Chimes 301

LONGWOOD CHIMES 301

Summer 2020

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No. 301

In recent months, we all faced a time unlike any other in our history. While it was a time replete of crisis and challenges, it was also a time of abounding resilience and hope. Our gratitude for your support is immeasurable and we would be remiss if we did not share an inside look at the impact of the COVID-19 shutdown on our Gardens with you. From saving our plant collections, to stabilizing our complex systems and structures, to improvising the way in which we had to think and work, we realized that although we were never more physically apart, we were also never more together. As we ďŹ nd ourselves in the midst of re-opening the Gardens more than three months after our gates ďŹ rst closed on March 14, one thing has remained constant: Our Gardens are not only a place of beauty, but vital to the human spirit. Welcome back to beauty.

Features

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Shutdown Scrapbook A look back at some of the telling moments during our Gardens closure.

The Eyes Have It Our staff share their memories and impressions of keeping the Gardens thriving during the most challenging of times.

The Lost Spring We share the beauty of the season many of us did not get to experience in our Gardens.

Welcome Back to Beauty After 13 weeks, our garden gates carefully re-opened on June 18 amid smiles (albeit behind masks) from staff and our Members.

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Shutdown Scrapbook While this time of crisis was full of unprecedented challenges, it was also a time of devotion. Of growth.

Of love for our Gardens and for one another. And even though our garden gates were closed to all but limited staff, our hearts and minds always remained open to possibility. To beauty.

To tomorrow.

During the necessary pause our region, our nation, and the entire world was taking, we found new ways to conserve resources while keeping our staff safe, our legacy intact, and our plant collections alive and thriving. Through it all, the collective spirit of Longwood was renewed. Friendships were strengthened. A deeper camaraderie was cultivated. We worked together to sustain Longwood, with beautifully poignant results.

Opposite: Photos by Steve Fenton, Carol Gross, and Jim Sutton. We Can Plant It illustration by Morgan Cichewicz.

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Rosie to the Rescue

An inter-departmental team—including those that represent departments that usually work in front of a computer rather than in the soil—formed to help care for our Gardens, pitching in on vital projects to keep the Gardens healthy. As part of this effort, affectionately termed Rosie the Riveter, staff in the Education, Performing Arts, Marketing, Facilities, and Administration departments all stretched, literally, in new ways. They pulled garlic mustard, a non-

“All the gardeners have been so thankful for the work that some of us are able to provide and that feeling of teamwork has gone a long way for me personally. I’ve been very grateful and thankful … to help other team members during this crazy time.”

Marianne McNeice Marketing Senior Administrative Assistant

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native plant, from our forest floor; weeded beds amongst our historic trees in Peirce’s Park; cared for close to 200 bluebird boxes during nesting season; and even took home test tubes to clean, as well as Christmas lights to test, clean, and bundle in preparation for the holiday season, among efforts. While the work was meditative for those doing this for the very first time, the “all hands on deck” approach is what proved truly restorative.

Above: Marketing Senior Administrative Assistant Marianne McNeice helps out the Horticulture department in the Orangery of the Main Conservatory.

Photo by Carol Gross.

Clockwise from left: Volunteer Engagement Coordinator Jennifer Perilli weeds in Peirce’s Park, photo by Carol Gross; Night Gardener Cristian Quintino weeds along the Meadow Garden Boardwalk, photo by Steve Fenton; Guest Engagement Docent Manager Paula ButeraKunkel on weed patrol in Peirce’s Park, photo by Carol Gross; Senior Administrative Assistant Monica Staszesky waters the Fern Passage, photo by Carol Gross.

Clockwise from above: School & Youth Program Manager Michelle Cugini prunes the Green Wall, photo

by Janet Bagnell; IT Systems Assistant Victoria Regan pulls garlic mustard in the Forest Walk, photo by Carol Gross; Director, Learning and Development Veronica Chase weeds near the Large Lake, photo by Steve Fenton; Director, Guest Admissions Operations Renee Ezokas DePietro tends beds in the Main Conservatory, photo by Carol Gross.

