botanical

Norfolk Botanical Garden broke ground on The Garden of Tomorrow | Community

October 11, 2022

The Garden of Tomorrow Groundbreaking Ceremony was held on Wednesday, September 1, 2021. Norfolk Botanical Garden will soon undergo a historical transformation that will create more opportunities and more accessibility while becoming greener and even more beautiful. Over the past five years, the Garden’s attendance has increased immensely with record membership at more than 16,000 current members. In early 2022, construction will begin creating The Garden of Tomorrow that includes the Brock Parking Garden, Brock Entry Pavilion, Perry Conservatory and the Hall Water Education & Rowing Center. This is the largest project in the Garden’s history! Soon, guests will no longer sit in long lines at the tollbooth, instead they will be immersed in the Garden the second they step out of their vehicles. Spectacular from every aspect, there is nothing like The Garden of Tomorrow in Coastal Virginia. Designed by Virginia Beach-based Dills Architects, the environment was at the forefront of the design.

“While our building footprint expands significantly, so will planted green space,” said Michael P. Desplaines, NBG President & CEO. “We will have a much greener footprint — we’ll be even greener than before,” he said.

NBG has selected four honorees to wield the golden shovels and break ground on the site of The Garden of Tomorrow, officially making this monumental dream a reality: Vice Mayor Martin A. Thomas, major gift donor Joan Brock, NBG Board Chair Clenise Platt, and an NBG staff member who embodies the values of the Garden, selected by their co-workers. Robert Gray, Chief of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe will lead the ceremony with a blessing.

Become a part of the future of the Garden of Tomorrow — a future that is greener, more focused on plant conservation and the visitor experience. Help us Build & Plant the Garden of Tomorrow. To learn

City’s largest botanical garden celebrates 40th anniversary with new exhibits

July 2, 2022

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The city’s largest botanical garden is celebrating a big milestone.

Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden turned 40 in March, but is holding a series of events all summer long to mark the anniversary.

Hoomaluhia, located in Kaneohe, is the city’s largest of five botanical gardens in the Honolulu Botanical Garden system. Not only is it a photogenic backdrop for nearly 600,000 visitors a year, but the garden also acts as flood protection for Kaneohe, according to the City and County of Honolulu.

To celebrate 40 years open to the public, the garden’s visitor center will be dedicated to Paul R. Weissich, a late director of HBG, in July. With almost 20 years of service to the city’s garden system, Weissich helped establish the five HBG locations across the island.

“He truly conceived and championed Hoomaluhia from its inception,” said current HBG Director Joshlyn Sand, in a press release.

The visitor center will be renamed the Paul R. Weissich Education Center at Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden and will host two new exhibits from July through August.

One exhibit will showcase photographs from Hoomaluhia, Foster, Koko Crater, Lili’uokalani and Wahiawa botanical gardens. The other will be a dedication to Olive L. Vanselow, a program specialist who served 36 years at Hoomaluhia.

The celebration comes with activities for all ages. Kids can sign up to participate in the Hoomaluhia Garden Critters Art Contest until July 20.

The “fun-spirited contest” encourages kids between the ages of 3 to 17 years old to create a three dimensional piece of artwork out of recycled materials.

To enter and see the contest rules, click here.

Submit any artwork entries to the Hoomaluhia Visitor Center. Entries will be displayed in the center until Aug. 30.

Visit Hoomaluhia:

Location: 45-680 Luluku Rd. Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744
Hours: 9 a.m. –

Lightscape festival to mesmerise at Botanic Gardens

June 21, 2022

“The journey takes you past the National Herbarium of Victoria, which is a building in the gardens that isn’t open to the public, and is where all of our amazing science team [work].”

Experts were employed to ensure the gardens’ wildlife and plants will not be disturbed during the event.

Kathy Holowko, one of three local artists who have created installations especially for the Melbourne festival, constructed a giant plant press to build four pyramid-shaped lanterns.

Melbourne artist Kathy Holowko in front of her one of her lanterns showcasing the work of the <a href= — Melbourne artist Kathy Holowko in front of her one of her lanterns showcasing the work of the herbarium. Credit:Eddie Jim

She used the herbarium’s botanical plant library, which holds dried and pressed botanical specimens – some from the 19th century – to select plants for her installation.

“At night, when the lights go in it, they are illuminated from the inside, and you can see some of the details of the veins and the leaves,” Holowko said.

“[I hope it inspires viewers] to dive a bit deeper, and become more curious about this mysterious building that sits within the Royal Botanic Gardens.”

