GARDEN’S TROPICAL DISPLAY RECOVERS FROM ISABEL
Norfolk, VA – The Tropical Display House at Norfolk Botanical Garden, that lost its roof during Hurricane Isabel in 2003, will re-open the last week of February.
With funding from the Vaughn-Jordan Foundation, the building received not only a new roof, new floor and new heaters, but also some unusual and interesting tropical plants. Numerous gingers, including Butterfly Gingers (Hedychium sp.), Shell Gingers (Alpinia sp.) and Spiral Gingers (Costus sp.), with their unique cone flowers, will perfume the 60-foot square space. In addition to rhizomatous begonias familiar to many local gardeners, thick-stemmed, trailing and cold-hardy tuberous begonias will also be featured. Begonias are one of the largest genus of flowering plants, with more than 1500 species and numerous hybrids.
Most of the plants and trees in the Tropical Display House, including Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelinii), Strangler Fig (Ficus rubiginosa) and several dwarf banana species, are native to Central and South America, and can’t tolerate Hampton Roads’ cold winters.
The renovated Tropical Display House will be open to the public during regular Garden hours, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.
The mission of NorfolkBotanical Garden is to enrich life by promoting the enjoyment of plants and the environment through beautiful gardens and educational programs. The garden is open to the public year round. Visit www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org for photos, hours, special events and other information.
