Availability: Year Round
Walking Level: Moderate (Can Be Adapted to Easy/Gentle)

Experience the ever-changing beauty of nature on our Seasonal Splendor tour, a journey through the garden that celebrates all four seasons in vivid detail. From the delicate blossoms of spring and the lush, vibrant greenery of summer to the rich, fiery hues of autumn and the quiet, frosted elegance of winter, each visit offers a completely new perspective. Discover how the garden transforms throughout the year, revealing unique colors, textures, and scents with every season. Whether it’s your first visit or a returning favorite, there is always something new to see, making each tour a fresh and unforgettable experience.

Availability: Year Round
Walking Level: Easy/Gentle

Take an immersive journey through Earth’s diverse plant biomes – each distinct in climate, flora, and visual impact. Wander through the stark beauty of the desert, where resilient plants thrive with little water. Step into Mediterranean climates known for food, wine, and fragrances. View the layers of the hot humid tropical rainforest filled with lush foliage, fruit trees, and orchids. Then, enter the subtropical house where nectar-rich plants and shrubs support the living butterflies. Each space reveals how plants adapt, survive, and flourish in different conditions, offering a vivid, global celebration of plant life.

Availability: Year Round
Walking Level: Easy/Gentle to Moderate

Step beyond the Conservatory and tour the new garden areas added as part of the Conservatory expansion. This guided outdoor tour showcases the plants that can not only thrive in Richmond’s climate but are designed to provide food and shelter for insects and wildlife. You will discover the adaptive design techniques used to create the varied areas around the conservatory, including: a hillside garden, a parterre meadow, a new courtyard for gatherings, and aquatic plants and paths around the new lake area. As you go through the spaces, you will discover a rich variety of plants that are primarily native and are well-suited for this environment from evergreens to hardy perennials that return each year. The landscape is designed for resilience, transitioning from formal irrigated garden beds to more natural environments that rely on drought-tolerant and self-sustaining plantings that can thrive throughout the year.

Availability: Year Round
Walking Level: Easy/Gentle

Explore three historical European garden traditions on this guided tour noting Italian, French, and English design styles incorporated at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. Discover the beauty of formal garden symmetry and grand axial views, where pathways and vistas align to create a sense of order and perspective. Encounter sculpted hedges and serene water features that reflect the influence of European landscape design. Walk through romantic plantings and intimate garden “rooms” with lush greenery and seasonal blooms. Learn to identify and celebrate the hallmarks of European garden design as our journey unfolds.

Availability: Year Round
Walking Level: Moderate

Exposure to plants and green spaces has been shown to boost mood, increase focus, and alleviate symptoms of anxiety or depression. Botanical gardens create an environment where mindfulness comes naturally—every leaf, petal, and fragrance draws attention to the present moment. This kind of mindful observation can improve concentration and encourage a sense of gratitude. A garden visit can be an opportunity for a mental reset that fosters positivity and emotional resilience, turning a simple outing into a form of natural therapy. This tour highlights practices that you can add to your walk through the garden to bring balance and enhance your behavioral health well-being!

Availability: Only During Gardenfest
Walking Level: Easy/Gentle to Moderate

Knowledgeable Garden Guides lead your private group in early-evening exploration of GardenFest of Lights.  Tours include special behind the scenes details of the region’s most magical light show. As darkness falls, your “early bird” access allows you to see the Garden’s transformation as it glows bright!