I have made one trip to Longwood Gardens each year since I was a baby. Missing a visit (if any) always made that year seem incomplete. In all of this time however, I have never visited the garden during the Holidays and following this recent trip, it is hard to believe that I will not turn my yearly visit into two.
Touring the gardens in the winter gives it a completely new perspective, forcing me to notice things that I never would have during the rest of the year. It brings the garden inside, creating a spectacular setting for the garden to thrive all year long.
I arrived mid afternoon, wandered about as the sun set, and had a wonderful (but very chilly) walk through the grounds to see the outside lights. This transformation of light in the conservatory was a surprise, as the garden spaces changed so drastically as evening approached.
One of the highlights for me was to see the conservatory floor covered with a layer of water, which has been a rare occurrence during my visits. The floor and fountain in the center were lined with pink poinsettas, while crystal lights hung down from the ceiling like icicles. Orchids hovered high above in hanging planters. In the distance, a magical blue wisteria tree stood out like the paint daubs in one of Monet's Water Lilies paintings. The tree, made entirely out of cut paper, stood in the grand banquet room as the centerpiece for an elaborate peacock themed table scape.
I had a chance to sit in the grand ballroom for the first time, and listen to a holiday musical performance. The back room museum was open where the mind blowing, multi-story, 10,010 pipe Aeolian organ is housed. Listening to the elaborate instrument in this setting was like being transported back in time, allowing me to catch a glimpse of what it might have sounded like at a formal DuPont dinner party back in the 1920's.
In the main conservatory, Narcissus and Amaryllis popped up and out among blue gray foliage, while the paths were lined with bushy red and pink Poinsettas.
A variety of periwinkle blooms stood against yellows and oranges creating a wonderful winter combination of color. I was enchanted by the variety of plants that were used in each display and deliberately in each room.
Even the little pomegranate bonsai was proudly showing off it's year's work.
The theme this year was centered around birds, which was exciting for me as I have recently adopted the tradition of collecting one bird ornament each year. Not only were there birds hidden in every nook of the conservatory, but the lights and plants that surrounded them were spectacular.
From pine cone penguins in the dessert house...
To the tiny bluebirds perched among the willow branches...
And an evergreen tree centered in a pineapple patch, inhabited by cardinals, blue birds, snowy owls, and woodpeckers!...
While tiny fluttering glass hummingbirds flitted around in the tropical garden...
The arctic theme in the dessert garden seemed to be a fitting contrast, warming the penguins as the sun began to set in the icy backdrop of the world outside...
The conservatory began to transform into a magical, twinkling setting. The lighting at this time of day was beautiful as the grand space began to take on a different personality, becoming more intimate and cozy. The cobalt blue sky created a perfect compliment to the warm light and colorful plants and flowers inside.
Finally, it was time to venture out of the warmth of the greenhouses and into the frigid cold. I made my way along the path to see the colorful lights decorating the trees in the landscape. Knowing this place so well, it was wonderful to see it so transformed, allowing the trees to have their moment on stage.
And so my first holiday trip to Longwood was a success. What a festive garden visit in the middle of cold cold months of winter!
Until spring...
