Norfolk Botanical Garden is a
non-profit museum for plants. To learn more about our mission and staff click
on a link to the left. See our media center for the latest news about what is
happening in the Garden and resources for photos and information.
Norfolk
Botanical Garden
is nationally recognized for its deep-rooted history and celebrated for its
blooms in every season. In 1938 a WPA grant paid 220 African-American workers
to clear 30 acres of dense vegetation, sowing the seeds for what is now one of
the largest collections of azaleas, camellias, roses and rhododendrons on the
East Coast. The 155 acre garden is home to 30 distinctive themed gardens, 95
species of birds and 30 kinds of butterflies. Our latest garden is World of
Wonders – A Children’s Adventure Garden – a 3-acre garden where kids explore
the connections between plants, international culture and the environment – all
while having fun!
General Information
Mission:
To enrich life by promoting the enjoyment of plants and the environment
through beautiful gardens and education programs.
Governed by:
Norfolk Botanical Garden Society
Just the Stats
Annual Visitation: 250,000
Staff: 57 full time, 12 part time, 40 seasonal
Volunteers: 120-200 regularly scheduled, 915 on the active
list. Last year volunteers gave 28,586 hours
Members: 7,000
Annual Budget: $3.5 million
Garden Size: 155 acres, 12 miles of paved trails
Accessioned plants (Plants in the permanent collection, does
not included seasonal displays): approx. 64,800
Number of taxa (taxonaomic entity such as a species or
cultivar): approx. 7,000
Admission Fee
Members: FREE
Adults: $9
Seniors: $8
Military: $8
Children & Youth 3 - 18: $7
Toddlers 2 & under: FREE with parent
Year Round Services
Library: Saturdays & Mondays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.,
Sundays 1-4 p.m. & by appointment
Gift Shop: Monday & Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday
Noon-5 p.m. Closed January.
Guided Tours
Tram tours/Shuttle service: Free with Admission - see
schedule above
Boat tours: Separate charge applies - see schedule above
Walking Tours: Free with Admission - inquire at the visitor
desk
Walking tours and boat tours occur weather permitting (canceled for
lightning/thunder, not rain).
Visitor amenities
Water Fountains: Located at Cobblestone Bridge, Colonial
Garden, Hydrangea Garden, Picnic Area, Tram Circle, Woodman of the World
Wayside, World of Wonders Children's Garden
Courtesy phone For local calls in Visitor Center and Garden
Education building
Restrooms: Bristow Butterfly Garden, Garden Education
building, Next to the Garden Cafe, Picnic area, Rose Garden Hall, Visitor
Center, World of Wonders Children's Garden
Vending machines: Bristow Butterfly Garden, Garden Education
building, Circle Garden, World of Wonders Children's Garden
Accessibility: Two trams are wheelchair accessible. To request
special assistance, please contact 757-441-5830 ext. 324 (front desk). Boats
are accessible for manual wheelchairs. The Garden includes extensive
paved paths.
History
1938 - Azalea Garden started with funds from Works Progress Administration
1954 - First Azalea Festival Coronation
1958 - Renamed Norfolk Municipal Gardens
1971 - Airport Expansion reduces Garden from 275 to 155 acres
1993 - Garden became a public-private partnership owned by the City of Norfolk
and managed by the Norfolk Botanical Society
1995 - Baker Hall Visitor Center completed and opened
2000 - Garden Education and Conference Center opened
2006 - World of Wonders, a Children's Adventure Garden opened
Climate
Growing season: 245 days
Average rainfall: 44 inches
Average last frost: April 15
Average first frost: November 15
USDA hardiness zone 8 (Min. average temperature 10°-15° F)
AHS heat zone 6 (45-60 days above 86° F)
Education
For details and additional education programs
click
here
Family Programs
- Evening
programs
- Polar
Express
Adult Programs
- Classes
- Lectures
- Workshops
- Certification
Programs
Rentals
The Garden is available for weddings, meetings and other special functions.
Please call 757-441-5830 x 320 for weddings & rentals.
Special Events
- Seasonal
Exhibitions
- Grapevine
- Spring
Plant Sale
- Member's
Appreciation Event
Garden of Lights
