Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

From RichmondWiki.org

With something for all ages and interests, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a place to learn about plants, to marvel at nature, to relax in a beautiful setting, to take gardening classes, or to have a wedding or a business meeting. A wide variety of experiences are offered through its diverse gardens and facilities. No wonder Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is consistently one of the most-visited attractions in the Richmond, Va., area.

[edit] Mission

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden provides education to the community about the plant world, promotes the best in horticulture and landscape design, and works toward the goal of being a leader in botanical and applied horticultural research.

[edit] 25th Anniversary

The Garden Celebrates its 25th Anniversary with many special events including the return of Butterflies LIVE!

The hugely popular Butterflies LIVE! (May 22-Oct. 11, 2009) exhibit returns to the North Wing of the Conservatory in 2009 -- this time featuring exotic tropical butterflies. With generous support from the Robins Foundation, Butterflies LIVE! will serve as the centerpiece for community celebrations and special events for the Garden’s 25th Anniversary.

The Julia Butterfly

The Butterflies Live! exhibit will feature many of the showiest species: the tangerine colored Julia, the zebra longwing, the translucent glasswing, the banded purplewing and more. The North Wing of the Conservatory will be filled with hundreds of the jewel-winged beauties. Walk in the midst of the delicate creatures, and learn their life cycle by watching as butterflies emerge from chrysalides and “dry and exercise” their wings – a process taking up to two hours before the butterfly is ready to fly. The butterflies tend to be most active on clear, sunny days, so you may want to plan your visit accordingly.

25th Anniversary Metamorphosis Symposia The Garden remembers its commitment to community development and education in its anniversary year with the Metamorphosis Symposia series. Nationally-renowned speakers will engage audiences on a variety of topics resonant with the Garden’s mission. Click here full details on the Metamorphosis Symposia.

Topics include:

Gardening in and Era of Climate Change, Is the Sky Really Falling? (Feb 4, 5, & 6)
No Child Left Inside: Restoring Nature to Early Childhood (April 28 & 29)
Green Tonic: Urban Gardening for Health & Wholeness (August 4 & 5)
Timeless Design in a Sustainable World (The Charles Gillette Forum) (October 28 & 29)

25th Anniversary Events Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden will celebrate the 25th Anniversary all year long with many special activities and events. Plus we'll offer special 25th Anniversary group tours celebrating and exploring the Garden's history. Some highlights of eventes include:

The 25th Anniversary Kick-Off -- New Year's Eve Family Frolic, December 31; 1-4 pm

The Year 2009 is the Garden’s 25th anniversary and this New Year’s Eve event is an afternoon celebration for the whole family. Activities include a concert by the Ululating Mummies, balloon artists, face painters and the chance to make-and-take a noisemaker.

(Visitors can stay and enjoy GardenFest of Lights in the evening from 5 – 10 p.m.)

A Million Blooms: 25 Years & Growing, April 1 – Sunday, June 7, 2009; 1-4 pm

Celebrate spring with A Million Blooms -- offering a million ways to have fun in the Garden and featuring a spectacular succession of blooms including daffodils, cherry blossoms, tulips, iris, roses and peonies. Highlights of A Million Blooms include special activities related to the Garden’s 25th anniversary and events such as Easter Weekend, Mother’s Day, the Spring Plant Sale and plant shows, and activities in the Children’s Garden. The Garden will also have extended hours on Thursday evening, April 23 til 9 p.m. featuring informal tours, live music and wine-tasting.

A Blooming Anniversary Weekend, Saturday & Sunday, April 18 & 19, 2009

Celebrate tulips at their peak and historic highlights from the Garden’s past.. Enjoy tours of Bloemendaal House and imagine its early days as the original Lakeside Wheel Club, where cyclists gathered and enjoyed ice cream on the porch after a ride out into the “country.' Period music, costumed portrayals of Lewis Ginter and Grace Arents, and a special Sunday champagne brunch (by reservation) mark this special weekend commemorating the Garden’s 25th anniversary.

