Grow with us
Jun 19th, 2013 by Jonah Holland
Text & photos by Brian Vick, Community Kitchen Garden Coordinator, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Today staff and volunteers in the Community Kitchen Garden harvested 32 lbs. of rainbow chard and 10 lbs. of beets and delivered it to FeedMore’s kitchen. That makes 40 lbs. of Swiss chard this week!
Year to date produce donations: 282 lbs.
Jun 19th, 2013 by Grace Chapman
by Grace Chapman, Director of Horticulture, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Dr. Henry Schreiber samples color intensity of 12-15 sepals per Hydrangea plant
Last week, the hydrangea collection at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden was used for a research project by Dr. Henry Schreiber, Professor of Chemistry, Virginia Military Institute. Dr. Schreiber is testing the color intensity of hydrangea sepals in different locations, to see if climate affects them. In hydrangea blooms, the colorful and showy part of a hydrangea is, in fact, the sepals, not the petals.
Dr. Henry Schreiber takes color intensity readings on Hydrangea sepals at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden using a re-calibrated chlorophyll meter
Dr. Schreiber uses a hand-held chlorophyll meter in which the diode is switched from measuring the green in chlorophyll to the red or blue in hydrangea sepals. This meter measures the micrograms of anthocyanin per sepal, which tells him the color intensity. The sepal is placed in the machine and the measurement is taken without harming or altering the sepal.
Seven Hydrangea cultivars will be compared at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Virginia Military Institute, and Norfolk Botanical Garden to determine the effect of climate on color intensity of the sepals
Dr. Schreiber tested 7 cultivars including ‘Nikko Blue,’ ‘Glowing Embers,’ ‘Merritt’s Supreme,’ ‘ Endless Summer,’ ‘ Bailmer,’ ‘Tovelit,’ and ‘All Summer Beauty,’ taking 12-15 random readings per plant. These readings will be compared with the same cultivars at the Norfolk Botanical Garden and Virginia Military Institute to help determine how climate might have an effect on the color intensity.
Jun 18th, 2013 by Caitlin Puffenberger
by Caitlin Puffenberger, PR & Marketing Intern, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
I’m a Public Relations & Marketing Intern at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden this summer. I’ve been here for three weeks so far, and I’ve had an amazing time and learned so many things. There is so much to see and do! Here are just a few of the lessons I’ve picked up.
1. The inside of a flower might be cooler than you think.
‘Southern Magnolia,’ Magnolia grandiflora
Everyone knows magnolias are beautiful, and they’re a particularly romantic flower for Southerners. But earlier this week, when I saw a magnolia bloom up close for the first time, my first thought was hardly sentimental. It was, “Hey, the inside looks like Ramen noodles!” (You can see what I mean, right?) Of course, after I’d marveled at its similarity to my poor-college-student’s-weekly-fallback-meals, I looked at the rest of the flower. But now, every time I shoot a flower photo, I make sure to look inside too.
2. Grown-ups need snacks, too.
Mulberry
Mulberry trees invite exploration and provide a handy snack for kids and birds alike. The 100-year-old mulberry tree that grows in the Children’s Garden is the one exception to the no-picking, no-eating rule in the Gardens at Lewis Ginter, so take full advantage! (Just be sure to that you know what mulberries look like, and that you’ve found the right tree). And be sure you rinse your mouth off, or you’ll end up looking like a vampire and terrify everyone in the Garden (hint: I know this from personal experience).
3. Challenging yourself is worth it.
Dragonfly
I’m not a photographer. Sure, I have an Instagram account, and it’s fun to choose a snazzy filter ( is this a Hudson-y photo? or is it more Nashville? frame or no frame?). But in my first three weeks at Lewis Ginter, I’ve had a lot of bonding time with a Nikon and here’s what I’ve discovered — you can do incredible things with a zoom lens. In fact, you can spend 20 minutes wading through mud along the edge of Sydnor Lake in your best sandals trying to get a picture of an erratic dragonfly. But it’s totally worth it when you upload the photos and realize you captured every detail of its beautiful, gauzy wings.
