THE DUKE GARDENS

Hi!

Have you got gardening on your mind?

I do.

But here in Lake Arrowhead the rule of thumb is “Don’t plant before Mother’s Day.”  I have learned that lesson the hard way by planting early, only to have it snow on Memorial Day.  So, this year I am trying to be patient, having lost far too many plants to frost in the past.

So, in the meantime what is a frustrated gardener to do?  Well, a visit to The Sara P. Duke Gardens at Duke University might be just the ticket!  And, I did just that last week.  My visit came at the perfect moment, as the gardens were in full bloom.

Stepping through these gates you are transported into another world, and are rewarded with stunning beauty.

While visiting my son at school, he suggested that we stroll through The Duke Gardens on our way to his dormitory.  Boy, am I glad we did!

The Duke Gardens are a 55-acre botanical garden located right on the campus of Duke University.

My son visits the gardens frequently, as do most students.   These gardens are a real treasure to the university.

Many students come to study under a tree,  jog along the footpaths for exercise, or act as volunteer gardeners.  Professors volunteer here too.  I once took a guided tour of the grounds with a volunteer docent who was a professor in the Medical School.  She said she volunteered in the gardens as a way to give back to the gardens where she has enjoyed her lunches daily for over 20 years.

In 1938 Mary Duke made the first contribution of funds which spearheaded the development of the gardens.  She dedicated the gardens to her mother Sara P. Duke, namesake of the gardens.

The Duke Gardens are renowned for their outstanding landscape design and high quality horticulture. In fact, they are considered one of the top 10 gardens in the country.

During my visit every tree was in bloom……

every tulip had emerged from its winter hibernation……

and every Daffodil and Narcissus had sprung to life.

Dedicated to learning, inspiration and enjoyment,  the Duke Gardens are a place of astonishing beauty and tranquility……

where one can meander along a garden path……

or relax on a bench under a blooming tree……

or enjoy the shade of a gazebo.

I can just imagine how beautiful this gazebo will be when the wisteria has started to bloom.

Lovely cooling fountains dot the landscape.

And beautiful inscribed medallions are found along the garden paths.

Visitors lounge and picnic on the grassy knolls.  In winter, students use this slope for snow sledding.

Lunch can also be enjoyed at this Garden Cafe.  My son happened to have had lunch here just prior to my arrival on campus.  Can you imagine a university that offers its students such a wonderful place like this to eat, on food points no less.

The day of our visit a student group was performing Shakespeare in the garden.

I think Shakespeare would have been very pleased.

So, if you are ever in the Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina area……

Do yourself a big favor……

and visit The Duke Gardens.

You’ll be very glad you did!

Until next time……

PS – For more information about The Duke Gardens you can visit their website here.