Yesterday, my son and I took advantage of an exceptionally warm winter day (in the 70s!) to get outdoors and take in some nature at the N.C. Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill.
Owned by the University of North Carolina and located near campus, the display gardens are part of a 1,000-acre collection of gardens and natural areas.
I’ve visited the Botanical Garden in the spring, summer and fall, when there is lush greenery and an abundance of blooms, and that is beautiful, of course. But I also enjoy exploring trails and parks like this in the winter. I find beauty and serenity in this bare season as well.
A lovely poster display in the area adjacent to the gift shop echoes this sentiment. “Get outside, put those coats and gloves to good use, breathe in the fresh, cool air of winter. There’s just so much to see in this beautiful state of North Carolina,” it encourages. I couldn’t agree more!
The Garden features several habitats representing different ecological regions of the state, including coastal and mountains.
It wouldn’t be a botanical garden without some water! Boardwalks and bridges lead you through this section.
Walking paths are made of traditional “Chapel Hill gravel” — a granular, yellow gravel resembling sand, but larger and coarser. Gravel sidewalks can still be found in parts of the historic section of town.
Whimsical artwork and sculptures made from natural materials grace the Garden throughout.
Click on gallery images to enlarge:
The Garden is open six days a week. Admission and on-site parking are free. For information, see ncbg.unc.edu.
© Michelle Rogers, Inc.
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