Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Is a Southeastern Standout

This public garden features a broad diversity of plants and regional design inspiration

Visiting a public garden is one of the good ways to line up inspiration . One of the good public gardens in our area isLewis Ginter Botanical Gardenin Richmond , Virginia . With 82 acres and a 12 theme gardens , every nurseryman will be dazzle by the smasher of this Southeastern stone .

History and development

The original property was given to the urban center of Richmond by heiress Grace Arents and named after her uncle , Lewis Ginter , as a public park and botanic garden . For years , the property lay in a DoS of neglect and disrepair . In 1984 , the garden was hire and organise . After a three - twelvemonth rehabilitation appendage , Lewis Ginter was formally opened to the world . The garden has have rapid growth since that time and is now a shining instance of gardening in our region .

Huge plant diversity and a world-class conservatory

Garden enthusiasts will find over 5,700 taxa of plant surrounded by 11 major buildings , which include a domain - year conservatory and glasshouse . The Conservatory is the true jewel of this garden and includes a 63 - ft - tall cardinal dome . Several lakes and woodland paths couple attractively with more traditional horticultural displays . visitant can spend all day explore the garden and still find more to discover .

Garden spotlight: Asian Valley

fulfill with artistically placed boulder , dramatic water feature film , and theatrical tree diagram forms , Ginter ’s Asian Valley bear out among the various themed gardens . Here you will witness displays of plants native to Asia that are adapt to develop experimental condition in the Mid - Atlantic and Southeast . Japanese maple ( Acer palmatumand cvs . , Zones 5–9 ) fans and conifer enthusiasts will find this garden of fussy stake . Capturing the liveliness of Asian garden intention , visitant are take in to be introspective as they stroll the way of life .

An insider’s perspective

I asked Brian Trader , United States President and CEO of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden , what he wants people to screw about the garden he and his squad of staff and volunteers propose the residential area . He replied , “ Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden supply nurseryman and industrial plant enthusiasts an engrossment into creatively curated gardens and ecological experiences . versed spaces and grand view throughout the garden characteristic native and exotic plant selections which thrive in the urban Southeast . ” I also asked Brian about a garden high spot he would recommend for visitant . He told me , “ Our Edgar Guest are especially inspired by our West Island Garden with [ its ] focus on native and carnivorous pitcher plant as well as our Cochrane Rose Garden , which showcases miscellany well - suited for Mid - Atlantic summers . ”

Plan your visit

Lewis Ginter is not just one of the top botanical garden in the Southeast . It has made several top 10 lists for all botanical gardens in the United States . I recommend you set aside a full day for your visit . If you are in the area , stuffy to Richmond is Maymont , a nineteenth - century estate with a Gilded Age residence , garden , botanical garden , and wildlife centre . For the history buff , Colonial Williamsburg , one of the largest outside museum in the country , is not a far drive from either of these stops . Our neighborhood is full of terrific horticulture and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is head the mode . In the coming year , make garden travel a precedency and get brainchild from one of our region ’s wonderful public garden .

For more on public gardens in the region , check outFinding Inspiration at Public Gardens .

— Andy Pulte is a faculty member in the plant life sciences section at the University of Tennessee .

hunky-dory Gardening recommend Products

Gardener ’s Log Book from NYBG

Fine horticulture receives a commission for particular purchased through links on this site , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising political program .

The Regenerative Landscaper : Design and Build Landscapes That doctor the Environment

Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade , Trenching Shovel

Get our latest tips , how - to article , and instructional videos sent to your inbox .

signal you up …

The Gibbs Gardens Shine in Spring

Barklice on Southeastern Shrubs and Trees

Gardening Symposia in the Southeast

Gardening Gift Ideas for Southeastern Gardeners

Join all right Gardening for a free engaging live webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned plant life pathologist as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamental technical director …

When I spotted a picky sand dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few month ago , I lie with I was in trouble . With a delightful gloss pattern …

When we only prioritise plants we want over plant our landscape pauperization , each time of year is fill up with a never - ending list of chores : pruning , snarf , watering , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to travel on something , but because you might be dive - flunk by a span …

4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden

Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill

Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage

4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard

All Access members get more

Sign up for afree trialand get access to ALL our regional content , plus the rest of the member - only content depository library .

Start Free Trial

Get complete site accession to expert advice , regional content , and more , plus the mark magazine .

Start your FREE trial

Already a member?sign in

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

The Conservatory and nearby greenhouses, featuring more tender plants than can grow outside, are some of the architectural centerpieces of the garden.Photo: courtesy of Caroline Martin Photography

public garden with Asian design

Asian Valley is one of the garden’s themed areas, featuring Asian garden designs and plants that are adapted to the Southeast.Photo: courtesy of Tom Hennessy

rose garden