Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (Richmond, VA)
While balcony container gardeners enjoy their small-space urban gardens, sometimes a few container plants on an apartment balcony above a busy street just isn’t peaceful enough. Balcony gardeners might not be able to have a peaceful, large garden, but there are public gardens and arboretums near every major city. Don’t just fawn over pictures of luxurious gardens, get out there and enjoy a day at a public garden! You may even bring some gardening inspiration home to your own balcony container garden.
If you live in or are visiting the Richmond, VA., area, why not visit the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden?
- The more than 50-acre Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden includes an 11,000-square-foot classical domed conservatory, a Children’s Garden, Four Seasons Garden, Healing Garden (plants used for medicine and healing), Lace House Garden, Sunken Garden, Rose Garden (more than 1,800 roses of 80 varieties), Victorian Garden and more.
- The garden is named after Lewis Ginter, who purchased the land in 1884 and built the Lakeside Wheel Club as a gathering place for bicyclists.
- Call ahead (two weeks in advance) to schedule a one of the many garden tours available at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, including the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, The Heart of the Garden: An Introduction, GardenFest of Lights Early Bird Tour, Major Lewis Ginter History Tour and more.
- If you get hungry, eat at the Garden Café or Robins Tea House, or eat snacks you brought with you in the Children’s Garden.
- Rent one of the many venues at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden for weddings and receptions, corporate events, parties and more.
- If you are really interested in botany, horticulture, garden design, etc., visit the Lora M. Robins Library, which has more than 5,000 books available. You must be a garden member to check out materials, but all garden visitors can visit the library on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Visit the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s website to learn more about the many classes, workshops, plant sales, wine tastings, live music performances, activities and volunteer opportunities available. Don’t miss the Dominion GardenFest of Lights, a holiday tradition at the garden that features more than 500,000 lights, decorations and activities from late November to mid-January. Other special events include a Million Blooms, a Mother’s Day Concert and Groovin’ in the Garden concert series.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Quick Info
lewisginter.org
(804) 262-9887
1800 Lakeside Ave, Henrico, VA 23228
$11 (adults), $10 (seniors) and $7 (children 3 to 12 years)
Open daily 9am-5pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas.
