Founded In 1934, Duke Gardens Named One of the Most 'Insanely Beautiful Public Gardens'

In 1935, more than 100 flower beds were in glorious bloom in the area that is now the South Lawn. They included 40,000 irises, 25,000 daffodils, 10,000 small bulbs, and assorted annuals. But by 1936 severe rain and floods caused the original gardens to decline.  But then April 1939, after years of planning and construction, Mary Duke Biddle, daughter of founder Sarah P. Duke dedicated the NEW Gardens.  Now coming up on its 77^th year of beauty, grace and instruction… the Sarah P. Duke Gardens thrive and continue to garner award after award.

Now if that’s not enough of a reason to visit, I don’t know what is.  

This gorgeous garden sits on the west campus of Duke University and is nestled in with graduate studies; the medical school and Duke’s famous Chapel.  A beautiful place to take a walk!  As luck would have it, the Camellias were in bloom in North Carolina and Duke’s Gardens play host to a beautiful display of magnificent plantings!  Certainly, my highlight of visiting Durham!  

The 50 acre site is open year-round and FREE to the public.   When visiting this fall, the Gingko’s leaves had started to yellow but still hung tight to their trees.  The Camellias, rows and rows of them, some 20 feet tall, were showing their flowers.  The historic 5-foot diameter Dawn Redwoods had begun to change to their fall amber, yet still clung to their needles.

I especially enjoyed the hilly property and many features at the water.  Included were some of the most gorgeous bridges and amphitheaters featuring seasonal annuals nestled near a large pond found at the base.  Also, worthy of praise is the Culberson Asiatic Arboretum, graced with carefully placed Fuji chrysanthemums!  So nice to see large stands of bamboos with winding and intimate trails in the deep shade.  Features of plantings, wooden structures and flowing water easily and most naturally gives way to many spots to sit and contemplate.

With fall well underway, the hydrangea’s flowers now brown, were frozen in time waiting for the gardeners’ care to put them to sleep. The ornamental kale, placeholders I suspect for what will likely be for tulips and other flowering bulbs next spring.  The carp still cruising their pond, entertaining passersby.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful to take a break

from your classes and rest here a while?  

Things you should now about the Gardens: There is public parking; a host of uses shared by the community at large; volunteer opportunities; certificate programs and facilities for special events.  The Gardens’ website contains a page of recognitions for its accomplishments in architectural landscape design, most stunning university gardens, and my favorite “best place to stop and smell the flowers!”   Amen!

*HuffPo http://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-active-times/insanely-beautiful-public_b_5266744.html

Learn more about the Sarah P. Gardens at their website:  Gardens.Duke.EDU

I hope you enjoy the pictures I've included as much as I did taking them.