When I came across this sweet garden during a parent-teacher conference at JR Tucker High School I felt warm energy fill my heart as a realized that this grassy area is dedicated to my friend Fran Purdum, who served as Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s volunteer archivist, starting in 1984 when she retired as a science teacher […]
Read MoreMiniatures & Dollhouses The dollhouses have arrived! Now’s the time to visit the Lora Robins Library at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden during Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights. Currently on display are 45 dollhouses and dioramas on loan from local private collections. These miniatures include a diner, a 6-foot long Victorian house, a bakery (pictured above), a houseboat, […]
Read MoreTime to recycle! Old becomes new when renewables are fashioned into holiday decor. DIY-remakes start with the hunt. With an eagle eye, browse consignment shops, attics and workshops in search of retro nick knacks, retired holiday memorabilia and scrap materials. Upcycling these into holiday decorations not only saves cash. It’s eco-friendly and fun. During the […]
Read MoreI remember three things vividly from high school chemistry in Bozeman, Mont.: a terrible walk in December 1972 from home to school for a 6:30 a.m. lab with the temperature at 20 below zero; organic chemicals smelling as bad as promised; and the teacher, a veteran with a crew cut, promising the world we students […]
Read MoreIt has been my incredible honor to work at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden for the past 10 years. I truly love this place and have been blessed with meaningful work that I enjoy more than I could ever dream of. I spend each day here side-by-side with passionate, dedicated volunteers and colleagues who strive each […]
Read MoreWe are proud to announce Senior Horticulturist Shannon Smith as the recipient of the Frank L. Robinson Endowed Chair. The Frank L. Robinson Endowed Chair, created in 2015, honors the Garden’s President Emeritus Frank Robinson. The Endowed Chair offers compensation, professional development, and position support to a selected staff member from either horticulture or education. The […]
Read MoreHas there ever been a moment where you were looking at some type of art and suddenly felt inspired? Well, we have! And that’s how this year’s theme for Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights — Bringing Art to Light came to be. Working with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, we selected some of our favorite pieces […]
Read MoreI’m sure most of you know someone a family member or a friend that is nearly impossible to buy a gift for, it seems as if they already have everything. You want to buy them something special, but you just can’t figure out what that perfect gift might be. Well, if that person is a […]
Read MoreA vacant lot on St. Peter Street blighted the Gilpin Court neighborhood for decades. Overgrown grass invited debris. The location supported crime. Most residents paid little attention to the lot until Lillie A. Estes recognized its potential as an urban orchard and garden. “When Mayor Dwight Jones came into office, I heard about his community […]
Read MoreThe Science of Gift Giving If you are like me, you are always looking for new ideas for gifts. So many of us already have too many things, more than we can use or store. And sometimes because of this, it’s hard to find a gift that will really make an impact on someone we […]
Read MoreThe Bflies Instagram contest continues to be our most popular Instagram contest, year after year. It’s also one of our favorites to judge! You send us the best images — and better yet, share your stories with us. It is an honor to announce these finalists: @aimphd, @matt.king4, @jpolinchock, @captured_by_cassie, @branchesva, @roadtworuin_photography, @roy_ramirez626, @jringphoto, @cherubpoetry, @iamcoreydelaney, @am_green_gobbler_ma, @britneysbugs, @lil_latin_lady, @leilagaskin, […]
Read MoreCelebrate the holidays with Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden! We’d love to host your upcoming holiday celebration, whether it is a private party, an office Christmas party, or a thank you event for corporate clients. If you are looking to host an office Christmas party that is unique, memorable, fun and welcoming to everyone, then a […]
Read MoreAnyone can become a scientist in three simple steps. First, head outdoors. Second, observe nature. Third, share your findings. Congratulations! You are a citizen scientist. The title may not be credentialed, but professional scientists welcome data collected by citizen scientists. Naturalists, eco-friendly organizations, government agencies and land-management companies support the findings, too. Even the Smithsonian Institute […]
Read MoreGoblins and Gourds Harvest Festival Pumpkin painting, scarecrow stuffing, and food tastings are just a few of the things that you can see and do this fall at Goblins and Gourds to have some great family fun. We’ve got a day packed with fun for the whole family to get outdoors, enjoy the weather and enjoy […]
Read MoreTrees. They provide shade on a summer’s day. Brilliant bursts of color in fall. The stark beauty of naked bark against an overcast winter sky. And the hope of rebirth as green leaf shoots sprout from seemingly out of nowhere in spring. We sometimes take trees for granted, but we shouldn’t. They are vital to […]
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