Garden Walk Schedule
August-December 2019

Seasonal Garden Walks | September 3 OR September 10, October 1 OR October 8, November 5, December 3

Discover seasonal highlights in the Garden with a knowledgeable Garden Guide.

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Themed Walks

Bee Tour | August 28

Join your Garden Guide on a quest for nectar and pollen. Explore the Garden to see its beauty and find the nectar the bees see as lunch. The tour will end at the apiary where our in-house beekeeper will be available for your questions (subject to weather and staff availability).

The Importance of Monarchs and Pollinators Walk & Talk | September 7

Your Garden Guide discusses monarch butterflies and other pollinators and why they are important to us. Enjoy a guided walk around the Garden looking for pollinators and exploring the Garden’s pollinator initiatives. Families welcome.

Bird Migration in the Garden | September 26

Enjoy a pleasant walk in the Garden and learn about how birds use our 80 acres to rest, refuel, and continue the journey south for the winter. Fall migration can be an exciting happening in the Garden where we provide an oasis for our travel weary avian friends.

Butterfly Basics Walk & Talk | October 5

Come learn some basic and fun information about butterflies and moths, including the significance of Monarch butterflies and how we can each make a difference. Afterwards, enjoy a guided walk around the Garden. We’ll end at the Conservatory with a visit to M&T Bank Butterflies LIVE!. Families welcome.

The Hidden Life of Trees Walk & Talk | October 10

New best-selling books have brought revelations about how trees live their lives. You’ll visit some of the Garden’s most prominent trees and hear discoveries about their subtle communication skills through the “wood wide web”. Tour includes many parts of the garden; expect some uneven terrain.  Families welcome.

Native Plants and Why They Are Important Walk & Talk | October 14 OR October 26

Native plants are a wonderful addition to the landscape for their adaptability, ornamental value and pollinator support. Tour the Garden with experienced Guides and learn how to incorporate natives into your garden with greater confidence and success.

Asian Valley Tour | October 15

Explore and view the Asian Valley from a different perspective. Learn how Eastern culture, tradition, and lore are fundamentals in the development of an Asian garden.

High Heat & Low Moisture Stars: Cacti, Conifers, Grasses, Sedums | October 19 OR November 7

Explore plants that are adapted to survive in more hostile conditions. Huge varieties of plants are available in “big box stores” as well as native plant nurseries. Learn how you can transform your hostile spaces into beautiful gardens (even a Fairy Garden), travel without water worries and help the environment by conserving water, retaining soil moisture and reducing weeds naturally.

Stuff in the Garden: Exploring Hidden Garden Gems | November 18 OR November 20

Interested in discovering some of the Garden’s hidden gems? Find out more about iconic Garden sculptures and structures as you tour the Garden with a knowledgeable Garden Guide.

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Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights Tours

GardenFest of Lights Early Bird Tour | December 4 OR December 5 OR December 11 OR December 12

No longer just for groups, join your Garden Guide to learn special behind-the-scenes details of the region’s most magical light show. Learn how this year’s theme connects nature with flight. As darkness falls, your “early bird” access allows you to see the Garden’s transformation as it glows bright!

GardenFest of Lights Behind the Scenes Tour | December 10

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the operations behind the lights. Learn general and specific information about the history, composition, execution, and facts about the GardenFest of Lights with emphasis on the outdoor lighting.

 

The winter/spring 2020 season of classes will publish on December 4, 2019.