When visitors are asked what they love most about Chapel Hill, the answers are often elusive. It’s something they feel more than name—something that lingers long after they’ve left. That feeling, it turns out, has roots.
And nowhere is that more clearly experienced than during the Chapel Hill Garden Tour.
Look for this American Fringe Tree at the Huckshorn Garden
This year, the 15th biennial tour, Sculpted & Soaring Skyward, hosted by the Chapel Hill Garden Club, invites visitors to explore five private gardens and three public gardens across two spring days. Tickets allow guests to move at their own pace, creating a flexible, self-guided experience.
Each garden offers something distinct:
- Huckshorn Garden – A certified wildlife and butterfly sanctuary where visitors can observe pollinators in action and connect with local conservation efforts.
- McGraw Garden – A Japanese-inspired garden featuring Ikebana floral displays throughout the weekend.
- King Garden – A diverse and layered garden with appearances by renowned plantsman Tony Avent (Saturday) and Orange County Master Gardeners (Sunday) available to answer questions.
- Allison and Gourley Gardens – Located on National Historic Registered land, these gardens feature dramatic rock outcroppings and mature tree canopies, along with special programming that brings the landscape to life.
Look for this Zephirine Drouhin Rose at the Gourley Garden
The tour also includes key public spaces such as the North Carolina Botanical Garden, the Carolina Community Garden, and the American Indian Cultural Garden, reinforcing the region’s commitment to conservation and native plant education.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can engage directly with experts and special guests:
- Tree care and beekeeping demonstrations at the Allison Garden (Saturday)
- Geology talk with a UNC expert at the Gourley Garden explaining the formation of Chapel Hill’s distinctive rock features
- Guided tours at the Botanical Garden (Saturday and Sunday at 11am and 2pm)
- QR code self-guided experience at the American Indian Cultural Garden
- Birdhouse sales and wildlife engagement at the Huckshorn Garden
- Ikebana floral displays at the McGraw Garden
- Plant advice and Q&A sessions at the King Garden
Look for this Venus Flytrap at the North Carolina Botanical Garden
These interactive elements transform the tour from a viewing experience into an educational and hands-on opportunity for visitors of all levels—from casual admirers to experienced gardeners.
Since 1931, the Chapel Hill Garden Club has supported the community through environmental stewardship, education, and beautification. Proceeds from the tour benefit ongoing programs at the Botanical Garden as well as the club’s local service projects.
The Garden Tour also offers something simple but meaningful: the chance to spend time outdoors, explore new spaces, and connect with others who share an appreciation for nature and design. Visitors will find themselves moving from garden to garden, discovering new ideas, and engaging with a community that values both preservation and creativity.
Look for this Tangerine Beauty Crossvine at the King Garden
This spring, Chapel Hill is in bloom—and for one special weekend, its gardens are open, offering a rare opportunity to explore, learn, and experience the natural beauty that defines this place.
