Buncombe County
Arboretums & Gardens

Arboretums

North Carolina Arboretum - Asheville

   A visit to the scenic mountains of Western North Carolina would not be complete without taking time to enjoy The North Carolina Arboretum. Nestled in the inspirational mountains of the Pisgah National Forest, this innovative public garden offers the visitor a chance to enjoy gardens in a unique and beautiful setting. An exceptional number of public programs featuring crafts and gardening demonstrations make it a destination that the entire family can enjoy. Open year-around, health enthusiasts and families will enjoy the miles of biking and hiking trails from streamside strolls to more strenuous hikes. The Arboretum is also pet friendly! Your dog is welcome to enjoy the natural beauty of this site, as long as they are kept on a leash.
  The NC Arboretum hosts the Southeast's most extensive collection of bonsai, which is the ancient Japanese art of growing dwarfed, ornamentally shaped trees or shrubs in small shallow pots or trays. It is currently housed at the new Bonsai Exhibition Garden.
   Central gardens highlight the cultural and natural heritage of the Southern Appalachian Region and feature the Heritage Garden, Stream Garden and the Quilt Garden.
   The NC Arboretum's Visitor Education Center offers art and craft exhibits and education programs. A gift shop is in the lobby of the Visitors' Education Center on top of the hill overlooking the parking area. There is always a lot to see and do at this jewel of the Southern Appalachian mountains!
  The NC Arboretum has recently embarked on a program to improve visitor facilities, infrastructure and gardening exhibits. Two special treats are the National Azalea Repository and Bonsai Exhibition Garden.
  The mission of The North Carolina Arboretum is to cultivate connections between people and plants through education, garden demonstration, economic development, conservation and research. The NC Arboretum offers visitors classes, demonstrations, exhibits, tours and events that focus on the horticulture, cultural heritage, natural history environmental sustainability.

  Some visitors' comments:

  "My husband and I were impressed with the handsome headquarters building and were delighted to visit the beautiful gardens and grounds. The greenhouses and the bonsai collection were of special interest as we have several small bonsai of our own" -- A visitor from Washington, DC.
  "What a gorgeous setting at the height of the autumn color (I had never been to that part of the world before!) and what a splendid complex for you to do all your work in. Thank you for the most interesting tour of the building, the gardens and the greenhouse." -- A visitor from the Mid-Atlantic region.

   Property is open: November through March from 8a to 7p, and April through October from 8a to 9p.
   Visitor Education Center is open: Monday through Saturday from 9a to 5p; Sundays from Noon to 5p.
   Greenhouse and Production Facility is open: Monday through Friday from 8a to 4p. (Please note that the Greenhouse and Production Facility closes at 2p Wednesdays).
   Admission is free, but the Arboretum does have a parking fee. Personal motor vehicles - $6; commercial vans - $25; tour buses - $45. All day Tuesday, parking is free for all visitors. At the moment, the Arboretum only accepts cash and 'travelers checks'.
  For more information, please phone 1-828-665-2492. Web site: NCArboretum. 
  From I-40 exit 46, get on I-26 Eastbound and then take the first exit (currently marked exit 2).
  From I-26 - All the exit numbers on I-26 have been changed due to the opening of the new, north extension to Tennessee. You want to exit at exit 33 (NC-191). This is the first exit going east from I-40 or the 2nd exit after the Airport exit if westbound.
  At the top of the off-ramp, if eastbound turn left; if westbound turn right. Follow NC-191, past the shopping malls, to the entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway (about 2.2 miles). There is a traffic light at this intersection. Turn right and stay to the left (the well-marked Arboretum entrance is straight ahead). Please watch your speed; the limit is 20 mph all the way up the mountain to the parking area and it is strictly enforced. For more information, phone 828-665-2492

Gardens

Asheville Botanical Gardens - Asheville

   Lovingly maintained by a local garden club, this quaint, restful garden has become virtually surrounded by the growth of the University of North Carolina - Asheville. There are about ten acres, much of which has been landscaped into gardens to display native flora in their natural settings. Wide walks, mostly wheelchair negotiable, range throughout the gardens. There are even benches here and there for the weary. The visitors' center at the parking lot is staffed with very helpful volunteers. Admission is FREE but donations are gratefully accepted. Open daily during daylight hours. 151 Weaver Blvd (between Merrimon Ave and Broadway) next to the main entrance of University of North Carolina - Asheville. With the recent expansion of its parking lot, the Botanical Gardens is now able to accommodate tour buses. Reservations for guided tours for groups can be made by calling (828) 252-5190.

Biltmore Estate: House, Gardens, Winery - Asheville

   World famous estate of the Vanderbilts, we have heard about the house but rarely hear about the gardens. The greenhouse/gardens staff maintains the outdoor gardens year-round constantly exchanging plants between greenhouses and gardens so there is always a rewarding variety of beautiful blooming plants to see. Admission FEE. All tours are self-guided. Special "Behind the Scenes" and Rooftop guided tours are available at an additional cost. The Estate is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Thanksgiving and Christmas Days.

   From I-40 exit 50 (US-25) go North on US-25 (down hill). At the bottom of the hill (just past Howard Johnsons) is a split (traffic light with left turn signal and 2 left turn lanes). Take the left split, two more blocks and the entrance is on your left. Postal address (not physical location): 1 North Pack Square, Asheville NC 28801. Phone: 274-6333 or 800-543-2961.

Richmond Hill Garden - Asheville

   Started in 1991 as the finale to the restoration of the Queen Anne style Richmond Hill estate house (now an Inn), the Richmond Hill turn-of-the-century parterre garden is now a major horticultural attraction in Western North Carolina. The geometric patterns of delightful flora, accompanied by the tinkle of a real mountain stream and climaxed with a waterfall, make this garden well worth a visit. Incidentally, they have included a regulation croquet court that looks like it was carted straight from the 19th century. 8a - dusk. FREE. 87 Richmond Hill Drive, Asheville 28806. 800-545-9238; 704-252-7313.

For more information: http://www.richmondhillinn.com/gardens.htm