Making a Difference in the Community

Aug 11th, 2023

Workforce Development at the Garden

Even if you’re unfamiliar with workforce development, you might remember Dr. Oliver Sacks, a renowned neurologist, who was best known for his writing, including the book Awakenings, his account of […]

Read More
Jun 28th, 2022

Pride Blooms with Color

Hospitality, one of the Garden’s five core values, means that we celebrate people from different backgrounds and walks of life and we embrace them wholeheartedly. On a simpler level, hospitality […]

Read More
Jan 1st, 2022

Looking Back at 2021

I’ve always appreciated New Year’s as a time for looking back and an opportunity to look forward. One of my favorite movies is “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and Ferris puts […]

Read More
Dec 23rd, 2021

The Firekeeper: A Heartwarming Story

One thing I hear over and over again about Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights is that our staff are welcoming, friendly, and go out of their way to help visitors. It […]

Read More
Dec 8th, 2021

Picture Perfect: Community Partnership

The day was picture perfect. Vibrant fall colors and a clear blue sky provided the backdrop for a photo session with the Browder family. Their visit was the result of […]

Read More
Oct 6th, 2021

Saving the Glen Stream

A few years ago some generous donors gave Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden seed funding to save a stream. This unassuming stream, the Glen, cuts its way across Parking Lots B […]

Read More
Sep 1st, 2021

Volunteers Making a Difference Gardening

“The Garden would be a jungle without them,” says Senior Horticulturist Elizabeth Fogel, the gratitude in her voice infused with respect and relief.  “Or overrun with weeds, for sure. They’re […]

Read More
Aug 26th, 2021

Afghan Women’s Garden Beds

This blog post about the Afghan Women’s garden beds was written before the events in Afghanistan the week of August 16, 2021. The women continue to visit their garden beds […]

Read More
Jul 6th, 2021

Birdfeeders: Take Down Your Feeders

UPDATE 12.31.21 The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has retracted the temporary ban on feeding activities, so people can resume normal activity. However, they are recommending frequent (i.e. at least […]

Read More
Jun 17th, 2021

Planting for Pollinators

Something serendipitous happens when a bee or a beetle, a bird, a bat or a butterfly rummages through the bright bloom of a flower in search of food. Lured by […]

Read More
Jun 15th, 2021

Native Bees, Bumble Bees & Honey Bees

Bees, bees, bees! Recently there’s been a lot of talk about saving the honeybees. Many articles explain the importance of honey bees as pollinators, and their declining numbers due to […]

Read More
May 27th, 2021

Unicia Buster:
Human Cecropia

My love of moths continues as I channeled the spirit of the Hyalophora cecropia Linnaeus or Cecropia moth, the largest native North American moth for my latest work of art. […]

Read More
Apr 28th, 2021

Elizabeth Fogel: Designing for Tomorrow

Senior Horticulturist Elizabeth Fogel studied the latest theories for sustainable and regenerative landscapes by visiting 10 eco-focused botanical gardens over the past two years. Her cross-country travel and hands-on research […]

Read More
Apr 25th, 2021

Building Biodiversity

Landscaping in Layers Nature loves a layer. She cements courses of sediment into solid stone. She laminates an annual succession of circles into living trees. She layers an onion in […]

Read More
Mar 31st, 2021

Claudine Reyes: Inspiration and Innovation

It’s easy to find inspiration when the Garden is your office! “A simple walk around the Garden really inspires me and reenergizes me,” Visual Media Specialist Claudine Reyes explains. She […]

Read More
Mar 14th, 2021

Planting for Nature’s Best Hope

Teddy Roosevelt stood on the rim of the Grand Canyon in 1903 and, looking out across the country’s 1.2-million-acre National Park, made an impassioned plea to the American people. “Leave […]

Read More
Feb 14th, 2021

Love Letters to Nature

Are you writing love letters to anyone special this Valentine’s Day? Remember that love isn’t just about romance! Love includes being grateful for those who bring you joy, whether that’s […]

Read More
Feb 11th, 2021

Citizen Science in Your Backyard!

Calling all birders, bird enthusiasts, and even the bird curious. The annual Great Backyard Bird Count is quickly approaching, and YOU have an opportunity to participate in something global and […]

Read More
Dec 22nd, 2020

Invasive Plants: The “Dirty Dozen”

Meet the Plants Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing 12 of the most problematic invasive plants that you’ll encounter in Central Virginia. Unfortunately, we also have to […]

Read More
Sep 28th, 2020

Designs for Diversity: Dean Dietrich

IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility) is an evolving committee where different voices are heard.  Departmental representatives gather in a safe, neutral zone to address important topics related to inclusion, […]

Read More