Mindful Gardening to Preserve Planet Earth
The Williamsburg Botanical Garden and Freedom Park Arboretum showcases plants that support pollinators and other wildlife. It aims to educate visitors about environmental conservation, the importance of native plants and the prevention and control of invasive species. The Perennial, Shade, Cottage and Hummingbird Gardens, among others, demonstrate sustainable gardening practices for a typical garden in the Virginia Peninsula.
Incorporated in 2002 as a non-profit corporation and dedicated in 2006, the 2 acre Garden consists of over 20 distinct garden areas and is focused on using native plants to support wildlife. The Garden was begun after Hurricane Isabel devastated the site in 2002, leaving only a few of the taller trees that are now in the Old Pine Woods. Since that time, many plants have been donated by local Garden supporters and many others have been rescued from sites slated for development. Among these are quite a few natives that are indigenous to James City County and some that are quite rare. Over 150 species of woody plants and many more herbaceous species have been documented. Thousands of visitors come to enjoy the Garden each year and small weddings frequently take place in the Main Pavilion.
The Garden is managed by a team of dedicated volunteers including Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, and numerous other enthusiastic community members. We have no paid staff and receive no government funding. Our operations are funded entirely from memberships, grants, donations and the proceeds of our annual plant sale.
The Williamsburg Botanical Garden and Freedom Park Arboretum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations and memberships are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please note that the WBG-FPA is registered only in the Commonwealth of Virginia to solicit donations. A copy of our financial statement is available upon written request from the Commonwealth of Virginia Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs.
In February 2022, the Garden and adjacent Black Settlement area was accredited as a Level 1 Arboretum by ArbNet, the accreditation program of The Morton Arboretum, and we are now listed in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants. At the time of its accreditation, it was one of only 16 accredited arboreta in Virginia. The Garden is truly a little gem.
Follow the paths laid out to experience each of the Garden areas, some of which are left natural while others are more typical “gardens”. Be sure to wander under the tall trees in the Old Pine Woods and Young Pine Woods where many species of ferns can be seen. Don’t miss the Butterfly Garden and the Meadow which in the late summer are alive with butterflies and other pollinating insects. If you are visiting in the colder months, take a look at the Fall and Winter Interest Border along the fence, where you will see plants that bloom when few others are doing so as well as plants with interesting color, bark and berries. The Swamp, Marsh and Streambed habitats contain plants you might not see elsewhere. Native Grasses and Succulents each have their own area. The Pollinator Palace provides nest sites for native bees. The Fairy Garden encourages children to interact with plants. The Therapy Garden allows those with disabilities to grow and eat their own vegetables. The aromas of the plants in the Herb Garden engage the senses. Stop by the Calcareous Ravine and marvel at how the plants cling to the rock crevices in this unique re-creation and don’t miss the carnivorous plants display. These distinct habitats are all contained within the confines of the Garden for you to experience.