Bullington Gardens was the destination in our continuing quest to find safe and fun things to do during this Covid-19 pandemic .Chris and I ventured to Hendersonville, NC to finally visit Bullington Gardens. It has been on my list forever and when I suggested the trek there Chris was happy to oblige. He is always up for a new place and let’s face it – we needed to get out of the house.



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Bullington Gardens is located at 95 Upper Red Oak Trail and is the former home of Bob Bullington who was a nursery man and an avid plant collector. The center is 12 acres of gardens and trails whose mission is to connect children and adults to the natural world through various hands on activities. They specifically provide opportunities for individuals with physical, emotional or developmental disabilities and that is the thing that I love the most about the place. The gardens are free to the public and donations are welcomed.



We spent awhile walking the nature trail, viewing the different gardens and just enjoying being out in nature. We went early in the day and it was not crowded so we had no problem social distancing. We had our masks just in case that wasn’t possible but on this particular day it was easy to maintain distance from others and still enjoy the gardens.




There are a lot of gardens to explore and while none of them are huge they are just beautiful. Gardens include the Daylily Display Garden, Dahlia Garden, Pollinator and Perennial Garden, Shade Garden, Sally’s Garden, Native Woodland Garden, Therapy Garden, Rain Garden, Herb Garden, Reflection/Wild Azalea Garden. There is also an area that features a BOOST Garden which involves a four county high school program with a garden competition.




Of course I took a lot of pictures and at the end of our visit I discovered the pollinator garden resplendent with butterflies and bees. I think this was my favorite spot. That and the fairy garden but that is a post for tomorrow. So come back.


Have you discovered any hidden gem like Bullington Gardens in your area? I would love to hear all about it in the comments. Don’t forget to Comment for a Cause – National Association on Mental Illness (NAMI).
9 Comments
Leave a commentThanks for the tour! This is on my to-visit list with my granddaughter because of the fairy garden. Two visits to Hendersonville and I can’t make it past Elijah Mountain Gem Mine!
It’s so great! The fairy trail is really well done— she will love it. Pics tomorrow so come back.
What a great find and not far from your home! I´m looking forward to the fairy garden.
Looks like a great day out. Looking forward to the fairy garden post. A friend sent our granddaughter a fairy garden kit with seeds to plant. It has gone crazy growing to our little one’s delight.
Your butterfly is a fritillary of some sort…
I can count on my biologist to help me with identification! I just know it was beautifully coexisting with the bee!
The bee and the butterfly coexisting on the one flower really touched my heart. If only we as humans to learn to get along that well. Loved the tour and looking forward to tomorrow.
That is exactly what I thought when I saw them, Shirley!
What a beautiful place! I love visiting these types of gardens and taking lots of pictures. 🙂