About

The Norfolk Botanical Garden is the largest in the state of Virginia at 175 acres while boasting sixty different themed gardens that can be explored by foot, boat or tram. The Garden got its start in 1935 with the idea coming from Thomas P Thompson and Frederic Huette, who believed Norfolk had the perfect climate for azaleas. In 1938, the Work Progress Administration grant was given to the Azalea Gard Project, consisting of over 200 African-American women. Earning the standard hourly wage of $0.25/hour this incredible group of women spent the year clearing vegetation. By 1938 they could plant four thousand azaleas, two thousand rhododendrons, several thousand miscellaneous shrubs and trees and one hundred bushels of daffodils. As more funding was secured the garden was able to increase its size to display nearly five thousand azaleas and seventy-five landscaped acres that were encompassed by five miles of walking trails by 1941.

In 1958, the Garden got its current name as the Norfolk Botanical Garden after being known as the Norfolk Municipal Gardens and the Azalea Garden before that. Additions throughout the 1950s and 1960s focused on increasing the variety of collections in the Garden. A Japanese Garden, a Desert Plants Garden, a Colonial Garden and a Rose Garden, which featured All-American Rose Selection winners. More additions and changes were made and by the 1960s, the Garden had 1,120 trees, 9,649 shrubs, 10,377 perennials, 8,698 ground covers, 23,830 bulbs and 17,900 annuals.

Today, the Garden has a total of 175 acres and is home to a variety of themed gardens. With a wide range of educational opportunities for kids and adults alike, the Garden is a place of not only beauty but also a place to learn, explore and play. With a look to the future, the Garden is undergoing a major renovation known as the Garden of Tomorrow, where they are working to connect even more people to nature, provide an intimate and immersive Garden experience, as well as expand conservation efforts.