Favorite 5: Longwood Gardens, at Christmas

The image below is a portrait of joy.

This holiday season has been gloriously full of family and friends, cookies and celebrations, but the best gift of all (for me) has been a day spent at Longwood Gardens.

See me smiling, I am so seriously thrilled!

So, what made me so happy? The toasty warmth of the massive conservatory? The dirt infused aroma of the greenhouses? The flowers, blooming in abundance, in the midst of Winter?

Yes, yes and yes

And, these: My favorite five features of Longwood Gardens, at Christmas.

#1 Topiary

In a recent post I shared my adoration for topiary. Longwood offers an abundant display of these manicured lovelies.

I was so inspired. Will my Myrtle ever look so grand?

Also, a fair amount of pleached and espaliered pieces, too.

#2 Overhead Visual Interest

As soon as you enter the Conservatory, it begins.

Massive, blooming, Christmas Cactus spheres, suspended from the ceiling, are there to greet you.

Hello!

A hanging curtain of air plants and sparkly baubles.

#3 Botanical Christmas Trees

Need I say more?

You have to see this beauty to appreciate the massive number of succulents that were used to create such a statement.

An Orchid tree and an Air Plant tree-

#4 Statuary

Water fountains, bird baths and sculpture

I loved this sweet birdie, bird bath.

#5 Pretty Flowers, Pretty Vines, Pretty Berries

Get ready for photo overload. I took 175 pictures!

(Don't worry, I did not share them all)

The spicey scent of Stock was delightful.

Hellebore envy!

A sunset colored Pointsettia

Needless to say, I loved Longwood Gardens, at Christmas. We did not stay for the evening lights, which I hear are spectacular.

I was there for the horticulture.

And, it was the perfect way to sepnd a day.