New Hanover County Arboretum

Some of the best places in Wilmington are the ones you’d never guess were tucked behind an unassuming front gate — and the New Hanover County Arboretum is one of those gems. Seven peaceful acres of gardens, koi ponds, sculptures, and seasonal blooms, all free to visit, all open year-round, and all maintained by some of the most passionate plant people in the region. Whether you’re a serious gardener looking for ideas or just someone who wants to spend a quiet hour outdoors, this is a place that rewards every kind of visitor. Be sure to check out the YouTube video and pictures below to get a feel for the gardens before you go — or to relive the visit after.

A Garden Born from a Local Vision

The Arboretum’s story starts with a quiet act of vision. In the late 1970s, Dr. Charles “Pete” Lewis, then the county’s Cooperative Extension Director, dreamed of creating a public garden that could teach local residents what to grow in coastal North Carolina. When a fire destroyed the Bradley Creek Elementary School in 1982, the county appropriated $200,000 to turn the site into a new home for the Arboretum and the Extension Service. After four years of work — much of it by volunteers — the New Hanover County Arboretum formally opened its doors on October 5, 1989.

Today, more than three decades later, it’s still going strong. The Arboretum is part of the N.C. Cooperative Extension’s horticulture program and serves as a living classroom for residents, students, and green industry professionals — a working “horticultural laboratory” demonstrating which plants thrive in this part of the state.

More Than 30 Gardens to Explore

The seven-acre property is divided into more than 30 distinct gardens, each with its own personality and connected by paved pathways that make a self-guided stroll easy and accessible. A few of the highlights:

The Japanese Garden — a beautifully serene space with an authentic tea house, winding stream, and carefully placed stones, often considered the heart of the Arboretum.
The Water Garden — one of the largest in North Carolina, alive with hundreds of colorful koi and crossed by a striking red wooden pedestrian bridge.
The Children’s Garden — a playful, interactive space with a tiny garden cottage, balance beams, thunder drums, and other features designed to spark a love of plants in young visitors.
The Rose Garden — particularly stunning in peak bloom, with a wide variety of shrub and climbing roses.
The Native Plant and Herb Gardens — practical inspiration for local homeowners, showcasing what grows well in this region.
The Camellia Walk — quietly spectacular in winter, when many other gardens are at rest.
A Veterans Labyrinth — a contemplative walking path honoring all five branches of the U.S. military.

You’ll also find rotating sculpture and art installations, a tranquil welcome garden, an educational stormwater wetland, and seating tucked throughout — so it’s just as much a place to sit and relax as to walk and explore.

A Living Classroom

Part of what makes the Arboretum special is that it’s not just for show. The on-site Plant Clinic, staffed by volunteer Master Gardeners, offers free gardening advice — bring a leaf, a photo, or just a question, and they’ll help you figure out what to plant, what’s eating your tomatoes, or how to deal with a stubborn corner of your yard. The Arboretum also hosts educational classes, workshops, and seasonal events throughout the year, plus the wildly popular annual Master Gardener Association plant sale every spring.

Good to Know

Location: 6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington — just east of downtown along the city’s main eastside corridor.
Hours: Open daily, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Free admission and free on-site parking.
Plan ahead: Give yourself at least an hour to wander — gardeners and photographers can easily spend two or more.
Pet-friendly: Leashed dogs are welcome throughout the gardens.
Accessible: Paved pathways make the gardens easy to navigate for strollers and wheelchairs.
Phone: (910) 798-7660 for general info, or contact the Plant Clinic for gardening questions.

One of Wilmington’s Best-Kept Secrets

The New Hanover County Arboretum is the kind of place that feels bigger than its seven acres — quiet, generous, full of small surprises, and beautifully tended by people who love what they do. Whether you’re chasing the spring camellias, dipping into the Japanese Garden for a moment of stillness, or just wandering with a coffee in hand, it’s one of those Wilmington spots you’ll want to come back to again and again.