Top 10 Fun Facts About A Longwood Christmas

Last week, I was thrilled to be a part of the inaugural Star Blogger Team at Longwood Gardens. Last Friday, I gave you a sneak peek of what Longwood has to offer. Today, I am bringing you my Top 10 Fun Facts about A Longwood Christmas.

10. Longwood Gardens is located in Kennett Square, PA.

Why is this a fun fact? Because it is so easy to get to from Central and South Jersey, any of the Philadelphia suburbs and the city proper, and all of Delaware. Folks in Baltimore, you can easily make this day trip too! Plus, downtown Kennett Square has fantastic shops and restaurants. So, make a day of it!

9. The Conservatory has more than 10,000 holidays plants on display and beautifully decorated trees that can measure up to 22 feet high.

8. This holiday dining table is modeled after the tables that Pierre du Pont set when he entertained at Longwood Gardens. It can seat up to 48 guests and is a sight to behold in person.

The table is 64 feet long! It is covered with a moss table runner, silver, china and vases of Begonia ‘Barkos,’ white Phalaenopsis orchids, dried roses, ferns and silver willow Salix branches. Overall, 256 live plants are used in this decadent display.

7. All of the over 500,000 lights used in the displays are LEDs.

Yay for conserving energy!!

6. The Holiday Fountain Shows run on the hour from 10 am – 3 pm and every 5 minutes starting at 3:30 pm.

Closeup of the Music Room tree

5. The Music Room in the Conservatory makes you feel like you have stepped into Downton Abbey.

Take time to check out the historical telescopes on loan from The Franklin Institute and the newly discovered Porter Telescope from the garden’s own artifacts.

Closeup of a student created tree

4. Students from local schools created several of the trees on display in the Conservatory and they are adorable.

I love the delicacy of these.

3. If you spot a plant that you enjoy, it is probably labeled.

Bring your camera or your smartphone and snap the plant and the name. You can ask a staff member at the gardens where to find information about the plant and how best to care for it.

2. Your best times to visit are on Non-Peak Days (Mondays through Fridays from 9 am to 9 pm).

Non-members will need to purchase timed tickets, but the crowds are far less on these days. Folks bringing little ones may want to bring a stroller. There is a lot of ground to cover, so this may help you to maintain your sanity. They can always get out at the Garden Railway display and be treated by the trains. Timed tickets can be purchased here.

1. Members have special visiting hours on Mondays!

It is worthwhile to purchase or give a membership to Longwood Gardens this winter for a variety of reasons. One of the top reasons is that Members have special visiting hours on Mondays from 5-9 pm for A Longwood Christmas. The Mondays that remain with this special opportunity are December 3rd, 10th and 17th. You can bring guests with guest tickets or you can purchase timed tickets on-site. Also, members are not required to purchase timed tickets if all who are visiting are included in the membership.

I’ll definitely be taking my mom and the Tomato back before the holiday to make this a new winter holiday tradition. Have you been to Longwood this season?

Disclosure: As a member of the Star Blogger Team, I was provided with a tour and reception and a family membership to Longwood Gardens. My opinions are all my own.