The coastal gardens of North Carolina

Flower & Garden Magazine, April-May, 1996 by Ellen Henke

Follow the curved white steps to the colonnaded memorial pavilion, an allee of interlaced yaupon holly trained to form an archway. Here in the shade, hostas, ajuga, ivy and vinca ramble over the ground. The terminus of the allee presents a breathtaking vista of the large, oval south lawn, partially enclosed by a wilderness path, and the Trent River beyond, reminiscent of scenes in 18th century English landscape paintings.

Farther along the wilderness path lies the other privy garden that flanks the house: the Dutch-style Kellenberger Garden. In marked contrast to the Green Garden, the beds in this garden overflow with colorful tulips and annual flowers; its pathways intersect with intended precision.

Perhaps the most fascinating of Tryon Palace's beautiful gardens is the Kitchen Garden, where practicality and aesthetic appeal join in glorious harmony. Here heirloom varieties of vegetables, flowers, herbs and fruits are grown for cooking and medicinal uses; cotton and tobacco plants, main crops of the early plantations, have also been included. A brick wall surrounds the kitchen garden, providing support for espaliered figs, quinces, apples and pears.

A footnote to the restoration: In 1992 the missing Tryon Palace documents, presented by architect John Hawks to a Venezuelan visitor in 1783, were discovered on microfilm in libraries in Caracas, Venezuela. They contained a description of the grounds and a map of the formal gardens very different from the Colonial Revival gardens laid out in 1952. The plans -- which show four large French-style parterres located between the palace and the Trent River, with kitchen gardens extending from both sides of the palace and the two wings -- will be incorporated into the future interpretation of Tryon Palace.

ITINERARY INFORMATION

Orton Plantation is located on Route 133,15 miles from U.S. Highway 17, just south of Wilmington, North Carolina. The gardens are open daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. March through August, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. September through November. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $3 for children age 6 to 12 (children under 6 are admitted free). For more information call 910-371-6851.

Tryon Palace is located in New Bern, North Carolina, near the interchange of U.S. highways 17 and 70, at the intersection of George and Pollock streets, one block off U.S. Highway 17 (Broad Street). It is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday; closed Thanksgiving, December 24-26 and New Year's Day. Admission is $12 for adults (no senior discount), $6 for students in grades K through 12 (preschool children admitted free); group tour rates are available. For more information call 919-514-4900 or 800-767-1560 weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dr. Ellen Henke appears on network television as America's Plant Doctor. She also leads group tours to New Zealand, Europe and other destinations worldwide to view public as well as private gardens. For more information on her tours, call 800-488-3377.