Botanical Gardens at UNC
Updated: April 2019
A Little Known Gem
The Botanical Gardens at UNC is a little known gem, which is located right on the university campus yet secluded from the hustle and bustle of university life. It consists of two adjacent gardens, the VanLandingham Glen and the Susie Harwood Garden, as well as the separate McMillan Greenhouse.
The VanLandingham Glen is a woodland garden and features many native plants, including hemlock and several spring ephemeral wildflowers. The Glen is also home to an extensive collection of rhododendrons. The entrance to the Glen is located at the corner of VanLandingham Road and the circle at Mary Alexander Road across from the guest parking at East Deck 1.
Adjacent to the north is the Susie Harwood Garden. It showcases a large variety of local plants and different landscaping styles and has been designed to inspire visitors with ideas for their garden at home. After exiting the Garden towards Mary Alexander Road, you reach the McMillan Greenhouse, which is located just across the street.
The McMillan Greenhouse on Craver Road has eight greenhouse rooms featuring six themed collections, including prehistoric vegetation, carnivorous plants, and beautiful orchids.
The Botanical Gardens at UNC is located on the university campus. Secluded from the hectic university life, the VanLandingham Glen is an oasis of tranquility. The Glen features a large variety of rhododendrons and local plants.
The George Tabor Azalea is a hybrid plant producing lovely flowers. It not just very beautiful but also very sun and heat tolerant.
Visitors can enjoy the many flowers along the many well-maintained pathways.
Ralph VanLandingham, Jr. donated the Glen to the university in honor of his father and his mother, Susie Harwood VanLandingham.
A yellow iris along the way. The iris is named after the Greek goddess Iris, who personified the rainbow. The yellow color represents passion.
The Gold Dust Tree is native to China, Korea, and Japan and grows best in the fertile forest soils of moist valleys, thickets, by streams and near wet shaded rocks.
The Hartlage Wine thrives in part shade and is tolerant of a wide variety of soils, including sandy or clay.
Enjoy the serenity of this beautiful garden.
Did You Know?
Between 1907 and 1970, the VanLandinghams was a well-respected family in business, civic and social circles in Charlotte and in Linville, where they had their summer home. Ralph VanLandingham (1875-1959) was a prominent cotton broker and civic leader. His wife Susie Harwood VanLandingham (the 1860s to 1937) was socially very active and received a personal commendation from President Woodrow Wilson for her supervision of the Red Cross Canteen at Camp Greene during World War I. She also provided generous support to Crossnore Industrial School for Mountain Children near Linville, NC.
Ralph and Susie had two children Ralph, Jr., and Susan. Ralph, Jr., a well-established stockbroker in Charlotte, provided the necessary support to establish the VanLandingham Glen at UNC Charlotte. From the substantial collection, which Ralph, Jr. had grown in honor of his father, he had donated many of the beautiful rhododendrons that we can admire today.
9090 Craver Road, Charlotte, NC 28262
Tel.: → (704) 687-0721
McMillan Greenhouse:
Mon. to Sat.: 9am to 4pm.
Sun.: 1pm to 4pm.
Outdoor Gardens:
Dawn to dusk.
All year.
Free admission.
Guest parking at East Deck 1 off Mary Alexander Road.
Entrance to the garden Van Landingham Glen across from East Deck 1.
The Botanical Gardens at UNC showcases many native plants and an impressive collection of rhododendrons.