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Keeping Our Infrastructure Strong As with all things, there was a silver lining for the Facilities team during this time.

“This is really the only time we’ve ever experienced an extended time in our Gardens without guests,” said Vice President, Facilities Ken Grablewski. “We chose to spend some energy, given our reduced on-site staff and while following proper protocol, to tackle projects we typically can’t complete with guests on the grounds.” The team took advantage of the lower flow of the temporary irrigation system used during the closure to upgrade Longwood’s sewer treatment plant, while the masons completed repairs across the Gardens, as just a couple examples. While the circumstances had changed, our Facilities team’s commitment to keeping Longwood strong, stable, and guest-ready never wavered.

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Above: Electrician Justin Neuhof runs new electrical outlets to the Rose Garden prior to the restoration and replanting of this evolving garden. Photo by Steve Fenton.

Below: While the fountains were dry this spring, Mason Chris Grimes (left) and Senior Mason Earl Rutledge capitalized on the moment to patch and repair damaged tiles throughout the Italian Water Garden. Photo by Carol Gross.

“This is really the only time we’ve ever experienced an extended time in our Gardens without guests. We chose to spend some energy … to tackle projects we typically can’t complete with guests on the grounds.”

Ken Grablewski Vice President, Facilities Above and left: Lead Electrician Benny Rigoroso at the controls as the Open Air Theatre Fountains are turned on for the first time after the winter lull. On stage, Ron Stapleford makes adjustments to the nozzles to ensure everything is functioning properly.

Photos by Carol Gross.

Below: Carpenter Scott Taylor adjusts the cable rail system on the Meadow Garden Boardwalk.

Photo by Carol Gross.

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Farewell to an Iconic Tree During the closure, we were forced to say farewell to a dear friend. After strong wind gusts hit our region on April 30, our beloved yellow cucumber magnolia (Magnolia acuminata var. subcordata ‘Peirce’s Park’) fell within feet of our Peirce-du Pont House. This magnificent tree, thought to be nearly 200 years old, was the first tree at Longwood to be designated a state champion tree, meaning it was deemed the largest of its kind of Pennsylvania—and then went on to be deemed the largest in the nation.

Beyond its significance as a champion tree, the yellow cucumber magnolia has long served as a symbol of Longwood’s legacy and we will miss it dearly. Its legacy, however, will live on—and not just in our hearts. Happily, in recent years we have propagated this beloved tree and planted resulting trees throughout the Gardens—meaning these new trees will honor their fallen ancestor in the form of new growth and a strong future.

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Below: Senior Horticulturist Joyce Rondinella, Horticulturist Alexandra Correia, and Senior Horticulturist Michael Strengari gather to bid farewell to the fallen giant. Photo by Steve Fenton.

Opposite: This April 1975 view of the Peirce-du Pont House shows the yellow cucumber magnolia, with its distinctive y-shaped trunk, next to its neighboring Ginkgo biloba.

Photo by Dick Keen.

Right: Arborist Dylan Drake (left) and Arborist Rich Mooney maneuver a large branch from the clean-up zone.

Photo by Steve Fenton.

Thankfully, in 2008 we propagated the yellow cucumber magnolia and as a result have planted three propagules of the fallen champion in Peirce’s Park, near the Sylvan Fountain, and at the edge of the Orchard.

Below: A close look at the tree’s brass label gives a small peek at its long history. Photo by Steve Fenton.

Above: Arborist Nate Larsen amid the gigantic trunks of the fallen giant.

Arborist Manager Tyler Altenburger inspected the fallen tree on Friday, May 1, prior to the clean-up effort; at 65 feet, Altenburger counted approximately 120 growth rings and at 30 feet approximately 160 growth rings. Photo by Steve Fenton.

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Who’s Zoomin’ Who? The pandemic forced us to think and work differently. Bolstered by the nimbleness and expertise of our information technology team, we quickly found new and effective ways to communicate, interact, problem solve, and ultimately create. From small team meetings to all-staff sessions, these virtual gatherings brought us together in new ways, gave us a glimpse into each other’s worlds, and helped us stay together even when we needed to be apart.

