It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

For weeks - no, months - now the staff here has been hard at work preparing the Christmas decorations and horticultural displays that will make up Longwood's Christmas season in the gardens and conservatories. The Arborists have been stringing lights since August, Poinsettias were potted up in June, ornaments and greenery have been painted and pinned to wreaths. Starting tomorrow at 5pm the transformation begins. Here's a sneak peek at some of the elements of Longwood's Christmas displays:

October in the garages of the Pierce-DuPont House

Silver Salal

Primed ornaments (they've changed color about three times since this was taken!) One of the treehouse wreaths awaiting ornaments and bows (I did the greens!) Silver and gold wreath in progress in the Potting Shed

Poinsettia baskets in the Production Greenhouse, ready to go
Window boxes that will line the entrance to the Conservatory

The Production Greenhouses are looking quite festive!

Poinsettia standards that the production staff have been training for two years! (next year's standards are the small ones in the foreground)

A Succulent Medallion that will adorn the wall of the Silver Garden

Tillandsia tree for the Tropical Terrace

Poinsettias and Begonias in the Estate Houses

Check back next week to see the Winter Wonderland that is Longwood Gardens at Christmas time!