Located in Edmund's Park in Halifax County, Virginia • Open daylight hours year round
Spring update
Gardens are blooming, volunteers needed to assist
Many areas of the Southern Virginia Botanical Gardens are growing and blooming this spring, and thanks to the efforts of many, the planting beds are shaping up for another year of visitors. As the weather gets warmer, volunteers are still needed throughout the summer to help maintain the plantings and keep the areas free of weeds. If you have an interest in helping out at the gardens, please email svbgeec@gmail.com. We've highlighted a few of our current volunteers, below.
One of the biggest supporters of our Southern Virginia Botanical Gardens has been Agnes Gregory. She has been instrumental to the success of the gardens from the very beginning, working with Halifax County High School students to help maintain the gardens, taking many young people through the garden’s various learning areas and serving countless independent hours volunteering to ensure the gardens are a source of pride for everyone in the southern Virginia area. If you have worked with Agnes, you understand her devotion to ensuring future generations benefit from all that the gardens offer.
Dorothy Day has volunteered her time weekly at the Gardens, coordinating the participation of Halifax County High School students who worked at the gardens as part of their class curriculum, and she helped coordinate volunteers from the Southside Master Gardener Association. In addition, Dorothy has spent many independent hours helping with all aspects of garden maintenance.
Dan Shaw is another long-time volunteer who helps maintain the Three Sisters Garden site, and he frequently shares his historical knowledge with area youth and visitors to the garden. Dan has been monitoring the 2025 plantings at the Three Sisters Garden, and he says the pole beans, squash and corn are looking good—and the yuccas are all in bloom. Tobacco—part of the history of our southern Virginia area—has recently been planted as well.
The future success of the Southern Virginia Botanical Gardens must have the support of our community members as well as long-time volunteers such as Agnes, Dorothy and Dan. Please consider volunteering your time to help maintain the beautiful and educational grounds of the Southern Virginia Botanical Gardens.
The 3 Sisters garden has the "Cherokee Trail of Tears" pole beans in the ground, and both Glass Gem corn and Lakota squash are looking good.
Volunteer Agnes Gregory (above) leads second graders from Mount Sinai Elementary School through the Nature Trail at Southern Virginia Botanical Gardens. "We have a special program for them. The Forestry Service takes them through and teaches them about the various trees, and then the Beekeepers Association volunteers have a presentation on bees and pollination. Dan Shaw does a Medicine Wheel lesson," Gregory said. "The Gardens are open to visitors and teachers like to bring classes to view and experience this type of program."