Topiaries Come to Live in
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Special thanks to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden for their contribution.

Topiary is the practice of trimming and training trees, shrubs, herbs or vines into fanciful ornamental shapes. The word stems from the Latin ars topiarius (ornamental gardening) an art which has been practiced for centuries. It has recently enjoyed gains in interest and popularity.

Nearly two dozen topiaries are scattered throughout Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, creating an enchanting journey of discovery. Visitors wander the 15 acres of gardens and catch glimpses of fairies covered with 'Midget', 'Lady Frances', 'Anita', and 'Misty' perched on benches, a unicorn grazing in a clearing and a nine-foot giant welcoming guests to the Garden. A scavenger hunt geared for children and adults helps to lead visitors to the topiaries and provide interesting facts. The scavenger hunt also encourages children to write and illustrate their own story about the topiaries and the Garden.

The giant is planted with 'Pixie' and has a colorful jacket of 'Golden Ingot'. He is busy working the garden with six tiny gnomes not more than 2 feet tall. The gnomes are covered with miniture cultivars of ivy such as 'Spetchley', 'Duck Foot', and 'Mini Ester'. But the story would not be complete without the Fairy Queen and of course ivy-covered children playing at her feet. The Queen' s gown is made of 'Shamrock' and 'Gold Child' topped off with flowing curls of 'Melanie.' Imagination might be the key word to describe the mission of this magical summer program. As the young visitors find themselves right in the middle of a living fantasy story of giants, fairy queens, gnomes, and mythical creatures, adults reminisce and remember some of their favorite childhood stories. Legends, intertwined with fanciful tales of heros, romance, and the beauty of the natural world, all rush out to greet each and every visitor strolling through the peaceful setting of the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.

 The topiaries were designed and created for Lewis Ginter by Samia Rose Topiary and topiary artist Pat Hammer in Encinitas, California and Jeff Brees, owner of Gardenworks in Markleeville, California. Pat is the author of The New Topiary and the President of The American Ivy Society. Their collaborative work can be found on exhibit at Universal Studios, in Orlando, Florida, the San Diego Wild Animal Park in Escondido, California, MGM Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the New York Botanic Garden in Brooklyn, NY. Both Hammer and Brees are long- time members of The American Ivy Society.

This past spring also marked the opening of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden's new Visitor Center. The E. Claiborne Robins Visitor Center became the gateway to the Garden and offers amenities to enhance guests' experiences. The $7.3 million Visitors Center was built to accommodate growing numbers of visitors and is part of the Garden's Capital Campaign. Last year more than 65,000 people visited Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, making it one of Richmond' s most-visited attractions. The 23,000 square foot Visitors' Center includes a special entrance for group tours, an expanded gift shop, meeting facilities, gallery space for exhibitions and a dining facility. Built in Georgian architectural style, the center is designed to draw visitors out into the Garden.

Over the next several years a tapestry of new gardens will spread out behind the Visitors' Center and fit seamlessly into the existing gardens. These new gardens will include a Garden of Senses focusing on fragrance, texture and the soothing sound of water; Four Seasons Garden with year-round blossoms and color; and a cascading water rill. Over the next several years Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden will also be building a Conservatory, Education Complex, new greenhouses and a Children' s Maze Garden.

For nearly ten years, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden has been the home of an AIS Regional Ivy Collection. Over the years, several of the ivies have been creatively used in the Garden landscape and offers ivy gardeners the opportunity to examine and compare many well-known cultivars, as well as unusual varieties in cultivation. The collection is kept in pots and carefully maintained for nomenclature, accuracy and preservation.

American Ivy Society members are always welcome and encouraged to visit and study the ivies. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is located at 1800 Lakeside Avenue on the corner of Lakeside Avenue and Hilliard Road. The Garden is right off Interstate 95 just minutes north of downtown Richmond. Admission to the Garden is free for members, $5.00 for adults, $4.00 for seniors, $3.00 for children ages 2-12; and free for children under the age 2. The Garden is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more call (804) 262-9887.