Garden Conservancy's Open Days
- Saturday, September 18, 2010 – 9:00 am–5:00 pm
- Sunday, September 19, 2010 – 12:00 pm–5:00 pm
The Garden Conservancy's Open Days Program comes to Raleigh, North Carolina, in September, featuring four private gardens to visit on Saturday, September 18 and 19, 2010.
A portion of the proceeds from the weekend will benefit the JC Raulston Arboretum, a working research and teaching garden of NC State University.
Visitors may start the tour on either day at the JC Raulston Arboretum at 4415 Beryl Road in Raleigh, where discount admission tickets will be sold (six tickets for $25.00). Open Days are rain or shine, and no reservations are required. Call (888) 842-2442 or visit www.opendaysprogram.org for more information. For local ticket information, please contact Anne Porter at the JC Raulston Arboretum at anne_porter@ncsu.edu or (919) 513-3826.
Featured Gardens
Twin Pines
Jeanne and Tom Andrus
4005 City of Oaks Wynd, Raleigh
Twin Pines is an acre of informal suburban gardens surrounding a Georgian-style house. This former cattle pasture has been transformed by a patient and nurturing gardener. The landscape is accented by reaching pines and sweeping lawns gently sloping to a lake and fountain. These eclectic gardens fulfill a passion for plants that are colorful, fragrant, or rare. As you stroll the winding paths, we welcome you to experience the energy and peace of Twin Pines.
Directions: From the west, take I-40 east to Wade Avenue/Carter Finley split. Take Edwards Mill Road exit, turn left at bottom of ramp onto Edwards Mill Road. Continue straight for 1.5 miles, cross Duraleigh Road, to John Humphries Wynd on left. Turn left and go about 100 yards to entrance gate. Turn right at entrance gate into Olde Raleigh subdivision and onto City of Oaks Wynd. Continue to 4005 City of Oaks on left.
From the east, take Highway 70 West/Glenwood Avenue to Glen Eden Drive. Turn left and go 2 miles to intersection with Edwards Mill Road. Turn left and go 0.5 mile. Turn right onto John Humphries Wynd. Go 100 yards and turn right at entrance gate to Olde Raleigh subdivision. Proceed through open gates onto City of Oaks Wynd going about 2 blocks to 4005 on left.
From the north, take Creedmoor Road/Route 50 south toward Crabtree Valley Mall. Continue straight, crossing Glenwood Avenue, where Creedmoor Road becomes Edwards Mill Road. Go 1.7 miles to John Humphries Wynd. Turn right and go about 100 yards. Turn right at entrance gate into Olde Raleigh subdivision. Proceed through open gates onto City of Oaks Wynd going about 2 blocks to 4005 on left
The Davies Garden
Katharine and Nick Davies
508 Hertford Street, Raleigh
The owners of this Southern-style house found a little bit of their native Wales with this English-designed garden. The house and gardens are designed for entertainment. Visitors can delight in the formal sitting areas out front and then stroll through the boxwood edged courtyard. The path then leads to the back gardens to stroll by the little creek and wonder where the charming footbridge must lead. Finally, afternoon tea can be enjoyed sitting out on the back porch overlooking the rose and perennial gardens. The quaint potting shed holds the secrets of the garden's necessities.
Directions: From I 440, take Exit 71 at Glenwood Avenue (Crabtree Valley Mall). Turn east onto Glenwood Avenue (going towards downtown). Turn left onto Pasquotank Drive (across from Raleigh Orthopedic Clinic). Pasquotank Drive will become Transylvania Avenue with Alleghany Drive on left. Turn left onto Hertford Street. Number 508 is third house on left.
The Shuping Garden
Jean and Lawrence Shuping
2441 West Lake Drive, Raleigh
As your journey begins through the front natural area, the classic Georgian manor emerges surrounded by redbuds, dogwoods, and stately magnolias. After a visit to the cistern in the gated courtyard, stroll to the piazza and quatrefoil fountain on the lower level. As you enter the upper level, take the opportunity to admire the cloud-pruned boulevard cypress flanking the steps. There are many unique treasures to discover as you explore the rooms in this three-acre garden.
Directions: From the Five Points area, take Glenwood Avenue toward Crabtree Valley Mall. Turn right onto St. Mary's Street. Take second right onto Lake Drive. Turn left onto West Lake Drive. Garden is at #2441.
Stevens' Lakeside Paradise
Jere and Richard Stevens
132 Lochwood West Drive, Cary
This magnificent garden, nestled among native trees and Lake Lochmere, was designed and installed by its owner, Jere Stevens. The sloped front lawn draws you into a formal, symmetrical brick courtyard with shaped boxwoods, topiaries, drifts of pink begonias, and teak benches. Around the corner and up the deck steps, you can view the sweeping garden-lake vista below. Curved brick pathways lead down from the deck, past a charming gazebo, around to the dock in the cove to see the white swans, turtles, and catfish and back again. A green expanse of lawn complements the colorful garden borders full of perennials and flowering shrubs. A fieldstone fish pond is tucked in at the base of a mighty beech tree, beckoning you to share the shade and linger awhile. Jere's garden has been on the Gardens for the Cure Tour 2005, The Garden Conservancy Tour 2008, and photographed by Better Homes & Gardens in 2008. Welcome!
Directions: From Raleigh, take I-440 beltline west to U.S. 1/64. Take Cary Parkway exit. Turn left at top of ramp. Cross Tryon Road, go to Lochmere Drive. Turn right. At third street, turn right onto Lochwood West Drive. Go to #132 on right.
From RDU, take I-40 east. Stay in left lanes. I-40 becomes Bradshaw Freeway. Take Exit 293-A/U.S. 1/64. Go to Cary Parkway Exit. Proceed as directed above.
From south Raleigh, take I-40 west. Take U.S. 1/64 exit (Asheboro/Sanford). Take Cary Parkway exit. Proceed as directed above.
Open Days Directory
The Open Days gardens in Raleigh are featured in the 2010 Open Days Directory, which includes detailed driving directions and vivid descriptions written by garden owners. The Directory contains a full listing of all private gardens in the 2010 Open Days program, plus one free admission ticket redeemable at any private garden during an Open Day. Call the Garden Conservancy toll-free at (888) 842-2442 to order with a Visa or MasterCard, or send a check or money order to: the Garden Conservancy, P.O. Box 219, Cold Spring, NY, 10516. The cost is $21.95 which includes shipping. Discount admission tickets are available through advanced mail order.
- Cost
- Admission to each garden is $5.00 per person. Discount ticket books (six tickets for $25.00) are available in advance at the Arboretum or through the Garden Conservancy at (888) 842-2442 or www.opendaysprogram.org. Tickets are also available at each garden during the event.
- Registration
- No reservations required, but tickets will be available prior to the event.
- Location
- Four gardens in Raleigh, North Carolina.
- Directions
- Two different maps are available. Participants who'd like to customize their own map can use the interactive Google map. A printable map is also available.
- Parking
- Free parking is available at each of the gardens.
- Questions
- Call (888) 842-2442 or visit www.opendaysprogram.org for more information. For local ticket information, contact Anne Porter at anne_porter@ncsu.edu or (919) 513-3826.