservatory are magical! I love all the poinsettias (even the gown) and those glorious orchids! And there's nothing like seeing flowers inside a greenhouse on a cold winter's day -- many a time were my spirits lifted forty years ago (ack!) while trudging to my university classes at -40 C in Winterpeg, LOL!
ReplyDeleteWith temperatures like that is it any wonder you're a tundra bunny!? But I do agree it's cool to be inside the greenhouse all Tuesday warm looking beautiful flowers and it's cold as s*** outside. Also I just sent you your package in the mail yesterday, but I'll also send you an email to give you an FYI
DeleteJust beautiful. It does look like the entire United States is in for cold spell. I saw on the weather map in Texas it like minus 7
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
I love going to these enclosed gardens in winter when you don't really get a lot of color ... and lights!
ReplyDeleteI've never been there is winter, but it truly is remarkable in the spring!!!
ReplyDeleteAutumn is the season I have yet see.
DeleteThat picture of that blue tree outside the castle tower is simply gorgeous. I'd like to own both, the tree and the castle.
ReplyDeleteDuPont from what I understand, visited some Kings Castle in Europe, and like the Clock Tower so much that he had it replicated exactly the same as the one he saw in Europe , here on the grounds at Longwood
DeleteI think God's Garden was very similar to this one
ReplyDeleteI can't even put it into how wonderful the smells are.
DeleteI can imagine! or - to say better - I can dream!
DeleteStunning post and photos! And your right, last week was a great time to escape to Longwood with such dark depressing weather. My last time there was late autumn. As you know I LOVE Longwood and we used to be members there. Such a mind-blowing conservatory.
ReplyDeleteI can picture you and William being members there. I hope you get a chance to go again before you move. I could easily find a quiet Alcove and just live there.
DeleteI have no words. I only wish DC had something to see like this. We may have to take a trip up between Christmas and new years.
ReplyDeleteIf you decide to go Samantha feel free to email me. I suggest buying your tickets online so when you arrive all they have to do is scan your phone and your right in. But forewarned, the week between Christmas and New Years will be absolutely insane as January 6th the gardens will close until spring.
DeleteEven with the holidays coming and all the festivities, the weather can still be a downer and depressing. So this post really perked up on Monday. That place is impressive, and I can see it certainly would be a mood lifter.
ReplyDeleteThat place is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThe trouble with conservatories is that they cost so much to damn well heat which is why, although mine is full of flowers, I don't get out there much at this time of the year. The sun is off the room by 1.30pm and the temperature drops fast.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine in Bucks County bought a conservatory and had it rebuilt on her property. The contractors actually put in a wood burning stove and then the glass was sealed tightly around the tube tube that takes the smoke out. She said it gets quite toasty and it's lovely to sit by the fire while it's snowing outside.
DeleteSo much beauty!
ReplyDeleteI know I left a comment on this post about how beautiful everything is, but I don't see it here so I'm trying again. I'm in awe of your photos.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
It appears your first comment went into spam honey. And the answer your question you would probably love Longwood Gardens. You can easily spend a whole entire day there till evening.
DeleteIt's like a drag queens dream!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great day out!!! Longwood Gardens is beautiful during spring, summer, and fall with the loveliest flowers and fountains; however, it is magical at Christmas. After dark the real magic begins.
ReplyDeleteIt’s impossible to find words to describe how beautiful everything is here. I would love to see this place someday. I especially love the tropical flowers. That bird of paradise is stunning.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Jingle & Joy to me henny!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to Longwood in ages. You got some good pictures. I just love the one with the clock tower and tree.
ReplyDelete