You won’t have to travel far to escape the cold of winter this year, as Longwood Gardens’ grand Conservatory transports guests to a warm getaway during “Winter Wonder,” on view from Jan. 22 to March 27.

In addition to the one-of-a-kind horticultural display, Longwood features an extraordinary lineup of performances and world-class educational opportunities this winter.

The Gardens are open from 10 AM–5 PM every day except Tuesdays, when the Gardens are closed. Purchase timed tickets.

Inside Longwood’s Conservatory, escape to a lush sanctuary bursting with color. Outdoors, winter’s subdued beauty illustrates how plants can be used for both aesthetic and habitat benefit. Stroll among the serene landscape of the Hillside Garden or reflect among a symphony of copper and umber hues in the 86-acre Meadow Garden.

In early March, Longwood’s famed blue poppy returns to the Conservatory. These spectacular flowers — which are native to the high elevations of the Himalayan Mountains — are grown using precise techniques to force the blue-poppies to flower in March. The substantial petals are a mesmerizing sky-blue color and are a must-see.

On with the Shows

Concerts return to the Conservatory with the 2022 Winter Performing Arts series. Special tickets are required for the performances and can be purchased online.

• Dreamers’ Circus on Feb. 3: Contemporary and endlessly innovative — and awarded Album of the Year by the Danish Music Awards — Dreamers’ Circus is a driving force in Nordic world music, drawing from the deep traditions of regional folk music and reshaping them into something bright, shiny, and new. 
• Katelyn Emerson on Feb. 25: Renowned for her thrilling performances and numerous accolades — including the distinction of being named a leading young organist in the inaugural “20 under 30” class by The Diapason — Katelyn Emerson showcases repertoire spanning the 14th through 20th centuries.
• Noa with Gil Dor on March 2: Israeli-born singer-songwriter Noa and her long-standing musical collaborator and guitarist Gil Dor present a diverse, inspiring repertoire in English, Hebrew, and Yemenite, accented by Noa’s exciting percussion playing.
• Simone Dinnerstein on March 3: With 10 albums that have all topped the Billboard classical charts, showcasing repertoire ranging from Bach and Beethoven to Phillip Glass, American pianist Simone Dinnerstein is heralded for her distinctive musical voice and her commitment to sharing classical music with everyone.
• Nella on March 25: The 2019 Latin Grammy Award winner for Best New Artist, Nella merges her powerhouse voice with the folklore roots of Venezuela, modern production, and Andalusian inspirations to create her distinctively soulful blend.

Education That Inspires

From the return of onsite, in-person offerings to expanded online experiences, opportunities to learn and have fun abound.

• Floral Spotlight: Philadelphia on Jan. 19: Explore how Philadelphia impacted Longwood Founder Pierre S. du Pont. From his visit to the 1876 Centennial Exposition when he was just six years old, to his to frequent boyhood jaunts past the Baldwin Mansion where he marveled at its glass conservatory, du Pont was undoubtedly inspired by the sights of the city. 
• A Touch of Hollywood: Showstopping Floral Design on Jan. 20: Bring showstopping floral design right to your doorstep, courtesy of two stars of the floral world. Join Ace Berry — known for his bold color choices and playful approach — and Kelly Shore of Petals by the Shore of Washington, D.C. — known for her passion for California-grown flowers — in this online, full-day, expert-level floral-design experience that will leave you starstruck.
• Growing Dahlias: Early Spring Preparation on Jan. 26: Join a journey to grow amazing dahlias as LeeAnn Huber — the dahlia hybridizer, educator, flower farmer, and entrepreneur behind Coseytown Flowers of Greencastle, Pa. — shares expert insight into the springtime preparation needed for a great dahlia garden.
• Photographing the Winter Garden on Jan. 28, Feb. 24, and March 3: Join a thoughtful observation of a garden at rest. Along with expert instructors, venture into our Gardens to capture the “bones” of the garden, from the intricate structures of tree branches to the lines and textures of stone to bark. 
• Floral Spotlight: French Formal Design on Feb. 9: Take a virtual step back in time and explore Mr. and Mrs. du Pont’s trips to Versailles and Paris, and how those journeys influenced Longwood at large. Then follow along as Alisha Simone crafts a gorgeous floral design that draws inspiration from the formal French tradition.
• Diversify Your Harvest: Exceptional Herbs and Uncommon Veggies on Feb. 28: Longwood Horticulturist Alex Correia explores underutilized, exotic, and heirloom varieties of vegetables and herbs that deserve a place in your garden and shares how these plants are grown in Longwood’s Idea Garden. Hungry for more? After the class, you’ll be sent a selection of seeds for your own edible gardening.

Learn more about Longwood Gardens.