Thrive

Our Garden is Growing!

We’re expanding our Conservatory and gardens to offer exciting new guest experiences and programming. Visit this page for updates.

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What are we doing?

As part of the THRIVE campaign, we will be:

  • Nearly doubling the size of our Conservatory
  • Adding 7.5 acres of new gardens
  • Incorporating Wick Lake into the Garden experience
  • Expanding the Kroger Community Kitchen Garden to grow more produce for Feed More

How does this affect you, our guests and members?

  • The majority of the construction is behind the Conservatory in areas not normally accessible to the public.
  • Expect the usual experiences associated with a nearby construction site, including some fencing and noise during work hours.
  • The Conservatory will close to the public during construction starting April 1, 2025.
  • We will not have our Butterflies LIVE! exhibit in 2025 while we expand the Conservatory to include a permanent butterfly house.
  • Once the project is complete, guests will be able to enjoy exciting new experiences and programming.

What’s the timeline?

  • This is a two-year project.
  • We broke ground in March of 2024 and anticipate construction being complete in spring of 2026.
  • The project is currently on schedule and on budget.
  • This expansion is not related to the Garden’s purchase of 6.2 acres from Lakeside Baptist Church which is being supported by Henrico County. Ownership of that property will not transfer until July 2026, and master site planning must be done before any plans are envisioned.

Why are we doing this?

  • To serve you better by providing exciting new guest experiences and programming.
  • To support our community and beyond with increased opportunities for connection, wellness, learning and resiliency.

Who is doing the work?

3North is designing the Conservatory addition and they are also one of six landscape architects and designers on the project. The designers were selected for their diverse backgrounds and to provide a variety of garden experiences. They include Charlottesville-based Waterstreet Studio, Phyto Studio out of Arlington, Chicago-based Austin Eischeid, New York designer Wambui Ippolito and Arizona-based Catalina LaFrance.

General contractor is Hourigan and Timmons Group is the engineer.

How is this being funded?

  • THRIVE has been funded by the generosity of over 200 individuals, families, charitable foundations, and corporations.
  • We have currently raised $25M of our $31M goal, which includes 100% of members of the Board of Directors making a gift or pledge to the project.

Learn more about what you have to look forward to:

RENDERING_Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden_north side_expanded Conservatory

Conservatory

Nearly doubling in size with the addition of tropical and subtropical houses, including a permanent butterfly house; conversion of existing houses to Mediterranean and desert climates.

 

RENDERING_Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden_walkway_bench

New gardens

7.5 acres of new gardens around the Conservatory and Wick Lake.

 

Rendering_Thrive Expansion_aerial view_Wick Lake

Wick Lake

Will be incorporated into the guest experience, including Martha’s Way, a walking trail that encircles the lake. Enhancements will increase the lake’s size to four acres, adding wildlife habitat, creating a living classroom, and serving as a filtration system for water pollutants.

 

Culinary Evening: Spring Fling with Chef Anne

Kroger Community Kitchen Garden

Expansion to include a demonstration garden growing produce for Feed More, plus more fruit trees, berries and vegetables. Since 2009, the  Garden has donated more than 70,000 pounds of fresh produce to Feed More, which translates to approximately 55,000 healthy meals.

Our mission:

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s mission is connecting people to plants by inspiring communities to explore and conserve nature.