As temperatures warm and spring inches towards full bloom, it's natural to want to spend time outdoors. Even those who enjoy cozying up on the couch crave fresh air and sunshine to satiate their warm-weather fever. No matter the reason you head outside, there's no better way to experience the season than to explore the gardens of Virginia. Of course, you'll see beautiful plantings, but the flower beds of the Old Dominion have so much more in store—during spring and beyond.

Depending on where you visit, you can take a picnic lunch and watch the birds or sit by the water in solitude. Other gardens surround historic homes and offer educational events for those looking to hone their green thumb. Even non-gardeners will enjoy seeing spring's first azaleas or the happy sunflowers of late summer. From large botanical displays with children's areas to quaint tree lined plots to host a wedding, here are 8 gardens you can visit in Virginia.

Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum

With gardens measuring just 45' by 125', the Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum is one of the most petite gardens on the list. The site is the former home of Anne Spencer, a poet and civil rights activist, and her husband, Edward. Of particular note are the teal-toned pergolas, the pool garden, and Anne's writing cottage.

Although plants have matured, the gardens still maintain the feel of separate open-air rooms, perfect for meditating, reading, or sharing Spencer's love for writing. After visiting, head to Old City Cemetery , less than a mile away, to view Virginia's largest public heirloom rose collection.

Green Spring Gardens

Looking for inspiration for your home plantings? Green Spring Gardens is the perfect example of how to curate a Southern landscape . As part of Fairfax County's parks system, this garden is part historic site, part museum, and part outdoor classroom. The gardens are known for being tranquil, as you can wander the parkside stream, visit the greenhouse, or simply sit and watch squirrels and birds go about their daily activities.

A circa-1784 farmhouse is on site, which houses art exhibits and a gift shop and hosts occasional afternoon teas paired with a tour of the gardens, making for a perfect afternoon experience.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

As Virginia's capital city, it's natural that Richmond has beautifully curated areas throughout the city, but the highlight is perhaps the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden . Visitors can wander over 50 acres of natural beauty, including an interactive area for children, a wetland garden featuring native species, and a dedicated space housing over 1,500 roses .

If you wish to sit and reflect surrounded by nature, head to the healing gardens to meditate. The central, stately Conservatory is called the "Jewel of the Garden" and holds tropical plants, orchids, and succulents.

Maymont

While you can tour the mansion at Maymont —it's worthwhile for its lovely architecture and history—the over 100-acre property includes several breathtaking spots for visitors to roam. Explore the oldest public Japanese garden on the East Coast, which features stone lanterns, a grotto area, and a stunning 40-foot waterfall.

The circa-1910 Italian Garden is a true step back in time, with a nod to formality evident in its gardens that slope towards the water and stately stone structures, such as the gazebo imported from Italy. If you visit, find the secret garden area, which was once used as a retreat for ladies to do needlework and chat.

Mill Mountain Wildflower Garden

The Old Dominion is home to many lovely native species, and the Mill Mountain Wildflower Garden is dedicated to their preservation. Serving as home to horticultural specimens and plants naturally found in Virginia, the garden covers two and a half acres and is maintained by the Mill Mountain Garden Club.

It's also on top of Mill Mountain, which has a small zoo and an overlook with a stunning view of the Roanoke Valley. Because of the diminutive size of this particular garden, visitors can find quiet and respite just outside of the city's urban center.

Norfolk Botanical Garden

Although coastal Virginia is famous for its beautiful beaches and stunning waterways, it also holds one of the most unique displays of flowers. The Norfolk Botanical Garden spans 175 acres, which can be explored on foot, by tram, or via boat. If you get hungry, plan a picnic in the gardens or choose from one of the food trucks to satiate your appetite.

Kids can also get involved in the fun at the WOW Children's Garden, which has gardens, a splash pad, and daily activities, such as story times and scavenger hunts. Adults can also take art and gardening classes or participate in one of the many on-site wellness programs.

Seek Lavender

Why plan a trip to Provence, France, to visit a lavender farm when Virginia has its own lovely purple fields at Seek Lavender ? While lavender doesn't bloom until early summer—you can pick your own, so it's worth the wait—the flower farm has other seasonal flowers to take home during their Pick a Posy events. Gather irises and peonies in the spring and elderberries at summer's end.

The owners, Neil and Mary Seek, also make farm-to-body products, such as soap and lavender scrub, to further enhance the garden experience. One point to note is that due to the fragile nature of the plants, it's best to leave your dogs at home for this outdoor garden experience.

Wollam Gardens

Self-proclaimed as a flower destination, Wollam Gardens is so lovely and intimate that it hosts weddings on its 11 acres. Bonus: you can also have custom bouquets and arrangements using blooms from the garden. Although the plot is small, they offer seasonal pick-your-own flowers, workshops, and farm stays in the original house.

In spring, view blooms like the layered ranunculus or cheery poppies, or stop by in the fall to find sunflowers, zinnias, and snapdragons in full bloom. You can't miss their Pink Flower Shack, where you can take home a souvenir bouquet on seasonal Fridays and Saturdays.