We have a saying at the Garden: “Folks always smile and say Hello, but may not know names.” The phrase comes in a daily email sent by our Garden Cafe staff, announcing not only the daily special, but introducing who’s working the line and the register in the cafe. It’s created a culture of encouraging everyone who works here, from […]
Read MorePoeticus Daffodils: A Tale of Two Women Just when I thought all the daffodils had already bloomed, I was surprised to see some jolly miniature daffodils rising delicately, along a Flagler Garden pathway, not far from historic Bloemendaal House. With white petals and dainty cups a striking blend of lime green, golden yellow, crimson red […]
Read MoreMother’s Day was not on Nancy Penick’s mind when she cut up a jumble of fabric scraps and sewed them into a gardening apron. As the Volunteer Coordinator of PlantFest, she was searching for something new for her team of talented volunteers to make and sell in the Bloemendaal’s Best tent at Spring PlantFest this […]
Read MoreHighgrove Florilegium Comes to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden The Prince of Wales is an organic gardener. He practices organic, sustainable methods at his comfortable country home, Highgrove House, Gloucestershire, UK. Charles made the property his home in 1980 and has created a “centre of excellence for organic farming and gardening, as well as an acknowledged […]
Read MoreMove over, begonias. Find a home elsewhere, ferns. Homegrown veggies and herbs are taking over patios, one container at a time. Not everyone has space for an in-ground garden – nor does a busy household have the inclination. So, sowing the family’s produce in patio pots and deck planters is a growing alternative. Not only […]
Read MoreOur exhibit, Out of the Darkness: Moths of Virginia, focuses on the sophisticated detail, beauty and function of moths in our locality. Artist Deborah Davis is a painter with a “mothing” habit. A trained herbalist, Deborah Davis studied painting at Virginia Commonwealth University. Upon visiting her studio just outside of Charlottesville, it was clear to me how […]
Read MorePink Lady’s Slippers are a native wildflower. But this fascinating plant attracts quite a bit of attention, more so than most wildflowers. In addition to its striking appearance, it is endangered in some areas of the country. So this is a special plant indeed. If the appearance of this beauty doesn’t convince you of nature’s amazing feat, […]
Read MoreApril at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is the Perfect Time for Peony Watching Peony embraces the kind of staggering beauty that always melts my heart and takes my breath away. For me, spring would only and truly come when the first peonies blazingly open, with their sweet, mysterious curls stroked by the sun’s buttery fingers. […]
Read MoreJoel Koci knows a good tree when he sees it. He’s a tree guy. A highly respected local arborist and Virginia Forestry Extension Associate at Virginia State University. Koci visited the Garden recently for the Getting to Big Trees: Practices for Life Stages symposium. And, because its springtime when our thoughts turn to planting something […]
Read MoreNational Volunteer Week is April 10-16, the perfect time to show our gratitude to the volunteers who work hard year round to keep Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden beautiful and thriving. The Garden would not be what it is today, nor could we accomplish so much toward our mission of education, without our volunteers. Last year, […]
Read MoreWith the newly introduced Garden Explorer website, you can explore the Garden in depth — on-site or virtually from anywhere in the world! Using a web browser on a PC, tablet computer or smartphone, a virtual visitor can access: • Satellite maps of the property • A database of detailed information about our plants and collections • […]
Read MorePredicting the future can be tricky business. It’s the stuff of tea leaves and tarot cards, Magic 8 Balls and Ouija boards. And yet, for farmers, horticulturists and even home gardeners, it’s helpful to know ahead of time when a weed will go to seed, or a pest will pupate so that we can schedule […]
Read MoreWalking around Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on this early day of spring is like getting lost in a fantasy world where everything is fair and lovely. One would easily be enchanted by sun-kissed daffodils in bright yellow and white, captured by blushing camellias in robust red and pink, and simply mesmerized by the sight of […]
Read MoreThanks to YOU we were voted the one of the nations best botanical gardens by USATODAY’s 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden came in at No. 4 , just behind No. 1 Longwood Gardens, No. 2 New York Botanical Garden and No. 3 Missouri Botanical Garden. Wow, what great company to be in! Experts picked the initial […]
Read MoreLewis Ginter Botanical Garden is excited to announce plans for its latest addition: a Poison Ivy Garden. The new garden will provide seasonal interest and great fall color. The addition of poison ivy is part of the Garden’s educational mission. Signage will help guests learn valuable information about the toxic plant, such as “Leaves of […]
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