Stop and smell the roses: These are 7 must see gardens around Charlotte

Chyna Blackmon
·3 min read

Spring has sprung, and you don’t have to go very far to explore beautiful blooms in Charlotte.

If you don’t have a green thumb for planting your own flowers, there are several gardens open around the city year-round for visitors.

The next time you want to stop and smell the roses (maybe while having a glass of wine) here’s a list of gardens you can check out in the Charlotte area:

Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens

Location: 6500 S New Hope Rd, Belmont, NC 28012

Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Cost: Free for members, and up to $14.95 for nonmembers

Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, about 20 miles outside of Charlotte, features 30 acres of gardens, fountains, walking trails and more. The Belmont garden that opens year-round also hosts several garden events and workshops.

The 300-acre Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden has a new art exhibit, “Opening Doors to Spring” on display from March through mid-June.
The 300-acre Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden has a new art exhibit, “Opening Doors to Spring” on display from March through mid-June.

The Duke Mansion

Location: 400 Hermitage Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207

Hours: Vary depending on day

Cost: Free

At the Duke Mansion sits 4.5 acres of grounds and gardens with trees and blooms open to the public nearly every day during daylight hours. Visitors of all ages (including dogs) are welcome to sit and relax, take a guided tour and sip and stroll through the historic property. If you’d like to visit, you’re encouraged to call the mansion at 704-714-4400 to ensure the best access to the gardens in case there is a private event.

The Duke Mansion gardens are open nearly everyday during daylight hours.
The Duke Mansion gardens are open nearly everyday during daylight hours.

Glencairn Garden

Location: 725 Crest St, Rock Hill, SC 29730

Hours: Monday-Sunday from dusk to dawn

Cost: Free

Glencairn Garden, about 26 miles outside of Charlotte, is a popular spot for visitors in Rock Hill. The 11 acre garden, which was originally a private backyard garden, features fountains, ponds and a variety of blooms year-round.

Glencairn Garden’s roots date back to 1928 before being transformed into a botanical garden with florals, ponds and more in 1958.
Glencairn Garden’s roots date back to 1928 before being transformed into a botanical garden with florals, ponds and more in 1958.

McGill Rose Garden

Location: 940 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28206

Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Cost: Free

McGill Rose Garden is a two-acre garden nestled between NoDa and uptown Charlotte. It connects to the popular coffee and wine bar, Rosie’s Coffee & Wine Garden, where you can enjoy a drink in the garden, take a stroll with your dog or have a picnic onsite.

Rosie’s Coffee & Wine Garden is situated on a 2-acre urban garden in Charlotte’s Belmont neighborhood. Here, you can take a stroll through the seasonal blooms with a cappuccino or a glass of wine in hand.
Rosie’s Coffee & Wine Garden is situated on a 2-acre urban garden in Charlotte’s Belmont neighborhood. Here, you can take a stroll through the seasonal blooms with a cappuccino or a glass of wine in hand.

Memorial Gardens

Location: 36 Spring St SW, Concord, NC 28025

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (March 15-Sept. 15); Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Sept. 16-March 14)

Cost: Free

Take a stroll through Memorial Garden, which sits on the property of the original sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church. Located in the 200-year-old cemetery in downtown Concord, the garden is open for visitors to check out ancient oaks, waterfalls, sculpted hollies and more. Tours are available to book for churches, schools, garden clubs and other groups.

Memorial Garden sits on land purchased in 1804 for the original sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church in Concord, NC.
Memorial Garden sits on land purchased in 1804 for the original sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church in Concord, NC.

UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens

Location: 9090 Craver Rd, Charlotte, NC 28262

Hours: Monday-Sunday during daylight hours. Greenhouse is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Cost: Free

Created in 1966 to serve as a living classroom and botanical resource for the campus and community, the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens has 10 acres of outdoor gardens, a greenhouse and a teaching classroom with a library. The campus botanical garden offers classes, tours and occasional plant sales throughout the year.

UNC Charlotte’s Botanical Gardens McMillan Greenhouse has a Titan Arum, also knows as the corpse flower because it smells like rooting flesh when it is mature. The flower is expected to be about 5-6 feet tall and fully mature in late April or early May. It was photographed on Tuesday, April 17, 2018.
UNC Charlotte’s Botanical Gardens McMillan Greenhouse has a Titan Arum, also knows as the corpse flower because it smells like rooting flesh when it is mature. The flower is expected to be about 5-6 feet tall and fully mature in late April or early May. It was photographed on Tuesday, April 17, 2018.

Wing Haven

Location: 248 Ridgewood Ave, Charlotte, NC 28209

Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Cost: Free for members, and up to $10 for nonmembers

Located in the Myers Park neighborhood, Wing Haven has three public gardens for visitors of all ages: the Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary, The Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden and the Student Environmental Education and Discovery (SEED) Wildlife & Children’s Garden. Wing Haven also offers group tours and hosts several programs and events throughout the year, like tea time and plant sales.

Wing Haven, which has three public gardens, is open for self-guided tours and visiting.
Wing Haven, which has three public gardens, is open for self-guided tours and visiting.