Spring Color

Gardens In The Mountains

Once taller than the Alps, North Carolina’s granite and greenstone mountains have had about 200 million years to soften into lovely layers of fog-shrouded ranges. No wonder their flora and fauna appear to be the fruits of a primordial garden.Throughout the region, changes in altitude create significant differences in both temperature and rainfall, engendering a lush variety of plant-life. For the gardener and visitor alike, this is a singular paradise.

Become acquainted with the state’s signature gardens, regional treasures and smaller gardens of note.

Asheville
Biltmore Estate – George Vanderbilt’s incomparable Gilded Age gardens designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted. 800-624-1575

The Botanical Gardens of Asheville – Doan Ogden design displaying plants and flowers of Southern Appalachians. 828-252-5190

The North Carolina Arboretum – The 426-acre regional and international resource celebrating the Southern Appalachian landscape. 828-665-2492

Boone
The Daniel Boone Native Gardens – Twelve separate gardens in a special preserve designed by Doan Ogden. 828-264-6390

Cherokee
Cherokee Botanical Garden and Nature Trail – Herbs and vegetables of the Cherokee Indians in the 18th-century Oconaluftee Village. 828-497-2315

Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock Park – Botanical diversity from mountaintop to forest to a spectacular waterfall. 800-277-9611 

Clyde
The Campus Arboretum of Haywood Community College – Doan Ogden design creating this varied and exceptional college landscape. 828-627-2821

Wilkesboro
Wilkes Community College Gardens – Outstanding theme gardens winding through the college campus. 336-838-6294

added: March 16, 2009

updated: August 26, 2010