Asheville Botanical Gardens
Asheville Botanical Gardens
This special 10-acre native plant sanctuary is tucked at the edge of the UNC Asheville campus, just minutes from downtown Asheville. Visitors are welcome to stroll, picnic, purchase locally-made botanical arts and crafts, or take a class and get to know dozens of species of beautiful and fascinating native plants.
The Backstory:
After World War II, development boomed around Asheville and local plant-lovers Bruce and Tom Shinn and friends regularly went on rescue missions ahead of bulldozers, transplanting natives into their private gardens for preservation; in the early 1960s they began to run out of space. At the same time, the Asheville-Biltmore College (predecessor of UNCA) acquired land for a new campus and a biology professor asked that space be set aside for a garden. Bruce Shin urged the Asheville Citizen (predecessor of the Asheville Citizen-Times) to run a piece supporting a public garden that same year. Contributions came pouring in and the Asheville Botanical Gardens were born.
A local landscape architect created the original design and oversaw the beginning of work . . . and it was a lot of work! Enthusiastic volunteers cleared trash, weeds, and tree branches, stabilized eroded stream banks and, of course, planted natives. They continued with rescue missions and also got permits to harvest from private and public lands. In 1964 over 5,000 plants were welcomed into the burgeoning Botanical Gardens. Over the years, development and care have continued in response to needs and available resources. A visitor center was built in the early 1980s that hosts a library, meeting room, and gift store. Education and conservation continue to be at the heart of the Botanical Gardens’ mission.
The Latest:
This year, the Botanical Gardens teamed up with Bee City USA-Asheville to offer a series of classes empowering participants to become pollinator advocates. They propose that those who love flowers also must care for the insects who pollinate them, since 75% of our food crops and around 90% of wild flowering plants rely on pollinators to reproduce.
The class series started in January, but will continue through the fall on the second Tuesday evening of each month. Anyone who signed up for the whole series will become a Certified Pollinator Advocate, but each individual class is also open to the public. From March through May they’ll cover gardens for people and pollinators, getting to know our native bees (there are hundreds of species!), and preventing mosquito outbreaks to protect pollinators. In June the class will take a hands-on “pollinator safari” through the Botanical Gardens.
Other classes will also be offered during the busiest season at the Botanical Gardens, April-May, and their spring plant sale happens on May 2nd and 3rd. Check out their website for up-to-date listings. Whether you’re taking a class or just wandering through, keep your eyes out for Dutchman’s breeches, Trout lily, Dogwood, Bellworts, tons of Trilliums, and dozens of other flowering native plants that decorate the garden with color and interest throughout the season.
The Asheville Botanical Garden was closed from September 26-December 6 due to Hurricane Helene. The storm brought down 45 large trees, eroded streambanks, washed out some trails, and carried away plant specimens. The initial recovery is over, thanks to the work of many who helped, and planning for future catastrophes is underway. According to their website, “Future plans must integrate climate resilience into every decision if we want Asheville Botanical Garden to continue for another 65 years.”
Plan a Visit:
No planning is needed to visit these conveniently located gardens. Parking and entry are free, with donations encouraged. Even though they’re located on UNCA land, the Botanical Gardens don’t receive money from the University, or from the government; they’re entirely supported by members, donors, grants and endowments. The visitor center is open March-December, and classes are mostly held during this time. On Saturday mornings the beloved North Asheville Tailgate Market happens just minutes away from the Botanical Gardens, so you can pick up some tasty local food at the market and then bring it to the garden to enjoy.
The Details
Address: 151 W.T. Weaver Bld., Asheville
Hours: Sunrise to sunset, daily
Fees: Donations encouraged
Website: ashevillebotanicalgarden.org