Orchid Extravaganza at Longwood Gardens, PA

[ssander]

My wife and I are have annual memberships to Longwood Gardens, in Kennett Square, PA. While there is not a lot to see outside this time of year, the conservatory has Orchid Extravaganza going on right now. Following are some pix:

















Here come the orchids...









































...camera battery running low...tough to get sharp pix...


















Of course, there are lots of other flowers, too...























...lots of different cliamtic areas...










...they even have bonzai plants...one of which began its training in 1909...though some did not have their leaves this time of year...









That's it for now...

SS

[Deleted]

Nice! This looks like good relief from the season of winter.

[Deleted]

That is quite spectacular, ssander (but that's the whole point of orchids, isn't it? ). Glass hothouses are so appealing in the middle of winter -- they really help you to forget the real weather for a couple of hours.

[ssander]

Longwood was once the private "weekend residence" of Pierre S. DuPont. Here's some text from their website:

"In 1700, a Quaker family named Peirce purchased the property from William Penn and soon established a working farm. Joshua and Samuel Peirce began planting an arboretum on the farm in 1798. The farm was purchased in 1906 by Pierre du Pont so he could preserve the trees, and from 1907 until the 1930s Mr. du Pont created most of what is enjoyed today."

My understanding is the land was going to be developed and the trees removed - that's why DuPont bought it in 1906.

In the summer there are flowers all over the grounds and fountains (completely gravity-fed), meadows, woodland -- even a hughe vegetable and fruit area. It's huge. They have concerts there from spring until Christmas (when it is all lit up)...it's quite an amazing place.

My wife and I go there to walk...usually on weekdays, because it's a huge local tourist attraction on weekends.

SS

[Deleted]

Orchidaceous!!! WOW!!

I've never been to this Garden,but,have seen many pics of it.

Gorgeous,luscious conservatory.

I know that 'Blue Tango' bromeliad well,(I have a pic of it in here somewhere,I'll have to dredge it up.).It's positively electric,almost neon!!

The weather outside looks considerably mild for this time of year up there.

Thanks so much for these SSander and welcome aboard.
(I know the weakened battery syndrome,been there many times,tis so infuriating!! )

[bixaorellana]

Good grief, SS! I didn't think anything could come up to your fabulous Italian photos, but you've done your home town proud.

Every gardener has Longwood well marked on her inner wish map, but I never knew it was this big. Thanks for giving us some idea of the layout and of other glories besides the orchids.

The orchids couldn't be more beautiful, but your photo of the bonsai grove is one of the loveliest things I've ever seen.

[tod2]

I'm bowled over SS! Splendid tour through the orchid house and lovely additions in the form of bonsai etc. You are indeed lucky to have that on your doorstep!

[mickthecactus]

Thanks so much SS. That was beautiful.

Kew Gardens start their huge Orchid display in a couple of weeks time and I shall be visiting.

[nycgirl]

Thanks for sharing. I am enamored with orchids and Longwood is a fantastic place. Love the bonsai as well. Hard to believe they can thrive for over a hundred years.

Would you mind if I added a few of my Longwood photos?

[cristina]

Beautiful photos, ssander! I especially liked the early one introducing the orchids. The first picture looked like they were all wearing little sunglasses.

Although I live in California now, I did grow up in the Washington, DC area. I remember a trip to Longwood Gardens as a little girl with my family, but also a High School field trip with my art class to Longwood Gardens (along with Chadd's Ford, if I recall).

I love East Coast photos. Even though I love living in the west, I really do miss my east. And as long as I have been gone, I now consider Washington to Boston to be my hometown.

[nycgirl]

Here are some photos I took during the fall a few years ago. The orchid display was dazzling. A few of my favorites included the big frilly ones,



the sweet little Dancing Ladies,



the beautifully bizarre Lady Slippers,



and the dramatically speckled and spiky ones.





The rest of the gardens and the extensive grounds were impressive, too.











The bonsai were exquisite.



My photo doesn't do it justice like ss's does, but I just wanted to show what the little birches look like with their foliage.



Besides the orchids, one highlight for me was the lily pad pond. I couldn't believe how enormous the lily pads were!





Apparently these things are so sturdy they can hold a person aloft in the water if stood on just right. There was an old photo displayed of a woman doing just that (though visitors are, of course, discouraged from doing so).





A nice water lily.



I'd love to go again one day.

[bixaorellana]

Exquisite photos, NYCGirl. There are definitely a couple that could go into "Botanical Perspectives", no?

I love all of your pics, but absolutely adore the one with the yellow chrysanthemum.

[tod2]

Lovely, lovely photos Nycgirl! The orchids are certainly rare beauties and so intricately designed with speckles and flecks.

The Giant Amazon Water Lily, Victoria Amazonica, are stunning! I noticed the waterlily flowers were pink, lilac, and yellow. I have only ever seen blue and pink water Lilllie's.

[ssander]

NYCGirl...

Glad you could add your pix. They're beautiful. I especially love the fact that you got the water lilies in season and the bonsai "grove" in full leaf.

I think I have some water lily close-ups somewhere. I'll post them when I can.

SS

[nycgirl]

Thanks, everyone! Glad to hear some of the names because I forget them.

[Deleted]

From my earliest childhood, there are some photos of those amazing circular lily pads and they have always amazed me. However, I don't have the slightest idea where the pictures were taken, although there are some photos of my tiny self in Washington, D.C.

[ssander]

Here are some pix (not all orchids) taken in January 2007:

















SS

[tod2]

That is a magnificent speciman of the Crane Flower 0r Bird of Paradise flower or Strelitzia reginae.
Its scientific name commemorates Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, queen consort of King George III.

It is native to South Africa and is our National Flower.

[nycgirl]

It sure is a striking flower. The others are all beautiful, as well.

It's funny that the word "orchid" comes from the Ancient Greek word "orchis," meaning testicle. Although the orchid was named for the swelling of its roots, there are a couple of blooms here that look a bit testicular. Anyway, still very beautiful.

[bixaorellana]

More lovely pictures, SS, thanks! I am fascinated by those waxy orchids with their clever little cup arrangements. Does anyone know the purpose of those?

When I read SS's comment about NYCG's beautiful pic of the bonsai grove in leaf, I went back to look at his picture of it again. That's when I realized what it had fleetingly reminding me of ............. the Fleetwood Mac Bare Trees album.

[mickthecactus]

Feb 8, 2012 19:57:14 GMT bixaorellana said:

Exquisite photos, NYCGirl. There are definitely a couple that could go into "Botanical Perspectives", no?

I love all of your pics, but absolutely adore the one with the yellow chrysanthemum.

I'm with Bixa on the lovely chrysanthemum pic - they seem so out of fashion these days.

[nycgirl]

Thanks! I also thought those mums were very striking. The petals looked like thick, curly ribbons.

Feb 14, 2012 14:50:42 GMT bixaorellana said:

I am fascinated by those waxy orchids with their clever little cup arrangements. Does anyone know the purpose of those?

Aren't they gorgeous? Those are Lady Slippers (although they don't look anything like the slippers I wear).