Cape Fear Botanical Garden
Mission Statment
Cape Fear Botanical Garden serves this region as a center for:
- Enrichment, inspiration and enjoyment of nature;
- The collection, culture and aesthetic display of plants;
- Encouragement of environmental stewardship;
- Conservation, education and research;
- The preservation of our agricultural heritage; and
- Engagement and involvement of the community.
History
In 1989, a handful of Fayetteville gardening enthusiasts shared a grand vision. They believed our community should-and could-have a botanical garden of its own. Led by community members Bruce Williams, Martha Duell, and Roger Mercer, these enthusiasts came together and established the Friends of the Botanical Garden. The Garden was conceived at Martha Duell's kitchen table, in the print of Roger Mercer's gardening column, and with the cajoling, laughing, and crying of dozens of committed supporters and volunteers.
Through the steadfast perseverance of these founders, the Friends of the Botanical Garden were able to lease a city-owned park and lay the foundation for Cape Fear Botanical Garden, now a priceless gem to all of Fayetteville. It took hard work and sacrifice by all involved, but the achievement was undeniable.
Since then, Cape Fear Botanical Garden has flourished. Today, over twenty years later, the Garden encompasses 77 acres of pine and hardwood forest, and boasts meticulously preserved natural areas of the region's indigenous plants, trees and wildlife. The cultivated garden areas showcase more than 2,000 varieties of ornamental plants, and include our renowned Daylily, Camellia and Hosta gardens. The River Walk, Heritage Garden, Children's Garden, and PWC Water Wise Garden provide unique educational experiences for young and old alike.
The Butterfly Stroll, a new addition to the Children's Garden, is a 450 foot, paved walk beside the Cypress pond that showcases over 100 different "butterfly irresistible" plant varieties. Surrounding the Wyatt Visitors Pavilion Complex is a collection of sustainable oaks, fastigiate ironwoods, fringe trees, parrotias and long leaf pines. Also featured in the landscape are a collection of magnolias and a gingko tree, given to the Garden in 1996 by the US National Arboretum in Washington, DC.
Convenient to downtown Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, and Pope Air Force Base, the Cape Fear Botanical Garden offers area history, environmental education, nature studies, and the beauty of carefully designed gardens.
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