Are Gardeners Visiting for the Holidays?

(Updated: Nov. 26, 2025, 4:36 a.m.)
magnolia bloom

Being in greenspace is good for the soul.  Visiting gardens with your family and friends is a great chance to get them out of the confines of your home and explore the wonderful public gardens we have in North Carolina.  Review this interactive map of NC Public Gardens and make plans to take them to explore one or more beautiful gardens near you. So many!


You can even identify the type of gardens you would like to visit: Arboreta & Botanical Gardens, Historical Gardens, Natural & Native Gardens, NC Extension Demonstration Gardens, Rose Gardens, and Other Gardens.

  • Click on a marker for detailed information on a specific garden.
  • View Public Gardens in North Carolina as a full-screen map for additional options.
    • In the left column, check the box(es) for the type of gardens you would like to learn about
      • Arboreta and Botanical Gardens
      • Historical Gardens
      • Natural and Native Gardens
      • NC Extension Demonstration Gardens
      • Rose Gardens
      • Other Gardens
    • Click on the down arrow next to “All Items” to open an alphabetical list of all the gardens in that category. Click on a garden name to have it highlighted on the map and to see a profile of the garden.
    • Click on a pin on the map to see information on that garden.
Explore N.C. Cooperative Extension Demonstration Gardens. They have signage identifying plants that were selected to thrive in the region. Many feature gardens with specific themes including pollinator gardens, shade gardens, vegetable gardens, composting stations, and more. Some offer tours and workshops in the garden.
bonsai tree at NC Arboretum

In Asheville, the North Carolina Arboretum contains 65 acres of cultivated gardens that delight the senses, pay tribute to the region’s rich cultural heritage and reinforce the importance of plants to our world. Strolling through the Arboretum’s gardens is a perfect way to reconnect with nature in a peaceful setting. Visit the information desk at the Baker Exhibit Center upon your arrival to learn more about the beauty and history that awaits. Visitors from across the world enjoy exploring the Arboretum’s exhibits and gardens, including one of the finest, most unique bonsai collections in the United States.  There is a fee to get into the NC Arboretum.

NC State’s JC Raulston Arboretum is a nationally acclaimed garden with one of the largest variety of landscape plants adapted for landscape use in the Southeast. Plants especially adapted to Piedmont North Carolina conditions are collected and evaluated in an effort to find superior plants for use in southern landscapes. Explore the garden for free.