The biggest renovation project of Longwood Gardens in Philadelphia have begun, with an ultra-modern glass conservatory housing immersive Mediterranean Garden and water being one of its key highpoints.

Longwood Gardens, one of the most famous gardens in Philadelphia in United States have announced that it has commenced the most ambitious revitalisation in a century of America’s greatest centre for horticultural display, adding that the renovated parts will open to the public on November 22. 

In a press statement, Longwood Gardens says that the project looks to the future of Longwood Gardens, transforming 17 acres to enhance the visitor experience and to expand opportunities for exhibitions, programmes, and events.

The heart of this transformation is a conservatory, measuring 320 sqm and designed as a living and breathing glass house, with walls and roofs that open and close in response to the weather, featuring gardens, pools, and fountains designed by Reed Hilderbrand. The opening will be celebrated with two weeks of festivities, including member-only preview days and special events.

“We are thrilled to welcome our guests in November for the grand opening of Longwood Reimagined, our most ambitious undertaking in our history. This marks an exciting chapter in Longwood’s continuing evolution over the past seven decades from a private estate into one of the world’s great public horticultural destinations. With Weiss/Manfredi and Reed Hilderbrand’s inspired designs, Longwood adds important 21st century examples to one of the world’s most important collections of garden designs and glasshouses,” says Paul Redman, President and CEO, Longwood Gardens.

“The natural beauty of Longwood inspired our commitment to create a dialogue between nature and architecture and the new conservatory is the centrepiece of a cinematic sequence of open and enclosed gardens. The relaxed geometries of the pleated conservatory roof and branching columns create tapered perspectives that link the informal geometries of the adjacent meadow with Longwood’s historic conservatories,” say Marion Weiss and Michael Manfredi, Principals of Weiss/Manfredi  and lead designers of Longwood Reimagined, as the renovation project has been named.

“We were invited to conceive of a new conservatory garden on Longwood’s renowned Crystalline Ridge, one that was not only about horticultural display but would offer the experience of a garden in its own right. Our reimagining of the Mediterranean garden under glass invites guests to explore three planted islands set on a pool of water, animated by bridges, canals, and low fountains. The design advances Longwood’s legacy of marrying horticultural excellence with dramatic expressions of water to bring experiences of wonder to their guests,’’ says Kristin Frederickson, Principal at Reed Hilderbrand.

“The West Conservatory marks the first time we have brought aquatics under glass. The pools that are the foundation of this immersive garden landscape will be filled with plants that are not only beautiful but interact beautifully with the water. The horticulture display will be lush and colorful year-round with seasonal species that add visual interest and color throughout the year, continually inspiring visitors and creating opportunities to appreciate the wealth of Mediterranean horticulture,” Redman adds.

Planting to begin this Spring

The statement adds that planting of the new West Conservatory garden, comprising 60 permanent plant species and a rotating selection of approximately 90 seasonal plant species, will begin this April. It adds that Reed Hilderbrand drew inspiration for this garden from the wild and cultivated landscapes of the Mediterranean ecozone, found in six regions of the world where alkaline soils predominate and water is precious. The Mediterranean garden composes drifts of tufted, low mounding plants with accents of dramatic plant forms that thrive in the characteristic hot, dry summers and cool wet winters.

According to the statement, the palette for this tapestry-like garden design is extensive, including iconic plants from six geographic areas with a Mediterranean climate, namely the Mediterranean Basin, the Cape Region of South Africa, coastal California, Central Chile, Southwestern Australia, and South Australia. 

The Central Grove also begins planting this spring. Located adjacent to the revitalised Waterlily Court designed by Sir Peter Shepheard in 1989, it will serve as an entry to the new West Conservatory and relocated Cascade Garden. 

Cascade Garden reconstruction underway

The statement adds that a key element of Longwood Reimagined is the relocation, preservation, and reconstruction of the Cascade Garden, designed by Roberto Burle Marx in 1992, into a new custom glasshouse designed by Weiss/Manfredi. It says that this is the first time that a historic garden has been relocated.

The new Conservatory Terrace Overlook and Lower Conservatory Plaza will open on May 9, when Longwood’s famed Main Fountain Garden resumes performances for the summer season. The statement adds that the Overlook and Plaza form part of an important new east-west promenade that unites buildings and landscapes, from lush formal gardens to views over open meadows into a cohesive landscape.

Longwood Garden says that its popular Fireworks and Fountain Shows, which feature illuminated water displays choreographed to classical and popular music, will resume in the summer and the first one of the season will kick off the July 4 holiday weekend with a special programme dedicated to patriotic anthems. The season will close on September 28 with a programme celebrating Italian classical music and opera.