Go Botanical in Virginia’s Gardens
Virginia is home to some of the oldest and most beautiful formal gardens in the United States. Whether you are seeking beautiful landscapes or inspiration for your own home, the state’s gardens are great places to be.
Highland was the home of James Monroe, and today you can visit this spot near Charlottesville to see formal boxwood gardens and a working farm. Not far away is Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. Here you can wander winding paths which lead to flower beds and gardens.
You’ll find an arboretum full of herbs, wildflowers, and roses at the MacCallum More Museum and Gardens in Chase City. In Lynchburg, the garden in the Anne Spencer House served as inspiration for that noted poet – call ahead, as tours are by appointment only.
Montpelier, the homes of James and Dolley Madison, has a landscape arboretum, restored gardens, and a forest full of 200-year-old trees, plus views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Richmond has several spots for fans of gardens. The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden spans more than 25 acres and has a special spot just for children. Maymont covers 100 acres as well as a Tudor estate transplanted here from England.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
While in the busy city city of Richmond, take time to smell the roses. Visit the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, located north of downtown Richmond, to stroll through over forty acres of blooming gardens. The garden was established on land purchased by Lewis Ginter in 1884 and has become one of the top attractions in the Richmond area.
Visit the garden to see the Sunken Garden, a Children's Garden, Rose Garden, a Victorian Garden and the Healing Garden. The Conservatory features a variety of tropical plants and exotic plants from around the world. The garden also hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, in the E. Claiborne Robins Visitor Center, the Bloemendaal House and the Joan Massey Conference Center.
George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens
Covering 500 acres, George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens is America's most visited historic estate – averaging one million annual visitors. The Mount Vernon Estate is located along the Potomac River, south of Alexandria and Springfield in central Virginia – just south of the DC area.
Schedule plenty of time to see everything on this beautiful working plantation, including the 18-century flowers in the gardens. Take your time touring George Washington's mansion, which has been restored to how it looked in 1799.
View the tomb where Martha and George Washington are buried and stroll through the Ford Orientation Center to l earn about this magnificent estate. The Museum & Education Center features interactive displays, short films and 23 galleries.