Daniel Boone Native Gardens

July 2009

All photos and illustrations by
Pat Johns ©2009 - present
All Rights Reserved
See links to article references in Resources.

Just off Blowing Rock Road near the Appalachian State Campus is a complex of sites of great importance to the Boone area. Hickory Ridge Homestead, Horn in the West, the Farmer's Market and the Daniel Boone Native Gardens are all together in this convenient location.

The Daniel Boone Native Gardens is a collection of native Appalachian trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. The many varieties of plants and trees provide a changing show throughout the growing season.This 3 acre garden was opened in 1966 with the purpose of educating visitors and conserving rare and endangered Appalachian plant species.

The gardens are managed by the Garden Club of N.C., Inc., and include a bog garden, fern garden, rhododendron grove, rock garden, rock wishing well, vine-covered arbor, a pond, the reconstructed Squire Boone Cabin and many quiet places to sit. The wrought-iron gates at the entrance were built by a descendant of Daniel Boone.

The gardens were built around a 150-year old black heart cherry tree that died of disease and old age in 2005. The tree was known as the "wedding tree" because of the many wedding ceremonies that took place under the trees' branches. It has been replaced. Some of the wood from the old tree was given to local woodworkers to use in crafting handmade objects. Below is a photo of a cabinet made from some of this "wedding tree" wood" by the late Mike Biczel, a popular local craftsman who died in 2007.

Group tours can be arranged and the gardens are available for weddings and other events. The gardens are open daily, May 1 through October. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours during Horn in the West outdoor drama season. Admission is $2, ages 16 and up. Dogs are not permitted, except service animals. Their phone number is .

Links related to this article:

• Daniel Boone Native Gardens website
• Article about Daniel Boone Native Gardens
• Watauga County Farmers Market website
• Horn in the West Theater
• LearnNC.com
• VisitBooneNC.com
• BlueRidgeHeritage.com
• HighCountryPress.com article about the Apple Festival