40th Anniversary Speaker Series
DESIGNING THE FUTURE
This year marks four decades of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, and we’re celebrating for the whole year with favorite events as well as exciting new ones. Through our 40th Anniversary theme, “Flourish”, our goal is to honor the work that has come before, celebrate where we are now, and look forward to the transformational changes kicking off in 2024. Our anniversary programming includes a special Speaker Series highlighting the Garden’s past, present, and future.
Join us for a presentation by two nationally renowned landscape designers featured in the Garden’s THRIVE expansion, which began this April. Wambui Ippolito of Wambui Design and Thomas Rainer of Phyto Studio will share the inspiration, vision and goals for their designs:
● The Mary Morton Parsons Courtyard, designed in collaboration with Wambui Ippolito, will be a formal but flexible garden space designed to support various events and exhibitions at the Garden. It sits between the Mediterranean House and the Rainforest House with framed views over the Hillside Meadow down to Sydnor Lake. The design includes reusing the brick pavers of the existing plaza and expanding its footprint to create a flexible-use terrace with moveable seating and container plantings. Additional pathways will provide connections from the Conservatory to adjacent garden spaces.
● Ann Lee’s Meadow, designed in collaboration with Claudia West and Thomas Rainer of Phyto Studio, will flow from the Conservatory’s Sunset Terrace to the edges of Wick Lake with winding plantings and pathways that invite visitors to explore. Both native and non-native grasses, perennials, and shrubs will create a meadow with dynamic layers, textures and colors that dance across the landscape in highly designed seasonal displays.
Event Schedule:
3-4 pm: Presentation in the Auditorium
Fees: Member $25, Non-Member $45
All programs are subject to change. Pre-registration through our website is required.