Gardens of the Brandywine Valley - CT Horticultural Society

Highlights

• Deluxe Motorcoach
• 4 Nights Hotel Accommodations at the Mendenhall Inn
• 4 Breakfasts, 3 Boxed Lunches, 4 Dinners
• Mansion at Andalusia
• Winterthur
• Mt Cuba Center
• Jenkins Arboretum
• Chanticleer
• Tyler Arboretum
• Longwood Gardens
• Private Garden - Charles Cresson's Hedgleigh Spring Garden
• Greenwood Gardens
• Sightseeing per itinerary
• Friendship Tours Tour Director
• $50 Donation to CT Horticultural Society

Itinerary

Day 1

We begin our journey with a stop along the Delaware River at the Mansion at Andalusia, one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States. Period furnishings and portraits depict two centuries of Andalusia residents. Tour this mansion and gardens with a walled garden, rose garden, peony walk and perennial borders. Enjoy a boxed lunch here. Continue to our home for 4 nights at the Mendenhall Inn. We will enjoy a Welcome Wine & Cheese Reception before dinner. Boxed L, D

Day 2

Begin our day at Winterthur, home of Henry Francis du Pont. We will tour some of the 175 rooms in this spectacular house. Then we will tour some of the magnificent 60-acre garden with it’s incredible azalea collection is among America’s best. We are then off to the Mt. Cuba Center. Formerly a du Pont family estate, this garden features naturalistic plantings of spring ephemerals, woodlands and meadows, and formal gardens surrounding the mansion. Guided garden tour included. Return to the hotel to freshen up before dinner. B, D

Day 3

First stop today is the Jenkins Arboretum, spread over 46 acres with its rhodies, azaleas, mountain laurels and more. Then off for a visit to the 35-acre estate of the affluent Rosengarten family, Chanticleer. This 48-acre pleasure garden has been called ‘the most romantic garden in America’ . The Chanticleer estate dates from the early 20thcentury, when land along the Main Line of the Pennsylvania Railroad was developed for summer homes to escape the heat of Philadelphia. Adolph Rosengarten, Sr. and his wife Christine chose the Wayne-St. David’s area to build their country retreat and moved there permanently in 1924. Adolph, Jr. left the entire property for the enjoyment and education of the public following his death in 1990. The garden opened to the public in 1993. We will enjoy a boxed lunch while here. We will make a quick shopping stop at Valley Flowers before dinner tonight. B, Boxed L, D

Day 4

Tour of Tyler Arboretum. Located in the heart of Delaware County, PA. The Tyler Arboretum is a place of natural beauty and history dating back to the time of William Penn.  We will enjoy an afternoon/evening tour of the world-renowned Longwood Gardens. With its amazing fountains, incredible 4-acre conservatory, Flower Walk, woodlands, carillon, meadows and perennial displays, Longwood has something for every gardener to enjoy. Early May features gorgeous displays of tulips and other bulbs, with the spring blooms of ornamental trees and woodland wildflowers. The conservatory is decked out with a sensational spring display. Dinner tonight with Dining Dollars at Longwood. B, D

Day 5

We end our tour with a Private garden visit at Charles Cresson’s Hedgleigh Spring Garden. This two-acre garden is the unique product of family stewardship for over 100 years. This is an amazing garden! Our last stop is Greenwood Gardens which is a contemporary garden on a historic site rooted in the Arts & Crafts and Classical approach to design. This is a great way to end our tour of the Brandywine Valley. B, Boxed L

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