Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

From xeriscaping and plant propagation to pressed flower art and Mediterranean garden design, our summer class lineup has something for every kind of plant lover. Learn hands-on from local experts and our very own talented staff in a series of upcoming workshops you won’t want to miss:
https://www.lewisginter.org/learn/adult-classes/current-class-schedule/

🌿 Xeriscaping for Central Virginia: Saturday, June 27 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

🌸 Bloom Between the Pages: Pressed Flower Bookmark Workshop: Friday, July 10 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

🏛️ Mediterranean Landscapes Under Glass: Saturday, July 11 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

🌱 Beginning Botany: Learn the Plant Families Every Virginian Should Know!: Thursday, July 16 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

🪴 Plant Propagation 101: Saturday, July 25 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

📷: Will Nelson

Dead leaf or butterfly? 🦋

When visiting our Butterflies Bloom exhibit, keep an eye out for these three masters of camouflage:

SEASONAL LEAFWING – Zaretis ellops
ORANGE DEAD LEAF – Kallima inachus
AUTUMN LEAF – Doleschallia bisaltide

These butterflies imitate dead leaves to hide amongst the plants to escape predators who might want to eat them. Borrow a magnifying glass and see if you can locate one of our leafwing species blending in!
To learn more about camouflage, mimicry, and other butterfly adaptations, stop by Butterflies Bloom in the Goodwin Subtropical House of the Conservatory and chat with one of our Butterfly Educators!

Reserved tickets are required to visit Butterflies Bloom, and reservations can be made upon arrival at the front desk in the Robins Visitors Center or online ahead of time.

Tickets to Butterflies Bloom are offered at no extra charge; they are included in the price of admission or membership to the Garden. Limited stroller access and no food or drinks except water permitted.

Hope to see you soon!

-Clara Aus, Butterfly Exhibit Manager

Admission to the Garden is FREE this Friday, June 19 in honor of Juneteenth! This is our first Genworth Free Community Day since our expansion opened. 🌳🌺🦋

The universally-accessible Klaus Family Tree House will be open for all to enjoy, as will Waterway splash pad in the Children’s Garden. The air-conditioned Library is also available for cooling off. Visitors can also explore our outdoor art exhibition, Alebrijes with installations located throughout iconic areas of the Garden including the now open expansion.

Moreover, we will have the Butterflies Bloom exhibit available until we reach capacity, so plan to come early: https://www.lewisginter.org/event/juneteenth-free-community-day/ ⬇️

Activities & Programming:

Shauntae Lilly:
• Storytime: 10 – 11am
• Performance in the Rose Garden: 12:15 – 12:45pm
• Vocal performances in the Auditorium 2 – 2:30pm:

Artist Ron Stokes will be live painting in the Reading Garden: 10am – 1pm

Historical Interpretation presentation by Michael Carter Jr. of Carter Farms beginning in the Auditorium, and moving to the Central Garden: 11am – 12pm

MusicMichael Carter Jr.id-Atlantic Jams 11am – 3pm

The Finding EdnB-Ricecedocumentary will be screening in the Auditorium: from 2 – 3pm AND 4 – 5pm

2:30 – 3:30pm: EstVPM Manor Farm Cultural Foodways Presentation & Tasting: an interactive presentation exploring African heritage crops, Black food traditions, storytelling, and cultural preservation through food.

Food Philly Vegan, Lib True Taste, and Ruby Scoops will be onsite.

📷: Caroline Martin, Tom Hennessy, & Will Nelson

Congratulations to Phyto Studio on receiving the 2026 ASLA Landscape Architecture Firm Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects!

You can see Phyto Studio’s beautiful work right here at the Garden. Visit Ann Lee’s Meadow to experience their award-winning approach to ecological planting and landscape design firsthand: https://www.lewisginter.org/visit/gardens/

📷: Tom Hennessy
📷: Will Nelson

The Alebrijes have officially arrived at the Garden, and what a day it was! Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the opening of Alebrijes: Creatures of a Dreamworld. The energy, the color, the community made it absolutely unforgettable. 💃🏻🎨🌮🌞

These fantastical creatures are now on display and waiting for you. Come see them for yourself: https://www.lewisginter.org/event/alebrijes-creatures-of-a-dream-world/

📷: Tom Hennessy
📷: Will Nelson

Weekdays were made for this! 🎨🌼🐢

Skip the weekend rush and experience the Garden on a weekday. Keep your eyes peeled for June blooms including magnolia, echinacea, roses, poppies, water lilies, day lilies, pitcher plants, and so much more. 🌺🌿

📷: Will Nelson

Come experience the full joys of summer at Lewis Ginter! Whether it’s enjoying evenings of live music with Groovin’ in the Garden, bringing the kids to beat the heat on the splash pad, or enjoying our larger-than-life Alebrijes exhibit: there’s something for everyone to create summer memories that last! 🌳🌼🎨🪷

Plan your visit at lewisginter.org

📷: Tom Hennessy