Detailed illustrations by First Nations artist Mandy Nicholson, which tell the story of country, family, and Aboriginal spirituality, will be projected in different locations around the gardens.

“One of her works that I’m really personally excited about is a projection on the separation tree which is one of the remnant trees that was here pre-colonisation,” Ward said.

“She has illustrated these really beautiful gum flowers that will be projected onto that tree, so it’s somewhat of a reclaiming [it].”

Another installation features images of Victoria’s little-known emblem, epacris impressa, or the common heath.

The event was first held in Kew’s Royal Botanic Gardens in the UK a decade ago, before

Waterfront Botanical Gardens receives $1.5M grant for authentic Japanese garden addition

June 21, 2022

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – Louisville leaders will view progress on the infrastructure construction project that will add a two-acre Japanese Garden to Waterfront Botanical Gardens.

The project received $1.5 million from state funds in the FY22 budget and is set to break ground later this year.

Shiro Nakane, a renowned Japanese Garden landscape designer, is designing the garden.

“This is a perfect example where the state invests funds to ensure the groundwork is laid, literally, for the future growth of a tremendous cultural asset,” President Stivers of the Waterfront Botanical Gardens said. “These gardens are a unique treasure in Kentucky and this authentic addition is sure to draw more visitors to fuel our economy.”

Waterfront Botanical Gardens will include a traditional Japanese Tea House, waterfall, lake, stream and bonsai garden, the release said.

“It’s wonderful to see more and more people from Louisville, across the state and from all over the world visiting the Waterfront Botanical Gardens,” Senator Adams said. “The educational programs and cross-cultural experiences the gardens offer are tremendous for both children and adults. It’s a point of great pride for Louisville to have repurposed this city space and create such beauty for so many to enjoy.”

For more information about the Waterfront Botanical Gardens, click or tap here.

Father’s Day at the Botanical Gardens

June 14, 2022

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — During this Father’s Day weekend, all dads will be able to get free admission to the South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center by just saying “Lizards and Snakes” at the general box office on Saturday and Sunday, June 18 and 19.

All dads will be able to explore the wetlands, boardwalk, and many trails that the Botanical Gardens has to offer. They will also be able to witness many iguanas, big tortoises, and also the “Rep-Tales” which is taking place at 10:30 a.m. on both days.

And don’t worry, dads will be able to bring man’s best friend, as long as they’re well-behaved and on a leash.

While only dads get free admission, all other non-members will have to pay general admission. Those who attend will be able to buy their special dad a membership at 20% off this weekend. The membership offers a year’s worth of free admission; discounts at Feathered Friends & Co., Nature’s Boutique, Turner’s Gardenland, Nature Camps and BIG BLOOM; FREE Saturday classes; plus 350 FREE Reciprocal Gardens!

The South Texas Botanical gardens is located at 8545 S. Staples St. and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Facemasks are highly encouraged in the Visitors Centers and Education Stations classroom. If you have any questions, you can contact them at 361-852-2100.

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6 stellar reasons to visit Royal Botanical Gardens this summer

June 14, 2022

There’s just something so peaceful about spending a day in nature— experiencing its calm, admiring its beautiful blooms and being amazed by its many wonders. This is especially true when nature comes in the form of an utterly beautiful garden. Lucky for us, one such gorg natural beauty is a quick drive away. We’re talking about Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG), of course.

As the largest North American botanic garden, Royal Botanical Gardens spread over 900 hectares of land featuring 2,500 plant species, 400 wildlife species and 27 km of hiking trails.

While its massive size and impressive variety are a good enough lure for us, if you need more reason, we’ve got 6 stellar ones for you. Below are 6 reasons, or 6 amazing things to do, at RBG that make it a perfect summer day trip destination.

Find the invisible among the blooms

A couple of years ago, RBG introed a whole new experience to its existing plethora of offerings, the See the Invisible exhibit. This augmented reality exhibition lets you see 13 larger-than-life, moving artworks by several renowned international artists. This includes names like Ai Weiwei, Refik Anadol and El Anatsui. To revel in this immersive experience, all you have to do is download the RBG app on your smartphone or tablet. And it’s included in the general admission.

Learn about Indigenous culture through plants

Yes, it is possible! If you follow the Anishinaabe Waadiziwin Trail you can explore the many plants used for sustenance, medicine and trade. For example, you’ll find how Indigenous people used native plants such as Black Walnut and Highbush Cranberry to treat everything from leg cramps to uterine cramps.

Bring in some romance

Is there something more romantic than strolling hand-in-hand through fresh blooms and then grabbing a scrumptious lunch