This past Monday I took a personal day and the Dame and I were off to Longwood Gardens in the Brandywine Valley at Kennett Square. It seems to be becoming a tradition to go with the Dame the last few years. Truth be told though, my favorite season there is still summer. But I admit I am pretty wowed by the different decorating themes and this year was no exception. Their trees are always spectacular to view with their ornaments and dazzling light displays. But I like to go to give me a touch of seeing some color and an explosion of flowers, since we are pretty much barren here now in the garden, so it's nice to get out and see the extensive array of color and variety of blooms. Beginning more than a year in advance, over 200 individuals work to craft unique ornaments and create each display. Even more to care take of the grounds and year-round exhibits. All this started with tradition in 1921, when the DuPont family hosted lavish gatherings to share the holiday spirit with friends and family. And once the DuPont's no longer lived there, the stipulation was that the grounds, and gardens, Pierce Du Pont House and conservatory would always have to be open to the public. This trip... the orchids captured me.
The corridor with hanging bulbs is reminisce of our Umbrella Alley,
ReplyDeleteI thought the same thing Shirley!
DeleteSo beautiful! Makes me think I should check out what's going on for Christmas at our local conservatory too.
ReplyDeletelove your orchid - mood. Do you know what orchids look like? to the balls. It's from Greek!
ReplyDeleteOrchis (Ancient Greek: Ὄρχις, romanized: Órkhis, lit. 'testicle, orchid)
Nice balls in the corridor
ReplyDeleteConservatories in winter are AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine all the work that goes on decorating those trees! Love the lights, too.
And are those air plants hanging on that tree????
XOXO
Yes...that tree in particular was in the catus, and succulent room...it was adorned with air plants and cactus and succulents along with the purple balls. It was so pretty and very cool.
DeleteThey always do a superb job!
ReplyDeletePlenty of ornamentation, both God's and man's, in that place.
ReplyDeleteI love orchids and the Strelitzia reginae and that blue tree would look very pretty in the front garden....or in the churchyard over the road.
ReplyDeleteI love the Strelitzia reginae also and I love anthurium too. I just decorated some vases throughout the house with bud vases with another favorite of mine...protea.
DeleteWow... Positively stunning. I can imagine the nose being invaded!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice and warm in there too!
DeleteI love seeing the different flowers that typically aren't from around here.
ReplyDeleteTundra Bunny here...
ReplyDeleteConservatories in the winter are always a boost to one's spirits. As a university student, I walked by a large greenhouse on the way to classes and even at -40 C, with snow blowing and the windows iced over in January, the sight of orchids in bloom were like bright, colourful orbs of cheeriness to me!
Yes, what a great visual!!!! I also like being in my friends hot tub when it snows...the problem is then one doesn't want to get out.
DeleteI need to find someplace beautiful in Málaga that I've never been. Ball Hall is spectacular. Wish I could see Longwood Gardens one of these days.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to google Ball Hall! Sounds like a place I'd love!!!!!! LMAO!!!!
DeleteGorgeous! I love the ornaments hanging from the ceiling. We did that in our dining room in Miami once years ago for a Christmas party and people went crazy over it.
ReplyDeleteOh so pretty!
ReplyDeleteLike so may commenters here, I love a tropical glasshouse out-of-season! When we first arrived together in London a quarter of a century ago, we lived became members of Kew Gardens (we didn't live too far away from it at that stage), and made a habit of going there at least once a month, twelve months of the year. It has three of the largest and most impressive glasshouses you'll find anywhere, and used to provide us with a much-needed boost through the dark winter months.
ReplyDeleteLongwood Gardens obviously provides exactly the same for you, although I'm not sure how far away it is from where the current Casa Borghese is, nor whether that could be called "local". Jx
I agree...nothing like a glasshouse out- of- season. A mood lifter for sure. Where I live now is just over an hour and a half to get there...as opposed to where I lived in Bucks County at 40 minutes drive.
DeleteHow fun! Longwood is an amazing place, and I can only imagine the beautiful displays during the holidays…your photos help! Your first image in this post is stunning! Have you ever been there when the Philly Orchestra performed there? The sound is incredible.
ReplyDeleteIt looks and sounds fabulous, especially the conservatory – fascinating and enchanting! I just adore the Cyclamen and the orchids.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I could be come bored with Christmas, or any holiday.
ReplyDeleteIt makes my glass house look like the poor relation. Its so beautiful, i can almost feel the warmth. Oh for a couple of hours sat in there. Bliss.
ReplyDeleteI've actually gone a few times by myself, and I can tell you having had a nice sit it is blissful.
DeleteWow
ReplyDeletelovely
ReplyDelete