Garden
Etiquette

For the safety and enjoyment of our guests:

  • Outside food or picnics are not allowed to be brought into the Garden except for pre-registered school groups. Learn more about food service at the Garden.
  • We are unable to accommodate group meetings in the Garden Café.  To rent a meeting space, please contact [email protected] or call (804) 262-9887, x224 or x345.
  • Pets are permitted only on specially advertised Fido’s Nights.  Service animals are permitted at all times. Please read our rules and guidelines for visiting Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden with dogs.
  • Please refrain from the following activities:
    • Stepping in the planting beds
    • Collecting live plants, seeds, flowers, fruits or vegetables
    • Feeding the geese and other wildlife
    • Smoking indoors, in designated fresh air intake areas, or in the Children’s Garden
  • The use of drones is not allowed in the Garden and drones may not fly over Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s property.

Please keep the following items at home:

  • Tricycles, bicycles, skateboards, and hoverboards (we have bike racks outside the Visitor Center)
  • Footballs, frisbees, kites, and other sporting items
  • Fireworks, firearms, alcohol, and glass containers

For artists and photographers:

  • Professional portraits require a reservation and fee through the Facility Rental Office.
  • Please do not leave your equipment unattended, as the Garden is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
  • Certain venues may be unavailable due to previously scheduled events or routine maintenance.
  • Please do not block main paths, set up within garden beds, or disturb the plant collections.
  • If you choose to work in the Conservatory, please use a drop cloth.