5/5 Mara J. 3 months ago on Google New
For
almost
a
decade,
my
husband
and
I
have
been
visiting
Lewis
Ginter
for
the
Dominion
GardenFest
of
Lights
during
the
holiday
season.
Each
and
every
year,
we
are
still
exhilarated
by
the
anticipation
of
going,
and
our
expectations
are
always
exceeded.
What
a
joyful
sight
it
was
to
see
that
this
year’s
theme
was
birds,
bugs,
flowers
and
other
garden
friends.
When
we
first
entered
the
garden,
we
were
amazed
by
the
most
beautiful
cardinal,
our
state
bird
of
Virginia,
vibrantly
lit
up
against
the
backdrop
of
the
main
building
here
on
the
grounds.
As
we
strolled
through
the
garden,
we
were
dazzled
by
colorful
flowers,
a
mischievous
fox,
a
friendly
squirrel
and
a
regal
blue
heron.
One
of
the
most
magnificent
attractions
we
look
forward
to
each
year
is
the
magical
lighted
peacock,
with
his
gorgeous
plumage
spilling
out
behind
him.
A
few
much
smaller,
decorative
peacocks
accompanied
our
favorite
fellow
this
holiday
season.
Just
wandering
through
the
trails
was
a
festive
and
ethereal
experience,
especially
along
the
reflective
waters
of
the
botanical
garden,
as
the
shrubs,
trees
and
walkways
were
so
colorfully
lit.
Gazing
up
at
the
stars
above,
I
noticed
that
Orion
was
watching
over
us
the
entire
evening,
and
I
took
a
few
opportunities
to
photograph
that
mighty
constellation
along
the
lit
trees.
A
special
treat
came
to
life
before
our
eyes
this
year,
as
what
I
affectionately
refer
to
as
“the
castle
on
the
water”
was
decorated
with
the
most
brilliant
warm
white
lights,
which
outlined
its
majestic
architecture
and
made
for
a
stunning
reflection
on
the
water.
Better
yet,
we
were
able
for
the
first
time
to
climb
to
the
top
of
this
castle,
to
soak
in
everything
around
us
at
a
higher
vantage
point
with
all
its
beauty.
Not
to
be
forgotten,
there
is
a
large
building
in
the
garden
which
features
lily
pads
on
the
outside
and
a
gallery
of
orchids
within,
along
with
an
array
of
succulents
and
other
foliage.
Even
this
nursery
of
sorts
was
decorated
festively
with
lights,
filtering
different
tones
upon
the
plants
and
flowers,
providing
an
ethereal
experience.
For
that
special
portrait
photo,
there’s
an
enormous
Christmas
tree,
decorated
with
white
lights
and
winter
birds,
chaperoned
by
a
welcoming
Lewis
Ginter
employee
who
offered
kindly
to
take
everyone’s
photos.
It
was
such
a
fantastic
experience,
as
this
photographer
of
sorts
truly
took
the
best
captures
of
our
memorable
evening.
If
you’re
looking
to
warm
up
while
you’re
visiting,
this
is
one
of
the
places
to
do
that.
Another
option
for
a
little
respite
from
the
cold
was
the
Espresso
A-Go-Go
food
truck
that
set
up
camp
to
serve
us
lattes,
hot
chocolates,
and
even
s’mores.
Why,
there
was
a
gentleman
tending
the
fire
next
door
to
the
vendor,
so
that
you
could
scoop
up
a
fresh
stick
to
toast
your
marshmallows
with
before
stacking
them
with
your
honey
graham
crackers
and
bar
milk
chocolate.
We
enjoyed
a
cup
of
hot
chocolate
each,
as
many
others
did
as
well.
If
you
were
seeking
more
adult
libations,
there
was
a
Jingle
Bar
indoors
for
you.
Of
course
we
didn’t
want
to
miss
out
on
the
beauty
that
Lewis
Ginter
has
to
offer
year-round,
particularly
during
the
warmer
months,
so
this
past
Fall,
we
made
our
way
over
during
the
Genworth
Free
Community
Day,
on
Labor
Day
2023.
It
was
delightful
to
see
the
botanical
gardens
in
the
glowing
sunlight,
each
and
every
leaf
so
cheerful,
and
each
and
every
petal
so
delicate
and
beautiful.
Lewis
Ginter
houses
a
broad
variety
of
plants
and
flowers,
each
with
its
own
personality
and
its
own
place
within
the
artistic
arrangement.
The
staff
at
Lewis
Ginter
have
been
warm,
friendly
and
helpful
on
each
occasion
that
we've
visited,
so
we’ll
be
sure
to
be
back
soon!
