LOCAL

'Floating' trees. 900 poinsettias. It's Christmas at Longwood Gardens

Jaci Smith
The Daily Times
Every Christmas, Longwood's 4-acre conservatory is transformed into a winter wonderland and the epicenter of the display is the Exhibition Hall.
Every Christmas, Longwood's 4-acre conservatory is transformed into a winter wonderland and the epicenter of the display is the Exhibition Hall.
Courtesy Of Longwood Gardens
This year, 17 Fraser fir trees will be suspended in midair using a custom suspension system created by our Facilities Department.
This year, 17 Fraser fir trees will be suspended in midair using a custom suspension system created by our Facilities Department.
Courtesy Of Longwood Gardens
The final product will be a forest of floating trees, inspired by the scene in the Harry Potter movies of the floating candles in the Great Hall.
The final product will be a forest of floating trees, inspired by the scene in the Harry Potter movies of the floating candles in the Great Hall.
Courtesy Of Longwood Gardens
The design and planning process for a Longwood Christmas starts more than a year in advance.
The design and planning process for a Longwood Christmas starts more than a year in advance.
Courtesy Of Longwood Gardens
Throughout the display, you’ll see over 15,000 potted holiday plants, including more than 900 poinsettias.
Throughout the display, you’ll see over 15,000 potted holiday plants, including more than 900 poinsettias.
Courtesy Of Longwood Gardens
During the three days before Thanksgiving, the conservatory is transformed from mums to Christmas. SUPPORT COMMUNITY COVERAGE: Subscribe here
During the three days before Thanksgiving, the conservatory is transformed from mums to Christmas.
SUPPORT COMMUNITY COVERAGE:Subscribe here
Courtesy Of Longwood Gardens
One hundred-fifty staff and students put in over 5,400 hours in the final push to install the display.
One hundred-fifty staff and students put in over 5,400 hours in the final push to install the display.
Courtesy Longwood Gardens
Education Intern Julie Raiguel hangs ornaments created by MOT Charter School. Every year, Longwood selects students from 13 schools to design and craft hand-made ornaments. This year’s theme is the way children imagine a Christmas tree. “I love to see all the kid’s original pieces of artwork,” said School & Youth Manager Michelle Cugini, “no two are the same.”
Education Intern Julie Raiguel hangs ornaments created by MOT Charter School. Every year, Longwood selects students from 13 schools to design and craft hand-made ornaments. This year’s theme is the way children imagine a Christmas tree. “I love to see all the kid’s original pieces of artwork,” said School & Youth Manager Michelle Cugini, “no two are the same.”
Courtesy Of Longwood Gardens
St. Anne’s Episcopal School created ornaments reflecting “gifts from the heart. Of the 13 schools participating, three are from Delaware, including MOT Charter School, Oberle Elementary School, and St. Anne’s.
St. Anne’s Episcopal School created ornaments reflecting “gifts from the heart. Of the 13 schools participating, three are from Delaware, including MOT Charter School, Oberle Elementary School, and St. Anne’s.
Courtesy Of Longwood Gardens
Longwood has sponsored the Children’s Tree program for more than 20 years. The MOT Charter School students’ ornaments focused around being “colorful and bright” using felt, string, pine cones, mini pom poms, and natural materials.
Longwood has sponsored the Children’s Tree program for more than 20 years. The MOT Charter School students’ ornaments focused around being “colorful and bright” using felt, string, pine cones, mini pom poms, and natural materials.
Courtesy Of Longwood Gardens
Oberle Elementary School students chose to decorate their tree with snowflakes, polar bears, and penguins, finding inspiration from a photo of emperor penguins standing under the Aurora Borealis. Penguins hold a special place in their hearts, as their mascot is “Pete the Penguin.”
Oberle Elementary School students chose to decorate their tree with snowflakes, polar bears, and penguins, finding inspiration from a photo of emperor penguins standing under the Aurora Borealis. Penguins hold a special place in their hearts, as their mascot is “Pete the Penguin.”
Courtesy Of Longwood Gardens