RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden will open its expanded grounds and conservatory to the public Saturday, May 23 after completing a $31 million, two-year construction project.
The expansion doubles the conservatory’s size and adds a year-round butterfly exhibit in a new subtropical house.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden will open its expanded grounds and conservatory to the public Saturday (May 23) after completing a $31 million, two-year construction project.(WWBT)
Butterflies from Asia and the Americas are shipped in as chrysalises and emerge at the garden.
Danny Cox, vice president of horticulture at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, said education is a key component of the expansion.
“So we have an emergence gallery where you can see our team, our educators working through getting the chrysalises prepared and set up, so when those butterflies emerge, they’re healthy, they’re monitoring and documenting that process, and then taking them out into the exhibit and releasing them for everybody to enjoy,” Cox said.
Butterflies from Asia and the Americas are shipped in as chrysalises and emerge at the garden.(WWBT)
The subtropical house stands across from the tropical house.
The conservatory also includes renovated rooms featuring Mediterranean and desert climate plants.
The conservatory also includes renovated rooms featuring Mediterranean and desert climate plants.(WWBT)
“Four unique climatic zones that showcase plant communities from around the world. You don’t need your passport, you can stay right here at home in Richmond and come and explore the beauty of nature from around the world,” Cox said.
The expansion includes 7.5 acres of new gardens around the conservatory and Wick Lake, plus an expanded Kroger Community Kitchen Garden.
Cox said the kitchen garden generates between 3,000 and 6,000 pounds of produce each year.
All of it goes to Feed More.
The expansion doubles the conservatory’s size and adds a year-round butterfly exhibit in a new subtropical house.(WWBT)
The project was fully funded by donors and community contributions and came in on time and on budget.
“We take pride that this project will be completed on time and on budget, and this is truly remarkable, considering the events the last two years, an ice-pocalypse, tariffs, and international conflict that has impressed impacted gas prices,” said Brian Trader, president and CEO of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
The conservatory also includes renovated rooms featuring Mediterranean and desert climate plants.(WWBT)
“Today truly is a day of celebration. In our short history, our garden has become one of the finest botanical gardens in this country.”
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