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| Butterfly colors play off against brilliant blooms. |
Armchair
Adventures
for June 17, 2012
by Paul Sullivan
New To Do at Ginter Garden in Richmond
One of
these days I may have to get a membership in the Lewis
Ginter Botanical Garden
in Richmond. I mean, it's just that
good, and there is always something new.
Over the
years, I've written about the Garden a number of times, as long-time readers
may recall.
The gardens
(it really needs an 's' as there are many distinct ones within) happened to be
the place that my friend CG set to meet with Nancy Hugo about her new book,
"Seeing Trees-Discover the Extraordinary Secrets of Everyday Trees."
Over lunch
at the Tea House we talked with Hugo about her book (and everything else under
the sun). This isn't a restaurant review, but for credit-where-it's-due's sake,
the food was exceptional.
Hugo had to
dash off after lunch, leaving my friend and me to explore the gardens on our
own. In one of her many earlier lives, she had been education director there,
so she knows a lot about the 42-acre property on Richmond's
north side.
At the
north end of scenic Sydnor Lake,
we found artist Patrick Dougherty's incredible "Diamonds in the
Rough," a sculpture that has transformed countless tree saplings and
sticks into a fantasy castle. At least that's my take on it.
Setting
aside the remarkable details of how Doughtery crafted his unusual structure,
the end creation is something to stare and wonder at. But don't just wonder at
the way it looks. Walk right up to this sculpture; walk on into it. Walk from
room-to-room; peek out and through and around it. Don't forget to peer straight
up at the sky through the dozens of interwoven pieces.
Let
imagination be your guide. And if possible, check it out when you are by
yourself; no one else around. Nighttime, when the moon is low, would be ideal,
but unfortunately the grounds are closed then, except Thursdays in summer
months. Check the website for details on this.
Ever
thought that right-brain, left-brain stuff was hooey? Really? Do as I say,
reach back to find that inner 5-year-old, and try for a glimpse into the mind
of someone who held onto that view into adulthood. It's a real trick. But be
warned: if you aren't used to doing this, it could be frightening. The human
mind-unleashed-is far and away the most potent narcotic of all.
Details
about the construction are provided on nearby panels. Dougherty,
internationally renwoned for his tree sculptures, has built something at Ginter
Garden that any child could
understand and appreciate. Adults, notably less imaginative, may have to work
at it a bit more. And that is not a criticism-not of kids,' anyway.
It was a
warm afternoon that day at Ginter Garden.
There were a fair number of visitors, for a Monday. In the lobby at the
entrance there was a handbill for Butterflies Live, an exhibit in the north
wing of the Garden's Conservatory.
I had to
see it. But before you grab that camera and head for the butterflies, I'd best
offer a few tips. First, these are free-flying, exotic creatures. Entrance is
through an air-lock room where non-essential items must be left. The
butterflies are more active at certain times than others. It is quite possible
to accidentally stomp on one or-on the other hand-to unknowingly let one
piggyback out the door on your way out.
It's steamy
within the butterfly conservatory-purposely so, for these tropical creatures.
They may be anywhere in the large enclosure, not just at eye level waiting for
you to see and photograph them. Look around. Be patient. Remember that
five-year-old I mentioned? Bring him or her along-the real one or the one
buried deep within.
Oh, and not
to fret if you can't immediately identify a particular butterfly. There are IDs
for each variety on the Garden website, lewisginter.org.
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