Cross-section of a Victoria flower

We marvel at her size, but the architecture of Victoria is most compelling. From her Medusa-like stems, to her magnificent, platter-shaped leaves, to her fragrant flowers, every aspect of this South American plant queen’s architecture contributes to the growth and survival of her in the wild. 

For more than 60 years, Longwood Gardens has played a major role in sharing the beauty of Victoria with countless admirers in North America and throughout the world. From plant exploration to cultivation and the development of our annual display, Victoria is a star of our horticulture program. Longwood offers several formal and informal programs to learn about horticulture.

In 1961, Longwood was the first garden in America to successfully hybridize Victoria amazonica and Victoria cruziana, two species of giant water-platters. For five decades, Longwood has shared Victoria</i<>> ‘Longwood Hybrid’ seeds with more than 140 gardens around the world.