This week we are highlighting Meadowlark Botanical Gardens for your next outdoor adventure!
Nestled amidst the hustle and bustle of Northern Virginia,
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is an outdoor adventure for all and stands as a testament to nature’s artistry and human endeavor.
Amazing Grounds and Plant Collections
Spanning 95 acres and encompassing three lakes, the gardens are part of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA). The gardens welcome visitors with diverse botanical collections, serene water features, and captivating themed gardens.
At the core of Meadowlark is a wonderful public garden and, more importantly, a center for environmental and horticultural education. It is an outdoor classroom for thousands of public school children to explore a botanical garden with large ornamental and native plant collections, showcased by the magnitude of Virginia’s rolling Piedmont.
A Place for Plant Diversity
But the gardens offer much more than just a pleasure garden for strolling and relaxing. They play an important role in conserving regional plant diversity.
In support of this effort, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens created three distinct native plant collections – the Potomac Valley Collection, the Virginia Native Tree Collection, and the Virginia Native Wetland Collection. A principal goal of these collections is to educate the public about the connection between garden conservation collections and saving plants in the wild.
Historic Buildings and One-of-a-Kind Sculpture
In addition to the beautiful plants and foliage, you’ll find sculptures throughout the garden. Many of these sculptures are part of an ongoing Art Naturally Exhibit that features works from artists from around the country.
A Garden for All Seasons
Each season brings an entirely different effect to the garden. Winter provides a time for walking as the gardens lie under neatly mulched beds. Leafless trees allow for exploration on a remote trail. The lakes often freeze and then thaw creating curious textures of ice and water.
Spring reveals the unique beauty of our temperate landscapes. Thousands of different bulbs bloom while migrating birds visit on flights north; the journey embedded in their genes from their ancestors. Large colorful tulips accent the Visitor Center while delicate fern fiddle heads unravel in the distant shade. Within a short walk, an intimate forest hollow fosters native ephemeral wildflowers in the spring’s warming sun.
The gardens are open from 10:00 am – 6:30 pm April through October, but this Saturday, August 19th the gardens will open at 6:00 am for visitors to catch the sunrise.
Get more information to plan your visit here.
Feel free to add yours to the list in the comments below and we’ll make sure to highlight them!
We would love to see your pictures of the gardens if you decide to visit!