Children’s Garden Spring Fling, Sunday, April 26, 2009

Kick off the gardening season at the Children’s Garden Spring Fling.This community celebration offers family-friendly music, entertainment, activities, and food.The event is the Sunday after Earth Day (April 22) and includes activities promoting environmental stewardship and highlighting the work of local “green” partners.

All-American Celebration: Butterflies are Free! Saturday, July 4, 2009

Free Garden admission for all on this day only!!! Guests are invited to wear red, white and blue and bring wagons and strollers to decorate for a “parade” from the Visitors Center to the Children’s Garden – where they can enjoy music, WaterPlay and fun activities. Butterflies LIVE! continues; watch tropical butterflies in every stage of metamorphosis in the North Wing of the Conservatory.

[edit] Plan Your Visit

Planning a visit to the Garden? Let us help you – choose one of the itineraries below to plan a special day at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Guided tours are available when reserved in advance. For more details on these on what to see while you are here visit our Day Planner.

[edit] Membership

Enjoy the many benefits of membership knowing that you're helping provide a place of beauty, learning and refreshment for our community and beyond. Garden membership is also a perfect gift for family and friends.

The gardens are constantly changing -- that's part of their wonderful allure. If you enjoy the changing seasons, consider becoming a member of the Garden. You can visit as often as you like during the year without an admission fee, and you receive valuable discounts for classes, events, and in the Garden Shop. The Garden is also part of a reciprocal membership program offering free admission to other gardens around the country. To view these, click here.

Memberships range from $35 to $85 for details or to become a member, visit our membership page.

[edit] Education

Come learn in the Garden! Grow and learn at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden! In this dynamic, ever-changing "learning landscape," you can expand your knowledge of the plant world, develop your gardening skills, and sample the best in horticulture and landscape design.

Check out our current offerings in the latest course catalog: click here for a printer-friendly version. Or, review the monthly calendar of events by using the Calendar link to your right; you can search for programs by type (Home Gardening, Floral Design, or Art in the Garden). If you would like a catalog mailed to you, send an e-mail request to: registrar@lewisginter.org To view more detailed information visit Lewis Ginter's education page.

[edit] Hours, Map & Directions

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Map

Hours

The Garden is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Garden is closed on Jan. 1, Thanksgiving Day, Dec. 24 and Dec. 25.

PLEASE NOTE: The Garden is open in January, but the Shop, Cafe and Tea House have an altered schedule. The Garden Shop and Garden Cafe are closed Jan. 13 - 21 and the Tea House is closed Jan. 1 - 31.

Directions

For a map, www.mapquest.com

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is right off Interstate 95 and is convenient to Interstates 64 and 295. Located at 1800 Lakeside Avenue in Richmond, Va., the Garden sits at the corner of Lakeside Avenue and Hilliard Road. It is just minutes north of downtown Richmond and is close to many other area attractions, accommodations and dining. If you need help with directions, please call (804) 262-9887, ext. 300.

From Downtown Richmond (I-95 North) On I-95 North take Exit 80, the Lakeside Avenue exit. Keep to the right and take the right at the first light onto Lakeside Avenue. (You'll see the brown Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden sign.) Follow Lakeside Avenue. You will see the Garden entrance just after you cross the intersection at Lakeside Avenue and Hilliard Road.

From Washington, D.C. (I-95 South) From I-95 South take Exit 83B, the Parham Road Rt. 73 West exit. (Right before this exit you will see the brown Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden sign.) On Parham, quickly get into your far left lane. At the second stoplight, take a left onto Brook Road (also known as Route 1 South). At the third stoplight, take a right onto Lakeside Avenue. (At the light you will see a brown Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden sign.) As you go down Lakeside Avenue, you will see the Garden entrance to your right just before you reach the Hilliard Road intersection.

From Charlottesville (I-64 East) Come into Richmond on I-64 East. Get on to I-95 North to Washington, D.C. Follow directions for I-95 North.

From Williamsburg (I-64 West) Come into Richmond on I-64 West. Get on I-95 North to Washington, D.C. Follow directions for I-95 North.