Springing into the 2020 Season

Our teams are always hard at work at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and the winter “off” season is no exception. From the time we bid goodbye to Christmas Town in January until we open the gates again to Members for spring Member Sneak Peek, our Landscaping Team is working tirelessly to bring the park to life ahead of the spring season.

By the numbers

The Landscaping Team at Busch Gardens consists of 22 full time and 6 part time members. They manage about 390 acres including about 70 acres of turf. Before spring opening, they will plant about 20,000 spring annual flowers into 900 containers, 250 flower beds, and 150 hanging baskets. Prior to the spring, about 14,000 flowering bulbs were also planted. They will also prune and trim over 650 crape myrtles and clean and maintain 5 water features. After planting, the team will lay down about 2,250 square yards of mulch and 300 square yards of wood chips. Fun fact: The wood chips used come from the recycled Christmas trees that were on display during Christmas Town. Last, but not least, approximately 1,200 square yards of sod will be installed.

Planting challenges

Spring weather in Virginia can be fickle. The time of year we call “spring” is really still late winter, and weather can run the gamut between snow, torrential downpours, and a balmy sunny 60F.  We took all the photos of the flowers just this week, so it’s hard to believe that just 2 weeks ago the park was a winter wonderland!

To combat these weather-related challenges, our landscaping experts install flowers that are hardy and can withstand potential late-winter weather. Some of these annual varieties include violas, pansies, dusty miller, calibrachoas, snap dragons, dianthus, petunias, agryanthemums, cyclamens, osteos, euphorbias, geraniums, lobelias, and green and variegated ivies. By early May, these annuals will be swapped out for more heat-resistant summer annuals and tropical plants such as hibiscus, salvias, begonias, and marigolds.

The World’s Most Beautiful Theme Park

For 29 years in a row, Busch Gardens Williamsburg has been voted the World’s Most Beautiful Theme Park by the National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA). For 22 consecutive years, we have also received the Golden Ticket Award for Best Landscaping by Amusement Today. We take great pride in these awards and in our team of hard-working, dedicated landscapers that keep the park looking its best. We look forward to seeing our guests for opening day – and our Members for Member Sneak Peek! (Don’t forget, it’s not too late to join Membership if you want to join us for Sneak Peek!) While you’re enjoying the park be sure to take a moment to stop and admire the beauty of Busch Gardens Williamsburg!