New Hanover County Arboretum | N.C. Cooperative Extension

Wilmington, North Carolina, United States

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The New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, North Carolina, was officially opened in 1989, stemming from the vision of Charles "Pete" E. Lewis, the N.C. Cooperative Extension Director who sought to create a garden that would guide residents on appropriate plants for the coastal region.

The arboretum is situated on the former site of the Bradley Creek Elementary School, which was destroyed by fire in 1982, and the county allocated funds to transform the grounds into an educational green space. Spanning seven acres, it features 33 distinct gardens showcasing thousands of plant varieties native or well-suited to southeastern North Carolina, including a Japanese Garden and Tea House, a Children's Garden with a storybook-like cottage, one of the state's largest water gardens with koi fish, and specialized gardens such as Butterfly Garden, Camellia Walk, and Shade Garden.

It serves as a living classroom and horticultural laboratory, offering educational displays and a Plant Information Clinic maintained by Master Gardeners who help locals develop their own gardens. 

The arboretum hosts popular events like an annual plant sale and a Native Plant Festival, supported by volunteers, local garden clubs, and government grants, making it a valuable community resource for education, conservation, and enjoyment of regional flora.