SEASON OF RENEWAL
Longwood: Gardens: ’Spring Blooms’ on display beginning March 30
Immersed in the vibrant hues, iconic blooms, and captivating scents of spring, Longwood Gardens celebrates “Spring Blooms” from March 30 to May 5.
As the weather warms and the days lengthen, spring begins to emerge around the outdoor gardens, culminating in an unparalleled show of seasonal blooms. Longwood’s historic 600-foot-long Flower Garden Walk flourishes with more than 150,000 tulips and other seasonal bulbs during peak bloom, expected in mid-April (weather permitting).
The “Spring Blooms” display extends beyond the radiant show of spring bulbs and encompasses the soft pastels of flowering magnolias, cherry trees, and dogwoods.
The season of renewal also brings with it the reopening of the redesigned Idea Garden. A refreshed layout in the Ornamental Kitchen Garden features more accessible pathways, additional seating, and new display areas. Recently planted and expected to mature and flourish throughout the summer months, the expanded Ornamental Kitchen Garden will support the growth and production of more than 200 fruit and vegetable crops annually.
“Kitchen Gardens have a unique ability to connect guests of all ages with plants and cultivated spaces,” said Longwood’s Associate Director of Landscape Architecture and Program Design Erin Feeney. “Their intriguingly patterned rows entice exploration; their structures showcase the craft of the human hand; and their beautiful and unusual cultivars of familiar crops sustain us and display the variety of the natural world.”
Inside the Conservatory, guests are greeted with the timeless fragrances of blooming freesias, lilies, and stock while hanging baskets of trailing jasmine infuse the surroundings with rich aromas. Seasonal favorites such as hydrangeas, pansies, and foxgloves color pathways while the exotic April blooms of Echium wildpretii “tower-of-jewels” add a touch of magnificence.
Additionally, Longwood’s Café reopens with a refreshed layout and tasty seasonal offerings. The flowering spring attractions extend into the Meadow Garden where Carolina silverbells, Eastern redbuds, flowering dogwoods, and sweet azaleas unfold with natural beauty. Grand treehouses, whimsical topiaries, and blooming woodlands add to the grace of spring at Longwood.
Spring into Learning
The season of growth also brings new programs and learning opportunities from classes for gardening enthusiasts to lectures, interesting reads, and more. See all events and programs at longwoodgardens.org.
• Composting 101
April 12, 1—4 p.m. Register by April 4
Cost: $79
Learn the fundamentals of compost and how to start this practice yourself. Go behind the scenes at