Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

Back in Richmond we took a trip to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens one day with the kids and my inlaws.  I'd never been before but my mother-in-law really wanted to take the grandkids so she ended up buying a membership so they could come back in the future.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden offers year-round beauty on a historic property with more than 50 acres of spectacular gardens, dining, and shopping. A classical domed Conservatory is the only one of its kind in the mid-Atlantic. More than a dozen themed gardens include a Children’s Garden, Rose Garden, Asian Valley and Cherry Tree Walk.

Pathways will draw you to parts of the garden that delight you around every turn. Come explore, secret, private spaces, learn about our plant collections, and enjoy our world-class botanical displays. 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.
--from Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden website

After parking we headed into the ticketing area.

The rules were helpfully presented before you left the ticketing building.

Once outside we quickly encountered a profusion of flora.

There were some shaded arbors.

This was a healing garden full of plants used for medicinal purposes.

In the distance we caught the first glimpse of the conservatory.

Before we got there we came across this area of fountains.

The Conservatory is the “Jewel of the Garden.” This 11,000 square-foot complex houses exotic and unusual plants from around the world in its permanent collection and features beautiful seasonal displays.

Crowned by a 63-foot-tall dome, the Conservatory includes a central Palm House housing our palm and cycad collection; the semi-tropical East Wing features tropical plants, including our orchid collection; our cacti and succulent collection is on display in the West Wing; and the North Wing hosts changing themed displays full of seasonal color and interest including model trains and a holiday tree during Dominion GardenFest of Lights and special exhibitions such as Butterflies LIVE!.
--from Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden website

Once inside we headed for the butterfly area.

It didn't take too long to see some butterflies.

Plates of rotten fruit provide liquid and nourishment for the insects.

I have no idea what species this is, only that it is beautiful.

These wings looked almost iridescent.

There were plenty of flowers as well.

This red and black variety definitely doesn't blend in with green leaves.

The butterflies also landed on the stone.

And sometimes they landed on heads.

More stone landings.

This yellow one landed on my father-in-law.

Beautiful flowers and butterfly.

This striped variety was particularly striking.

Now this white variety definitely blended in with the mesh.

Powder Puff Tree.

These wings definitely look like eyes.

This coral plant does look a bit like coral.

Another iridescent variety.

Brilliant blue.

This little structure was located inside the conservatory and made a great place to display a number of plants.

Inside was this display.

Century plant.

Candelabra cactus.

Red-headed Irishman.

Prickly pear cactus.

The dome was quite convenient for allowing taller tropical trees to grow inside.

I found wing containing orchids especially fascinating.

Orange

Pink

White

Spotted

Purple

Variegated

Splotched

Yellow

Lei Orchid

After seeing the orchids we headed outside.

We next headed to the rose garden.

Imagine the splendor and fragrance of over 1,300 rose bushes massed in a 9,000 square-foot hillside rose garden. This is the allure of the Louise Cochrane Rose Garden, which in 2008 was tripled in size, expanded in variety, and elevated to national significance.
--from Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden website

There were a number of beautiful blooms here as well.

The Children's Garden was full of fun things for kids to explore.

The farm garden is a result of a bequest designed to connect "children and families to agriculture, nature, and beauty."

A parent rest area seems like a great idea!

The kids enjoyed exploring this tree house.

It has a ramp allowing people of all abilities to explore it.

Before too long it started to rain and we headed out for the day.  I'm sure we'll be back at some point to explore more.  If you want to see more pictures check out this album.

~Matt