4. Plants still get rowdy in a botanical garden.
Allium
I went camping a lot as a kid, so I’ll admit I had some assumptions about the predetermined nature of a botanical garden like Lewis Ginter. I was worried they might be too tame, too structured, too far from nature. But I couldn’t have been more wrong. Take this allium plant, for example. It may look a little silly pulling its contortionist act next to all of its straight-laced siblings, but that’s how it grew and that’s how it stayed. And I think that’s pretty cool.
5. There is no more beautiful place to work.
View from the CWD Kids Tree House
After three weeks, I can definitely say I could not be working in a more beautiful, amazing place. There’s a fairy tale Rose Garden, coy dragonflies and a tree house I would have sold all my stuffed animals for as a kid. It’s all inspiring, and I feel privileged to spend my summer here.
Jun 14th, 2013 by Jonah Holland
by Lynn Kirk, Public Relations Writer, photos by Janet Woody, Librarian, & Rich Waiton, volunteer, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, reprinted with permission from the Richmond Times-Dispatch
The flat flowerhead of the lacecap hydrangea has a center core of fertile, subdued “flowers” that are surrounded by outer rings of showy, sterile flowers
Virginians love hydrangeas, in part because hydrangeas love Virginia. Several species of this woody ornamental thrive in our zone 7, adorning the summer landscape with voluptuous flowers and breathtaking beauty. The hydrangea’s distinctive flowerheads are so admired that gardeners often preserve them for a second appearance in dried floral wreaths and botanical arrangements.Diversity among hydrangea species can confuse the novice gardener, so proper care starts with a general knowledge of the shrub types that do well in our region.
Diversity among hydrangea species can confuse the novice gardener, so proper care starts with a general knowledge of the shrub types that do well in our region.
The classic “Nikko Blue” hydrangea has a striking mophead bloom whose color can be manipulated by altering the soil pH.
Japanese shrub (macrophylla and serrata): This form hails from Asia and tops the list as perhaps the most common, well-known hydrangea. Through manipulation of soil pH, the flowerheads can range in color from blushing pinks and soft violets to brilliant blues. The latter typically requires a soil pH of 5.5 or lower, which is more easily obtained and controlled in containers than in the landscape. Blooms typically develop on old wood from the previous season, and the leaf edges are serrated versus smooth. Mophead (hortensia) varieties like ‘Nikko Blue’ and ‘Endless Summer’ resemble large, rounded pom-poms, while the lacecaps such as ‘Blue Wave’ bear flat flowerheads. The Japanese shrub hydrangea has cultural requirements similar to that preferred by azalea and rhododendron, including a basic intolerance for drought.
Chinese upright (paniculata or PeeGee): Indigenous to China, this upright typically boasts large, loose snowballs of white or cream clustered blossoms – sometimes so large and heavy that they weigh down the branches. Unlike its Japanese sister, the paniculata hydrangea blooms on new wood. This species typically tolerates hot, sunny exposures with a growth habit and cultural requirements similar to large crape myrtles. Examples include the ‘Grandiflora’ and ‘Limelight.’
The ‘Snowflake’ hydrangea boasts double or multiple florets typically over a long blooming period.
North American shrub (quercifolia): Ode to the oakleaf hydrangea, popular and practical in our region due to its four-season interest and relative tolerance of drought and shade combinations. Native to Alabama and southeastern states of the U.S., the foliage’s burst of fall color is a bonus, as is its tendency to mature into a large specimen when space allows. Flowers bloom on old wood, so minimal pruning is recommended. Its common name reflects leaves that resemble those of the oak tree, and its varietal names like ‘Snowflake’ reference its blooms.
