Looking for a specific plant? You can search for plants in our collection, choose to browse a map that shows all plants in the Garden, or list all plants alphabetically by species.
Many of the following organizations meet and/or host their show and sales at the Garden. Please see each society’s page for more information about their calendar of events.
The Norfolk Extension Master Gardener Association provides current, research-based, home horticulture information and education to the citizens of our community. We have many projects and programs throughout the city
Website: Norfolk Extension Master Gardeners
Email: norfolkvcc.mg@gmail.com
Tidewater Daylily Society, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization. We are organized exclusively for charitable purposes for educational and scientific purposes, and especially to promote, encourage and foster the development and improvement of the genus Hemerocallis and public interest therein.
Website: Tidewater Daylily Society
Email: info@TidewaterDaylilySociety.org
To promote public interest in and appreciation of orchids by undertaking exhibits, shows, and other promotions, and will endeavor to increase members’ knowledge of orchids and their culture by lectures, workshops, and educational programs. TOS is organized exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations under Section 501 (3) of the Internal Revenue Code
Website: Tidewater Orchid Society
The Virginia Bonsai Society started in May, 1975. Our focus is to advance the appreciation of, inspire interest in, and educate about the art of bonsai. We are an inclusive community of bonsai practitioners representing every skill level. We focus on education, bonsai cultivation, and advancing interest in bonsai and related arts. Anyone is welcome to visit
Website: Virginia Bonsai Society
Email: info@vbs.com
The Virginia Camellia Society is dedicated to the growth and propagation of camellias through meetings, workshops, and the presentation and sponsorships of annual camellia shows since 1946. The Virginia Camellia Society in a coordinated effort with Norfolk Botanical Garden, assist in maintaining the Hofheimer Camellia Garden.
Website: Virginia Camellia Society
Email: info@vacamelliasociety.org
The Virginia Native Plant Society (VNPS), founded in 1982 as the Virginia Wildflower Preservation Society, is a nonprofit organization of individuals who share an interest the protection and preservation of the native plants of Virginia and their habitats, in order to sustain for generations to come the integrity of the Commonwealth’s rich natural heritage of ecosystems and biodiversity for purposes of enjoyment, enlightenment, sustainable use and our very own survival. The Society and its chapters seek to further the appreciation and conservation of this priceless heritage.
Website: Virginia Native Plant Society
Email: vnps.org@gmail.com
The African Violet Society is dedicated to the education and promotion of America’s favorite houseplant.
Website: Tidewater African Violet Society
The Southeastern Virginia Phenology Network is a joint Old Dominion University and Norfolk Botanical Garden scientific study involving phenology.
The Southeastern Virginia Phenology Network is a joint Old Dominion University and Norfolk Botanical Garden scientific study involving phenology. This network was created in support of the USA National Phenology Network which collects and compiles phenological data from around the country and maintains a database for scientists, researchers and the public. Several important plant species are observed regularly at the Garden and other sites in southeastern Virginia. Information on bloom times, leaf out and other phenological information is collected. Plants being monitored in the Garden are located in the Virginia Native Plant Garden, Mirror Lake and Enchanted Forest.
The following species are being monitored for the Southeastern Virginia Phenology Network:
Phenology is the study of recurring plant and animal life cycle stages called phenophases. In plants, commonly studied phenophases include flowering, fruiting, leaf emergence and senescence of deciduous and perennial species. The timing of individual phenophases can be monitored using human observations on the ground as well as remote sensing with satellites and aerial photography.
Phenological data helps us understand the timing and fluctuations of seasonal cycles using biological components of the environment. Phenophases are biological representations of seasonal cycles and can provide evidence for changes in the Earth’s climate and the effect these changes have on biological systems. Phenology can be a valuable tool for many disciplines including agriculture, horticulture, recreation, conservation, natural resource management and health. Phenological data has been used to estimate the onset of spring, the length of growing seasons, the peak fall color season. It is also used to predict bloom times for individual species which can provide information on allergy seasons and garden bloom times. To learn more about how phenological data is collected and used, visit the USA-NPN Web site.
If you see plants blooming in the garden let us know! While we only submit observations to the national database for a few species right now, we hope to add many more soon. Submit NBG observations and photos to: lewallac@odu.edu
You can also visit Project Budburst which accepts any observation on any species and will post your name and photos.