AARP Virginia tour offers fresh look at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

A quiet path, the sound of water over stone and bursts of early-summer color greeted AARP Virginia guests as they stepped into Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, a Richmond landmark known for blending history, horticulture and community gathering spaces.

Karen Davis

The recent private guided tour gave participants a chance to explore more than 50 acres of meadows, ponds and walking paths at the Henrico County site along Lakeside Avenue, while learning about the origins and evolution of one of the region’s most visited attractions.

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Lewis Ginter, a Richmond businessman, first purchased the property in 1884 as the home of a bicycle club. After his death in 1897, his niece, Grace Arents, acquired the land, transforming it into both a children’s convalescent home and later her personal residence, Bloemendaal House. She ultimately willed the property to the city with instructions that it become a botanical garden honoring her uncle.

Karen Davis

Led by volunteer guide Trish Lynch, tour participants began in the Asian Valley, where shaded pathways, flowing water and carefully arranged stone elements reflect traditional Asian garden design principles.

The group then moved into sunlit areas where seasonal blooms, including Japanese irises, were in peak display. Wildlife is also a regular presence throughout the grounds, with birds, butterflies and turtles commonly spotted near the garden’s many ponds.

Throughout the tour, Lynch pointed out distinctive plant varieties and design contrasts, including crepe myrtle and river birch trees, as well as carnivorous pitcher plants and Indian pink flowers.

Karen Davis

The garden also serves as a venue for gatherings and special occasions, with spaces ranging from intimate garden settings to larger areas such as the Ian Robertson Pavilion and the Louise Cochran Rose Garden, where events and ceremonies are frequently held.

The Rose Garden, covering about 9,000 square feet, was a highlight of the tour, with hillside plantings in full bloom creating a colorful backdrop for the conservatory.

Karen Davis

Participants also previewed a nearly completed conservatory expansion scheduled to open May 23. The new space will feature a year-round butterfly exhibit and expanded climate-controlled environments for plant collections.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is open year-round and offers seasonal exhibitions, educational programs and special events, along with regular daytime hours and select free-admission days for the community.