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Pennsylvania · Est. 1906
Longwood Gardens
Pierre du Pont's obsession — 1,077 acres of horticultural ambition
Founded
1906
Size
1,077 acres
Hardiness Zone
USDA Zone 6b
Best Season
May–June, July–August
About Longwood Gardens
Pierre S. du Pont bought a Pennsylvania farm in 1906 to save a stand of old trees from being cut down. He then spent the next 45 years turning it into one of the greatest horticultural display gardens in the world. Longwood Gardens now covers 1,077 acres, contains 4.5 acres of indoor conservatories across 20 rooms, and hosts the Main Fountain Garden — 380 jets shooting water 130 feet high, illuminated by LED lights for nightly shows. The $90 million renovation completed in 2017 added choreographed sequences that make the original 1931 fountains look like a rough draft. Longwood is what happens when a du Pont decides to outdo Versailles.
History & Heritage
Pierre S. du Pont purchased the Peirce farm in 1906 specifically to save its arboretum from a timber company. He opened the gardens to the public in 1921 and spent the following decades adding the Conservatory, the Italian Water Garden, and the Main Fountain Garden — the last modeled on the Villa d'Este and completed in 1931. Du Pont died in 1954, leaving the entire estate to the Longwood Foundation. The fountain garden underwent a $90 million renovation from 2012 to 2017, adding LED illumination and computerized choreography.
Signature Feature
The Main Fountain Garden — 380 Jets
The Main Fountain Garden features 380 jets shooting water up to 130 feet high, set within a formal Italian-inspired landscape modeled on the Villa d'Este. A $90 million renovation completed in 2017 added LED illumination and computerized choreography for nightly shows. The system can produce 10,000 different display sequences. On summer evenings, with the fountains lit in shifting colors against a darkening Pennsylvania sky, it is one of the most spectacular free-standing horticultural spectacles in North America.
Bloom-planning note
Best Time to See Blooms at Longwood Gardens
The strongest overall display is typically May–June, July–August (fountains), December (Christmas). That window combines the garden's major collections with the regional sequence of flowering trees, bulbs, perennials, and seasonal color.
In the broader Mid-Atlantic & Appalachia season, a long shoulder season supports early flowering trees, a strong late-spring display, summer perennials, and an extended autumn foliage period.
Timing changes with weather, elevation, and individual collection conditions. Confirm bloom progress directly with the garden before planning a special visit.
Photo Gallery
Main Fountain Garden
The Conservatory
Meadow Garden
Notable Collections
The Conservatory
4.5-acre indoor garden with 5,500 plant types across 20 rooms.
Meadow Garden
86-acre naturalistic meadow with 190 native species.
Topiary Garden
Sculpted yew and boxwood topiaries.
Peirce's Woods
62-acre woodland garden with native wildflowers.
Plan Before You Go
Hours, Parking & Accessibility
Hours & Seasonal Timing
Daily 9am–6pm (10pm during shows)
Best seasonal window: May–June, July–August (fountains), December (Christmas)
Parking & Arrival
Free
Check the official visit page for event-day parking changes and arrival instructions.
Accessibility
Fully ADA-accessible
Contact the garden before visiting to discuss route conditions, mobility equipment, or support needs.
Visitor details are reviewed from the garden's public information and were last checked May 2026. Policies, prices, and route conditions can change; confirm final arrangements directly with the garden.
Recognition & Awards
- Top 10 gardens worldwide
- APGA member
Editorial Standards
This profile was prepared by the BotanicalGardens.blog editorial research desk using official garden pages and other named sources where available. Hours, admission, and access details can change; confirm them with the garden before a special trip. This profile was last reviewed May 2026. If you notice an inaccuracy, please contact us.
Plan Your Visit
May–June, July–August (fountains), December (Christmas)
Address
1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square, PA 19348
Phone
(610) 388-1000
Hours
Daily 9am–6pm (10pm during shows)
Admission
Adults $25–$35, Youth $15
Parking
Free
Accessibility
Fully ADA-accessible
Insider Tips
- 1Book fountain shows in advance
- 2Christmas display is spectacular
- 3Arrive early on summer weekends
- 4Canopy Cathedral treehouse is a must
Nearby Attractions
- Brandywine River Museum (8 mi)
- Winterthur Museum (12 mi)
- Brandywine Battlefield (15 mi)
Stays near Longwood Gardens
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