Here it is the last day of 2007 – a day to look back on the year that was. It’s truly been a year of growth as the Garden continues to mature in its plant collections AND in its role in the community.

So here we go:

February: The Garden held a water management symposium —Streams of Stewardship – in cooperation with the Virginia Society of Landscape Designers. A drought later in the year underscored the importance of this analysis of water management on the property.

During February, the Garden also celebrated Ikebana of Richmond’s 40th Anniversary with Ikebana (Japanese floral arrangements) around the property.

Registration for adult education classes went on-line!

April: What a shock to see SNOW on the tulips – on Easter Weekend! The exhibit “A Place to Take Root” took root in the Conservatory, celebrating the history of the flower pot.

May: The growing season really got under way, as well as the exhibit “Pottering Around: A Celebration of Container Gardening.” As part of this exhibit, a bathtub used as a plant container almost landed us in hot water later in the year when a Henrico County couple cited for a zoning violation pointed to the Garden as inspiration for their own tub container.

The Garden hosted a delegation visiting for the Jamestown celebration, including the Mayor of Richmond Upon Thames, England. In celebration of the event, the group presented the people of Richmond, Va., an English oak sapling which was planted at the Garden.

June: The Garden also had two Jamestown-related exhibits: A “Red, White and Blue Garden” and “Plants of the Powhatans”.

July – October: Due to public demand, we continued to expand evening hours with Flowers After 5 and added wine-tasting to the jazz, which proved to be a hit. Special “Fidos” nights in partnership with the Richmond SPCA allowed leashed pets and the Garden went to the dogs.

Summertime was also THE time for the Children’s Garden —especially WaterPlay when many adult staffers wished THEY could jump in! With its creative programming for visitors and school groups, the Children’s Garden continues to prove learning is fun. Special programs opened up the exciting world of plants and gardening to under-served populations. The vegetable garden also reaped rewards as children harvested the produce and donated it to the Central Virginia Foodbank.

October: Broke ground on the Rose Garden which will triple in size and offer more than 1,800 blooms and more than 80 varieties in 2008. What a treat to look forward to!

And these are only a few items – not to mention the hard work by staff and volunteers in all kinds of challenging conditions and weather and the countless ways the Garden has touched many lives on very personal levels – from those who had a special event here to those who come to walk the grounds and be refreshed. Of course the support from donors, sponsors and members make the work here possible.

Perhaps one of the most exciting initiatives in 2007 was the Garden’s work with Tricycle Gardens, a community garden in Church Hill. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden has been involved in a project with Tricycle to “seed” several additional community gardens in different areas of the city. The conversion of unused urban space for gardens for food and beauty has been an exciting opportunity for us.

And, of course, we started the blog in 2007! Here’s wishing you a happy and healthy 2008.

Beth Monroe is public relations director at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.

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