Tryon Palace – Pleached Allée - The Sociable Adventurer

For one of the most genuinely magical features anywhere on the Tryon Palace grounds, the Pleached Allée is a real treasure. Set within the broader 16-acre Palace garden complex in downtown New Bern, NC in Craven County, this stunning living tunnel of intertwined branches showcases one of the most distinctive horticultural arts of the European tradition. Designed by Morley Jeffers Williams in the 1950s and lined entirely with yaupon holly, the Allée is part Colonial Revival garden, part living architecture, and entirely unforgettable. Be sure to check out the YouTube video and pictures below to get a feel for the Allée before you go — or to relive the visit after.

A Yaupon Holly Tunnel in the English Tradition

The Pleached Allée is one of the most distinctive features in the entire Tryon Palace garden complex — a deeply atmospheric shaded pathway lined with rows of carefully cultivated yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria), a native evergreen of the southeastern United States.

Designed by landscape architect Morley Jeffers Williams in the 1950s — the same designer responsible for the Kellenberger Garden — the Allée reflects the Colonial Revival garden style that defined the original Tryon Palace restoration, drawing inspiration from 18th-century British gardens where such living tunnels were used to add dramatic visual structure and shaded walking space.

The Art of Pleaching

The Allée’s name comes from the horticultural art of pleaching — a centuries-old technique in which the branches of trees or shrubs are carefully interwoven and trained to grow together, creating a continuous living wall, hedge, or canopy. Pleaching dates back to medieval European garden design and was particularly beloved in formal English gardens, where it was used to create shaded promenades, intimate garden rooms, and visually striking living architecture.

At the Tryon Palace Pleached Allée, the branches of the yaupon holly are gradually trained over the years to intertwine overhead, forming a natural tunnel-like canopy over the walkway below. The result is a green corridor that feels both ancient and intimate — a walk through living architecture that genuinely captures the timeless beauty of European garden tradition.

From the Green Garden to the Trent River

The Allée extends from the Green Garden toward the Trent River — one of the two rivers that defines New Bern’s waterfront identity. Walking through the Allée, visitors are gradually drawn from the formal beauty of the Green Garden out toward the open water beyond.

The shaded canopy gives the entire experience a tranquil, contemplative quality, with arching branches and seasonal beauty that change subtly with the year — from the bright spring growth to the deeper greens of summer, the warm autumn light filtering through the leaves, and the more sculptural feel of the bare branches in winter.

A Popular Spot for Bridal Photography and Quiet Strolls

Beyond its historical and horticultural significance, the Pleached Allée has become one of the most beloved spots on the Tryon Palace grounds for bridal photography and leisurely strolls. The combination of dappled light, a symmetrical pathway, and an arching canopy creates a uniquely photogenic backdrop that genuinely captures the elegance of the formal European garden tradition.

For visitors not booking a photo session, the Allée is also one of the most peaceful spots on the grounds — a place to slow down, listen to the quiet rustle of the holly leaves, and feel the gentle remove of being inside something genuinely beautiful and rare.

Good to Know

Designed by: Morley Jeffers Williams in the 1950s
Style: Colonial Revival, inspired by 18th-century British gardens
Featured plantings: Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) — a native southeastern evergreen
Defining technique: Pleaching — a centuries-old method of interweaving branches to create a living tunnel
Direction of the pathway: Extends from the Green Garden toward the Trent River
Popular use: Leisurely strolls and bridal photography
Best for: Garden enthusiasts, history lovers, photographers, and visitors looking for a uniquely atmospheric walking experience
Pair with: Our magnificent gardens guide and the list of gardens for a fuller look at the broader Tryon Palace garden complex
Located on the Tryon Palace grounds in downtown New Bern, NC

A Tryon Palace Highlight

The Pleached Allée is the kind of stop that rewards visitors who appreciate the rare beauty of living architecture. The intertwined branches of the yaupon holly, the centuries-old horticultural art behind the design, the meaningful trace from the Green Garden out to the Trent River, the photogenic appeal that draws couples for bridal portraits, and the quiet, contemplative atmosphere of walking through a living canopy all add up to one of the most magical experiences anywhere on the Tryon Palace grounds. Whether you’re a serious garden enthusiast, a history-lover with an eye for European garden traditions, or just looking for a uniquely beautiful moment between Palace tours, this is one of the most rewarding stops you can make in Craven County.