By Regina Kochmaruk
For the past several years, what I really wanted for Mother’s Day was to take a drive down to Longwood Gardens and enjoy the splendor of color and fragrance and hidden garden paths after a Pennsylvania winter. But there was always something else to do with children – dance recitals, track events, birthday parties – you know how that goes. And before I knew it, both daughters were away at college. So this year, with them back at home due to the pandemic, it would have been the perfect time to visit a botanical garden, especially since spring seems to have been extended with yoyo-like weather. But alas. We could not visit due to the quarantine. But what I learned is that many public gardens around the country are bringing their beauty to us in virtual tours.
An arbor of wisteria at Longwood Gardens beckons a leisurely stroll. (Photo credit Carlita Benazita at Unsplash)
At this time of year, I expect to find dappled woods with a profusion of azalea in coral, carnation, and fuschia pinks. Native dogwood blooms with a moon-like glow, and arbored pathways are draped with cascading purple wisteria clusters.
Two botanical gardens near to the Lehigh Valley are offering virtual tours – Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA and the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx, NY. So this year, I savor the visit to Longwood via my MacBook, and I will wait in anticipation for next spring.
Our Gardens, Your Home:
https://longwoodgardens.org/our-gardens-your-home
NYBG at Home
https://www.nybg.org/nybg-at-home/