University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
The Messenger
Vol. 6, No. 1/1996
Plotting the future of botanical beauty

     The original master plan for Longwood Gardens, one of the
most famous botanical gardens in the world, existed only in the
mind of its first gardener and owner, Pierre S. du Pont. Although
never plotted on paper, the gardens' layout likely was inspired
by du Pont's visits to the famed gardens of Europe.
     Now, however, to preserve the special identity and beauty of
Longwood Gardens as created by
du Pont and to provide a foundation for the future, a master plan
has been commissioned by director Fred Roberts, Delaware '71M.
     And, two landscape architects with UD connections were
selected to carry out the project. Gary Smith, associate
professor of plant and soil sciences, who has served as a
consultant at Longwood and worked on landscaping designs for the
University, Philadelphia's Fairmount Park and the Harvard
Business School, is coordinating the project during his current
sabbatical year. He is assisted by his former student, Tres
Fromme, Delaware '93, who majored in ornamental horticulture and
has a master's degree in landscape architecture from the
University of Georgia.
     "Longwood Gardens covers approximately 1,050 acres, a third
of which are cultivated and include buildings, fountains, ponds
and conservatories. We are using a basic map and making overlays
designating visitor amenities, visitor circulation, conceptual
design, shade versus sun, woods, different kinds of plantings,
color and fragrance- layer after layer of information to give the
whole picture," Smith says. "The plan will address the present
gardens and provide a basis for expansion and improvements in the
future," he says.
     "Everything, including recommendations for new gardens, such
as a children's garden, convenient but aesthetic storage units
for supplies, safety, security and accessibility to visitors are
of concern," Fromme says.
     In addition to the maps, Smith, Fromme and
the planning committee are writing reports, recommendations and
guidelines, all of which
will be published to serve as a guide for other gardens.
     The master plan is not something to be imposed from above,
Smith and Fromme emphasize. Suggestions are being sought from the
staff, visitors and the community.
     "We envision the plan as a catalyst incorporating the ideas
and visions for the gardens from many different individuals who
are concerned about Longwood Gardens. There is a tremendous
amount of in-house talent at Longwood that we can tap into, and
everyone has been cooperative and helpful," Smith says.
     The command post for the project is the planning studio
overlooking a reflecting pool and fountains. Between their office
and the studio, Smith and Fromme pass through a large, bustling
planting room where gardeners are busy potting plants for
upcoming displays. They then walk through the conservatory
itself, strolling through the Mediterranean room with its display
of unusual plants that thrive in hot, dry climates into the warm,
moist orchid room with its collection of exotic blooms. "It's an
inspirational commute," Fromme points out.
     As part of the planning process, Smith and Fromme also will
travel to gardens throughout the United States and Canada to
gather information and ideas and confer with other professional
landscapers. They will visit gardens in urban settings in New
York, St. Louis, Chicago, Los Angeles and Boston, the acres of
gardens at North Carolina's Biltmore Estate and the famous public
gardens in Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia.
     The gardens at Longwood are constantly evolving. For
example, Smith has been involved in developing a garden of native
woodland plants to enhance Peirce's Woods at Longwood, an
historical arboretum near the du Pont home, which was planted by
the original Quaker owner of the land.
     "The garden is a highly visual, aesthetic one with much
attention paid to color and fragrance. We used a variety of
azaleas, native to the region, which bloom over a long period of
time, as well as ferns, phlox and Allegheny foam flower that
provides clouds of white blossoms," Smith says.
     Fromme has been involved in developing landscaping and
garden plots in the Red Lion Row area of Longwood, where persons
in a professional gardener training program will be housed. "The
gardens will serve as a teaching tool as well as beautifying the
area," he says.
     Another recent addition to Longwood is the Idea Garden, a
large garden divided into plots featuring herbs, vegetables and
flowers, as well as unusual plants that are suitable for home
gardens.
     "Longwood was designed as an artistic, display garden and
the purpose of the master plan is to preserve and enhance the
gardens, while planning for the future enjoyment of the visitors
who come from near and far throughout the year," Smith says.
                                             -Sue Swyers Moncure