Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens is a great place to visit
One of the busiest people in the world of conservation & in attractions is John Searby. He is the Executive Director of both the Catawba Riverkeeper and Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden (DSBG).
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is located in Belmont, NC. Searby shares the uniqueness of Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden along with the vision and foresight of its benefactor, Dan Stowe.
Segment Highlights:
- Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden has over 100,000 visitors each year
- Hiking Trails, Gardens, & Event Hosting are all available at DSBG.
- Visitors from across the globe visit the Gardens but it is most used by people throughout the Southeast.
Things You’ll Learn by Listening:
Searby’s leadership has garnered attention and awards from many including the North Carolina Travel Industry Association.
The Carolina Outdoors is powered by the hiking boot department at Jesse Brown’s. Good footwear is imperative for a visit to Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden or any pursuit that you may take.
Garden Highlights as discussed on the Carolina Outdoors sponsored by Charlotte outfitter, Jesse Brown’s.
Four Seasons Garden: Situated just outside the Visitor Pavilion, this garden lives up to its name by providing a symphony of colors, shapes, and textures that offer visual interest throughout the year.
- Cottage Garden: Evoking nostalgia, the Cottage Garden showcases plants popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including a delightful collection of bulbs, perennials, trees, and shrubs.
- Canal Garden: The Ragan Canal Garden stretches 100 yards and features a water spectacle bordered by ever-changing seasonal gardens, highlighted by fountains at each end. In the summer, it boasts bold tropical plants like ginger, bananas, elephant ears, palms, and hibiscus.
- Lost Hollow: Constructed in 2014, the Lost Hollow Kimbrell Children’s Garden is a place where children of all ages can embark on journeys of fascination and adventure. Nestled between manicured gardens and old forests, it features an amphitheater, sunken pond, Moonkeep, play spaces, and more to spark the imagination. Currently, there are plans to renovate and expand Lost Hollow to include a 0.4-mile Adventure Trail and Prairie Castle Playground, set to open in spring 2025.
- Perennial Gardens: This winding space includes several themed areas:
- Magnolia Allée and Tunnel Fountain: A spiral of plants and a fountain in the Scroll Garden.
- Ribbon Garden: Displays of ribbon beds.
- Crown Garden: Features the Crown Fountain surrounded by crape myrtles.
- Serpentine Garden: Color-themed pools.
- Conifer Garden: An eclectic blend of cone-bearing plants.
- William H. Williamson, III, Orchid Conservatory: As the Carolinas’ only 8,000-square-foot, five-story glass house dedicated to the display of orchids and tropical plants, the conservatory houses a waterfall, showy blooming orchids, and tropical plants like a cocoa tree, vanilla orchid, and orchid tree.
- Garden Trails: Visitors can explore 3.2 miles of walking trails around the garden. The Persimmon Trail, located off the parking lot, connects with the Carolina Thread Trail, which meanders along Lake Wylie and links with Meadowood Walk. Remember to take a good pair of sunglasses for those bright days on a garden trail.
Events and Programs
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden hosts a variety of events and programs throughout the year, catering to diverse interests:
- Holidays at the Garden: An annual event featuring festive lights, holiday displays, and activities for all ages. Typically held from late November through December, it offers a magical experience during the holiday season.
- Birding Walks: Led by experienced volunteers, these guided walks provide an opportunity to explore the diverse avian life that inhabits the garden’s trails. Suitable for both seasoned birders and newcomers, these walks are scheduled regularly.
- Sip and Paint: Art enthusiasts can participate in themed painting sessions, often accompanied by beverages, set against the backdrop of the garden’s beauty. These events are designed for artists of all skill levels.
- Santa Paws: A special event where visitors can bring their dogs to the garden for holiday photos with Santa, along with treats and activities for pets and their owners.
Visitor Information
The garden is located at 6500 South New Hope Road, Belmont, NC 28012, approximately 21 miles from Charlotte, NC, and 13 miles from Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
- Hours: The garden operates Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed on major holidays, including New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
- Admission:
- Adults: $16.95 + tax
- Seniors (60+): $14.95 + tax
- Children (2-12): $9.95 + tax
- Children under 2: Free
Members enjoy free admission, and group rates are available for parties of 15 or more with prior reservation.
- Accessibility: The garden is stroller and wheelchair accessible, with benches located throughout for visitor comfort. While wheelchairs and strollers are not available