North American smooth (arborescens): The arborescens is native to the southeastern and mid-western U.S. This hydrangea can be cut back to the ground after blooming season since it flowers on new wood from the current year’s growth. ‘Incrediball’ is a sturdier, improved ‘Annabelle’ with larger blooms, and the ‘Invincibelle Spirit’ is the first pink arborescens available to the public.
Lush flowerheads of the Glowing Embers hydrangea lean toward deep pinks and reds.
Richard Waiton, a volunteer who is passionate about hydrangeas, will lead three hydrangea walk-and-talks at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden later this month: June 20, 22 and 29. These tours are open to the public and are free with garden admission, but pre-registration is required since space is limited.
Content provided in part by Richard Waiton.
Editor’s Note: This article first published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, in June 2013.
Jun 13th, 2013 by Caitlin Puffenberger
Text & photo by Laurel Matthew, Greenhouse Horticulturalist/Orchid Grower, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
“When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for a moment.”
- Georgia O’Keeffe
Rare Cattleya tenebrosa blooming in the Conservatory.
This gorgeous corsage orchid, Cattleya tenebrosa (formerly Laelia tenebrosa), has just been put on display in the Conservatory. This species is native to Brazil, where it would grow on larger trees in dense rain forests. But over-collection and habitat loss have resulted in its near extinction in the wild. Fortunately, this specimen will remain in bloom for two to three more weeks, so visitors to the Garden will be able to enjoy these stunning flowers until July.
Jun 11th, 2013 by Jonah Holland
by Jonah Holland, PR & Marketing Coordinator, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center park & amphitheater.
Richmond is all abuzz about Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center opening behind the Science Museum of Virginia next month. Can you blame us?! This is big news. Here at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden we’re excited too. We’ve been thinking alot about how beautiful Richmond is, how it is such a wonderful destination to visit, and how by adding more green spaces we can make Richmond a healthier, more beautiful place to live. Not only is Richmond getting to play host to the Redskins sports celebrities but we’re also going to get an influx of visitors — some of whom have never been here before. What an opportunity this is to make a great impression!
Bon Secours Health System, the City of Richmond, and 3 North architects know this too, which is why when they planned the Training Center, they made sure to incorporate an urban green space where people can walk, run, enjoy plantings, grab some shade, or throw a Frisbee. The park is a multi-use area, and even features an amphitheater, which you can see in the illustration. Scott Ukrop, Principal and Director of Communications at 3North, says the park can accommodate Bon Secours Movin’ Mania program, which is designed to improve health and well-being of Virginia kids. The park will include a walking/running path with Vita Course stations, an amphitheater with seat walls for fan viewing and seasonal community music/theater events, large landscape chimes for children’s play, a shaded park area planted with native species of plants, and in the future they will add a small water feature (similar to McGuffey park in Charlottesville) for kids’ play, and for dogs and birds to get a sip of water. You know what else is really cool about this park? It’s going to feature a selection of native plants, plants that are self-sustaining and won’t need to be irrigated. Virginia has so many beautiful native plants, so you all are in for a treat! Although the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Camp runs from July 25 to August 16, Richmond gets to enjoy the new $800,000 park long after Redskins camp is over. You can be sure Redskins Park will attract visitors all year long. This is an urban green space that can be enjoyed by all.
Here’s more about the training center and park:
The Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center sets a new standard in the NFL for summer training camp facilities. The project provides state of the art facilities designed especially for the Redskins during the three-week training period. It is also available for a variety of sporting events throughout the remainder of the year. The facilities include a locker room, drill field and two side-by-side professional grade playing fields.
The facility includes a 2.5 acre park which will be accessible to the public. Amenities within the park include a 1/4 mile vita course and walking/running trail, a 500-seat amphitheater, a children’s music garden, and a water wall. The amphitheater will offer programming throughout the year for outdoor concerts, performances, and festivals.
