The splendor of spring emerges at Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, April 1 through May 26, 2017. Look for gardens of daffodils, tulips, azaleas, wisteria plus flowering magnolias and cherry trees. Indoors, lilies, delphiniums, echium, and hydrangeas take center stage, filling the Conservatory with fragrance and color.

During peak bloom, Longwood’s historic 600-foot long Flower Garden Walk boasts more than 125,000 tulips and other seasonal blooms in a rainbow of color. The Idea Garden is awash in innovative plant combinations that will inspire. Guests won’t want to miss Longwood’s grand treehouses, whimsical Topiary Garden, and historic Peirce’s Woods, featuring rhododendron and other spring favorites. The Meadow Garden blooms with Carolina silverbell, Eastern redbud, flowering dogwood, and azaleas.

There will be daily visitor programs, including gardening demonstrations, behind-the-scenes tours, and talks. Special places for children are the outdoor Children’s Corner and the Indoor Children’s Garden.

Longwood Gardens began in 1906, when industrialist Pierre du Pont (1870-1954) purchased a small farm near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, to save a collection of historic trees from being sold for lumber. Today, the gardens encompass 1,077 acres of gardens, woodlands, meadows, fountains, 10,010-pipe Aeolian organ and 4.5-acre conservatory. Admission is $23 for adults; $20 for seniors (age 62+); $13 for students (ages 5–18 or with valid student ID) and free ages 4 and under.

(Photo courtesy of Longwood Gardens)