But since most of us did not win the lottery, we can be very grateful to the Pierce and duPont families and others who have preserved this exquisite refuge from everyday life crushes. Just an hour or so east-southeast of here, Longwood Gardens offers an exquisite day trip. The above composite snapshots represent just a glimpse of what the visitor will see. Actually, in just a week or two, the outdoor plants and flowers will be bursting forth in full splendor.