Grounds and Fountains Longwood Gardens

the italian water garden, longwood gardens, kennett square, chester county, pennsylvania

the development of longwood public garden began in 1800s peirce family’s arboretum. joshua , samuel peirce collected many native , exotic trees, planted in straight rows on land east of farmhouse. area became known peirce’s park toward end of 19th century. visitors longwood gardens today still enjoy peirce’s park, punctuated sylvan fountain, added pierre s. du pont in 1925-27.

after pierre s. du pont purchased property in 1906, began developing outdoor gardens further, adding 600-foot long flower garden walk in 1907. flower garden walk features pool known round fountain @ intersection of main paths. simple jet of water longwood’s first fountain.

in 1914, pierre s. du pont added open air theatre after visits villa gori in siena, italy, provided inspiration.

from 1925-27 pierre designed , constructed italian water garden on site northeast of longwood’s large lake, after gaining inspiration visit villa gamberaia, near florence, italy.

in 1928, pierre began adding fountains garden had begun developing in 1921. space, directly south of conservatory, become mr. du pont’s ambitious project—the 5-acre main fountain garden. main fountain garden combines italianate ornamentation , french grandeur world’s fair showmanship. other great fountains, engineering tour de force using latest technology of time. main fountain garden debuted public in 1931 , last major project in gardens during pierre’s life.

in 1957, waterlily display opened under direction of russell seibert, longwood’s first director after pierre du pont’s death in 1954.

in 1970s, celebrated landscape architect thomas church engaged advise longwood on long-range planning, garden improvement, , visitor circulation. contributed many spaces throughout gardens, , designed theatre garden (opened in 1975), wisteria garden (opened in 1976), , peony garden (opened in 1976).

by 1977, thomas church no longer visit because of declining health, , noted english designer sir peter shepheard became longwood’s consulting architect. in 1987 re-worked original waterlily display layout. re-designed garden opened in 1988.

in 1995, landscape architect w. gary smith designed peirce’s woods art form garden brings ornamental characteristics of eastern deciduous forest. thousands of native plants added, including 10,000 rescued north carolina mountains prior impending highway construction.

in 2014, longwood gardens unveiled new meadow garden, iconic american landscape spanning 86 acres showcases native plantings , highlights relationship between human , natural worlds. both sustainably managed , visually artistic, meadow garden blends bursts of colorful plantings , grand vistas best practices in land stewardship. meadow garden actively propagated herbaceous perennials , includes other interventions manage invasive plants, control trees , shrubs, , promote wildlife. meadow garden designed jonathan alderson of jonathan alderson landscape architects of wayne, pa). historic webb farmhouse, has stood on property since 1700s, has been restored , serves interpretive center. inside, guests can explore 2 galleries, 1 showcasing photography , art work depicting beauty of meadow throughout changing seasons; second shares story of people have inhabited , influenced land since lenni lenape. john milner architects of chadds ford, pa, led restoration of farmhouse.

in 2014, under direction of paul b. redman, gardens embarked on largest project in history, revitalization of historic main fountain garden. led architects beyer blinder belle , landscape architects west 8, main fountain garden re-opened on may 27th, 2017.

list of outdoor gardens & garden features • birdhouse treehouse • canopy cathedral treehouse • caryopteris allée • children’s corner • chimes tower , waterfall • cow lot • east conservatory plaza • flower garden drive • flower garden walk • forest walk • hillside garden • idea garden • italian water garden • large , small lake • lookout loft treehouse • main fountain garden • meadow garden • oak , conifer knoll • peirce s park • peirce s woods • peony garden • rose arbor • rose garden • student exhibition garden • theatre garden • topiary garden • trial garden • waterlily display

• wisteria gardens