Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durham
Sarah P. Duke Gardens is a world-class 55-acre garden with lakeside allees, flower terraces, and a small Japanese garden. The most famous part of the gardens are the flowerbed terraces, where an exuberant mix of tulips and other spring flowers delight visitors in early April. From here you can walk little hidden winding paths under forest trees past lovely little flowers such as bluebells. Along the pond or lake there are allees, and it's a delight to see the shimmering water through the trees and shrubs. In spring it is beautiful, with flowering bushes around every turn. A zigzag boardwalk leads over the water here, and there is a section of shoreline rocks where kids love to play and watch the herons. This little spot reminds me of Central Park in New York. As does the circle with the grand sculpture surrounded by roses.
Kids like to sit by the small waterfalls in the Japanese garden and run over the curved red bridge, in the northwest corner of the garden. There is a large bowl-shaped lawn in the south end of the gardens where weekend pleasure-seekers lay in the grass or play frisbee with friends. Other quieter types find little hidden spots under trees for picnics. In spring the gardens can get very crowded on weekends so come early.
On weekdays it's lovely to visit in the afternoon when there are just enough people enjoying the gardens. In the morning it's a bit empty.
At the visitor center there is a formal garden and gift shop. For lunch you can eat a catered sandwich in the cute brick Terrace House.
It is free to enter the gardens but you must pay for parking which can be a big problem on weekends when there is a huge line in the hot sun at the incredibly slow parking pay machines and half of the machines are broken. Why do they offer free admission but then ruin your visit just to get $4 out of you for parking? This is a real shame.
After, walk to Duke Chapel and check out the historic buildings on Duke Campus. You could also drive to a hip coffee shop in Durham town. Cocoa Cinnamon (the one of Hillsborough Rd is the closest) is four minutes away! Guglhupf Bakery and Cafe on Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd is six minutes away.
Duke University is named after Washington Duke, tobacco tycoon. He gave large donations to make the university a success, as did his sons James and Benjamin. Sarah P. Duke Gardens is named after Benjamin's wife.
For another excellent garden in the Research Triangle, check out the gorgeous large flowers in JC Raulston Arboretum. Another favorite of mine is the WRAL Azalea Garden in spring.
The gift shop and visitor building.
Colorful assortment of flowers near the entrance.
Iris fountain.
Spring flowers and blue sky.
The white garden, behind the visitor building.
Amphitheater.
Sculpted hedges.
White flowers with yellow middle.
Red trees.
The Japanese garden has cute staircases.
Purple irises.
Japanese bridge and reflection, plus bamboo.
I love the pond!
Red bridge.
Ducks cruise by.
A peaceful place to sit.
Zigzag boardwalk.
Tranquility.
Path ablaze with color.
Rocks where ducks and kids hang out.
Blue heron flying.
A girl explores the rocks area.
Green delight!
Green as green can be!
White flowers by the hundreds!
Beautiful flower.
Gorgeous landscape design.
Dark pink azaleas.
Drinking gourd plant.
Pretty azalea.
Stone bridge.
Tulips in the terrace garden.
Daffodils in April.
Fountain in the terrace garden.
Bright flower.
Tulip.
Tulips and daffodils!!!
A cool sculpture kids can play hide and seek in.
Springtime whites.
Orange-yellow flowers galore.
Path full of color!
The many colors in April.
A sweet little decoration.
Weekend picnic in the gardens.
I love this view!
Busy weekend day in spring.
Playing in the sculpture.
Spring weekend picnic.
Cruising in the amphitheater on a hot spring day.
Azalea, pond, and grass bowl.
Sweet May flowers.
Little cupid-like statue.
The lovely colors in the garden.
Bridge and greenery.
Beautiful foxgloves.
A group sits on the grass while two people stroll in the distance.
Duck with nice design.
The rose garden.
I love these purple spherical flowers!
Roses and purple flowers in May!
Purple flowers and pink roses.
The rose garden is a delight in May.
Pink roses!
The stairs and stone walls at the rose garden.
The grand fountain and circle which is a rose garden in summer.
Yellow flowers in July.
Summertime at the terraced garden.
Water lilies!
Adorable water lilies.
Pink water lilies.
Summer in the garden!
Cactus planter.
Laying in the sun at the huge field in October.
A mother and son walk by the little pond at the huge field.
Stripey water lilies.
Abundance of plants in summer.
Purple water lily flower.
Gorgeous foliage.
Light shining through the bamboo forest.
Turtles at the shore.
Weeping willow by the big pond.
Ducks on the big pond.
Bridge and sunlight.
Fall colors.
Autumn colors in early November.
Camellias with autumn colors behind.
Japanese Maple in autumn.
White flowers hanging over a wall.
A leafy paradise.
Pathway to more fall colors, plus healthy banana trees even in the cold!
Carpet of gold under a fall tree.
