Orchids take center stage at Longwood Gardens

Longwood Gardens has acres of reasons to visit this
winter. The horticultural showplace near Kennett Square transforms
its majestic conservatory into an Orchid Extravaganza January 22-March 27.

The
heated 4-acre conservatory transports guests into a warm oasis featuring the
“divas” of the plant world with thousands of orchid blooms, displays and
special exhibits. The award-winning Orchid Curtain returns, fashioned this year
with Phalaenopsis ‘China Xen Queen,’ in addition to stunning displays of
orchids in planting beds, window boxes, containers and other eye-catching
exhibits.

Featuring a plethora of colors, sizes and shapes, guests
will be amazed by the variety of orchids on display, including Cattleya,
Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum and Oncidium, among others. In all,
more than 4,000 blooming orchids will delight the senses. In the East
Conservatory, giant white Phalaenopsis adorn the oval basin, welcoming guests
to the Conservatory, while purple Phalaenopsis fashioned into topiary-like
standards lead you into the Main Conservatory. Floating islands of yellow and
orange Oncidiums dot the Fern Floor and hanging baskets of Cymbidiums line the
yellow-blooming Acacia Passage as a waterfall of golden Oncidium ' Sweet Sugar'
marks the entrance to the South American-inspired Cascade Garden.

Additional indoor highlights include the Mediterranean
Garden, a riot of vibrant color January through April with Australian purple
coral-pea (Hardenbergia) vines blooming like miniature wisteria; while the
Estate Fruit House displays nectarines, melons, and other fruits and vegetables
flourishing in the midst of winter.

In early March, Longwood’s famed Blue Poppy (Meconopsis)
returns to the Exhibition Hall. Usually, to see masses of blue poppies in
bloom, you needed to travel to Scotland, Alaska, or the Himalayas. Not anymore.
Longwood Gardens has successfully produced a stunning crop of blue poppies that
decorate the Conservatory’s Exhibition Hall with their unique blue blossoms.

School’s Out Mondays: January 17 and February 21

Pack up the kids on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and
President’s Day and bring them to Longwood for a day of fun. Special discovery
and craft stations will be in the Conservatory from 10 am–2 pm. Donate a canned
good in the Visitor Center on Jan. 17 and receive a coupon redeemable that day
for a cookie in the Terrace Restaurant Café. Activities included in Gardens
admission.

OrKid Days Family Fun

The entire family will enjoy Longwood’s “OrKid” Days. Spend
a Saturday experience a children’s performance (Noon & 2 pm), craft and the
chance to meet unique exotic animals up close (Noon–3 pm). Activities are
included in Gardens Admission.

January 22: Joanie Leeds & the Nightlights and the
Philadelphia Zoo
Joanie Leeds, GOLD Parent’s Choice Award winner for her latest CD I’m a Rock
Star, performs songs for the entire family, including I Wanna Be Green,
honoring the plants at Longwood.

The Philadelphia Zoo on Wheels will bring a lineup of exotic
animals to the gardens for children to see and learn more about.

January 29: It’s Not Mean to be Green, The Musical and
Brandywine Zoo

This book by Jamie Kleman about a young boy’s somewhat
confusing introduction to “going green” is now a lively and entertaining
musical.

abounds when the Elmwood Park Zoo brings a variety of furry
friends to delight young visitors.

February 26: Andes Manta and Elmwood Park Zoo
Travel to the Andes to and experience the traditional music of the region. See
more than 35 traditional instruments, including the lyrical sounds of the
quena, to the six-foot long pan-pipes. The music of Andes Manta never fails to
bring audiences to their feet!

Jazz Club Returns

Enjoy a night of stellar jazz in the midst of an exotic
orchid paradise at The Jazz Club at Longwood Gardens. This popular series of
performances returns featuring some of the greatest jazz artists performing
today including nine-time Grammy winner Kurt Elling Quartet (Feb. 19), popular jazz
violinist Regina Carter’s Reverse Thread (March 5), and 2008 Grammy winner
Kenny Garrett Presents (April 9). Concerts are at 5:30 pm and 8 pm in
Longwood’s historic and intimate 280-seat Ballroom. After the 8 pm show, enjoy
a coffee reception with the artist. To purchase tickets ($40–50 per person;
$34–43 for Garden Pass Members), visit www.longwoodgardens.org,
or call 215-893-1999. Additional charges apply. Purchase all three concerts and
save 10 percent.

Valentine’s Day Events

Love is in the air this Valentine’s Day Weekend, February 12
and 13 when Longwood presents the Love Blooms Valentine’s Brunch and Dinner
events.

Saturday, February 12 and Sunday, February 13 – Valentine’s
Day Brunch in 1906. Seatings at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m. Enjoy a 4-course,
prix-fixe brunch that includes a complimentary glass of champagne. $99 per
couple/Garden Pass Members $85 per couple.

Saturday, February 12 at 7 p.m. – Valentine’s Dinner in
Conservatory. Bring that special someone to an evening of elegance at Longwood
from 7–11 pm. Enjoy a gourmet menu featuring Asian, Moroccan, and Italian
Antipasto specialties as well as a Carving Station and French Dessert station
in Longwood’s dazzling conservatory setting. Special tickets are required
and can be purchased online at www.longwoodgardens.org
or by calling 610-388-1000. Ticket prices are $150 each ($130 for Garden Pass
Members) or $275 per couple ($235 for Garden Pass members).

Clivia Show, March 19–20

Clivia enthusiasts share their expertise and showcase
beautiful Clivia during the Clivia Show, March 19-20 at Longwood. Guests can
see dazzling Clivia in a judged show from noon–5 pm Saturday and 9 am–5 pm
Sunday. Show is included in Gardens admission.

International Orchid Show & Sale, March 25–27

The popular Longwood Gardens International Orchid Show &
Sale returns March 25–27. Sponsored by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Orchid
Society (SEPOS), the three-day judged show features exhibits by regional orchid
societies and renowned vendors. Free with Garden admission, the show is open
Friday, 1–5 pm, Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m–6 p.m.

The Orchid Sale will include vendors from the Continental
U.S., Hawaii, and South America offering a wide selection of orchids that will
delight both novice and expert growers. The sale, located in Longwood’s Special
Events Pavilion, is free with Garden admission and is open Friday 9 am–5 pm,
and Saturday and Sunday from 9 am–6 pm.

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