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Caring for Our Community

Although we faced many challenges in the Gardens, we could not forget the struggles happening throughout our community. From donating PPE supplies to area hospitals, to partnering with Chester County to host a COVID-19 antibody testing site in our South Parking Lot, to sharing flowers with residents of area senior care facilities, to a very special

luminaria message, we joined together to recognize and thank the many points of light battling on the front lines of the pandemic. We also could not forget our Members and guests from near and far who were unable to visit our Gardens in person … so we decided to bring the beauty of Longwood right to them virtually through Our Gardens Your Home.

Top left: Director, Public Safety Greg Papiernik (left) and Dr. Jay Greenspan, CEO of Nemours/ Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children.

Top center: On May 8, Chester County opened a COVID-19 antibody testing site in our South Parking Lot. Tests were administered through June 3. Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline speaks to reporters on May 9 about the testing with fellow Commissioners Josh Maxwell and Marian Moskowitz.

Bottom right: Director of Floriculture and Conservatories Jim Harbage and Grower Megan Bazin delivered dozens of beautiful plants to Friends Home in Kennett Square. Senior Administrative Assistant Lesli Grant coordinated the gift of 45 zonal geraniums (Pelargonium × hortorum ‘Maverick Scarlet Picotee’) and 14 Begonia ‘Richmondensis’.

Bottom left: On March 23, we transported 37,000 pairs of nitrile gloves, 225 Tyvek suits, and a number of goggles and face shields to the staff of Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children.

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Top right: Visitors line up for COVID-19 antibody testing at Longwood’s South Parking Lot.

Recent Member Survey Comments:

“You did a terrific “Loved all the job … keeping us online content! connected with Please keep it up.”

Longwood which is a very special place!”

“I enjoyed all and … appreciate what you wonderful experts send my way. Thank you so much.”

Above: To engage with guests during the closure, we launched Our Gardens Your Home, an online, interdepartmental initiative designed to share the sights, sounds, stories, and mission of the Gardens through stunning photos, walk-through videos, insightful interviews, and other engaging online content, refreshed each week. Through Our Gardens Your Home, we kept our Members, guests, new-found fans, and one another connected in a different way, providing the most direct access to the Gardens that we possibly could while our gates remained closed. Photo by Steve Fenton.

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“…when we came together to light the candles, there was a great hopeful energy. Most of us work every day to create beauty to inspire and be shared with our visitors. By and large, that has been taken away during this time of closures, but in this little project we found the opportunity to send beauty out into the world.”

Erin Feeney, PLA ASLA Associate Director, Landscape Architecture and Program Design

Top row, left to right: IPM Technician Becca Manning, a longtime contributor to our luminaria displays, pauses; Turfgrass Technician Matt Huskey and Horticulturist Darren Rutledge work to place luminaria. Matt has been involved in Longwood’s luminaria since their inception in 2014. Photos by Carol Gross.

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Bottom row, left to right: Senior Horticulturist Lauren Hill uses the continuous flame of a pen torch to light the nearly 700 luminaria after Senior Horticulturist Kari Getchonis (right) places a tealight in each bag; Staff participating in the installation and video enjoyed seeing each other, some for the first time in months. President and Chief Executive Officer Paul B. Redman was on-hand, sporting a colorful mask created by Archive Manager Judy Stevenson. Photos

by Carol Gross.

Above: The installation team included (from left to right) Senior Horticulturist Lauren Hill; Associate Director, Display Design Jim Sutton; IPM Technician Becca Manning; Associate Director, Landscape Architecture and Program Design Erin Feeney, PLA ASLA; Turfgrass Technician Matt Huskey; Horticulturist Darren Rutledge; and Senior Horticulturist Kari Getchonis.

Photo by Carol Gross.

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The Lost Spring Our garden gates remained closed for more than three months, but nature herself never stopped.

During this time, the limited staff continuing their work on-site found themselves surrounded by beauty but also by a sense of eerie solitude without our beloved guests and Members enjoying it alongside them.

