To celebrate our newest listing at 334 Rill Road (more info below), we thought we would write today about a hotspot often overlooked in favor of Airlie Gardens – the New Hanover County Arboretum!

NHC Arboretum Water Garden with Dragon Sculpture

One of NC’s largest water gardens

Located next to Bradley Creek, the Arboretum is completely FREE and open from dawn to dusk every single day of the year. The site was originally Bradley Creek School, but in 1982 a fire burned the entire building down. Dr. Charles E. “Pete” Lewis, the county’s Extension Director from 1979 to 1989, utilized this event as an opportunity to create a beautiful garden space as New Hanover transitioned from rural to urban. Today, the Arboretum is our city’s “horticultural laboratory”, where master gardeners are available to answer your local gardening questions, and all ages enjoy a walk through the themed features.

As you walk around one of the largest water gardens in North Carolina, you’ll naturally make your way through the Japanese Garden (complete with tea house), a magical Children’s Garden with cottage, a Rose Garden, and an Herb Garden that brings in butterflies and hummingbirds. New additions include a colorful picnic area and a gorgeous tropical garden with palms.

photos of NHC Arboretum

The Plant Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 10-4, where master gardeners are available to help you choose the right plants and trees for your space, to identify beneficial bugs in your garden, and to diagnose issues from plant samples.

The Arboretum also hosts events throughout the year. Upcoming is the 4th Annual Cape Fear Native Plant Festival. “See what’s new in the Native Plant Garden, purchase native plants from local vendors, grab a bite at one of the food trucks. For the kids and “young at heart” there will be music, lawn games, story time, and crafts. It’s free, it’s fun, and the grounds are beautiful!” There is a speaker every hour on a range of garden topics, and there will be food trucks, singing, and fun for all.


As we said before, we have a gorgeously remodeled home just a 5 minute drive from this Wilmington gem. Take a virtual tour of this versatile floor plan on over half an acre in the community of College Acres. Central to shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and natural beauties like the beach and gardens, we know you’ll love the incredible features of this home

Click here to view the Virtual Tour