LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN VOTED #4 IN USA TODAY “BEST BOTANICAL GARDEN” CONTEST

RICHMOND, VA – Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is honored and excited to be voted number four in USA Today’s “Best Botanical Garden” contest. Only twenty of the nation’s top botanical gardens were nominated.

The Garden was notified of the nomination on February 29. The public was invited to vote for their favorite garden each day through noon on March 28. Winners were announced April 1 at noon; see the results.

“Whether people voted for us or other gardens, this contest helps raise the profile of public gardens, making us all winners,” said Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Executive Director Shane Tippett. “The fact that the public chose makes it especially meaningful. We’re grateful for the support from the community and the recognition for the Richmond Region.”

Timed to herald spring and coinciding with March Madness, the contest saw ever-changing rankings throughout the month as the participating gardens called on their friends and fans to vote. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden was honored to make the “Final Four” along with some of the nation’s most prestigious gardens, including a stunning display garden (Longwood Gardens), one located in the nation’s largest metropolitan area (New York Botanical Garden), and one of the oldest (Missouri Botanical Garden). The Garden was voted into the number two spot when a similar contest was run in 2014.

“We have been humbled by the outpouring of support,” said Tippett. “For a garden of our size and age, simply being nominated is a remarkable achievement. To consistently make it within the top 4 in this poll is a testament to hours of hard work by the many staff, volunteers and supporters of this Garden throughout the years.”

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s mission is education and its passion is connecting people and plants to improve communities. The Garden educates more than 12,000 schoolchildren annually, including a quarter from low to moderate income households participating at no charge; grows more than 7,000 pounds of fresh produce annually to feed the hungry; and contributes to community public greening initiatives supporting the economy and enhancing quality of life.