Generally when I go to Longwood Gardens, I spend most of my time outside in the gardens but since they are mostly napping now, the Conservatory was THE place to be. Through the seasons, especially the Fall and Winter, they feature spectacular displays of the most amazing floral arrangements. Here are some views of the Chrysanthemum display. This reminds me of a symphony ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) I forgot to say that the fragrance when you walk through the door is heavenly, heavenly, heavenly.... The purple walkway was especially calming. We walked this walk several times. We had to be very patient to get a shot without other people too. ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) In the space in the middle of the walkways, there was a beautiful green lawn that made me pine for the summer-time. Above, were these very cute honeybee topiaries. I will find out what kind of flowers are planted within. ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) What next? The botanists did some pretty interesting things with chysanthemums... While I tend to like more naturally growing thngs, I had to admit I was pretty fascninated by these. I hope you can read the signs that describe the flowers. This was the "star" of the show, the main attraction... you could view this from many angles in the Conservatory. ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) Hard to believe this was one single plant, isn't it? ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) I just loved this one -- the spiral. You could get close enough to really examine it. OK, I admit it, I peeked underneath. It really is just one single plant. It is about 4.5 feet tall. Spiral chrysanthemum ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) Then, one in the shape of a shield... also one plant. ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) The chrysanthemum trees were really dramatic. I thought it was interesting how they came to be, too. ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) Next, have you ever seen a grafted chrysanthemum? I couldn't believe it. Can you imagine? 32 different mums on one plant. My sister-in-law would say they have too much time on their hands... but I thought it was fascinating. ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) Isn't that funny? ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) The globes were very dramatic and made the whole scene look rather fancy! White, lavender and red.... This is how they were made. Sorry about the awful glare on the glass. ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) The red promenade felt the warmest.... You couldn't help but smile and be happy. ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) A couple of close-ups to end the chrysanthemum tour... they remind me of fireworks. ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from daisybeans's Garden ) Makes me want to have a mum garden now.... I have pictures of other pretty non-mum things inside the conservatory... but tomorrow. I'm losing track and you might be too!
Absolutely awesome! Love the spirals and balls. The color combinations are spectacular. What a great place to visit. I'd never seen such an interesting display. Thanks for sharing.
The lavender mums are definitely my favorite, definitely. Well maybe the red mums...or maybe the spiral. Oh heck, who can choose just one? Thanks for the trip to Longwood Gardens. I really enjoyed it.
WOW! Can you beleive those flowers. Amazing what they can do. I enjoyed the bees made out of them flowers. Of course I loved the walk thru the purple walkway.
What a heavenly walk. Thank you for showing these. Imagine, fifteen months to make that white wonder.
Well Miss Beans, you have really outdone yourself this time, haven't you! What a wonderful garden complex this is. It was quite an uplifting experience strolling up and down the paths with you. I enjoyed seeing the different walkways. I liked that walkway (or shallow pond) with it's reflection quality. Very clever and effective. It looked as if Chrysanthemums were the flower of choice at this time of year there. They were so nice to see in all their forms and shades. Perhaps I have a very active imagination, but I could almost smell them. That cascading yellow "tree" was remarkable to see. Amazing. I do not know a great deal about Chrysanthemums, as I do not grow them...but they are a favourite for the rotating cut flowers for the house. They last so long in a vase. I appreciate you thinking of us and going to the trouble to take and arrange your pics of this garden complex. I am now looking forward to more pics of the other places outside the conservatorium.
Oh I wish I had a scratch and sniff computer!! I could, almost but not quite, smell all those wonderful flowers. I can't pick a favourite from amongst your photographs as they are all so beautiful Daisy. I think the way they have shaped the mums is out of this world. The white ones make me think of a space ship. How I would have loved to accompany you around those conservatories and drink in all that colour and scent. Those bees will be the last I'll see until well into next spring. More - lots more please!!!
Simply amazing Daisybeans! I love the purple hallway, although I really liked the red hallway too. I also loved to see the green grass, made me long for spring already! The last 3 shots are indeed like fireworks going off...the grand finale Can't wait to see the rest of your photos.
So glad you all enjoyed the Longwood photos. It was a treat to be there -- it always is and it's different every time I go. It would be an even bigger treat if some GS pals were there too. I like mums Sjoerd. When I was little, the lady across the street had a long border of mums and the cool thing is, every year the colors and patterns were different. I guess maybe they intermingled and cross pollinated. I have a small bed about 6 plants or so. About all I know is that you should trim and pinch them regularly to get them to bush out. You do that until the 4th of July and then let them go on their own until they bloom. I have some VERY dense blooming going on -- just about over now though. Purple, red and yellow. It's the flower for my birth month so I always liked mums. I think they are a little under-rated.
Mums hold memories for you and certain flowers hold memories for me as well. I have grown mums in my flower garden a few times and they are fun to do. A few years ago, I grew some and the rabbits got in and ate them to devistation. I have not grown any since, but I still greatly enjoy seeing the mums that others grow. There are some remarkable ones available. It seems that every year or two more exotic ones appear on the markets. Lovely things, and as a cut flower they last so long. Here one must check very carefully to ensure that there are no earwigs in them before taking them home. Will there be a "Longwood Gardens III"?
What a wonderful way to spend a winter day. That is awesome.. I love mums but they dont love me. Thanks for all that glory. b
