Spring Blooms Return to Longwood Gardens with Thousands of Tulips and Cherry Blossoms
Spring arrives in spectacular color at Longwood Gardens this season, as thousands of blooms begin to emerge across one of the region’s most beloved landscapes. From delicate cherry blossoms to sweeping displays of tulips, the annual Spring Blooms experience offers visitors a chance to step into the beauty and renewal of the season.
On view now through May 3, Spring Blooms unfolds gradually, beginning in late March with early risers like crocus and forsythia. By early April, soft pink cherry blossoms begin to appear along the Flower Garden Walk, creating one of the most anticipated sights of the season. As temperatures rise, more than 150,000 tulips are expected to reach peak bloom by mid-April, transforming the gardens into a vibrant tapestry of color.
Throughout the grounds, flowering magnolias and dogwoods add layers of pastel hues, while the Meadow Garden offers a more naturalistic display with redbud, silverbell, and native dogwood trees blooming in harmony. Visitors can wander wooded paths, explore treehouses, and take in the quiet emergence of spring across the expansive property.
“Spring is one of the most beautiful and fleeting seasons at Longwood Gardens,” said Dan Sekowski, associate director of outdoor landscapes. “Our horticulturists are exploring creative ways to showcase bulbs and other spring blooms. Each area presents a different idea that changes as the season progresses.”
Inside the Conservatories, spring continues in full color and fragrance. Guests can experience bold textures and unexpected plant varieties, from giant kangaroo-paws to Tower-of-Jewels, alongside classic seasonal favorites like freesia, hydrangea, and foxglove. Hanging baskets and vibrant displays create an immersive indoor garden experience that complements the outdoor blooms.
Beyond the flowers, the season includes extended hours on select dates, giving visitors more time to enjoy the gardens in the evening light. The return of fountain displays adds another layer of experience, with the Open Air Theatre fountains beginning April 18, followed by the Italian Water Garden on April 25.
Spring at Longwood is also a time for learning and creativity. A full calendar of programs includes hands-on workshops, gardening classes, and special performances. Highlights range from floral design courses and foraging workshops to unique experiences like sound bathing in a garden setting.
Visitors can round out their day with seasonal dining at 1906, Longwood’s signature restaurant, where menus highlight fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including those grown on-site. Reservations are required for dining experiences.
With more than a century of history, Longwood Gardens continues to draw visitors from across the region and beyond. Originally purchased in 1906 by Pierre S. du Pont to preserve a collection of historic trees, the gardens have grown into a world-renowned horticultural destination spanning more than 1,100 acres and welcoming more than 1.6 million guests annually.
Spring Blooms offers a reminder of both nature’s beauty and its fleeting nature, making each visit a little different from the last.
For more information and tickets, visit https://longwoodgardens.org
About Jamie Kleman
Jamie Kleman is a children’s author, playwright, TEDx speaker, and the Executive Producer of It’s Not Mean to be Green, an award-winning book and musical that toured for two years and launched a national Make a Monster Difference movement. She is the creator of the It’s Not Mean to be Green Camp and Licensing Program, a turnkey theatre and sustainability curriculum adopted by schools, libraries, museums, homeschool networks, and youth organizations.
