Arboretum & Gardens
More than 30 carefully maintained gardens dot our 301-acre living history museum. From flowering backyard pleasure gardens to our grand Governor’s Palace Gardens and Grounds, these gardens can offer insight into how the colonists lived and worked as a community. Ongoing research and new archaeological techniques continue to improve our understanding of 18th-century Williamsburg gardens, which is reflected in the design and interpretation guests can enjoy and learn from throughout the year.
The Colonial Williamsburg Arboretum is a Level 2 Certified Arboretum comprised of 18th-century tree and woody shrub varieties as well as modern cultivars on our Hotel and Museum properties. The collection features 25 period species of oak trees and more than 30 historic gardens. The Arboretum is home to more than 25 trees that are, or have been, listed as Virginia state champion and four national champion “Big Trees”.
Trees You'll See
Compton Oak (Quercus X Comptoniae)
The Compton oak is a natural hybrid between the live oak (Quercus virginiana) and overcup oak (Quercus lyrata). The specimen on the Court House Green is a state champion big tree, measuring over 70 feet tall and 97 feet wide, with a trunk circumference of 14 feet.
American Beech (Fagus Grandifolia)
The long arbors on both sides of the Governor’s Palace north garden are made of the American beech. A long-lived native tree, the American beech provides shelter and food for many mammals and birds. Passenger pigeons, before their extinction, were among those species that ate the brown 3-angled nut.
Paper Mulberry (Broussonetia Papyrifera)
The paper mulberry, native to the Far East, was introduced into North America in the 1780’s. Thomas Jefferson noted “They are charming near a porch for densely shading it.” Native to Asia, the inner bark was harvested in Japan to make paper lanterns and umbrellas.
Interactive Map
Resources for Your Visit
Garden Map
Use the Garden Map to identify notable trees and gardens throughout the historic area.
Bassett Trace Nature Trail
Use the Nature Trail Map to identify shrubs, trees, and flowers found throughout the trail.
Events Calendar
Explore our arboretums and gardens on your own or join in our tours led by our experts.
Farm to Table Trades
Our farm to table trades work throughout the year to grow food for the community and to prepare the grounds as needed for the seasons to come. Historic cooks work in locations throughout the Historic Area preparing authentic colonial dishes; gardeners grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers, and maintain our Sankofa Heritage Garden and our Three Sisters Gardens; and farmers grows large-scale crops in the farming plot near the windmill.
Gardener
Watch the historic gardeners use 18th-century tools and techniques to grow herbs, vegetables, and decorative flora.
Cook
Watch as cooks prepare historically-accurate dishes.
Farmer
Engage with our farmers as they work throughout the year to grow food for the community.
Keep History Alive
Expanding Colonial Williamsburg’s farming and gardening trades — and adding a milling trade — broadens our knowledge of practices that have sustained human life for hundreds of generations and played a very large role in 18th-century Williamsburg.
Contact [email protected] to find out how you can support
