Here Are The 13 Most Beautiful Gardens You'll Ever See In Virginia
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Anna Strock
Author
Gardens in Virginia are abundant, especially with summer at its peak. From flowers to fruits to vegetables, the state is rich with beauty. Fortunately, we have many sites throughout the Old Dominion — historic and otherwise — where you can see this natural beauty up close. So if you love gardens, but don’t have the time or inclination to keep your own, or perhaps just want a little inspiration for planting next year, you won’t want to miss these 13 gems. Let’s take a look at the remarkable possibilities.
1. Colonial Williamsburg Gardens
Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center, 101 Visitor Center Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23185, USA
Colonial Williamsburg is as well known for its historic gardens as for its historic buildings. Featuring dozens of varietal gardens throughout the community, visitors can take guided or self-guided tours through painstakingly recreated formal gardens, as well as countless flower, herb, and vegetable gardens.
2. Chatham Manor: Fredericksburg
Chatham Manor, 120 Chatham Ln, Fredericksburg, VA 22405, USA
This Revolutionary War-era manor house served as an active plantation for more than a century. Today, the home and grounds have been restored by the National Park Service and the main house serves as the visitors' center and museum for the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. A local Rotary Club and area garden club work with the organization, Friends of Chatham, to provide ongoing care and maintenance of the stunning gardens throughout the grounds. Discover more on the Chatham Manor web page.
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3. Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens: Richmond
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave, Henrico, VA 23228, USA
Open year-round, Lewis Ginter features themed gardens, such as the Rose Garden, the Healing Garden, an Asian Valley, and more across 50 acres of historic land. In addition to seasonal exhibits, the gardens offer interactive programs, tours, and educational workshops. Lewis Ginter was ranked more than once for gardens in the country by readers of USA Today.
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4. Monticello Gardens: Charlottesville
Monticello, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA
The gardens at Monticello perfectly showcase Thomas Jefferson's penchant for experimentation and creativity. Set among mountain views, the gardens at his historic home are a showcase of flowers, herbs, and vegetables, many of which he brought from other places around the world to experiment with and observe.
5. Gunston Hall Gardens and Manor House: Lorton
George Mason's Gunston Hall, 10709 Gunston Rd, Lorton, VA 22079, USA
Located in Lorton, Gunston Hall was the home of founding father, George Mason. Mason lived at Gunston until his death in 1792. Today, the home is a museum and offers tours of both the home and the grounds, which include flower gardens, orchards, and terraced ornamental gardens. Read all about it on the Gunston Hall website.
6. Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Mt Vernon, VA 22121, USA
Like other historic homes on the list, Mount Vernon's gardens have been carefully restored to reflect what they might have looked like in George Washington's time. An avid gardener and active participant in every element of their design, Washington took great care to create gardens that were both functional and beautiful. Today, his work can be seen on both guided and self-guided tours through kitchen gardens, flowered paths, and creative formal garden mazes. Get hours and directions on the Mount Vernon Gardens website.
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7. Norfolk Botanical Gardens
Botanical Gardens Ac Road, Botanical Gardens Ac Rd, Norfolk, VA 23518, USA
In addition to being a National Historic Landmark, the Norfolk Botanical Gardens "museum for plants," features one of the largest collections of azaleas, camellias, roses, and rhododendrons on the East Coast. With more than 50 themed gardens on over 155 acres, the gardens are also home to 95 bird species, 30 different types of butterflies, and a 3-acre children's garden.
8. Maymont Park: Richmond
Maymont Park, Richmond, VA 23219, USA
With more than 100 acres of manicured grounds, the gardens at Maymont are truly special. Featuring a Japanese Garden, historic Italian Gardens, and farm and vegetable gardens, Maymont offers an aesthetic and practical look at Virginia's botany.
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9. Old City Cemetery: Lynchburg
Old City Cemetery, 401 Taylor St, Lynchburg, VA 24501, USA
Referred to as a "Gravegarden," the Old City Cemetery is the oldest public cemetery still in use in the state. Established in 1806, the cemetery covers more than 26 acres and features museums and heirloom gardens, including hundreds of varieties of plants and flowers. Learn the history on the Old City Cemetery website.
10. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens: Vienna
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct, Vienna, VA 22182, USA
This 95-acre garden complex features walking trails, lakes, and more than 20 varieties of cherry trees, as well as countless flowers, bids, and butterflies. A visitor's center and atrium provide a closer look at the garden's many features and offer workshops, tours, field trips, concerts, and volunteer programs throughout the year.
11. Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, JMU: Harrisonburg
Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at JMU, 780 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, USA
Located on the beautiful James Madison University campus, this stunning oasis offers forested walking trails, botanic gardens, and a wide variety of educational resources. The arboretum is the only one of its kind on a college campus and is open to the public at no charge 365 days a year. See other gorgeous photos on the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and Botanical Gardens Facebook page.
12. Blandy Experimental Farm and State Arboretum of Virginia: Boyce
Blandy Experimental Farm, 400 Blandy Farm Ln, Boyce, VA 22620, USA
As a University of Virginia research facility, the Blandy Experimental Farm promotes the understanding of environmental issues surrounding the natural world. Founded in the 1930s, The State Arboretum of Virginia covers 172 acres of the farm and features more than 5,000 trees and shrubs from around the world. The farm offers workshops, lectures, tours, and field trips, as well as children's programs and annual events like the Garden Fair and ArborFest.
13. The Gardens at Oatlands Plantation: Leesburg
Oatlands Historic House & Gardens, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Ln, Leesburg, VA 20175, USA
Built in 1803, Oatlands is the historic manor home of George Carter. Carter built and designed the manor home and gardens in the English style and today, the gorgeously preserved terraced gardens feature fruit trees and vegetable gardens, as well as trees, shrubs, and flowers, just as they would have been 200 years ago.
Gardens in Virginia are abundant and worthwhile. Have you been to any of these inspiring landscapes? Do you have a favorite garden that is not on the list? Please share with us in the comments below.
Here are some more adventures in Virginia. And while you’re driving around, reserve a room on Booking.com.
7 Unique Experiences That Should Be On Everyone’s Virginia Bucket List
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More to Explore
Outdoors In Virginia
What are some of the best adventures outdoors in Virginia?
- Staunton River State Park (Scottsburg): Only about a half hour from the North Carolina border, this 2,400-acre park offers an abundance of recreational activities along with some quiet wildlife observation. The land is comprised of meadows, woodlands, and a pretty shoreline along the Dan and Staunton rivers. History is a compelling reason to visit as the cabins offering overnight lodging were built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. And you can even bring your horse camping at the equestrian campground with horse stalls. Go fishing, play tennis, hike, and have fun!
- Ridge Trail leading to Old Rag Mountain (Etlan): Go early to get a place to park at the Old Rag trailhead off Nethers Road for this difficult 6.8-mile out-and-back trail. The hike is located in the gorgeous Shenandoah National Park which requires a fee to enter. The big win is the absolutely breathtaking views at the false summit. A difficult rock scramble can be slick or icy in the colder months and expect to use handholds and footholds and hop between boulders. Take twice as much water as you might need, and dress accordingly as the windy heights can drop the temperature at least 20 degrees.
- Alleghany Outdoors (Covington): This outfit rents tubes, kayaks, rafts, and bikes for your greatest adventure in the Jackson River valley. Enjoy an exciting paddle trip on the 11-mile stretch of the Jackson River and a bike trip over the entire Jackson River Scenic Trail. Some special events include paddling classes, the Riverbank Music Chronicles, river cleanups, and After Work Floats.