In the pages to follow we share the beauty of the season many of us did not get to experience. Even to those working amongst the fragrant wisteria and the lush flowering trees, without those to share the beauty of the season, this was the lost spring.

A rogue red tulip emerges from a mixed planting of white Tulipa ‘Exotic Emperor’ (fosteriana tulip) and Tulipa ‘Ivory Floradale’ (Darwin hybrid tulip) in the Idea Garden. These lone exceptions are not uncommon, and our gardeners often leave them for visual interest if the unplanned color combination is pleasing and compatible.

Photo by Carol Gross.

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Without guests in the Gardens, Senior Painter David Landgrebe finds time on a sunny afternoon in early May for his annual bench touch-up in the Main Fountain Garden.

Photo by Steve Fenton.

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Despite strong May breezes, the fragrant paulownia flowers hung on well into the season ‌ providing not only beauty, but also a reassuring reminder of resilience, to the limited staff working in the Gardens.

Photo by Carol Gross.

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Above: The sense of quiet and stillness is especially prevalent in this view from the west allée of the Main Fountain Garden.

Those there to take in the view include Japanese boxwood Buxus microphylla var. japonica ‘Green Beauty’ and Tilia cordata ‘PNI 6025’ Greenspire littleleaf linden in the Main Fountain Garden, framed by Paulownia tomentosa (princess-tree) in the distance. Photo by Carol Gross.

Right: Camassia cusickii (quamash) and Euphorbia amygdaloides ssp. robbiae (wood spurge) coexist harmoniously on the Hillside Garden. Photo by Carol Gross.

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The gardens are public spaces both grand and intimate, designed for human activity. And while they have been quietly beautiful and even pristine at this time, they feel somehow incomplete without people to bring a sense of scale, of intention, of cacophony even, to the natural order of the place.

Above: Cornus florida (flowering dogwood) and a mix of woodland wildflowers flank a winding path—traveled only by few on-site staff— near the Italian Water Garden.

Photo by Carol Gross.

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A beautiful spring day served as the backdrop for turning on the Open Air Theatre fountains for the season. Senior Plumber Ron Stapleford, seen here along the arborvitae at left, performed micro-adjustments to ensure each nozzle was in precise alignment, in preparation for a future larger audience. Photo by Carol Gross.

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During the closure, we made great strides in implementing our new Rose Garden design. This evolving garden showcases a modern design approach —giving it new structure, new texture, new views of nearby gardens, and new year-round visual interest—yet honors its rich history by retaining its original 1930s architecture. The beds feature a mix of perennials, grasses, small trees, and shrubs, which will create unexpected and exciting combinations.

Here, Outdoor Landscape Manager Roger Davis waters the new plantings, which will grow and blossom as the garden matures over time. Photo by Carol Gross.

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A favorite destination for families, the Topiary Garden awaits their return, appearing far less whimsical without the sights and sounds of children exploring its yews. Photo by Carol Gross.

Senior Horticulturist Kerry Ann McLean attends to the topiary beds. Photo by Steve Fenton.

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Above: Our lost spring coincided with an especially lovely, and especially bittersweet, showing of Wisteria floribunda (Japanese wisteria) along the front of the Peirce-du Pont House Conservatory. Photo

by Carol Gross.

Left: Cooler temperatures made for a lengthy bloom time for Rhododendron ‘Purple Splendor’, Rhododendron ‘Herbert’, and Rhododendron yedoense var. poukhanense along the Chimes Tower Walk.

Photo by Carol Gross.

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“The Gardens have been especially lovely this spring and so quiet especially in the first few weeks, when there weren’t any guests, very little staff, no mowers.

It reminded me of being a gardener on a huge private estate, making everything perfect for when the owner returned home.”

—Lee Alyanakian, Horticultural Display Project Specialist

Our Wisteria Garden was ablaze this spring with purple and white cascades of dreamy flowers. Enclosed on all sides by arborvitae, the garden features Japanese wisteria trained into tiered tree forms. As guests were not able to appreciate this garden in person this year, a video walk-through was shared online for all to enjoy.

