Orchids take center stage at Longwood Gardens’

KENNETT SQUARE, PA – Longwood Gardens pays homage to one of the world’s most beloved flowers during Orchid Extravaganza January 24-March 31. The horticultural showplace near Kennett Square, PA, celebrates the “divas” of the plant world with thousands of orchid blooms, displays and special exhibits throughout its famed conservatory. New exhibits this year include a towering, revolving Orchid Mobile suspended from Longwood’s East Conservatory ceiling. The award-winning Living Wall of Orchids returns, fashioned this year to resemble a massive curtain,  in addition to stunning displays of orchids in planting beds, containers and innovative exhibits.

            The Mobile, created by West Chester University professor and kinetic artist Henry Philippe Loustau of West Grove, PA, combines stainless steel, imaginative forms and shapes, and dazzling white Phalaenopsis orchid blooms in a truly unique work. The eye-catching modern art adorns Longwood’s East Conservatory.

              In 2009, Longwood Gardens is the place to “bee” as it showcases pollination and its importance to the environment with the changing exhibit: The Birds & The Bees: Pollination and the Secret Lives of Plants. The exhibit opens with an informative look at which pollinators orchids rely on. In addition, go back in time to Victorian England and relive Orchid Mania when explorers went to harrowing lengths to acquire orchids and begin collecting these treasured plants. Learn more about Longwood’s amazing collection of more than 9,000 orchids and the role that Longwood’s founder Pierre S. du Pont and his wife played in the formation of the American Orchid Society. Longwood’s collection of historic orchids is depicted in stunning images by famed photographer David Ward. Guests can experience Ward’s images and then visit Longwood’s Orchid Room to see many of the actual orchids in their blooming splendor. The Orchid Extravaganza culminates with the International Orchid Show and Sale, March 27-29, featuring vendors from around the world offering orchids for sale and an American Orchid Society-judged show.

--more--

OrKid Days Family Fun

The entire family will enjoy Longwood’s “OrKid” Days. Spend a Saturday enjoying a children’s performance, craft and the chance to meet special exotic animals (and pollinators) up close. Activities are included in Gardens Admission.

January 31: John Flynn and the Brandywine Zoo

John Flynn’s fun-loving lyrics, inspired by his own four children, became the basis of two highly acclaimed family CDs. A native of Philadelphia, John appears regularly on the Peabody Award-winning children’s radio program “Kid’s Corner” on WXPN.

February 21, Cathy & Marcy and the Delaware Museum of Natural History

This two-time Grammy award-winning duo has entertained the Queen of Thailand, delighted families at the White House Easter Egg Roll and graced hundreds of folk festivals.  Performing everything from harmonies to swing to old-time country music to original songs, there is toe-tappin’ fun for everyone.

February 28, Yosi & the Superdads and the Philadelphia Zoo

Yosi with his band of superdads play ska, blues, country, and rock.  This humorous, high-energy interactive sing and dance along concert features songs from Yosi’s three CDs in addition to traditional songs everyone loves.                                                                                                                                                              

Jazz Club Returns

Enjoy a night of hot jazz in the midst of an exotic orchid paradise at The Jazz Club at Longwood Gardens. Longwood is please to present these great jazz pianists as selected by NPR Piano Jazz host Marian McPartland:

[Back to Press Releases Main]