From often-overlooked roadside attractions to quirky museums to undiscovered natural wonders, “Local Hidden Gems” showcases some of the unique and unexpected treasures that make America special – highlighting the charm, surprise and delight.
Local hidden gems: New Hanover County Arboretum
North Carolina's beaches can get crowded with tourists, so you might want to escape the hustle and bustle and find a more cost-effective option.
An estimated 60,000 to 70,000 people visit the site in Wilmington, North Carolina, each year, but receptionist MaryBeth Beasley said some longtime residents have only recently discovered it.
Located at 6206 Oleander Drive, New Hanover County Botanical Gardens is open daily from 8am to 5pm, so you won't have to worry about parking or admission fees. This hidden gem is free to visit and features seven acres of gardens and plantings, and also serves as a “horticulture laboratory” for Cooperative Extension staff on-site.
Discover more local hidden gems: Spotlight on American treasures in our own backyard
History of the Botanical Garden
In the late 1970s, New Hanover County began to transition from a rural area to a rapidly growing urban county, and the county's Cooperative Extension saw the need to expand its programs to meet the needs of both consumer and commercial horticulture. According to the garden's website, the garden was born from the vision of Charles E. “Pete” Lewis, who served as the county's extension director from 1979 to 1989, and a group of enthusiastic people who shared his dream.
The former site of Bradley Creek School opened as an arboretum on October 5, 1989, after a four-year volunteer effort. Bradley Creek School was destroyed by fire in 1982, and in 1984 the New Hanover County Commission spent $200,000 to turn the school site into a botanical garden and home to the county's Extension Services.
About the Garden
The botanical gardens feature a variety of gardens with labeled plants and educational exhibits to learn about plants and wildlife throughout the gardens and in the Cape Fear region. Lloyd Singleton, director of the New Hanover County Cooperative Extension and Botanical Gardens, said the botanical gardens are great demonstrations for the public because visitors can see what grows well.
Here are some different gardens to explore.
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Rose Garden: The garden features circular paths lined with roses of every colour and size, each named after a different type, including many hybrid tea roses.
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Native Plant Garden: The garden features a variety of plants native to the region, including hydrangeas, irises, datura, and St. John's wort. The garden also features a variety of educational signs where visitors can learn about things like bee pollination and the benefits of native plants.
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Japanese garden: If you see a photo of the Botanical Gardens on social media, there's a good chance it was taken here. A tall red torii gate marks the entrance to the Japanese gardens. A rock path and a small bridge over a winding stream leads to a teahouse, where visitors can relax in the shade and listen to the water rushing by.
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Herb Garden: This garden is home to a variety of herbs, including oregano, lavender, and sage, and although it is small in scale, it gives visitors the chance to see the types of herbs you can grow yourself.
The botanical gardens also have a large koi pond with several turtles. Singleton said that during opening hours, visitors can feed the turtles from a feeder for 25 cents, but the feeder is currently closed due to algae blooms in the pond.
Other gardens include the Butterfly Garden, Camellia Walk, Memorial Contemplation Garden, Military Tribute Garden, Vegetable Garden, Shade Garden, Welcome Garden, Children's Garden and Woodland Garden.
What makes a garden flourish?
According to its website, the gardens are supported by public and private grants, extensive fundraising efforts by the Friends of the Botanical Gardens and Master Gardeners, state and county governments, local garden clubs and dedicated volunteers.
Beasley said the maintenance of the grounds is down to the grounds crew and dedicated volunteers, but added, “Don't be fooled, we're not just the pretty people!”
The plant clinic, open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., features volunteer Master Gardeners who teach local gardeners how to grow plants. Beasley says the Master Gardeners take pride in teaching the gardens' history and horticulture, and also give guided tours to small groups.
Events and Programs
Robben Jarrett, administrative assistant for the county Cooperative Extension, pointed to Ability Gardens, which provide therapeutic gardening for seniors, people with physical or mental disabilities and youth from disadvantaged areas.
Jarrett said the Ability Garden has been running for 25 years, showing at-risk youth what they can achieve through gardening.
Meanwhile, Singleton said the annual Master Gardener Plant Sale, held each spring, attracts more than 4,000 people over five days.
The botanical gardens and cooperative are also hosting a native plant festival in September, which Singleton said is meant to remind people of the importance of making space in their yards for native plants.
where: 6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403
This article originally appeared in the Wilmington Star-News: Hidden gems in North Carolina where you can relax for free