Orange Flowered Tea Olive smells amazing in autumn, near the grassy field.
Visitors enjoying a warm day in early November.
Fall leaves and blue sky.
Fall tree by the staircase to the garden shop.
Even the parking lot looks nice in the fall.
Bamboo forest and path.
Wow. I love these tulips!!
Pale tulips catching the light.
Salmon-colored daffodils are so lovely. Last day of March.
Winter blossoms.
Lovely color combination of tulips and flowers.
Tulips in a row.
White and red tulips.
A couple hugs under a blossoming tree.
Purples.
Purple flowers in a cluster.
Tulips are so adorable!
Rows of spring flowers.
Rows of greenery and purple flowers.
Purple flowers in a star shape.
Rows of flowers.
Inside a tulip.
Tiny daffodils.
My daughter calls these Macaroni N Cheese daffodils.
Camellia.
Purple and orange tulips.
Like a bouquet of flowers.
Yellow flowers of all sorts.
Pink tulips catching the light.
I love these tulips in the distance.
Blossoming trees and flower beds.
Spring delight. Last day of March.
The pond, in April. The green has returned to the trees after many months of sticks!
Cute flowers like balls.
Azaleas adding cheer to the landscape.
A blissful view.
Loveliness.
Looking at the terraces from the other side of the small pond.
Camelias.
An idyllic place to sit.
The terraces full of tulips.
Poppies.
Pale purple tulips with frayed edges.
Tulip with raspberry swirl!
Tulips catching the light, showing their pretty shape.
Azaleas!
A large expanse!
Irises and pansies, in April.
Bluebells in April.
Azalea flowers in April.
Huge area of azaleas.
Tall purple spheres.
Foxgloves, in mid-May.
Red tree, in mid-May.
White azalea!
Sweet flowers brightening up a mid-March day.
A nice place to sit, in the amphitheater behind the welcome center.
The pond and stone bridge.
Tulips with red swirl.
Pink tulips. What a delight!
Baby blue sky and blossom trees.
Daffodils by the path.
Sweet flowers of summertime.
Green entrance walkway in summer.
Ducks in the fountain.
Huge flower.
Blossoming trees along the path, mid-March.
Chinese Redbud, a beauty.
Daffodils in a row.
Huge star flower and purple kale.
An assortment of colors!
Daffodils of many colors!!
Daffodils, and camellia flowers on a tree and on the ground, in February.
Flowers on the ground in winter.
Cherry blossom tree!
Row of cherry blossom trees at the entrance to the garden, mid-March.
Pampas grass catching the light.
Fall in the gardens...
Hellebore flowers and pine cone.
Hellebore flower.
Fountain, in winter.
Camellia bud, in February.
Wintertime flowers on the trees.
Flowers galore, on a tree in winter.
Path and dappled light.
Tulips and tiny daffodils, March 16.
Tulips!
Blossoming tree catching the light as a man walks down the hill.
Really cool ducks! Some have rich velvety brown heads.
Zigzag path, ducks, blossoming tree, red bridge.
Blossoms along the trail.
Cherry blossoms against the sky.
Duck cruising in the lake under a branch full of blossoms.
End of winter is a glorious time along the path!!
Entrance flower beds.
Bright colors- last day of March.
Tulips and a stone wall. Last day of March.
Tulip border.
Yellow, white, and purple tulips.
Striped tulips.
A beautiful blend of pastel tulips.
Magenta tulips.
Perfect flower bed with daffodils and tulips.
What a great place for a photo. Tulips galore!
Pink tulips and daffodils.
Lovely multi-hued flower.
Flower beds galore!
Pink tulips.
A wonderful assortment of tulips, daffodils, and other sweeties!
Tulips, daffodils, and kale, March 16.
Tiny daffodils on a hill. Makes me think of when I ran down hills of freesias when I was little.
Yellow daffodils in a cluster.
Salmon-colored daffodils! I've never seen these before!! March 16.
Colorful leaves on summertime plants.
Amazing summertime succulents.
Giant hibiscus flowers in the summer.
Summertime colors.
Ducks at the little beach on the pond.
Stairway in the native plants area.
Mill parts in the native plants area walkway.
Stepping stones in the native plants area.
Cross the stepping stones...
Sarah P. Duke Gardens is located at 420 Anderson St, Durham, NC 27708.
Entrance is free but you must pay for parking, $2 per hour, at the credit card pay machines. This is fine except on weekends when there's a huge line in the hot sun at the incredibly slow machines. Half of the machines are broken, making the line even longer. Come as early as you can on weekends and be ready for an unpleasant beginning to your visit.
You must know your license plate number to pay at the machine. Also, even though the ticket says not to leave it on your dashboard, you must, otherwise you might get fined! This is what happened to us.
Last Updated: Thu, 18 Oct 2018 20:29:08 GMT
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