This is the sight that greets you when you enter the conservatory.
We followed the path marked ‘Christmas Walk’ which takes you through the conservatory and all of its wonderful rooms.
I love this room. It’s built on a hill and is full of all sorts of tropical plants and ferns. We’re heading for the rose and hibiscus room, which lies ahead.
I took the macro lens out of my pack when we entered this room. The scent of the roses was absolutely incredible.
This is a moss-covered tree decorated with roses, bits of pine cone and ferns that were sprayed silver.
Absolutely stunning!
When I smell gardenia, it makes me feel so happy.
I need to find this scent in a bottle.
I was very taken with the wreaths. This one is made of different types of herbs with kalanchoe separating each.
And this beautiful fern wreath.
I love these little old men, too.
I’ve discovered the trick to going to Longwood over the holidays. You show up at 3 pm before the crowds descend. That way you can tour the conservatory, then eat an early dinner at the restaurant which is a short walk away.
That way, when you come out of the restaurant, you pass the crowd that’s on their way in. And you’re treated to a wonderful sight.
I could never tire of this.
The fountain display is set to Christmas music and changes colors, but I like the white the best.
Just a beautiful afternoon.
Tonight I’m watching a holiday movie with my son. Tomorrow I’m baking cookies. And hoping that my youngest comes home for Christmas Eve.
Have a wonderful holiday, my friends. Thanks for coming by.
Love,
44 comments:
oh, wow.....what a lovely day...and what a great place. No wonder you love it.
Absolutely stunning. I can smell the aromas and hear the fountains and the music.
Thank you!
What a beautiful place!
Have a very Merry Christmas.
looks like my kind of place...enjoy your family...
Beautiful gardens. I need to get a macro lens. Merry Christmas, Kate.
What wonderful place!! I just wanted to let you know that every time I visit your blog, you make me smile. You are like a breath of fresh air. Have a Merry Christmas with your family.
A wonderful place Kate. Thanks for visiting and sharing it with us.
So tropical and lush .. the lights are charming, you caught them so well
oooooh, what a place...and the scent of gardenia?!?!? s.w.o.o.n.i.n.g.
You too, CG, hope yours is wonder filled!
Hi Kate:
Stunning photographs of a magical place. I never tire of the images of plants and nature.
I hope you have a Merry Christmas, my friend.
Love always,
Donna, Kes and Fezzik
A lovely sight that bloomed in my thoughts. Beautiful flowers to ponder in rich pickings!
Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.
Amazing fountains of water and light! Merry Christmas!
a magical place to visit! I hope your Christmas wishes come true...Merry Christmas!
Lovely pics! I've heard a LOT about Longwood Gardens ..... I need to put it on my LIST!
Merry Christmas to you and yours Kate!!
Wonderful! I visited Longwood many years ago (not at Christmas) and thought it was beautiful. Looks like your visit was just amazing!
Beautiful! It's nice to see a bit of greenery and get a break from the dreariness of the general landscape this time of year. I will have to see if the Pittsburgh area has one of these type places.
What a wonderful place to have nearby to visit.. thanks for the virtual tours with awesome photos... just beautiful, really. What a great way to kick off the weekend.
Have a peaceful, joy filled holiday with your family all under one roof - and thank you for the artful blogging that you do. (I think you should be featured in that magazine).
Merry Christmas to you,
my new friend.
thank you
for sharing with such a heart as yours.
Beautiful photographs. Again! We drive past there often, one of these days we're going to have to make time to stop and enjoy.
I hope your son makes it home today. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Really beautiful place! Merry Christmas Eve to you and yours and hugs to George!
Lovely. Thank you so much for sharing this color and the blessing of your day with the rest of us. Merriest of Christmases to you and your family.
What a beautiful place that is. I love centres like these, so much to admire and of course photograph.
Have a wonderful Christmas with your family. Big licks and snuggles from our collies to George.
CJ xx
what a breathtaking walk. thank you for taking us with you !
merry christmas sweet friend. may magic and memories fill your heart.
xoxo
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Kate!
Di
What a beautiful place.
Kate,
Thank you for a year of wonderful photos...news about George, and your husband's back.....smiles
Happy Days!
That IS a beautiful spot. I love gardenia too. I think there is a perfume scented with it. Actually, I love any flower that has a beautiful scent.
Enjoy your Christmas with your family!
Absolutely Wonderful!! Thank you for the BEAUTIFUL pictures!!
Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!!
Your blog always looks so beautiful. :-)
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Beautiful photos! Nice to see green this time of the year.
Wow d'wow d'wow! Every photo is so darn pretty. That moss covered tree with the roses??? Oh that is just crazy pretty. Ditto the wreathe... and the other wreathe.... And then to pass by later when it's dark blue outside and there are lights on the trees? I can't think of a more perfect day at this time of year. You were in the best place you could possibly be anywhere in the world at this time of year, imho. :-)
Merry Christmas to you and your family!!!!
What a lovely visit, thank you. I've never been to Longwood Gardens but it's on "the list". Until then, your beautiful photos will suffice.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Merry Christmas!
Cindy
Merry Christmas!! Hope your holidays are filled with many blessings, family & good health!
Merry Christmas Kate!!! Hoping you have a beautiful day filled with lot's of laughter and happiness. xoxo
Magical. That fern wreath was amazing. I agree, Gardenia's scent makes me happy too. I'm trying to keep mine alive. I can't imagine smelling roses and gardenias this time of year; it must be wonderful. Happy for your day out and thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas.
Beautiful! Love the fountain!
Merry Christmas to you and your family and pats for George!
Oh these lovely images brought me back to when we lived in Cincinati and we would visit the conservatory there many times a year. Your capture of this place is simply enchanting Kate! xoxo ~Lili
Oh boy I have GOT to go there -- what beautiful photos!!!
I love Longwood Gardens. My best friend and I used to do a bus tour once a year that took us to the Philadelphia Flower Show and then to Longwood. I have always wanted to see it at the holidays. Thank you for this. And those old men cacti are one of my favorite things there.
I know I am late, but we were away! Love love love Longwood, haven't made it for the holiday in a long while...maybe I will try to get there this week. :) Thanks for the reminder. Hope you had a great holiday and got to have everyone under the same roof!
I am taking my older kids sometime this week. I can't wait!
Miss you and love you!
I luv those living wreaths.
For several years I've been telling my husband how much I'd like to go to Longwood Gardens. This past summer I thought we might actually get there, but it didn't happen. One day! In the mean time it's so wonderful to see such gorgeous photos of what I'm missing!
Post a Comment