From summer’s flowers after 5 to Winter’s GardenFest of Lights, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is the perfect place to celebrate the joys of the seasons.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden started its life as the Lakeside Wheel Club when self-made millionaire and amateur horticulturalist Lewis Ginter bought the property and turned it into a playground for Richmond’s elite. In addition to a golf course, zoo, and cycling paths, Mr. Ginter began gathering a wide array of rare plants, and he also produced fruits and vegetables to be used in the exclusive dining rooms of Mr. Ginter’s other Richmond landmark, The Jefferson Hotel. Upon his death, Ginter’s niece, Grace Arents, inherited the property and continued to import rare botanical specimens and build extensive greenhouses. When she died she willed the estate to the city to be maintained as a public park and botanical garden.

As one of the finest botanical gardens on the East Coast, it draws visitors from around the country who come to see the amazing variety of specimens in the ever-expanding garden. In addition to more than 30 acres of immaculate grounds, the Garden serves many invaluable public functions.

Today, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is fulfilling its mission with vigor. As one of the finest botanical gardens on the East Coast, it draws visitors from around the country who come to see the amazing variety of specimens in the ever-expanding garden. In addition to more than 30 acres of immaculate grounds, the Garden serves many invaluable public functions. The staff works with area schools to offer educational field trips about local flora and exotic specimens from around the world. As a gift to the entire community, the Garden lights up the night in December when GardenFest of Lights transforms the entire garden into a winter wonderland with hundreds of thousands of colored lights.