The Dawn of a New Garden Experience: Longwood Reimagined Set to Blossom in 2024

View of the West Conservatory, which is under construction.View of the West Conservatory, which is under construction. Submitted Image/Photo by Daniel Traub.

KENNETT SQUARE, PA — Prepare for a sweeping transformation at Longwood Gardens, the most ambitious revitalization of America’s top horticultural display in a century. Longwood Gardens announced this week, the grand opening of “Longwood Reimagined: A New Garden Experience” on November 22, 2024.

A vision that sparks the future of Longwood Gardens, this project will reinvent 17 acres. It aims to amplify visitor experiences and spawn opportunities for more exhibitions, programs, and events. The project was spearheaded by WEISS/MANFREDI, along with Reed Hilderbrand, collectively bringing to life the modernization of Longwood Gardens.

“The grand opening of Longwood Reimagined spearheads an exciting chapter in Longwood’s evolution, changing over from a private haven into one of the world’s divine public horticultural destinations over the past seven decades,” says Paul Redman, President and CEO of Longwood Gardens.

The centerpiece of this transformation is a spectacular 32,000-square-foot-conservatory, designed by WEISS/MANFREDI. This architectural masterpiece encapsulates the essence of a living, breathing glass house. It features gardens, pools, and fountains designed by Reed Hilderbrand.

Kristin Frederickson, Principal at Reed Hilderbrand, articulated the core concept behind the design, expressing that it “advances Longwood’s legacy of marrying horticultural excellence with dramatic expressions of water to bring experiences of wonder to their guests.”

The West Conservatory, a significant part of this redesign, marks the inauguration of aquatic elements inside a glass house. “This immersive garden landscape filled with beautiful water-interactive plants will provide awe-inspiring displays year-round, immersing visitors in the richness of the Mediterranean horticulture,” Redman added.

Starting this spring, planting will commence at the new West Conservatory garden. The design will feature 60 permanent plant species and a rotating selection of 90 seasonal plant species. The gardens will mimic the ecosystems of six Mediterranean regions, with a palette depicting the regions’ iconic flora.

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The relocated Cascade Garden promises an enchanting vertical environment with 16 waterfalls, climbing vines, and stunning bromeliads. This iconic garden will be housed in a new custom glasshouse, with every stone and element preserved from its original place. It will provide a renewed tropical rainforest experience, echoing Roberto Burle Marx’s call to preserve rainforests threatened worldwide in 1992.

Opening May 9 is the new Conservatory Terrace Overlook and Lower Conservatory Plaza. As part of an important new east-west promenade, these will provide guests with grand views of the Main Fountain Garden’s dramatic displays.

The Longwood Reimagined project is moving steadfastly forward with the development of The Grove—a new education and administration building—and the renovation of The Potting Shed, home to Longwood’s notable Bonsai Workshop.

As we anticipate the rejuvenation of Longwood Gardens, be on the lookout for the Fireworks and Fountain Shows returning this summer. Welcomed with patriotic anthems to kick off the July 4 holiday weekend, the season will conclude with a program celebrating Italian classical music and opera.

Get ready to immerse yourself in the reimagined, tomorrow’s Longwood Gardens. A tribute to the enduring bond between nature and architecture, this modernization is sure to leave you breathless. Mark the calendar for November 22, 2024, for a new era in the world of horticultural display: the dawn of Longwood Reimagined.

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