From overlooked roadside attractions to unusual museums and obscure natural wonders, Local Hidden Gems will showcase some of the unique and unexpected treasures that make America extraordinary. We emphasize charm, surprise and delight.
Hidden gem in the neighborhood: New Hanover County Arboretum
As North Carolina’s beaches become crowded with tourists, you may want to get away from the crowds and perhaps even look for more cost-effective options.
Although this spot in Wilmington, North Carolina, draws an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 visitors a year, receptionist MaryBeth Beasley says some lifelong residents tell her they’ve only just discovered the place.
The New Hanover County Arboretum, located at 6206 Oleander Drive, is open every day from 8am to 5pm and you don’t have to worry about paying to park or even to get in. A visit to this hidden gem is free and includes seven hectares of gardens and plantings. It also serves as a “horticultural laboratory” for the Cooperative Extension staff on site.
Find more local hidden gems: A spotlight on the American treasures in our backyards
The history of the Arboretum
In the late 1970s, New Hanover County began to shift from a rural agricultural county to the rapidly developing urban county it is today. The county’s Cooperative Extension saw the need to expand its programming to meet the needs of both the consumer and commercial horticultural industries. According to the Arboretum’s website, the Arboretum grew out of the vision of Charles E. “Pete” Lewis, who served as the county’s Extension Director from 1979 to 1989, and a group of dedicated individuals who shared his dream.
What was once the site of Bradley Creek School opened as the Arboretum on October 5, 1989, after four years of hard work by volunteers. The Bradley Creek School was destroyed by fire in 1982, and in 1984 the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners provided $200,000 to transform the school site into a home for the county’s Arboretum and Extension Service.
About the gardens
The Arboretum has many different gardens with labeled plants and educational displays to learn more about the plants and wildlife in the gardens and throughout the Cape Fear region. Lloyd Singleton, director of New Hanover County Cooperative Extension and Arboretum, said the arboretum gardens are a great public display because visitors can get a feel for what grows well.
Here is an overview of some of the different gardens:
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Rose garden: In this garden you will find a circular path with many different types of roses in different colors and sizes. Each type of rose has a unique name and there are many hybrid tea roses.
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Native plant garden: This garden has many different plants native to the region, including hydrangeas, irises, butterfly weed and St. John’s wort, to name a few. The garden also has several educational signs for visitors to learn about topics such as bee pollination and the benefits of native plants.
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Japanese garden: If you see photos of the Arboretum on social media, chances are they were taken in this garden. Tall red torii mark the entrance to the Japanese garden. A rocky path and a small bridge over a winding stream lead to the teahouse, where visitors can find some shade and listen to the water flowing through the stream.
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Herb garden: This garden contains many different herbs, including oregano, lavender and sage. Although it is smaller, visitors can see what types of herbs they can grow themselves.
The Arboretum also has a large koi pond with some turtles. Singleton said when it is open, visitors can get food from the feeder for 25 cents, but currently the feeder is closed due to an algae bloom in the pond.
Other gardens include the Butterfly Garden, the Camellia Walk, the Memorial Contemplation Garden, the Army Tribute Garden, the Vegetable Garden, the Shade Garden, the Welcome Garden, the Children’s Garden and the Woodland Garden.
What keeps the garden blooming?
According to its website, the Arboretum is supported by public and private grants, major fundraisers by the Friends of the Arboretum and Master Gardeners, state and provincial governments, local garden clubs and dedicated volunteers.
Beasley credited the groundskeeping to the grounds crew and dedicated volunteers, but “don’t be fooled, we’re not just a pretty face!”
The Plant Clinic, which is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., is staffed by volunteer Master Gardeners who guide local gardeners through their own plantings. Beasley said the Master Gardeners take pride in teaching the history and horticulture of the gardens and also giving tours to small groups.
Events and programs
Roben Jarrett, administrative assistant for the County Cooperative Extension, pointed to the Ability Garden, which provides therapeutic horticulture to people who are older and have physical or mental challenges, as well as youth in underserved communities.
Jarrett said the Ability Garden has been around for 25 years and shows at-risk youth what they can achieve through gardening.
Meanwhile, Singleton said the Master Gardener Plant Sale attracts more than 4,000 people over five days each spring.
The Arboretum and Cooperative Extension also host a Native Plant Festival in September, which Singleton says reminds people how important it is to include native plants in their gardens.
Where: 6206 Oleander Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: You can come and relax for free at this local hidden gem in North Carolina
