TRAVEL

What are the Best Botanical Gardens to visit in North Carolina? Here's the top list.

Reynolda Gardens Greenhouse, Winston-Salem, North Carolina Now part of Wake-Forest University, this century-old formal garden was once the centerpiece of an estate built by tobacco baron R.J. Reynolds and his wife Katharine. It features a Lord & Burnham-built central-domed glasshouse, which was originally used for commercial flower production. Now it entices visitors with ferns, palms, orchids, bromeliads and cacti, among other botanical delights. Hurley considers it a gem. “It’s small but lovely.” reynolda.org
Reynolda Gardens Greenhouse, Winston-Salem, North Carolina Now part of Wake-Forest University, this century-old formal garden was once the centerpiece of an estate built by tobacco baron R.J. Reynolds and his wife Katharine. It features a Lord & Burnham-built central-domed glasshouse, which was originally used for commercial flower production. Now it entices visitors with ferns, palms, orchids, bromeliads and cacti, among other botanical delights. Hurley considers it a gem. “It’s small but lovely.” reynolda.org
JB McCabe
Reynolda House: Katherine Smith Reynolds played a dominant role in planning for the Reynolda House. This self-sufficient estate just outside of the city limits of Winston features 60 rooms, formal and informal gardens, and a lake. In 1965 the Reynolda House was established as a non-profit institution dedicated to education and the arts. The collection began with nine paintings, featuring work by Gilbert Stuart, William Harnett, Frederic Church, William Merritt Chase and Albert Bierstadt. The collection has continued to grow yearly and now possesses drawings, sculptures, paintings and photographs dating from 1755 to present. Charles Barton Keen served as the executive architect for the Reynolda House.
Reynolda House: Katherine Smith Reynolds played a dominant role in planning for the Reynolda House. This self-sufficient estate just outside of the city limits of Winston features 60 rooms, formal and informal gardens, and a lake. In 1965 the Reynolda House was established as a non-profit institution dedicated to education and the arts. The collection began with nine paintings, featuring work by Gilbert Stuart, William Harnett, Frederic Church, William Merritt Chase and Albert Bierstadt. The collection has continued to grow yearly and now possesses drawings, sculptures, paintings and photographs dating from 1755 to present. Charles Barton Keen served as the executive architect for the Reynolda House.
Reynolda House
Tulips fill the Walled Garden of the Biltmore Estate with color on Tuesday, April 4, 2017.
Tulips fill the Walled Garden of the Biltmore Estate with color on Tuesday, April 4, 2017.
Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com
Donna Ghassemieh, with her dog, Jay, left, and Terri Jensen take in the flowers in the Walled Garden of the Biltmore Estate on Tuesday, April 4, 2017.
Donna Ghassemieh, with her dog, Jay, left, and Terri Jensen take in the flowers in the Walled Garden of the Biltmore Estate on Tuesday, April 4, 2017.
Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com
The North Carolina Arboretum is just minutes from downtown Asheville
The North Carolina Arboretum is just minutes from downtown Asheville
Provided
Katherine Stimpson takes “Birdie” for a stroll during Dogtoberfest held Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.
Katherine Stimpson takes “Birdie” for a stroll during Dogtoberfest held Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.
Mike Hensdill/The Gaston Gazette
Kniphofia, otherwise referred to as red hot poker, comes into full bloom at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham, N.C., Wednesday, May 1, 2013. April showers and warming weather has brought spring flowers into bloom at Duke Gardens, a 55-acre horticultural showplace nestled in the heart of the Duke University campus. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Kniphofia, otherwise referred to as red hot poker, comes into full bloom at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham, N.C., Wednesday, May 1, 2013. April showers and warming weather has brought spring flowers into bloom at Duke Gardens, a 55-acre horticultural showplace nestled in the heart of the Duke University campus. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Dwarf palmetto, elephant’s ears, fountain grass, coleus and million bells combine for multi-colored effect at the entrance to the Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University.
Dwarf palmetto, elephant’s ears, fountain grass, coleus and million bells combine for multi-colored effect at the entrance to the Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University.
People take pictures on the arched bridge at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham, North Carolina. Located on Duke University's campus, the 55 -acre public gardens are renowned both for landscape design and the quality of horticulture.
People take pictures on the arched bridge at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham, North Carolina. Located on Duke University's campus, the 55 -acre public gardens are renowned both for landscape design and the quality of horticulture.
Gerry Broome, AP
Heritage Festival: Cape Fear Botanical Garden, Fayetteville, early October. Take a trip to the past with butter churning, pony rides, crafts and lawn games. 910-486-0221 or capefearbg.org
Heritage Festival: Cape Fear Botanical Garden, Fayetteville, early October. Take a trip to the past with butter churning, pony rides, crafts and lawn games. 910-486-0221 or capefearbg.org
MELISSA SUE GERRITS/THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER