So many wonderful things to do and see at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. The weather was ideal -- a far cry from last week's cold.
Bloemendaal is the original house on the property, built in 1894 by Lewis Ginter as a clubhouse for bicyclists. Ginter died in 1897 and some years later his niece resurrected the abandoned property and lived in it til her death in 1926. The property was ultimately willed to the city of Richmond to be developed as a garden honoring Lewis Ginter.
More than 50 acres of spectacular gardens have been cultivated, including a dozen themed gardens, such as the Healing Garden, Sunken Garden, Asian Valley, Rose Garden, a wetland garden, a Victorian garden, and a Children’s Garden. A classical domed Conservatory is the only one of its kind in the mid-Atlantic with everchanging displays, orchids and tropical plants.
Today's special activities were chosen to evoke the era of Bloemendaal House's peak. Ragtime music played on banjo and mando-cello, a strolling barbershop quartet, costumes for youngsters to try on and restored bicycles and carriages of the time, all added to the enjoyment of the Spring flowers.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden was recently named one of the ten best gardens to visit in North America. Being a member gives me access to wonderful activities throughout the year, and what is especially nice, is that teachers get an educator's discount to belong. I wish you could all join me here.
What a beautiful collage , right down to the colorful skirt. ( My wife liked it also.) You could spend all day there. Nice you are having good weather.
A beautiful collage of the event. feels like I was there with you. Grace and I are overdue for a visit to Toronto Botanical Garden and adjacent Edwards Garden. last year we spent a beautiful afternoon in March on my Birthday there, but with the cold weather still hanging on we haven't been able to as we like to combine it also with an hour or two long walk.
