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Sarah P. Duke Gardens

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neha21
neha21
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4 out of 5
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Editor Pick

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

  • May 29, 2008
  • Rated 4 of 5 by bettybetty10 from Dallas, Texas
The Duke Gardens is a beautiful place to see exotic flowers in full bloom! It is extremely well maintained and resembles an English garden. When you walk in, there is a lovely roundabout with many different types of roses in a spectrum of different colors on display.

There are many paths that you can walk through, featuring many types of flowers, trees, and plants. There is also a large lake that you can stroll around. I visited the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants, which is a wooded area featuring plants that are native to NC. An interesting and interactive feature of this particular section is that you can dial a number via your cell phone and get an audio tour. I don't think the audio tour is offered in other parts of the garden.

There is a cute cafe in the gardens, although it was not open when we were there, later in the afternoon. You'll definitely see many couples (particularly bridal) getting their photo taken there, as well as students and others lounging on the various lawns. If you have time, and enjoy a long leisurely stroll, you can definitely spend several hours here (as we did!).

The gardens are open from 8am until dusk, 7 days a week. Admission is free, but parking is $1/hour.

From journal A little Bit of Everything in Chapel Hill, NC

Duke Gardens

  • July 21, 2004
  • Rated 5 of 5 by beachlovr0 from Virginia Beach, Virginia
Nothing can beat the beauty of the Duke Gardens. Whether it's in the middle of winter with snow on the ground or in the spring when there are more types of flowers than you can ever imagine, the gardens are always good for an afternoon of enjoyment. Acres and acres of land are included in this well-kept area that houses some of the most beautiful flowers and nature scenes that I have ever seen. Weddings are common in the main area of the garden. With the flowers, a small lake is a beautiful backdrop for such an occasion. There is a large grassy area for people who would rather picnic, read, throw a frisbee, or just play with the kids and family. Numerous paths give the opportunity to explore, and the bridges, lakes, ducks and other wildlife give plenty of opportunity to do so. People also often jog through the gardens because of the shade offered.

There is a gift shop to get information about the gardens, and the Terrace Cafe (closed on Mondays and when it rains) has sandwiches, snacks, drinks and ice cream to make the perfect picnic. A bit pricey, but certainly worth it for the afternoon. If you park in the gradens parking lot, you will have to pay so be prepared for this.

People come from all over the world to see these gardens, and the mix of families, visitors and students show how the community can interact with the university.

The weather is usually pleasant by April, although the rain can be a problem that time of year. By May it can be hot, so make sure to keep everyone hydrated. If you enjoy nature, make sure you visit the gardens!

From journal Down South in Durham

Editor Pick

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

  • March 21, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by neha21 from durham, India
Sarah P. Duke Gardens

I love the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. I proudly share these gardens with everyone who visits me, as if I have anything to do with the tending, I just can't help but boast.

Duke Gardens is part of the beautiful sprawling campus of Duke University and is one of the most popular sites in Durham and, being such a romantic location, often voted the place for the most proposals in all of the Triangle. Duke Gardens is also where people go to relax, retreat, escape, enjoy beauty, time alone, picnic, romance someone, take photographs, to name just a few.

Thanks to a lack of funds (sounds like a paradox) in the 1920s, what was to be a lake with elaborate fountains became an area for plants. Dr. Frederic M. Hanes, (part of the original faculty of Duke Medical School) focused on the mission of transforming the seemingly-hopeless land into a garden. Dr. Hanes asked his friend, Sarah P. Duke (widow of one of the University's founders, Benjamin N. Duke) to contribute the sum of $20,000 for a garden in her name. After the vibrant gardens became a lush display in the 30s, forceful rains destroyed them.

Dr. Hanes did not despair. He asked Mary Duke Biddle, Sarah P. Duke's daughter, to help create a memorial to her mother. Ellen Shipman, reknown in landscape design, was chosen to start anew.

Duke Gardens is open daily from 8am until dusk and admission is free. Free public tours are available on most days and pre-arranged private docent-led tours are available for a nominal fee. They also accommodate with special tours for the physically handicapped. Pets are welcome, as long as you follow the rules--dogs on a leash, not permitted on narrow pathways or in the Blomquist Gardens of Native Plants, and clean up after your pet.

Enjoy something new each visit: rose bushes, azaleas, dogwoods, redbuds, crabapple and cherry trees, hyacinths, daffodils, tulips, peonies, wisteria, petunias, daylilies, begonias, chrysanthemums, berries, and evergreens. Something for everyone!

Duke Gardens is the absolute ideal setting for weddings, receptions, and other occasions. Approximately 300,000 visitors see the Gardens annually, which relies on funding from contributions and Duke University.

For more information, visit the Duke Gardens Web site: http://www.hr.duke.edu/dukegardens/dukegardens.html call 919-684-3698, or e-mail: gardens@duke.edu

Photos to come soon.

From journal Delightful Durham

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