Longwood Gardens Conservatories

Given the long, snowy, bitter cold winter we have been experiencing in Vermont, a recent visit to our native state of Pennsylvania required a stop at Longwood Gardens. I grew up on the grounds of this reknowned public garden and there’s nothing quite like walking into the moist, warm atmosphere of a conservatory in the dead of winter. In November 2024, a years long project that was part of the “Longwood Reimagined: A New Garden Experience” renovation transformed about 17 acres of the land on the grounds.  One major aspect of this project was the construction of the new West Conservatory. I had not been to Pennsylvania to see the new conservatory since its opening and I could not wait to explore it.

It’s rare these days to see Longwood blanketed by snow but we visited a week after a major snow storm dumped several inches of the white stuff on the ground. Cold temperatures prevailed that prevented the snow from disappearing before our arrival.

We started our visit in the East Conservatory and worked our way through to the end of the old conservatory. It’s such a special place for me. I have such incredibly fond memories of growing up here, living in employee housing and exploring the whole grounds as my backyard.

The Orchid House was completely redone as part of the most recent construction project. An architect who used to be one of our landscape customers was part of the design team. That was pretty cool!! Every effort was made to keep it within the same look and feel of the old conservatory.

Exiting the old conservatory at its western side, there is an outdoor courtyard that leads to the West Conservatory. Looking back towards the windows that frame the Exhibition Hall, the renovated water lily garden fills the space between the two conservatories. I’ll have to come back in the summer to appreciate that feature!

Stepping inside the new conservatory, I was immediately taken with the open, airy feel complete with canals and ponds surrounded by a Mediterraean inspired landscape.

There are numerous small alcoves throughout where one can sit and reflect on the surroundings.

Some of the flowers blooming in the West Conservatory:

It was a perfect day with very few people – a great time to avoid the crowds!! I think we counted more employees than visitors during our romp around the grounds.