The Holly and The Ivy

Today we went to Longwood Gardens in the beautiful Brandywine Valley of Pennsylvania. The Christmas display is one of the most beautiful sites of the season. The indoor gardens have an incredible variety of plants in the most stunning displays. Then, after a hot bowl of soup in the Terrace Restaurant, after the sun sets one can see a magical display of light and color in the outdoor gardens which are decorated with a half-million sparkling lights.

A photo of me in front of one of the many Christmas trees

My sister Diane

Poinsettias and other tropical plants

The icicle dining room

The orchid room was one of the most beautiful rooms!

The gardeners designed the most attractive color combinations.

Orchids in the most fascinating shapes and colors

Every color imaginable...

Another tropical beauty

Gorgeous hibiscus with papery thin petals

Flowers in all colors

Amaryllis with a silvery leaved plant

Red and green are the colors of the season!

Outdoor tree with ornaments the birds can eat. The icicles are made of raisins!

The real magic happens at night. The gardens are lit up with literally hundreds of thousands of lights. Photos can only hint at how beautiful the luminescent gardens are.

Colored lights outlining a tree

Fountain display set to music, shown here under a glass filter

Rows and rows of brilliantly lit trees

Beautiful wintry blue