Longwood Gardens

There is probably no greater compliment than to have the likes of Longwood Gardens call on my team and me to transform a dated garden space into a showcase for the capstone project of each graduating class of the Professional Horticulture Program.  With this project, we were honored to participate in the founder of Longwood Gardens Pierre S. du Pont’s legacy of “bringing joy and inspiration to everyone through the beauty of nature, conservation and learning.”

To create the best blank canvas for students’ hands-on learning, we went with a classical four-square design.  Each quadrant has the same volume, allowing students to exhibit their creativity within balanced parameters.  We organized and delineated the sections with low stone walls in local Avondale Brownstone and clipped hedges of arborvitae.  The evergreen acts to screen and celebrate each of the exhibits; we also made a point of creating portals through which to create moments of horticultural synergy between the quadrants.  

Tasked with creating an exhibition space for student work from May through October, we knew the mix of native trees and shrubs had to have visual interest year-round without detracting from the displays.  With the installation of walls, hedges, and plantings, we sought to create a balance for the visitor between the individual experience of each exhibit and a coherent sense of place.  We were thrilled to have a hand in the creation of the “Idea Garden” and the cultivation of future horticultural talent.