A summer of beauty awaits at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, where the Festival of Fountains season runs through Sept. 28. Among the season’s highlights is the return of the recently restored Waterlily Court, now reopened after significant renovations.
“The Waterlily Court is one of Longwood’s most beloved spaces, cherished for its remarkable plant collection,” said Paul B. Redman, president and CEO of Longwood Gardens. “Its return marks both a homecoming and a new chapter in our ongoing story of beauty, innovation, and global horticultural leadership.”
© Courtesy of Longwood Gardens
Part of the Longwood Reimagined project—the venue’s most ambitious transformation—the refreshed Waterlily Court reopened May 9 with numerous enhancements, including a covered arcade. The dark, reflective pools are again filled with floating foliage and blooms, showcasing nearly 100 varieties of tropical and hardy waterlilies alongside towering aquatic cannas and stately lotus.
Visitors will want to see the Victoria “Longwood Hybrid,” a cross between Victoria cruziana and Victoria amazonica introduced at Longwood in 1960. This season also marks the debut of Nymphaea stuhlmannii, a rare yellow waterlily acquired during a recent Longwood plant exploration trip to Tanzania. Seeds from that acquisition will be preserved and safeguarded in the Gardens’ conservation seedbank.
© Courtesy of Longwood Gardens
Here’s more of what’s on offer this summer at Longwood Gardens:
Fireworks & Fountains Shows
- Grand Fanfare — July 3
- Brat Pack Soundtrack: Music from the 80s — July 19
- Boogie Wonderland: Earth, Wind & Fire — Aug. 9
- Reimagined Remixes — Aug. 31
- Evening Masquerade — Sept. 13
- Everybody Dance Now — Sept. 27
Fountain Fest Weekends
- Once Upon a Dream Weekend, June 27–29 — featuring favorite songs from animated movies
- Dancing Queen Weekend, Aug. 15–17 — highlighting the music of ABBA