What’s autumn without mums?Chrysanthemums are a tradition that runs deep at Longwood Gardens. They were first grown and displayed in the gardens when founder Pierre S. du Pont opened the Conservatory in 1921.
Today Longwood’s Chrysanthemum Festival features more than 20,000 chrysanthemums and more than 70 large scale topiary forms – some of them nurtured and trained in the traditional Asian way for more than a year – to resemble clouds, balls, spirals, pagodas, and columns of cascading fall blooms. Check it out through Nov. 19 in the four-acre Conservatory.
Longwood Gardens President & CEO Paul B. Redman stated in a press release: “It is the most horticulturally challenging display of the year for our staff to create, and is a showcase of their expertise and mastery of growing techniques that are becoming increasingly rare around the world.”
One highlight of the display is the “Thousand Bloom Chrysanthemum,” a single chrysanthemum plant grown to produce as many perfect blooms as possible. This year the plant features 1,443 uniform blooms and measures 12 feet wide and nearly eight feet tall.
What else do I need to know?From 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 11 Longwood’s horticulture staff will be on hand in the Conservatory to share exactly about how they created the chrysanthemum forms on display. In addition, to honor the heritage and continued importance of the chrysanthemum to Asian culture, the Peter Tang Chinese Ensemble will perform traditional Chinese music from 2 to 5 p.m.
Running now through Jan. 7 is the Garden Railway. Featuring G-scale model locomotives rumbling over almost 400 feet of track, this landscaped display includes models of favorite Longwood buildings.
Meanwhile, outdoors across the gardens’ 1,083 acres, the beauty of fall beckons.
Where is Longwood Gardens?Route 1, Kennett Township. Enter 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square in your GPS.
When can I get in at this time of year?
Gardens hours through Nov. 22 are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The Terrace Cafe is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the 1906 Fine Dining Room operates 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
I should get my tickets before I arrive, right?
Yes, you need timed tickets for the Chrysanthemum Festival. Visit www.longwoodgardens.org or call (610) 388-1000.
