The hummingbird is one of the most exciting and beloved of all the tiny fliers. Beginning June 2, the Ventura Botanical Gardens honors these “jewels of the air” with the premier of Summer Hummerz, a full garden exhibit where natural beauty meets artistic imagination. This inaugural event marks the largest immersive installation in the Gardens’ history, transforming the landscape into a multi-sensory exploration of California’s most vibrant pollinators.
Seamlessly blending education with the outdoors, Summer Hummerz invites visitors to step into the cultural and natural world of the hummingbird. Giant hummingbird-head viewing scopes placed throughout the Gardens feature internal video displays revealing the secrets of how these birds live, feed, and fly.
“While the exhibit is whimsical, its heart is rooted in the vital role these birds play in our ecosystem,” says Joe Cahill, Executive Director at the Ventura Botanical Gardens. “By showcasing the relationship between native plants and pollinators, we hope to inspire visitors to see their own backyards as essential habitats in the larger California conservation story.”
The journey continues with a walk-in hummingbird nest constructed of fiber and stained glass, offering a rare perspective on the delicate architecture of nature. Above, a “Whimsical Flock” of suspended air sculptures creates a playful canopy, while the “Painted Perchers” art collection features one-of-a-kind works from twelve invitation-only Southern California artists. These signed pieces are displayed along the walkways and will be available for purchase, with proceeds directly supporting the Gardens’ mission of sustainability and education. Young explorers can embark on an Exploration Hunt, using a custom-designed map to discover the garden’s hidden gems – including a creative nod to ancient Mayan temples.
Whether you’re a bird enthusiast, an art lover, or looking for a family-friendly summer outing, Summer Hummerz offers a unique way to experience the natural beauty of the California Coast.
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Event Details:
- Date: Opening June 2 through August 31.
- Location: Ventura Botanical Gardens, 567 Poli Street, above City Hall in Ventura
- Time: 9 am – 5 pm
- Admission: $15
For more information, visit VenturaBotanicalGardens.com or contact Joe Cahill jcahill@venturabotanicalgardens.com, 805-232-3113, ext. 0
2026 Ventura Botanical Gardens: In Bloom Photo Contest
This year, the theme of the contest will be Garden Stories. Submissions should highlight events and people engaged in activities in the Gardens. With the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words” in mind, the goal of the photo contest this year is to expand the stories of the Gardens.
- Entry period: May 8 – May 29, 2026
- Judging period: June 4 – June 12, 2026 (Winners will be notified after the judging period.)
Entrants will be limited to 2 submissions.
Peoples’ Choice winners will be judged on social media. Judges’ Choice winners are selected by a panel of photography professionals.
Winners will be notified in mid-June. The photos will published in News from the Gardens, social media, and our website.
Finding Stories in the Gardens
The activities calendar offers photographers many opportunities to capture special moments in the Ventura Botanical Gardens, such as capturing plein air artists at their easels, enjoying a weekend flower show, or indulging in a wine and cheese tasting. See upcoming activities below or view the calendar. Events are added frequently, check back often!
Unscheduled activities such as docent tour groups or ways you might enjoy the Gardens such as contemplation, family time, dog walking, birding, volunteering and other activities throughout the year can also be subjects for entries and will fulfill the Garden Stories entry criteria.
Rules, Requirements and Releases
All participants are required to agree to the rules and regulations, which can be downloaded below. If your contest entries include images of faces, your image’s subject will need to fill out a copyright release form giving VBG permission to use and publish their image. Silhouettes, backs of heads, or obscured images of faces do not require permission for publication as long as faces are not recognizable. Parents/guardians must fill out the form for their children. https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/in-bloom.
