Gardens & Grounds
A Living Glimpse into the Past
The Formal Gardens, designed by Thomas Sears, are rooted along a central path that branches out to connect the ornamental garden and the vegetable garden. A cross path divides the Formal Gardens into four garden “rooms,” called parterres. These garden rooms serve as living collections, each with their own “exhibition” title: Pink & White Garden, West Rose Garden, East Rose Garden, and Blue & Yellow Garden.
In addition to these curated spaces, you’ll find Japanese-style tea houses, pergolas, two fountains, perennial and shrub borders, and specimen trees.
While landscape architects originally advocated for the Formal Gardens to be an extension of the main residence, Katharine Reynolds wanted her gardens to be an extension of the greenhouses. This allowed the gardens to be accessible to the public from Reynolda Road and ensured the privacy of the family.
Explore the Gardens
Gardens Events
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Sep 16, 2026, 10:00am — 11:00am
Join us in the Gardens to learn more about the natural world around us. Each session will engage a young naturalist in hands-on learning as we closely study a topic while enjoying the Gardens and Grou…
Sep 22, 2026, 12:30pm — 1:30pm
Kale yeah! Learn how to grow a cool season vegetable garden that works for your needs without all the sweat. We’ll discuss unique vegetable plants that thrive between October – April, artf…
Sep 23, 2026, 10:00am — 11:00am
Join us in the Gardens to learn more about the natural world around us. Each session will engage a young naturalist in hands-on learning as we closely study a topic while enjoying the Gardens and Grou…
Sep 29, 2026, 12:30pm — 1:30pm
Join Art Chadwick of Chadwick and Son, Orchids Inc. (Richmod, VA) for an informative lecture on Cattleya orchids. For as long as cattleya hybrids have been made, breeders have been naming them after p…
Sep 30, 2026, 10:00am — 11:00am
Join us in the Gardens to learn more about the natural world around us. Each session will engage a young naturalist in hands-on learning as we closely study a topic while enjoying the Gardens and Grou…
Oct 3, 2026, 12:30pm — 1:30pm
Join us for an afternoon outside of the restored Brown Family Conservatory getting our hands dirty during this popular container workshop hosted by Reynolda Gardens’ own, Michelle Hawks. Bring a…