To comprehend the wonderful richness of these lands we have to go back far through history (and pre-history). In the Peirce-du Pont house, Longwood Gardens displays several quartz spear points found around the grounds. These are evidence of primitive tribes who enjoyed Longwood thousands of years ago.
The Indian tribe associated with Longwood were the Lenni Lenapes. They fished its streams, hunted its forests and even planted crops in its fields. Walking through Longwood you can really picture the mysterious, timeless life that went on here. The Lenape were quite different from us. For instance, they were organized into matrilineal clans – meaning the mother was more important than the father. In fact, it was the uncle who was the most significant male in the family, the father belonging to a different clan than his children.
English Quaker, William Penn, who founded the state of Pennsylvania, dealt with the Lenni tribes, purchasing much of the land they used. Penn’s commissioners sold Longwood to Quaker farmer George Peirce in 1700. His son, Joshua Peirce, in 1730, cleared and farmed the land and built the farmhouse that remains today.
Joshua’s twin grandsons, Joshua and Samuel started the arboretum (tree place) due to their burgeoning interest in natural history. They went looking for specimens themselves around the wild places of Pennsylvania and they also purchased exotic plants from leading botanists. By 1850 the arboretum had a terrific tree collection, attracting many locals for enjoyable picnics and outdoor frolics.
A series of heirs lost interest in Longwood and the trees became threatened by a lumber mill operator gaining local political power. Then luckily Pierre S. du Pont, a rich philanthropist, purchased the grounds in 1906 in order to protect the trees. Du Pont was proud of Longwood and spent much money restoring and developing it, chiefly to impress his high society friends. Yet we today are the beneficiaries of this chance turn of events.
Today this premier horticultural oasis consists of a vast 1000-acre tract of gardens, woodlands and meadows with an incredible plant collection of 10,000 taxa. Half of which reside in one of the world’s greatest greenhouse structures, Longwood Conservatory.
Longwood hosts literally hundreds of events every year, from horticultural shows to performing arts displays. You are welcome to come along to enjoy flower shows, concerts, fountain and firework displays. Since 2012 an incredible one million people have been making annual visits to Longwood.
Mother Nature Is Here, Furious and Reclaiming Her Time!
Here are some structures of civilized society that tried to resist but were eventually beaten by nature and absorbed by the greenery
This May Be the Most Beautiful Tree in the World
The photos I am about to show you are of Japan’s largest Wisteria plant, also known as Wistaria. It is located in the Ashikaga Flower Park and while it's not the biggest in the world, many people say it is the most impressive.
Bask in the Glory of Mother Nature
After taking a look at these amazing photos, it should become clear that Mother Nature is a force to be reckoned with!
Don’t Sacrifice Your Privacy, Grow Some Beautiful Bushes
Here are 8 plants that are growers, adding color to your garden and keeping prying eyes away from your home so you can maintain your privacy
A Rainbow Made Only From Mushrooms If You Look Right
Mushrooms and other fungi aren't usually the most interesting, but if you find the right ones, they can fill your day with color!
The Strange World of Succulents in 21 Photos
For your viewing pleasure, we have collected 21 of the most beautiful and extraordinary succulent plants in the world.
Incredible Undersea Photography: 16 Award-Winning Pics
Check out the breathtaking winners of the Underwater Photographer of the Year 2023 contest.
The 19 Most Breathtaking Fall Photos From Across the Globe
Let's celebrate the unique beauty of autumn! Admire this beautiful season in 19 different places around the globe with these stunning photos
30 Animals With More Hair Than They Know What to Do With
It's hard to imagine how any of these animals can see clearly with all that hair. Enjoy these 30 cute and furry animals in desperate need of a haircut.
Visiting the Tallest Moutain in NZ: Mount Cook Adventure!
Don't miss out on this opportunity to witness the splendor of this unique destination.
GALLERY: You've Never Seen Such Crazy Weather Pics Before!
Check out this incredible collection of extreme weather photos.
A Photo Guide to Beautiful Birds of Prey
A comprehensive photo-guide of common and rare birds of prey.
These Animals Can Teach Us a Thing or Two About Love
Love. It's not only an emotion expressed by humans. Here are 15 beautifully captured photos of animals that can't help but showcase their love to one another.
These Flowers Capture a Starry Night On Their Petals
These wonderful flowers appear to have the night sky captured in their very petals. View some stunning photos of them and learn more about them.
Graceful Margay: The Elusive Feline of the Rainforest
Meet the Margay, the most arboreal cat in the world.
Marvel at 14 of the Tallest Mountains in the World
There are fourteen mountains in the world that stand over 8000 meters (26,250 feet) tall. Known collectively as the 8000ers, these skyscraping peaks are very literally the top of the world.