Click the image to see a larger version of this drawing
Jun 10th, 2013 by Jonah Holland
Text & photos by Brian Vick, Community Kitchen Garden Coordinator, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Beet bonanza. These beets were grown from seed obtained from the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants. Variety: Early Blood Turnip Root (Betas vulgaris, family Amaranthaceae).
There’s just something extra special about the color palette with fresh vegetables — fresh as in minutes after harvest, and in this case chilled to preserve the freshness. This week Lewis Ginter Community Kitchen Garden staff delivered 102 lbs. of beets and turnips to FeedMore. The beets were grown from seed obtained from Monticello’s Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants. Year to date produce donations: 156 lbs.
Purpletop White Globe turnips (Brassica rapa, family Brassica), heirloom variety, harvested at a good time… not too large, not too small, and with high-quality greens attached.
Jun 7th, 2013 by Jonah Holland
by Jonah Holland, PR & Marketing Coordinator, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Sometimes, if you create something brilliant, you create a timeless work of art that people want to see again and again. I guess this could be said of the butterfly. Its magical transformation from caterpillar to butterfly is a symbol of hope and inspiration for so many. People come from near and far to see Butterflies LIVE! all summer long. It seems to attract people like a nectar plant attracts butterflies. But today, I want to talk about another brilliant thing that I keep coming back to, a video interview of our 2009 Butterflies LIVE! butterfly wrangler, Jay Forehand. Sometimes, when you have the perfect mix of zany expression and passion, you find that interviewing a subject also becomes a magical and transformative experience. One such moment for me is when Baylen Forcier of RVA Mag interviewed Jay.
RVA Interviews – Jay Forehand from RVA TV on Vimeo.
Jun 6th, 2013 by Jonah Holland
Text & photos by Jonah Holland, PR & Marketing Coordinator, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
As you probably know, we’re a bit crazy about butterflies right now. Butterflies LIVE! is in full swing at the Garden…..and all over Richmond. Here at the Garden you’ll find native butterflies outside everywhere. We’ve planted butterfly-attracting plants not just in the Conservatory, but in the Central Garden, the Flagler Garden, the Children’s Garden, the Healing Garden, and just about every else we can think of. If you are like us, and can’t get enough of the butterflies, then you will love this:
drive down Lakeside Avenue a couple miles toward the city you’ll find that the Science Museum of Virginia has hundreds of millions of butterflies right in the IMAX theater! They are showing Flight of the Butterflies now through September 6th.
This is a really special movie and seeing it in the IMAX theater will make it unforgettable. Migrate with hundreds of millions of monarch butterflies across North America as you discover the hideaway of these magnificent creatures – a secret that was unlocked after 40 years of research by Dr. Fred Urquhart. Immerse yourself in this compelling adventure as you find a super generation of butterflies who miraculously travel to a new and remote destination. Experience firsthand the beauty of the migration cycle of butterflies spanning not only thousands of miles but generations.
And like Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, the Science Museum of Virginia has an educational mission. If you are an educator, or just a parent looking for great things to do with your kids either before or after the movie, be sure to check out the Flight of the Butterflies Educator’s Guide. It has info on many questions your children’ might ask. Like, “Why is a monarch butterfly called a monarch?” and “Do the male and female butterflies look identical?” “What’s a typical day in the life of a monarch butterfly?” ”How can I help the monarchs and plant a butterfly garden?”
Monarchs are a North American treasure that need to be protected. WWF lists them as a “Near Threatened” species. And as reported in a recent NY Times article co-written by Sweet Briar College professor Lincoln Brower, “Today the winter monarch colonies, which are found west of Mexico City in an area of about 60 miles by 60 miles, are a pitiful remnant of their former splendor. The aggregate area covered by the colonies dwindled from an average of 22 acres between 1994 and 2003 to 12 acres between 2003 and 2012. This year’s area, which was reported on Wednesday, hit a record low of 2.9 acres. ”
If you still aren’t convinced this is a must see film, here’s the trailer:
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