North Carolina Arboretum
North Carolina Arboretum
The Quilt Garden’s floral arrangements change every two years.
Nature, culture, and conservation are on display at the North Carolina Arboretum. The 434-acre forested site is home to 65 acres of cultivated gardens, including a variety of formal gardens and demonstration sites, plus beautiful hiking trails. The Baker Visitor Center showcases nature-inspired art year-round.
The Backstory:
At the turn of the 20th century, George Vanderbilt purchased the land that would become the Arboretum as part of his original Biltmore Estate. He worked with early foresters to begin reforesting the degraded farmland and over-logged forest that were there. This work continued after he sold the parcel to the US Forest Service in 1917. In 1921 the Bent Creek Research Forest (now the Bent Creek Experimental Forest) came to be, and continues today as a place of important forestry innovation. In 1984 the Western North Carolina Arboretum non-profit was created as a collaboration of civic leaders, garden groups, university managers and eventually Pisgah National Forest and Southern Research Station. In 1986 NC General Assembly established the Arboretum as an affiliate of the University of North Carolina system, with a special-use permit to operate on National Forest land.
Between 1990 and 2000, the first visitor center and several of the iconic gardens were established, including the Azalea garden, Plants of Promise garden, and the Bonsai garden. In 2000 the first World Botanic Gardens conference was held at the Arboretum, where experts from around the world “established a plant conservation policy framework for public gardens worldwide,” according to the Arboretum’s website. In 2007, the current Baker Visitor Center and Exhibit Hall opened with the goal of showcasing nature-inspired art and works of Appalachian culture. Since then, the Arboretum has launched many fun public events, including their popular Winter Lights display and Arbor Evenings concert series featuring local artists.
The Latest:
This year, spring will have extra fanfare at the Arboretum after the destruction caused by hurricane Helene. Not only were the Arboretum grounds heavily impacted, but numerous nearby recreation areas, including large stretches of the Blue Ridge Parkway, have been closed for repairs due to the storm. A series of events, together part of “Spring into the Arb” kick off with an orchid festival in late March, and conclude with the annual bonsai show in late June. Throughout the spring visitor’s have the chance to take landscaping and gardening workshops, participate in nature-based wellness activities, and attend festivities like Mountain Science Weekend and Azalea Day at the end of April, and a high-spirited plant sale at the end of May that includes local food vendors and musicians, along with lots of plant vendors.
All of this in addition to the numerous beautiful gardens and miles of hiking trails that will be fully reopened. Some spring favorites are the National Native Azalea Collection, where 15 out of the 17 native species of the plant are on colorful, fragrant display, and the dozens of native wildflowers and pollinator-friendly plants that bloom throughout the grounds from April through October.
The Arboretum was closed for one month after hurricane Helene. Thanks to the work of their team of highly-skilled arborists, plus some help from the Army Corps of Engineers, the gardens and visitor center were able to re-open on October 28. Clearing debris and unsafe trees from the extensive system of unpaved trails took a bit longer.
Plan a Visit:
There’s so much to do and see at the Arboretum that it’s great to give yourself plenty of time; a whole day is not too much. Be sure to check their website to get info on special events from art exhibitions and special blooms, to workshops and concerts. There is ample parking available. From April-October free guided walks are offered on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Bent Creek Bistro serves up tasty lunches mid March through mid-November. Just 20 minutes from Asheville and 40 minutes from Brevard, the Arboretum has easy access to the French Broad River, Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Bent Creek Experimental Forest.
The Details
Address: 20 Frederick Law Olmsted Wy., Asheville
*Note: GPS sometimes steers folks to the service entrance at Wesley Branch Road.
Hours: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily (spring hours, closes earlier in fall and winter)
Fees: $20 per standard vehicle; $60 for large (21'-29') vehicles; $125 for buses, etc. (30'+)
Website: ncarboretum.org