Our short visit to the North Carolina Arboretum

Thank you for your kind comments and emails, everyone! What have you been up to this week? Recently, Jesse and I felt fed up with sitting at our desks all day long so we took an impromptu trip to the North Carolina Arboretum which is not too far from home. We knew we could only spare a couple of hours there but we made the most of our first visit and are already planning a return, this time with Eva because they allow dogs on all the trails and even in the gardens, too!

There are a kazillion trails and unique gardens to peruse (this felt much more sprawling than the PSU Arboretum we were used to) and I think it’s a testament to how much I was enjoying myself that I hardly had my camera going until the end when I realized I’d better use it if I was going through the bother of carrying it around with me. There was teensy bog garden in one section that I definitely busted out the old Nikon for if only to capture the colors and patterns of these beautiful pitcher plants. Yes, they are that vibrant in real life! Seen here are: Sarracenia leucophylla ‘Tarnok’ and Sarracenia minor.

Oddly enough, though, it was the hardscapes that were the most memorable to us both. You could tell there was a lot of thought that went into the fences, walls, supports, arbors, gates, trellises, paths, etc. and I really enjoyed the use of unique materials and construction like this mortise and tenon beauty seen above. I always say, when planning a garden, start with the hardscapes and choose plants that look good in winter. Some people call that the “backbone” of the garden, but basically it’s the structure that you want to think about first. I don’t often follow my own advice so the arboretum was a good reminder to me and it didn’t hurt that Jesse was getting ideas about support structures. I was like yes, build me an arbor!

One of the features of the arboretum is this “quilt garden” that changes with the seasons. They have constructed an overlook so you can really see the whole picture but it wouldn’t all fit into the camera frame. You get the idea. It looks a bit Elizabethan, doesn’t it?

Water features can be found tucked throughout the various gardens but this fountain and pool was especially striking. I’m kind of in love with this Salvia oxyphora ‘Bolivian Spearhead’. So fuzzy and pink.

There was also a bonsai garden that Jesse liked, especially. I must say, while I appreciate the artform, I do not care for bonsai. I understand that technically these plants are in perfect health, but I can’t help but think they seem a bit tortured. A tree that’s meant to be 50’+ kept to 12″? No, just no. Anyhow, it’s just my opinion and it is quite amazing how they’ve been shaped and maintained so well. Top is a Pseudocydonia sinensis Chinese Quince and bottom is Juniperus chinensis var. Shimpaku.

Love the colors seen on our visit, even in things like the rust and wood on this fence which borders the café. Yes, there’s a café!

Many trails surround the cultivated gardens. Along the paths are signs which teach about the various trees seen here.

What’s this? Signs of autumn? Yes, please! Don’t you just love the foliage on oak leaf hydrangea? That top tree is a Aesculus pavia Red Buckeye.

Just one of the many quiet paths for strolling…

Admittedly, I ruined the quiet moment when I saw this tree and started hopping up and down and whooping. I do believe that is a Larch–one of the loveliest trees of the forest.

Apparently, they hold weddings at this arboretum and that terraced stone area makes for perfect seating. The bottom photo, of the Tansy, is part of a demonstration garden consisting of various plants used in natural fibre dyes.

How beautiful is the fruit on the Aralia racemosa American Spikenard? What a gorgeous addition to a garden in need of autumn color. Of course, I couldn’t resist rubbing the leaves of the lavender plants when I walked by. The scent of fresh lavender is my favorite.

Even though there were many beautiful flowers in bloom such as a this Boltonia asteroides ‘Snowbank’, has anyone noticed the lack of roses? I certainly did. There were a few Blushing Knockout roses tucked in some out of the way places but to me, it seemed like a lazy afterthought. (Boy, I’m really throwing it down in this post today, sorry!) I’m always surprised, when I visit a garden that is so clearly maintained by a knowledgable staff of horticulturists, when there aren’t any roses to speak of. What’s the deal with that? There are so many that would do well even without any fuss. Oh, well. It was/is a stunning garden and I can’t wait to return. {EDIT: I just realized, there was a whole section of this garden we didn’t see which included some greenhouses and maybe there were roses over there. So, in other words, I could just be talking crazy which is not unusual.)

I hope you enjoyed the tour!