Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk Botanical Garden
Originally conceived as a WPA project in 1938 to establish an azalea garden, the site and climate of the Norfolk Botanical Garden was deemed uniquely suited for growing azaleas, and now showcases one of the largest collections of azaleas, camellias, roses and rhododendrons on the East Coast. Today, the 155-acre site now has more than 40 theme gardens that can be viewed by tram, boat or by foot. Among the theme gardens are the Bristow Butterfly Garden, the Sarah Lee Baker Perennial Garden, the Virginia Native Plant Garden, Hunter Savage Colonial Garden, the Four Seasons Garden, the Rose Garden, which features All-American Rose Selection winners, World of Wonders Children’s Adventure Garden and the Kaufman Hydrangea Garden.The 1.5 acre hydrangea garden features approximately 300 hydrangeas representing 20 different species and 200 different cultivars. The most prevalent is the Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) but many other interesting types are found.Photo: Black-Stemmed Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Nigra’) [ info ]