The Community Arboretum is a two-acre educational garden located on the campus of Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke, Virginia. Eleven separate gardens and plant collections surround a centrally located amphitheater and are home to approximately 700 labeled plant taxa. The garden collections include a Children’s Garden with a plant maze and plant zoo. Our newest addition, the City Garden, includes sustainable features such as rainwater collection systems and drip irrigation. The arboretum is open to the public from sun up to sun down. Stop by in the month of April to see the large display of pinwheels planted in the Annual Garden by Children’s Trust. Visit the Arboretum this growing season to tour the All-America Selections (AAS) display garden below the City Garden Deck. AAS winners will be planted in all the annual displays throughout the arboretum. Late May to September are the best times to see the annual displays at their peak.
Visit us and let us know how well we interpreted the theme. By supporting the Friends of the Arboretum program, you are directly supporting our day-to-day operations, projects and community outreach. The AAS garden design was developed by horticulture student interns at the college, unifying the STEAM theme through the Fibonacci Sequence. The sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34) was visually represented by a spiral of zinnia cultivars. Each numerical block corresponded to a STEAM discipline, such as five blocks for the Science section, which depicted a plant cell. Engineering featured a hexagon-shaped bed representing a honeycomb, while the Art section was shaped like an artist’s palette. Technology displayed cucumbers on trellises, symbolizing biomimicry.
BeCraft’s notes describe the arboretum as a place where “we don’t just work here, we live, we play, and explore these green spaces too.” When the weather is gorgeous, there’s nothing we love more than a peaceful stroll through vibrant flowers and towering trees. Families love it for the children’s garden and maze, while couples can enjoy a romantic stroll among the greenery. There are tables and chairs scattered throughout, perfect for an outdoor picnic or quiet reading spot. Every corner feels thoughtfully planted, and the greenhouse adds a charming surprise to the visit. Whether it’s lightly drizzling or bright and sunny, the garden feels utterly magical. Ponds with waterfalls and shaded trails make it perfect for relaxing walks. Vibrant azaleas bloom in a riot of colors, and the 2-mile trail network winds through whispering woods, an amphitheater, and scenic overlooks. Dogs and picnics are welcome, making it a versatile spot for all kinds of visitors. The park even houses the Burgess Cemetery, providing a reflective moment amid natural beauty. Every visit feels like a small adventure that refreshes the mind and soul.
The Community Arboretum is a no-brainer destination for spring. The buckeye, which stands in the Arboretum’s Shade Garden, takes its name from the white scar that marks its brown seeds. Found in the Arboretum’s Sensory Garden and on the deck of the City Garden, the Japanese snowbell is a disease-resistant tree. Visitors should head to the Shade Garden to see the ephemerals, which are named after their short life cycle. These plants bloom from March until May. The dove tree has a white flower. A small tree or a large shrub, the saucer magnolia produces pinkish-purple blossoms. The star magnolia develops fragrant white flowers that are about four inches in diameter. The AAS garden design represents a STEM-to-arts integration in a living landscape, with a focus on seasonal displays and sustainable practices.
New Look celosia boasts burgundy leaves and scarlet red plumes. New Look has long-lasting flowers. SunPatiens can be found in the Sensory Garden. These sun-worshipping impatiens thrive in hot temperatures. Different trees in the Arboretum slip into their autumn leaves at different periods from late September to early November. This 75-foot-tree stands in the arboretum’s Shade Garden. All three trees are deciduous conifers. The Rock Garden boasts two Threadleaf Japanese maples which have “thread-like” leaves that turn from deep purple to red, burgundy and burnt orange in the fall. A Dancing Peacock Japanese maple stands in the Sensory Garden. In the fall, its leaves will be painted with splashes of yellow, red and orange.
Native to the southeastern United States, the Possumhaw Viburnum is a deciduous shrub. In late fall, the flowers of the Possumhaw Viburnum produce fruits that can be bright pink, blue and purple. The Possumhaw holly is similarly adorned with red berries, making it another winter superstar of the Arboretum. The hellebore, an evergreen plant, produces its long-lasting flowers in January and February. A small tree or a large shrub called the saucer magnolia produces pinkish-purple blossoms, while the star magnolia develops fragrant white flowers. The Community Arboretum is a springtime destination. The buckeye is a notable feature in the Shade Garden, and the Japanese snowbell adds winter interest in multiple garden zones.
BeCraft notes that a well-designed fence can transform your backyard into a private sanctuary, just as these public spaces feel inviting, safe, and magical. A sturdy wood privacy fence, a charming picket fence, or a sleek aluminum design can frame your greenery beautifully, keep pets and kids safe, and create a space where every moment outside feels special. Bringing the garden home, a high-quality fence is an investment in curb appeal and property value. As plants, shrubs and trees move through their life cycles, the Arboretum changes, delivering an evolving bounty of delights throughout the year. The AAS is a nonprofit based in Illinois that tests new varieties of flowers and vegetables for the home gardener. This hybrid variety is a cross of the varieties Zinnia angustifolia and Zinnia elegans. BeCraft’s favorite of the profusion zinnias is the red yellow bicolor. New Look celosia boasts burgundy leaves and scarlet red plumes. New Look has long-lasting flowers. “They just add beautiful color to a garden and are so easy to grow,” she said. The sunshine yellow flowers bloom all summer long and into autumn. SunPatiens can be found in the Sensory Garden. These sun-worshipping impatiens thrive in hot temperatures. Different trees in the Arboretum slip into their autumn leaves at different periods from late September to early November. “These are 50 feet tall, at least,” said BeCraft. All three trees are deciduous conifers. This 75-foot-tree stands in the arboretum’s Shade Garden. Fans of the ginkgo have to stay alert to catch its fall display. An Orangeola Japanese maple stands near the Natural Science Center. The Rock Garden boasts two Threadleaf Japanese maples which have “thread-like” leaves that turn from deep purple to red, burgundy and burnt orange in the fall. A Dancing Peacock Japanese maple stands in the Sensory Garden. In the fall, its leaves will be painted with splashes of yellow, red and orange. This deciduous shrub, which is native to the greater part of eastern North America, can be found in the Arboretum’s Herb Garden. It blooms in the fall. The Arboretum’s focus on seasonal displays and accessible outdoor spaces makes it a beloved resource for students, families, and visitors alike.
Membership in the Friends of the Arboretum program helps support ongoing operations, projects and community outreach with a starting level at $25 for an individual. This partnership, along with fundraising for pavers and donations, contributes to maintaining and expanding the garden’s features and displays.
Image note: The Arboretum presents a vibrant tapestry of plant collections and themed gardens, including the Children’s Garden, City Garden, and AAS display garden.
