Juniper Level Botanical Gardens on a Special Morning

During the Plant Delights Nursery open house, the Juniper Level Botanical Gardens is an added frill. Imagine visiting a plant nursery only to find out that the nursery is surrounded by a garden that contains the proof of the kind of world fine plants can create.

Taking advantage of the open house on May 10, 2008, I got just such an opportunity.

Like many people wandering aimlessly through life I sometimes, though some say always, seem to be a little lost. This morning I was visiting the nursery greenhouses without having gone through the normal welcoming process. Had I done so, I would have had a beautiful map of the nursery and botanical gardens.

No, I just headed off from my car into the greenhouses with my camera in hand. I immediately began taking pictures of water drops on hostas in the bright morning sun. Having arrived just after opening at eight am, I was in huge greenhouses with only a smattering of brave souls. It was like being alone in the Garden of Eden without the snake.

As I wandered in and out of the greenhouses I noticed little trails going off behind the trees that they back on. I still have a need to explore, so I did just that. I headed up one of the paths to see where it might lead.

Once away from the greenhouses I began seeing flowers in the forested path. The particular path I followed led me down to a stone lined pond lined on one side by a stone wall. I could see serious camera buffs busily setting up pictures of beautiful and unique plantings.

For my part I prefer taking pictures only when the scene strikes me. I may not use the same lenses and filters but I am always pleased with my pictures. I am often satisfied with the imperfections that add character to life.

I am always a little jealous when I see the vast array of equipment these photographers bring with them until I think of the bulk and weight. Their work and diligence shows as their skills adorn the pages of catalogs and garden magazines.

The pond was the first of the water scenes I noticed as I wandered through what I now realized was the botanical garden. At the edge of the pond I snapped a picture of a huge flower that reminded me of a daisy on steroids.

The number of flowers along the wall was not overwhelming though it was mixed and quite colorful. It had a quiet sense of being a bit wild in the jungle sense.

As I went passed the end of the pond I followed onto a path off into the forest again. All along the path flowers and green plants sprung along the trail border. It was not a continuous monotonous line of plants; rather it was a planting here and there that would surprise and elate those that love beautiful plants.

Each planting allowed the visitor an opportunity to see it without trying to discern its features from a cluttered background of plant noise. Some plants were with others, such as those in the southwest garden, which provided context. Others stood alone bordered by grass or mulch to enhance the beauty of the plant.

The giant plants in the southwest garden were the most amazing plants I have ever seen. Standing beside them made me wonder if there were still dinosaurs. It is humbling to stand in the midst of plants that so dwarf us simple humans. I did not know there was such a beautiful garden near Raleigh until this morning.

As I followed the web of paths without a map I pleasantly stumbled on the first of many waterfalls. This little path led upward in a winding circular route that led to high point of the trip. No, it wasn't the most exciting point. It was the top of Mount Michelle which is the tallest point in the botanical garden. As I looked at the sign I knew where I was but had not the slightest idea of where this was from anywhere else.

I am glad that I did not have the map as it felt more mysterious and adventurous going into a strange place seeking to discover its secrets.

After traveling through this garden I mistakenly thought I had seen it all. Boy was I mistaken. I had not even seen the half of it. It turns out that I had only visited the southern portion of the botanical garden.

I headed toward the welcoming point when I noticed someone come out of a path on the road north of the welcoming point. As curious as I am, I followed the path still without a map. This turned out to be a small section in the northwest corner of the grounds

As I left this small section of the botanical gardens I noticed people on the other side of the street entering the woods. There I was again letting my curiosity lead me into the deep dark woods.

It turns out this path led to more than half of the botanical garden. In this portion of the garden, truly in the southwest corner of the property, there are extensive use of water settings, rock gardens, and border plantings. This section took half the time of my visit traveling through the beautiful pathways. Every turn had its own plantings to surprise the visitor.

One part of the path borders Saul's Road. From inside this portion you can watch drivers speed by unaware of the awesome beauty hidden behind a green border. Even though some plantings are in plain sight, the speed of the traffic does not permit them to see what is right before their eyes.
Somewhere in these gardens there is a nice display of carnivorous plants and with occasional plantings of flowering plants in the shaded woods.

By the road a giant metal snake lies in the grass to surprise the young of heart with its huge head and colorful body.

On leaving these gardens I finally made my way to the welcoming point where I picked up a map which showed me where I had been.

As a backyard gardener and a photographer of sorts I found this to be an amazing journey.

I am amazed at the diversity of plant life that the Tony and Michelle Avent have amassed in this small space. It is really a testament to their gardening skills and horticultural determination.

They have four more open house weekends this year. This is a very special place for any serious gardener to visit.