This public garden features a patchwork of themed gardens, winding trails of Southeastern native plants, and a unique bonsai display
As if there was n’t enough to do in beautiful Asheville , North Carolina , the North Carolina Arboretum stands out as a must - confabulate placement . Not only is it a great plaza for the serious gardener , but it also has hiking and bicycle trails for all ability levels . If you have a few hours , or the whole day , this is a space you will need to explore .
Walk the gardens
With 434 acres , this public garden really has something for everyone . The footprint of the main show gardens is longsighted and linear . You will find gardens that are a tasteful compounding of whimsy and formality . Without a incertitude , each garden reflects the theatrical role of its location . This is very manifest in the Heritage Garden , which sport a chimney and rock foundation that remember the lineament of an old homesite . The Quilt Garden is a flora mental representation of traditional quilt line of gab and changes with the time of year . From the patio above the Quilt Garden , you will be handle to a foresightful vista overlooking the Forest Meadow , a garden with a backdrop of mountain ridgeline and the Blue Ridge Parkway .
Check out the bonsai
Unlike any other regional assembling , the North Carolina Arboretum has a collection of 100 bonsai tree , 50 of which are on display at any given sentence . Of course , you will see traditional bonsai plants of Asiatic descent like Nipponese maple ( Acer palmatumand cvs . , Zones 5–9 ) and ginkgo Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ( Ginkgo biloba , Zones 3–8 ) . However , many of the arboretum ’s bonsais are distinctly Appalachian and aboriginal to the region . You will find American hornbeam ( Carpinus caroliniana , Zones 3–9 ) and Eastern white pine tree ( Pinus strobus , Zones 3–8 ) displayed . Additionally , the winding path through the bonsai collection is full of beautiful plant material that reverberate the aboriginal landscape of the Southeastern United States .
A place for art lovers
Not only does the North Carolina Arboretum often have interesting indoor fine art display in its education heart and soul , but the garden are also full of memorable graphics . Perhaps one of the most prominent pieces is a larger - than - life - size sculpture of the father of landscape painting computer architecture , Frederick Law Olmsted . This sculpture , bring to the garden in 2016 , was created by internationally known creative person Zenos Frudakis . As you walk the gardens , you are sure to find many memorable pieces .
Explore the trails
It is always worth the time to search the trail system that meanders throughout the botanical garden property . There are many pick for a visitor to take a short stroll or a more Byzantine tramp through the aboriginal woodlands of the Southern Appalachian Mountains . One specially overnice stretch of trail follows the winding Bent Creek and contains grand patches of native rhododendron ( Rhododendronspp . , Zones 4–9 ) and mountain Arthur Stanley Jefferson Laurel ( Kalmia latifolia , Zones 4–9 ) .
Take your time
For many gardeners in the easternmost stretches of the Southeastern region , western North Carolina is more than a day trip . Beyond the North Carolina Arboretum , there is ample chance for the horticulturally inclined traveller . The nearbyBiltmore Estateis world renowned for its gardens . In fact , many visitor may come to the region to see the Biltmore but miss the North Carolina Arboretum . Do n’t permit this be the case when you visit . The botanical garden is a unfeignedly outstanding garden that fits dead into the character of the region . Find out more about the arboretum , visiting hours , and safety protocols onits website .
— Andy Pulte is a faculty penis in the plant life sciences department at the University of Tennessee .
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Visitors will encounter several water features that reflect the surrounding Southern Appalachian Mountains.Photo: Andy Pulte
The Quilt Garden is full of mums (Chrysanthemumspp. and cvs., Zones 5–9) and texture plants for fall but will change with the seasons.Photo: Andy Pulte
The arboretum’s world-class bonsai collection is one of the centerpieces of its horticultural display.Photo: Andy Pulte
This sculpture of renowned landscaped architect Frederick Law Olmstead overlooks the gardens.Photo: Andy Pulte
Visitors will enjoy exploring the vast trail system that weaves throughout the 434-acre garden and surrounding woodland.Photo: Andy Pulte
This sculpture by Martin Webster “honors the coordinated research, preservation, education, and advocacy of the international network of arboreta and botanical gardens,” according to the plaque.Photo: Andy Pulte
