Norfolk Botanical Garden voted America’s 28th Must-See Public Garden

From Good Plant Care

Public and botanical gardens are a beloved part of many communities across the US. These outdoor spaces offer a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, providing visitors with a chance to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of various plant species. From lush gardens featuring vibrant flowers and towering trees, to intricate displays of succulents and cacti, public gardens offer a range of experiences for visitors to enjoy.

Good Plant Care recently polled 3,000 people, revealing the top 200 public gardens in America they would most like to visit in their lifetimes. It transpires that the top 3 public gardens as voted by the public are all in… Hawaii! Perhaps this is not surprising - the state’s unique climate and geography make it a perfect location for cultivating a wide variety of plant species. With an abundance of sunshine, regular rainfall, and nutrient-rich volcanic soil, Hawaii is a botanical paradise, and its public gardens offer visitors a glimpse into this natural wonderland.

Hawaii’s public gardens are also a reflection of the state’s rich cultural heritage. Many of the gardens feature plants and flowers that are native to Hawaii and are culturally significant to the indigenous people of the islands.

1st. Koko Crater Botanical Garden

2nd. Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, Big Island.

3rd. Wahiawa Botanical Garden

Following in 4th position was the Florida Botanical Gardens based in Largo. The garden spans over 30 acres and features a diverse range of native Florida plants, as well as exotic species from around the world. Visitors can explore themed gardens, including the Tropical Fruit Garden, Bromeliad Garden, and Butterfly Garden. The garden also has several walking trails, a boardwalk through a wetland, and a butterfly house.

And rounding up the top 5 came San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers. It is a historic greenhouse and botanical garden located in Golden Gate Park. The conservatory features a wide range of plant collections from around the world, including rare and endangered species. Visitors can explore several exhibition spaces, including a highland tropics gallery, a lowland tropics gallery, and a potted plant gallery, as well as a living roof garden.

Virginia had 5 public gardens ranked within the top 200:

#28 Norfolk Botanical Garden is a 175-acre botanical garden located in Norfolk. The garden features over 60 themed gardens including a Bristow Butterfly Garden, Enchanted Forest, and a 2-acre children’s garden. The garden also includes a 3-mile drive with views of the garden’s many lakes and bridges. The garden is also home to a variety of wildlife including birds, turtles, and butterflies.

#46 Hahn Horticulture Garden is a 6.5-acre botanical garden located at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. The garden features a variety of plant collections, including perennials, herbs, shrubs, trees, and roses. Visitors can explore several themed gardens, such as the Shade Garden, Herb Garden, and the

Winter Garden, which showcases plants with interesting bark, foliage, and structure. The garden also includes a beautiful pond, a meadow, and a woodland trail.

#53 Colonial Williamsburg Gardens is a historic garden located in Williamsburg. This garden is part of Colonial Williamsburg, a restored 18th-century colonial capital of Virginia. The gardens include over 90 acres of land and feature a variety of flora including ornamental plants, herbs, vegetables, and fruit trees.

#79 Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens is a 50-acre garden located in Richmond. It was founded in 1984 and has since become a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The garden features a wide variety of flora, including roses, orchids, and a large collection of dahlias. It also includes several themed gardens, such as the Asian Valley, Rose Garden, and Children’s Garden.

#146 Chatham Manor is a historic house located in Fredericksburg. It was built in 1771 and played a significant role in the American Civil War. During the war, it was used as a hospital for Union soldiers, and later, it served as a headquarters for the Union Army. Today, the property is maintained by the National Park Service and is open to the public for tours. Visitors can explore the house’s elegant interiors, which include original furnishings, and stroll through the surrounding gardens and grounds, which offer scenic views of the Rappahannock River.

The top 10 public gardens in America:

1: Koko Crater Botanical Garden (HI)

2: Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, Big Island (HI)

3: Wahiawa Botanical Garden (HI)

4: Florida Botanical Gardens (FL)

5: San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers (CA)

6: New York Botanical Garden (NY)

7: Liliuokalani Botanical Garden (HI)

8: Alaska Botanical Garden (AL)

9: Desert Botanical Garden (AZ)

10: Central Park Rose Garden (NY)

The survey revealed just how popular a pastime visiting public gardens is in America. The average family visits their local one 9 times per year, and would be happy to drive a three hour round trip just to access one. A whopping 91% of respondents said that public gardens have a positive impact on their mental health, and over half (56%) believe more investment should be made in our public gardens.

The survey also revealed interesting findings when it comes to people’s preferences for the plants they keep in their homes.

When asked which types of indoor plants they keep, the most popular were flowering plants, such as African Violets, Peace Lilies, and Bromeliads.

Flowering plants are popular among Americans for their beauty, ease of care and year-round enjoyment. They add color to indoor and outdoor spaces, improve air quality, reduce stress, and boost mood and productivity. The second favorites were Succulents and Cacti (e.g., Snake Plants, Haworthia, Agave, Aloe, Echeveria, Cacti), and in third place were herb plants.

Top 7 Indoor Plants in America:

1: Flowering Plants

2: Succulents and Cacti

3: Herb Plants

4: Trailing plants

5: Tropical plants

6: Large plants & Trees

7: Air Plants

“Visiting public gardens is a timeless pastime that continues to be popular for many reasons. These green spaces provide a respite from our busy lives and a chance to connect with nature in a peaceful, tranquil setting. In an increasingly digital age, public gardens offer a way to unplug and unwind, and to experience the beauty and diversity of the natural world firsthand. Furthermore, public gardens are often an important part of the cultural and historical fabric of our communities, and serve as a reminder of our shared heritage and the importance of preserving our natural environment for future generations. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or simply looking for a way to enjoy the outdoors, public gardens have something to offer everyone” says Tina Ho from Good Plant Care.

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