Longwood in early spring. A willow just coming into leaf down near the Italian Water Garden. Sunday April 10 was a bit cool and overcast, not much was in bloom yet but the promise is everywhere. Give it a few more weeks and this place will be popping. I went to hear a lecture on "Beyond Beauty" which was given by the head of the horticultural staff and was aimed towards explaining where and how all the garden teams get their inspiration. Everywhere, it turns out. Things they read, see online, travel to see, hear about, wonder about and then try to find, they are open to everything and all the possibilities that exist. She talked about a few of the upcoming exhibits they are planning and mentioned a few things I never even knew existed. For example, last year they planted 24 acres of sunflowers in a back meadow. I wish I had known they were there; won't miss it this year. I'm really looking forward to seeing these wisteria in bloom in a month or so. Purple Japanese Wisteria. I bet they'll be magnificent.
