Earlier this spring – a couple of weeks before the native wildflowers were blossoming up north – I made the trek down to Kennet Square, PA, for an inaugural visit to Longwood Gardens.
Longwood is difficult to define; in nature it’s the grounds of a former estate, which is still present and open as part of the venue. The grounds themselves and part manicured and curated gardens, complete with topiaries and fountains; another part large greenhouses filled almost to overflowing with every imaginable variety of plant across moist tropical, temperate, and desert environs; and a final part nature preserve, fields and forest laced with trails and left in their natural state.
The result is both orderly and eclectic, engineered and wild. And often surprising, at least as a first-time visitor, not knowing what to expect around the next corner.
From a photographic perspective, I wasn’t entirely sure how to approach my visit, so brought a small selection of primes. As the gardens warm to summer, and the insect population emerges, I’d expect that aspect alone could keep a macro photographer busy for hours. On a return visit, I think I’d forgo the wide-angle and focus more on semi and full telephoto lenses; the whole can feel visually overwhelming, whereas a closer focus on the details quiets the scene.