#HRVA Garden Guide

With spring just around the corner (at least officially -- today's cold weather notwithstanding), I figured it was time to put together a list of our favorite places around town to see beautiful blossomy things. There are so many well-curated and cared for public gardens in Hampton Roads. If you are looking forward to spring as much as we are, definitely add these to your list.

Below are the local gardens we've visited and loved (we know there are many still missing and can't wait to visit them, too).


Hermitage Museum (Norfolk): This gardens surrounding this gorgeous Arts-and-Crafts style house feature a rose garden, a wetlands garden leading down to the Lafayette River, a secluded grotto with fountains and statuary, and vintage millstones scattered throughout the gravelled yard.

Norfolk Botanical Garden (Norfolk): With 155 acres and 12 miles of paved trails, NBG is noted for its amazing azaleas and for its resident bald eagles. Take a tram tour or a boat ride, or stop by the Children's Garden.

Red Wing Park: Home to the Miyazaki Japanese Garden, planted in honor of Virginia Beach's sister city in Japan. Probably the best place to see cherry blossoms, come April or so.

Pagoda and Oriental Garden (Norfolk): More than 130 plants of Asian origin fill this picturesque space by the Elizabeth River.

Crezia Covington Lotus Garden (Virginia Beach): Blink and you'll miss this patch of lovely lotus flowers out near Back Bay.

Weyanoke Bird and Wildflower Sanctuary (Norfolk): A wild, woody spot beloved by local birdwatchers.

Fred Heutte Center (Norfolk): Features some lovely statuary, perennials, and a beautiful camellia bower (my favorite flowers, so this is a special favorite of mine).

Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center (Virginia Beach): One of the most inspiring places in the area for plant lovers, AREC has a ton of interesting and useful demonstration gardens (and offers advice and help for planning your own.)

New Earth Farm (Virginia Beach): One of our favorite places to buy farm-grown fruits and veggies (and to buy seedlings for our own backyard space). Great food, great people.

Virginia Zoo (Norfolk): Several beautifully staged gardens (a rain garden and butterfly garden among them) are scattered throughout the Virginia Zoo. Be sure to look out for them on your next visit or attend Garden Tales when warmer weather comes and learn about the plants the zoo's animals depend on.

Elizabethan Gardens (Manteo, NC): Planted to honor the first English settlers in America, these gardens take inspiration from Elizabethan England and from the native flora of the New World.

Bacon's Castle (Surry, VA): A sweet colonial garden is maintained at this historic plantation house.

Colonial Williamsburg: Peeking into the kitchen gardens while walking DoG Street is always a treat (speaking of treats, here are two great places to eat when you're in CW).

Yorktown Victory Center: The colonial village exhibit has an interactive vegetable and herb garden where children can help water, tend, and harvest plants that would be grown in a traditional colonial garden.


If you'd rather do some gardening at home, here are some of our DIY gardening posts to get you started:

• Start your own compost pile
• Make a terrarium
• Grow plants for bees and butterflies as part of the Pollinator Protection Project
• Plant some wheatgrass -- easy for beginners and lovely living decor for Easter and spring holidays

This post can be found in the sidebar of the blog until summer. Happy spring! And now: your favorite HRVA gardens in the comments -- go!