East Marlborough in Chester County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Flower Garden Walk
Longwood's First Flower Garden
| | Heritage, Horticulture & Design | |
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 20, 2021
1. Flower Garden Walk Marker
In 1907, Pierre S. du Pont laid out the Flower Garden, Longwood's first true flower garden.
Although European forms served as the inspiration for his latter designs, Mr. du Pont conceived of this early garden as an "old fashioned" walk. It featured nostalgic cottage-garden flowers, rose-covered trellises, and wide paths to accommodate guests. Today, the 600-foot-long brick walk is planted with a mix of annuals and perennials, creating an array of colors that flow from warm to cool and maintaining Mr. du Pont's original vision.
Not surprisingly, Longwood's first flower garden included Longwood's first fountain - a simple jet of water. "I have set my guests to work planting flower seeds whenever I have the opportunity." - P.S.du Pont, 1907. "It is to be on the old-fashioned plan of straight walks and box borders at the edge of the flower beds." - P.S. du Pont, 1907. Planting plan drawn by P.S. du Pont, 1907. The adjoining compartment gardens, just to the south of the Flower Garden Walk fountain, were added in 1908 to offer guests an "air of privacy."
Erected by Longwood Gardens.
Topics. This historical marker
this page online
Location. 39° 52.33′ N, 75° 40.458′ W. Marker is in East Marlborough, Pennsylvania, in Chester County. It can be reached from Flower Garden Walk. Marker is on the grounds of Longwood Gardens. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square PA 19348, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and in Greater Philadelphia. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Open Air Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Open Air Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); A Century of Great Art (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 20, 2021
2. Flower Garden Walk Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Fountains / Concerts (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); A Celebration of Art and Nature (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); American Elm (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Peirce - du Pont House (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . . Longwood Gardens. (Submitted on August 26, 2021, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, August 20, 2021
3. Flower Garden Walk
Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2021, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 407 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on January 20, 2023, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 26, 2021, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
