Page 21 - Visit Delco - Spring/Summer 2021

Gardens, Parks and Estates
TYLER ARBORETUM
HILDACY FARM PRESERVE
LONGWOOD GARDENS
STONELEIGH: A NATURAL GARDEN
Once a family home, Stoneleigh is now a public garden that celebrates native plants and the importance of biodiversity. The garden is open to all, free of charge. At the time of writing, the Main House, restrooms and drinking fountains were not available to visitors. For those with a green thumb, socially distant volunteer gardening events are available regularly.
TYLER ARBORETUM
The arboretum is famous for its truly stunning tree canopy, which includes giant sequoias, ginkgo trees, bald cypresses, American linden, sugar maples, white oaks, tulip trees and many more. Spring and summer mark an explosion of color, with azaleas, hydrangeas, lilacs and meadow wildflowers in bloom.
CHANTICLEER
This “pleasure garden” is truly a feast for the senses. Orchards, wildflower meadows and verdant woodlands surround the historic Rosengarten family estate. Stroll through terrace gardens, explore a grass labyrinth, and traverse an elevated walkway that runs eight feet above a blooming meadow. If you arrive
by car, Chanticleer requires an advance parking reservation.
BRANDYWINE RIVER MUSEUM OF ART
The Wildflower and Native Plant Garden on the museum grounds is a gorgeous homage to plants that are indigenous or naturalized to the greater Brandywine region. Wildflowers, trees and shrubs are carefully selected to provide a succession of bloom from early spring through the first killing frost, so there’s always something to see!
ROSE TREE PARK
A charming gazebo and picnic areas make this the perfect place for an al fresco lunch! The park is a popular destination for kite flying, photography, dog walking, hawk spotting, poetry readings and other outdoor pursuits.
WINTERTHUR MUSEUM, GARDEN & LIBRARY
Winterthur’s 1,000 acres include rolling hills, streams, meadows and forests. The stunning formal gardens display carefully chosen plants from around the world. Visiting with children? Stop by the Enchanted Woods, a three-acre plot where the little ones can tiptoe under a troll bridge or climb a giant bird’s nest. At the time of writing, all areas of Winterthur were open to visitors.
MT. CUBA CENTER
In line with the Mt. Cuba Center’s focus on conservation and preservation, its breathtaking garden landscape consists solely of native plants. One-way traffic will be in effect throughout the gardens for the 2021 season, and hand sanitizer stations are available at regular intervals. All tickets must be purchased online in advance of your visit.
HILDACY FARM PRESERVE
Tucked away in a hilly section of Delco, bordered
by some of the well-traveled roads in the county,
is Hildacy Farm Preserve, a 55-acre gem of native woodlands, wetlands, meadows and streams. Named for Hilda and Cyril Fox, who donated the property to the Natural Lands Trust, Hildacy has 3.5 miles of unpaved hiking trails — ranging from easy to moderate — that are just waiting to be explored. Restrooms at Hildacy were closed to the public at the time of writing, and visitors are required to leash their dogs and avoid gathering in groups.
LONGWOOD GARDENS
One of the du Pont family’s many gifts to the region, Longwood Gardens was the vision of Pierre S. du Pont, an MIT graduate and American industrialist. Today, Longwood is world-famous, with more than 1,000 acres of amazing gardens, fountains and displays. The Longwood experience is about to get even more impressive, with
a major expansion and reimagination of the gardens now underway and set to conclude in 2024. Longwood’s indoor conservatory was open as of this writing, with a one-way walking route and mask wearing enforced.
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TYLER ARBORETUM
JENNIFER MATHES