Spring Comes to Longwood Gardens

March went out like a lamb and ushered in an early April of unprecedented beauty and warmth. I had found it simply impossible to stay inside when Spring was springing literally in front of my eyes.

When Dale did not have to work on Friday, I convinced him to join me on a trip to Longwood Gardens just south of Chadds Ford, PA. After a tasting at Paradocx Winery Tasting Room and a small picnic, we spent several hours wandering the grounds of Pierre DuPont's home and estate which proved to be an experiment in horticulture that saved a huge stand of trees and provided a glorious garden location for generations to enjoy. We had been there once before on a cool, blustery day in 2004 and toured the greenhouse gardens. However, on this day we did nothing but enjoy the great outdoors!

One of the beautiful cherry trees of all kinds that were blooming throughout the property.


Dale in a field of "Duke Blue" Siberian Squill. This little flower had popped its lovely head out of the ground all over the estate.

The fanciful Topiary Garden is a favorite with all visitors. Dale loved the "rabbit" or is it really just a fat cat?!

Posing by the fountain at the entrance to the main avenue through the boxwood.

I would love to return when these Rhododendron are in bloom.

The Forsythia were lushly blooming all over the place. Forsythia never blooms in the South like it does up here, and I love its sunny yellowness.

On the way home we drove through West Chester with the intention of perhaps stopping at one of the quaint restaurants there, but everything was absolutely PACKED so we ended up coming home and watching a new and very interesting Italian film available On Demand, Vincere.