Photo by Steve Fenton.

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Mason Chris Grimes clears debris from the Main Fountain Garden’s basins, in preparation for fountain testing. Photo by Steve Fenton.

Senior Turfgrass Technician Derek Miller accentuates the gently rolling arc of the East Conservatory Plaza landform.

Photo by Carol Gross.

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A foggy spring morning provided a poignant backdrop in our Peony Garden as Allium ‘Globemaster’ (ornamental onion) and Paeonia ‘Coral Sunset’ burst into bloom.

Photo by Steve Fenton.

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The Eyes Have It During this toughest of times, we looked inward. We called upon our own strength and we pushed forward. We learned about ourselves. We found new ways to depend on one another and found new ways each one of us could keep Longwood going.

It is said the eyes are the window to one’s soul. In these pages our staff share through their eyes—and words—their reflections on the past months—the struggles, the joys, the lessons learned, and the hope for beautiful days ahead.

Photo illustration by Steve Fenton.

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We closed the Longwood Library on Friday, March 13, and I have been working from home ever since. You may wonder what a librarian does without a library, but we have been very busy!

Providing staff access to our electronic resources has become increasingly important in this time of virtual work. Everyone on the Library and Information Services team has also been pitching in to contribute to Longwood’s online content, including writing blogs and supporting online education programs and social media.

Gillian Hayward Library Manager

I am most hopeful that everyone realizes the importance of plants.

I hope the pause in our routine ‌ opened up opportunities to see nature and inspire us to be kind to the planet, and more importantly to each other.

Joyce Rondinella Senior Horticulturist

Right: Library Manager Gillian Hayward (foreground) and Plant Collection Information Manager Kristina Aguilar at work producing hundreds of temporary plant display labels in preparation for the re-opening of the Gardens.

Photos by (left to right): Steve Fenton, Gillian Hayward, Steve Fenton, and Steve Fenton.

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This period has brought into focus how responsible I am for the health and safety of my colleagues. We have always been responsible to work in a way that keeps those around us safe, but now that awareness is heightened.

Wearing a mask, keeping a safe distance, and cleaning surfaces we touch are all part of how we care for each other now.

Pandora Young Senior Horticulturist

Longwood has always been described as a ‘sanctuary’ and ‘a world apart’ and now during a global pandemic it feels even more true! I have felt safe coming to work every day. Not only safe but so lucky.

Coming to work … being surrounded by beauty and nature with like-minded people working towards the same goal.

It has kept me active, sane, and given me a break from my children!

Lauren Hill Senior Horticulturist

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I was surprised by how busy I’ve been during this closure … These days, I find myself tightly managing my time to accommodate Performing Arts (preparing the Main Fountain Garden, Open Air Theatre, and other venues for reopening), security patrol and business gate duties, assisting Horticulture with weeding and night gardener duties and last, but not least, lending a hand to both Education and Marketing on various fun projects. I’ll actually be sad to see some of it go away. Maybe it won’t.

Dave Muehsam Lead Performance Technician

During this period one thing that is now cemented in my mind is this is not a hobby, job or vocation—it is a passion. That came to light in the eyes of my masked coworkers as we showed up and worked as one, although separated, to safeguard the plants.

Jim Sutton Associate Director, Display Design

Photos by (left to right): Becca Mathias, Steve Fenton, Carol Gross, Steve Fenton, and Lee Alyanakian.

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I’ve been surprised by the quietness without Members and guests throughout the gardens … I look forward to their return so the gardens can thrive again.

Benny Rigoroso Lead Electrician

We all worked together in the conservatories and production to make sure we stayed on top of as much as we could — spring waits for no one!

Lee Alyanakian Horticultural Display Project Specialist

Beginning a new job is always a stressful time. But beginning a new job three weeks before the COVID pandemic closed Longwood is something I never could have anticipated. The staff in my department have just been incredible at guiding me through the position with such patience. Between phone calls, text messages, and Zoom calls, they have been more supportive then I ever could have imagined.

