By Jay Lloyd

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The Philadelphia Flower Show is a once a year spectacular. but nearby Longwood Gardens is a year round spectacular. It’s also a great one day getaway.

Something colorful and fragrant is always in bloom and on display at Longwood Gardens, that eye-filling Du Pont mansion in the Brandywine Valley.

Right now through Sunday there’s a dazzling array of orchids. Longwood is just beginning to turn winter into spring. And it’s all very photogenic. Amidst waterfalls, tropical forests and desertscapes, the conservatory is awash in cameras and tripods – some in professional hands – others, like mine – amateur, but still capturing stunning images of rare floral displays.

(credit: Jay Lloyd)

“You’ll find flowers that bloom nowhere else in the country.” says Richard Greenwood. “Right now, they have the Himalayan Blue Poppies.”

Greenwood teaches an after-hours course in photography at Longwood Gardens, helping visitors capture the texture and colors. Even indoors, the natural lighting produces vivid results. And for the youngest of kids, the Children’s Garden is a magnet.

Children’s Garden (credit: Jay Lloyd)

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