A Wonderful Collection of Flowers, Beauty and Color
This is BabaMail's Ultimate Floral Post collection. We've selected 12 of the best articles, photo-series and videos from our website for you to enjoy.
The Colors of These Birds are Ravishing!
Birds inspire us, fascinate us and make us admire them with their beauty and grace. Enjoy some beautiful pictures of 14 of the most colorful birds in the world.
Nature's Brilliant Blues Will Brighten Your Day
We live on the 'blue planet', underneath a blue sky, but instances of blue elsewhere is actually quite rare. Here are some of the most beautiful examples.
You Won't Find More Beautiful Parrots in the World...
There are around 350 different species of parrots in the world. Here you will find 10 of the most beautiful!
10 of the Largest Living Birds in the World
Check out this list of the largest and heaviest birds that inhabit our planet today.
Together, These Animals Create Breathtaking Scenes
When people stand together, they become strong! When animals come together, the results are magical!
Nature After Dark: Exploring 8 Nocturnal Animals
Let us take you up close and personal with some of the most unusual nocturnal animals of our world.
These Flowers are Some of the Most Expensive in the World
Flowers are never cheap, but as you're about to see, some are a lot more expensive than others.
Admire the Never Ending Beauty of the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most beautiful and awe-striking natural wonders of the USA - take a tour through this must-see location in this video.
HEARTWARMING: Animals Embracing Newfound Freedom
In this touching compilation video of animals tasting freedom for the first time wwill melt your heart.
Witness the Raw Beauty of Nature in These Incredible Pics
Check out some of the best winning images from the 2020 Nature Photographer of the Year contest.
The Intense Colors of These Animals Are Simply Astonishing
Though a lot of animals keep themselves to themselves, this collection of vibrant beasties want the world to see their colorful beauty!
2022 World Nature Photography Awards: 15 Winning Images
Check out the spectacular winnings images from the 2022 World Nature Photography Awards.
Woodpeckers Are So Captivating!
Did you know that there are over 200 species of woodpeckers in the world? Let’s check out some of the most fascinating ones.
Wildlife Is Even More Beautiful In 4K Definition!
The wildlife in Myanmar is beautiful, and we're lucky enough to witness it being captured in 4K definition. Enjoy!
2023 Nature TTL Photographer of the Year: 16 Winning Pics
Check out the stunning winners from the Nature TTL Photographer of the Year contest.
These Photographs Beautifully Capture Stunning Sunsets
Enjoy this stunning series of orange, red and golden sunsets, and share with those who have beauty in their heart.
These Wholesome Animal Titbits Will Make You Smile
Here are some adorable animal facts that will keep you smiling all day.
Stop Killing Centipedes in Your Home! Here's Why...
When it comes to common house centipedes, it many be far more beneficial for you to simply leave them alone instead of killing them. Here's why.
Woman Captures Stunning Photos of Birds in Her Back Yard!
Although the weather and seasons in Germany and Michigan are quite similar, one woman realized that the birds are different. She took some great photos to prove this.
The Unchallenged Beauty of 14 Waterfalls Worldwide
Admire the beauty and power of 14 picturesque waterfalls from every corner of the planet
See Colorful Butterflies in Gorgeous Detail
We present you with our most beautiful photo galleries of butterflies and moths all in in one page.
This Flower Gets Its Name From the Animal It Resembles
These beautiful orchids are not man made, although they may seem like it to us.
11 Adorable Polar Animals that Will Warm Your Heart
Adorable animals of the north and south poles
Beautiful: How Your Dog Sees You Vs. How You See Yourself
Although we can feel down in the dumps about ourselves sometimes, our dogs will always keep their faith in us and see us as their heroes.
INTERACTIVE: Click on the Colorful Birds to See Them!
Click on a bird and see a video of a real bird.
I Never Thought Such Animals Existed. Wow.
Nature can be beautiful, but it can also be rather strange, especially when you see THESE animals. Most of them are endangered animals, living only in the smallest and most remote places on earth.
16 Bizarre Facts That Are So Strange They Could Only Be True
Sometimes science is so bizarre it blows the mind. Read These 16 fascinating facts that prove that truth is stranger than fiction.
These Photos Appear To Have Been Taken In Another World...
Planet Earth is an incredible place - so incredible that we sometimes don't even recognise it. These locations could easily double up as alien planets.
Australia is the Land of the Most Bizarre Creatures!
Australia is the land of the most bizarre creatures!
The Ocean’s Floor Is Alive with Colorful Sea Slugs
The ocean is vast and mysterious, populated with alien like colorful creatures. These sea slugs are mesmerizingly beautiful.