I look forward to seeing them in person again so I can express my sincere appreciation.

Lorrie Hamilton Director, Volunteer Engagement

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Growing orchids is always an investment in the future, which is exactly what we need right now, and where I have cast my vision. I am looking toward the future day when guests will once again walk the Orchid House, and doing everything I can to make sure that on that day, the collection will be healthier, more vigorous, and more beautiful than ever before.

Gregory Griffis Senior Horticulturist

It has been interesting to see Longwood with entirely new perspectives as we help each other.

When this picture was taken I was starting weekly rounds (on behalf of the off-site Plant Records staff) to verify the blooming plants for What’s in Bloom on the website. That has been a fascinating way to review the plant collection. The same is true when helping Horticulture with weeding or soil cultivation. I’ve experienced the garden and the wonderful plant life with fresh eyes.

David Sleasman Director, Library and Information Services

I’ve learned once again that we all really try to help each other out.

With coworkers trying to manage work, health, and personal lives with children, amid the closure of everything, those of us who could be on-site did what was needed without any reservations.

Kat McCullough Senior Horticulturist

Polaroid photos by Steve Fenton.

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What has kept me going is knowing that everything going on with COVID, the shutdowns, quarantine, etc., is just a season and will not last forever.

Lesli Grant Senior Administrative Assistant, Horticulture

Everything happened so quickly, and in a moment life felt so fragile.

Having to leave Longwood due to the event of COVID-19 was disheartening.

Finally I had time to care for my home garden more meticulously than any years past, but as our classes and work moved from gardens to desk tops and computer monitors something was lost. To know the name of a plant is one thing, but to truly understand it is to touch it, to learn its smell and its taste, to view the way it plays and dances in the landscape; no garden is complete without people to enjoy it.

Mark Volpe Professional Horticulture Program Student

I have come to appreciate the fortitude of Longwood as an organization and community. One example of this fortitude was the inter-departmental effort to pull garlic mustard in the Forest Walk. Longwood really came together as a team to remove pile after pile of this noxious weed and as a result ensured that the rich botanical diversity of the herbaceous layer in the Forest Walk remained intact. I look forward to the day when it will be safe to take off our masks in the garden and see everyone’s smiling faces.

Calvin Cooper Land Stewardship and Ecology Technician

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Everyone has pitched in to help Horticulture bring the gardens up to the usual standard despite having a much reduced work force. Plants (and weeds) keep growing and without proper maintenance and watering, a manicured garden quickly becomes a ragged landscape. Being a substitute gardener gives you a new appreciation of how demanding caring for such a large garden can be.

Colvin Randall P.S. du Pont Fellow

Wrangling English ivy from around bushes, trees, and shrubs adjacent to the Open Air Theatre has given me a new appreciation for our Horticulture staff. It taught me that certain design choices should be left to the professionals, and that I do not want to plant it at my home. That said, it was a mighty fine workout.

Dawn Hertzler Guest Engagement Manager

I look forward to the day when guests are again in the Gardens. And a workday without need for masks!

Photos by (left to right): David Sleasman, Steve Fenton, Carol Gross, and Carol Gross.

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Anne-Marie Crossan, PE CEM Director, Facilities Management

The heartfelt appreciation that I have received from staff and management for the efforts of the Operations team in keeping their workspaces safe and clean during this time has been rewarding ‌ I’ve also enjoyed seeing how masks have become the newest accessory to all of our uniforms, adding pieces of character to each of us as individuals.

Matt Andrzejewski Associate Director, Operational Services

Below: Members of the Operations team in the Green Wall area of the Conservatory. Left to right are Lead Operational Services Associate Larry Diggs; Operational Services Manager Erin Szewczyk; Associate Director, Operational Services Matt Andrzejewski; and Operational Services Associate Mario Hall.

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Back to Beauty

Photos by Steve Fenton and Carol Gross.

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After 13 long weeks, we welcomed our Members back to our outdoor gardens on June 18. It was a day of gratitude, joy, and great care. It was hope, realized. We found ourselves back to beauty, back with you.

