State Arboretum of Virginia
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Location
Boyce, Clarke County
Setting
172-acre arboretum
Admission
Free; confirm current details
Typical visit
Gardens, collections, and trails
The State Arboretum of Virginia is the public garden at the heart of Blandy Experimental Farm, a University of Virginia research facility near Boyce in the Shenandoah Valley. The arboretum occupies 172 acres within the larger farm and offers a relaxed way to explore labelled tree and shrub collections, gardens, and walking routes. The grounds are open to visitors from dawn to dusk, and admission is free; check Blandy’s official visitor information before setting out for current details. [1][2]
This is not just a display garden: Blandy’s collections and outdoor spaces sit alongside ecological research and education. Visitors can follow trails and gravel roads, use self-guided materials, or simply choose a garden or distinctive group of trees to explore. The arboretum is a rewarding stop for plant enthusiasts, families, and anyone looking for an unhurried outdoor visit in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. [3][4]
Plan a trip to State Arboretum of Virginia
Why visit the State Arboretum of Virginia?
Blandy makes botanical collections approachable: many trees and shrubs are labelled, and several gardens and trail areas give the visit different moods and points of interest. The range means you can focus on a particular collection, take a short stroll, or spend longer exploring the grounds. Because the arboretum is part of an active research and education site, visitors are also asked to treat plantings and wildlife with care. [5][6]
The seasonal changes are part of the appeal. In autumn, the Ginkgo Grove is known for its golden foliage; other collections and gardens offer different plants and details to notice through the year. For a more structured outing, Blandy offers self-guided audio material and group tours that require advance arrangements. [7][8]
Start here
Begin at the visitor information kiosk and main parking area. Pick up a map, then decide whether to visit nearby gardens and collections or head out on a trail. Maps are also available online, and Blandy’s self-guided resources include an audio trail with stops on the farm’s history, collections, gardens, and wildlife. [9][10]
What to see and do
Ginkgo Grove
Visit the grove for its distinctive planting and autumn color. The university’s visitor guidance describes more than 300 ginkgo trees; foliage timing varies, so check current conditions if you are planning around the seasonal display.
Conifer collection
Explore an extensive collection of conifers from North America and elsewhere. Blandy also offers a guided tour focused on this collection; check the official tour page for current availability and arrangements.
Native Plant Trail
Follow a trail through planted native species and varied habitats. Seasonal self-guided materials can help visitors notice and identify plants along the way.
Boxwood Memorial Garden
See the American Boxwood Society Memorial Garden, a reference collection of boxwood cultivars maintained at Blandy.
Herb and pollination gardens
Take a closer look at garden plantings connected with herbs and pollinators. Guided garden tours are offered seasonally, subject to advance arrangements.
Audio trail and tree stories
Use the self-guided audio trail to explore selected stops around Blandy, or scan tree signs for additional information where available.
History and significance
The farm’s history reaches back before its university and arboretum roles. The land was part of the Tuleyries estate, where the Tuley family enslaved Black people who labored in the household, fields, orchards, and other work. Blandy’s historical account describes the estate’s plantation history and identifies surviving physical reminders, including the Quarters building, whose east wing served as barracks for enslaved laborers. [15][16]
Graham Blandy bequeathed land from the property to the University of Virginia, and the university established Blandy Experimental Farm as a research station. Orland E. White, appointed its first director in 1927, began planting a wide variety of trees and helped shape the arboretum. Today, the farm combines ecological research and education with a public arboretum; visitors should remember that the grounds remain a working research site. [17][18]
Planning a visit
The arboretum is at 400 Blandy Farm Lane, Boyce, Virginia. Blandy currently lists public access from dawn to dusk, year-round, with no admission charge. Hours, parking arrangements, and any special-event conditions can change, so confirm the official location and hours page before traveling. [19]
If arriving from Route 50, follow the paved road to the information kiosk and main parking area. Use designated parking spaces, since parking elsewhere can damage plantings and tree roots. Dogs are welcome on leash; visitors should not pick flowers or collect plant material, and should keep out of garden beds and research areas. [20][21]
For guided tours, advance registration is required; the university currently lists tours for groups of six or more and asks that reservations be made at least two weeks ahead. Check the tour page for current options and any requested donation. Large groups planning a self-guided visit should contact Blandy in advance. [22][23]
Nearby attractions
Boyce, Virginia
A small Clarke County town near the arboretum and a convenient point of reference for exploring the surrounding countryside.
Berryville, Virginia
Clarke County’s county seat, with a historic downtown and local dining.
Shenandoah Valley
A broad region of farms, small towns, historic sites, and outdoor destinations west of the Blue Ridge.
Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon
References
- ↑ FAQs, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Location & Hours, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ State Arboretum of Virginia, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Self-Guided Tours, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ State Arboretum of Virginia, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Guidelines and Policies, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Ginkgo Info, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Guided tours, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ FAQs, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Self-Guided Tours, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ State Arboretum of Virginia, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Guided tours, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Maps & Brochures, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Self-Guided Tours, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Blandy History, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ History and Our Values, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Blandy History, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Blandy Experimental Farm: Saving the Butternut Tree, UVA Engagement, University of Virginia, October 3, 2025. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Location & Hours, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Location & Hours, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Guidelines and Policies, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Guided tours, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Guidelines and Policies, Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.