Looking at local private gardens

I'd like to walk in neighborhoods where there are a few great gardens. I need to learn more about garden design, and that's one excellent way to see what really works. I know there's an Arboretum here, but I also know I could buy 3 plants with what they charge just to look. Any suggestions in or near Asheville? (I'm assuming there will be street parking. In Asheville there are places with none.)

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Permalink Reply by John on June 19, 2010 at 1:56pm

Tomorrow(Sunday, 6/20), there's a garden tour(1-5p) in West Asheville, sponsored by Asheville GreenWorks. Tickets are $15 single or two for $25. Phone number for more details: 828.254.1776. Might be worthwhile to see, since there are ten gardens for display.

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Permalink Reply by Sylvia Elwyn on June 19, 2010 at 9:26pm

Barbara,while the Arboretum does charge a hefty sum for parking, it is well worth it. I learned so much from touring the Arboretum gardens when I first moved here, because they focus on plants that do well in our mountain region. And the bonsai exhibit is fabulous. Another idea for you may be the botanical garden at UNC-Asheville. It is a garden with all native plants.

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Permalink Reply by Doug on June 24, 2010 at 9:50am

I joined the Arboretum soon after moving here from Raleigh 3 years ago. Your membership fee is tax deductable, allows free access for an entire year for you and everyone in your car, gets you sent mailings for their classes and a discount on the class fees and at the gift shop. They also have a list of reciprocal gardens, and we visited a fascinating cactus garden while in Phoenix one year. All those things, and it is a wonderful resource.

We also bought season passes to the Biltmore Estate and in April and May went once a week just to walk through the azalea garden. Fabulous watching the blooms grow and burst forth in color. It's not a private garden like you asked, but certainly an inspiration.

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Permalink Reply by Polly McDaniel on June 28, 2010 at 9:32pm

I have to say my annual pass @ Biltmore Estate has been most instructive. When I first moved here, I would take my camera and notebook and document some of the plants in all 4 seasons. These were plants I had only seen in catalogs or books before and I was so excited to see them in person in the excellent Biltmore gardens. They never fail to thrill me.