“We welcome you back to a place of beauty, a place of resilience, a place that has been so lovingly sustained … for all of our yesterdays, our todays, and our tomorrows.”

—Paul B. Redman, President and Chief Executive Officer

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Longwood Chimes

No. 301 Summer 2020

About This Issue Producing Issue 301 of Longwood Chimes was anything but routine. Work had just begun on a diverse lineup of articles when our Gardens were shuttered. We soon realized our original lineup of articles would have to wait for another day.

Like so many other projects at hand, we realized we would need to rethink and adapt.

Ideas for a new issue flowed … perhaps we should pursue a pictorial retrospective on our beautiful seasonal displays since guests could not visit?

Would a deep dive into an aspect of our history be compelling? As our closure extended from days to weeks, and as we faced—and overcame—new challenges seemingly daily to keep the Gardens thriving, we realized that we were living the most compelling story of all and needed to share it the pages of Chimes. With our professional and volunteer photographers not available, we looked inward to our talented staff to document what was happening daily with cameras, iPhones, and even Polaroids. We closely collaborated on text and tone and layout, but never once sat in a room huddled together to review and refine the physical pages as we normally would.

The story of Issue 301 is very much like the story of our Gardens told in these pages … a dedicated staff working together in new and unexpected ways … with beautiful results.

Enjoy.

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Front and Back Cover: After the Gardens closed on March 14, one of many critical initiatives included the decision for the early removal of the tulips from our Flower Garden Walk to make way for later summer annuals. Under normal circumstances, removing tulips typically takes about seven days and 10 team members to complete. Under our shutdown circumstances, a smaller team took approximately two weeks to remove them, while working staggered hours and maintaining social distancing. Shown here are the empty beds of Flower Garden Walk post-removal, juxtaposed with a view of the tulips in full bloom in the Idea Garden.

The Idea Garden tulip removal was delayed long enough to allow for photographic documentation of the display to share with guests on our online platforms. On the back cover is a view of Professional Horticulture student Kaylene Argot helping to plant the summer 2020 display on the Flower Garden Walk.

Inside Covers Inside Front: Drone view of the special luminaria installation created by Longwood staff to recognize and thank the points of light in the community battling on the frontlines of the global pandemic.

Inside Back: Construction drawing by Associate Director, Landscape Architecture and Program Design Erin Feeney, PLA ASLA, of the special luminaria installation at the Italian Water Garden, used for reference during layout and install. Photo by Carol Gross.

Editorial Board Sarah Cathcart Marnie Conley Patricia Evans Steve Fenton Julie Landgrebe Katie Mobley Colvin Randall Judy Stevenson Jim Sutton Matt Taylor, Ph.D.

Distribution Longwood Chimes is mailed to Longwood Gardens Staff, Pensioners, Volunteers, and Gardens Preferred and Premium Level Members, and is available electronically to all Longwood Gardens Members via longwoodgardens.org.

Longwood Chimes is produced twice annually by and for Longwood Gardens, Inc.

Contributors This Issue Longwood Staff and Volunteer Contributors Lee Alyanakian Photographer Kristina Aguilar Plant Collection Information Manager Janet Bagnell Photographer Steve Fenton Photographer Carol Gross Photographer Gillian Hayward Photographer Becca Mathias Volunteer Photographer Maureen McCadden Digital Resource Manager David Sleasman Photographer Jim Sutton Photographer

Contact As we went to print, every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of all information contained within this publication. Contact us at chimes@longwoodgardens.org. © 2020 Longwood Gardens.

All rights reserved.

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“We subscribe to a culture of planning.

The level of thoughtfulness, the resilience, and collaboration during this time is unlike anything I’ve ever seen at Longwood; it’s unprecedented.”

—Sharon Loving, Vice President, Horticulture

Longwood Gardens is the living legacy of Pierre S. du Pont, inspiring people through excellence in garden design, horticulture, education, and the arts.

Longwood Gardens P.O. Box 501 Kennett Square, PA 19348 longwoodgardens.org

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