| When we think of Botanical Gardens, we
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| | fantasy tree called "Shimmering Elegance"
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| usually don't think of winter. But in
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| | adorned with peacock feathers and
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| reality, Christmas is one of the better
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| | clusters of clear glass ornaments that
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| times of year to visit Longwood Gardens
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| | look like bubbles.
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| in Kennett Square, PA. From the end of
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| | The narrow Arcadia passage running
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| November through the beginning of
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| | alongside the Silver Garden is hung with
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| January, Longwood Gardens hosts a series
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| | giant "Kissing Balls" made out of
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| of events that fill the conservatory with
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| | boxwood, lilies and salal leaves. They
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| Christmas Organ Concerts, Organ
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| | look like big orbs of mistletoe. You'll
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| Sing-alongs, Carillon Concerts, Chorals
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| | see holiday wreaths made of orchids,
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| and Handbells, Strolling Performers and
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| | begonias, poinsettia, and bromeliads. In
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| visits from Santa. And if you can brave
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| | the chilly Grapery, with its dormant
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| the winter chill, you will see a
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| | grape vines, the ceiling is hung with a
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| delightful colored Fountain Display with
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| | huge wreath made out of preserved taxus
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| holiday music every half hour. At dark,
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| | (yews) and clusters of grape lights.
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| Longwood turns on their beautiful outdoor
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| | The huge exhibition hall features a
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| light display; shimmering stars seem to
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| | revolving 22-foot tall Douglas fir
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| hover high above the ground, and trees
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| | standing inside a circle of 200 water
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| glisten with over 400,000 colored lights
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| | jets. The tree is decorated with red
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| that turn the gardens into a wonderland.
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| | ornaments and silver icicles that create
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| Longwood Gardens is the creation of
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| | a lovely complement to the red begonia
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| Pierre du Pont, industrialist,
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| | topiary trees that surround it. Other
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| philanthropist, and conservationist, who
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| | decorated trees crop up throughout the
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| purchased the property in 1906. The site
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| | conservatory, decorated by local floral
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| was already known for its fine collection
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| | designers. Twenty-two little fir trees
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| of trees, and du Pont had every intention
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| | line the greenhouses that shelter the
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| of preserving the trees and creating a
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| | starter plants, each one decorated by a
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| beautiful garden for his family and
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| | local elementary school.
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| posterity. Longwood Gardens expands its
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| | As you leave the humid comfort of the
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| commitment to the public with extensive
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| | conservatory, you will pass beautiful
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| ongoing renovation projects and a
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| | light displays on the way to the
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| continuing education curriculum in
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| | Pierce-du Pont House. The 5-acre Main
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| Gardening, Botany, Horticulture,
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| | Fountain Garden is hung with thousands of
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| Landscape Architecture, Floral Design,
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| | tiny brilliant blue LED lights, including
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| and much more.
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| | a tall blue spruce sporting glittering
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| The garden's four acres of heated
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| | snowflake ornaments. You'll pass through
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| greenhouses contain 20 indoor gardens
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| | a row of lights shaped like a lilac
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| that manage to integrate holiday cheer
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| | garden, cheerful green-and-yellow Witch
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| with settings most of us wouldn't
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| | Hazel and Daffodil displays and alongside
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| necessarily associate with Christmas.
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| | graceful alleys of trees. The hanging
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| Imagine a tropical rainforest that hosts
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| | stars and icicles tower over your head
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| a miniature choo-choo train running on
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| | before you are greeted with a beautiful
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| elevated timber tracks and carrying tiny
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| | Wildlife Tree decorated with edible
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| clay pots and holiday decorations. In
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| | icicles made of raisins and red millet
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| the Silver Garden full of cacti and aloe
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| | strands, suet bags and citrus cups filled
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| and sand, you'll find a huge living
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| | with bird-seed, dried flowers and Indian
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| wreath composed of succulent plants. On
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| | corn for wildlife winter treats.
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| the way out of the room, you'll pass a
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