Blue Ridge Mountains, ParkwayStefan MeuserMarch 23, 2019North Carolina ArboretumHiking, Biking, Park, Garden

North Carolina Arboretum

Blue Ridge Mountains, ParkwayStefan MeuserMarch 23, 2019North Carolina ArboretumHiking, Biking, Park, Garden

Updated: April 2019

Envisioned by F. Olmsted in 1898

American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted originally envisioned the North Carolina Arboretum in 1898, shortly after he finished the beautiful grounds on Biltmore Estate in Asheville, which include → The Gardens at Biltmore House.

Frederick Olmsted was well known through his design of Central Park in New York City and the designs of many other parks in the U.S. and Canada, on which he had worked with his senior partner Calvert Vaux. However, it took another 90 years to make his idea of an arboretum a reality. Finally, in 1986, the North Carolina Arboretum was created and is part of the University of North Carolina.

Adjacent to Pisgah National Forest and just off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 393, the North Carolina Arboretum is located in one of the most beautiful settings in the area. Inspiring exhibitions, an extensive bonsai collection, and many trails… — Adjacent to *Pisgah National Forest* and just off the *Blue Ridge Parkway* at Milepost 393, the *North Carolina Arboretum* is located in one of the most beautiful settings in the area. Inspiring exhibitions, an extensive bonsai collection, and many trails let visitors spend a couple of hours at the Arboretum and enjoy the picturesque scenery. Shown here is the *Heritage Garden* with the *Baker Exhibit Center* in the background.

American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted originally envisioned the North Carolina Arboretum in 1898, shortly after he finished the beautiful grounds on Biltmore Estate in Asheville, which include The Gardens at Biltmore House. Pictured her… — American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted originally envisioned the *North Carolina Arboretum* in 1898, shortly after he finished the beautiful grounds on *Biltmore Estate* in Asheville, which include *The Gardens at Biltmore House*. Pictured here are the lovely *Quilt Garden* and the *Blue Ridge Court* with its water fountain and the 8-foot bronze statue of Frederick Law Olmsted. The statue was sculptured by Zenos Frudakis in 2016, representing Frederick Olmsted during his time in Asheville.

It took another 90 years to make Frederick Olmsted’s idea of an arboretum a reality. Finally, in 1986, the North Carolina Arboretum was created. It is part of the University of North Carolina. — It took another 90 years to make Frederick Olmsted’s idea of an arboretum a reality. Finally, in 1986, the *North Carolina Arboretum* was created. It is part of the *University of North Carolina*.

The Stream Garden features primarily native plants typical of a western North Carolina mountain stream setting. The North Carolina Arboretum is also home to an extensive outdoor art collection with 35 permanent art pieces. A guide, called the Art Wa… — The *Stream Garden* features primarily native plants typical of a western North Carolina mountain stream setting. The *North Carolina Arboretum* is also home to an extensive outdoor art collection with 35 permanent art pieces. A guide, called the Art Walk, helps visitors to locate the artwork in the gardens. Seen here in the background is the *Stream Garden Gate*, which is made of iron, stainless steel, and auto paint.

Benches are nicely placed throughout the garden to relax and admire the beautiful vistas and fantastic artwork.

The rising sun on a foggy morning can immerse the gardens in a mystical light. The Gardener’s Green Shed with its moss green roof is located by the Baker Landscape garden area. — The rising sun on a foggy morning can immerse the gardens in a mystical light. The *Gardener’s Green Shed* with its moss green roof is located by the *Baker Landscape* garden area.

Taking the stairs from the Grand Garden Promenade to the Outdoor Event Center, visitors pass by the Rocky Cove Railroad, a G-scale (garden scale) model railroad underlining the importance of trains to the development of western North Carolina. The m… — Taking the stairs from the *Grand Garden Promenade* to the *Outdoor Event Center*, visitors pass by the *Rocky Cove Railroad*, a G-scale (garden scale) model railroad underlining the importance of trains to the development of western North Carolina. The model railroad is operated Saturdays and Sundays from 12 pm to 4 pm (April to October).

The Outdoor Event Center is an amphitheater, which is used for lectures, performances, and cultural events. — The *Outdoor Event Center* is an amphitheater, which is used for lectures, performances, and cultural events.

View from the Entrance Plaza by the Education Center. Three art pieces, called Magniflowers, surround the water pool at the center of the plaza. Also located in the Education Center is the Savory Thyme Café. — View from the *Entrance Plaza* by the *Education Center*. Three art pieces, called *Magniflowers*, surround the water pool at the center of the plaza. Also located in the *Education Center* is the *Savory Thyme Café*.

The Baker Exhibition Center is situated on the east side of the large parking lot. — The *Baker Exhibition Center* is situated on the east side of the large parking lot.

Inside the Baker Exhibition Center you can pick up trail maps and guides as well as purchase souvenirs from the Connections Gallery gift shop on the second floor. From the second floor, you have access to the Baker Landscape and the Heritage Garden. — Inside the *Baker Exhibition Center* you can pick up trail maps and guides as well as purchase souvenirs from the *Connections Gallery* gift shop on the second floor. From the second floor, you have access to the *Baker Landscape* and the *Heritage Garden*.

LAVILO-GC-BR005 HF-1000x.png — Send a lovely Greeting Card with a real photograph of the *North Carolina Arboretum*

All Greeting Cards are handmade by us in the U.S.A.

11 Trails for Hiking and Biking

The North Carolina Arboretum covers over 434 acres within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest, of which 65 acres are cultivated gardens. A total of 11 trails for hiking and biking offer over 10 miles (16 km) of fun and relaxation through western North Carolina woodlands. The trails are categorized from easy to difficult. If you are up to a serious hike, the Bent Creek Trail connects to the trail leading to Lake Powhatan.

Tours with Volunteer Guides

On Saturday and Tuesday afternoons at 1 pm, trained volunteer guides lead small groups along woodland trails through a variety of forest types and explain wildflowers, plants, and trees.

In addition to the various garden areas, the Arboretum offers a total of 11 trails for hiking and biking with over 10 miles (16 km) of fun and relaxation through western North Carolina woodlands.

The wider trails, which are also labeled “roads,” are shared between hikers and cyclists.

Six of the 11 trails are designated only for hikers. The paths are generally well maintained and vary from easy to difficult.

Extensive Bonsai Collection

One of the North Carolina Arboretum’s highlights is their extensive bonsai collection. The Bonsai Exhibition Garden, which opened to the public in 2005, shows more than 100 display-quality specimens. Usually, the age of the tree is given much focus in a bonsai collection. As the age of the bonsai plants is mostly unknown to the North Carolina Arboretum due to the many donations, curator Arthur Joura focuses more on the artistic design and health of the bonsai plants. He is also a fan of using Southern plants like the Eastern white pine, red maple, Virginia creeper and American hornbeam for his bonsai creations to add to the traditional Chinese elm and Japanese maple, which are the more typical bonsai plants.