Right before my knee went out, we went for a walk at the NC Arborteum to see a special exhibit and enjoy the springtime flowers. The knee was bothering me a bit then, so we didn’t do a long hike, just a nice stroll around the blooming flowerbeds to see the color. I know you all love seeing the pretty flowers, so settle in for some spring beauty. The NC Arboretum is located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in the mountains.
This little iris was blooming profusely, such a pretty purple color.
I don’t remember what this little pink beauty was, but it sure was happily blooming.
Vibrant yellow pansies were everywhere.
Pretty blue star flowers were attracting the pollinators.
Purple spires of aconitum looked a lot like my hosta blooms, but smaller.
Here and there, small plots of wildflowers were overgrown and full of pollinators.
Of course, we had to see what was planted in the Quilt Garden this year. The Quilt Garden area is a raised bed area of square plots with concrete ‘sashing’. The stone area shown here is a raised viewing area so you can see the overall quilt.
Looking down from the viewing area, this year the designers have planted a tulip pattern.
Yellow and pink flowers form the ‘tulip’ while white flowers are the ‘background’.
Neat isn’t it? You can see a previous Quilt Garden pattern of butterflies HERE.
Next, the peony garden.
Rich pink peony flowers …
bloom beside a lovely baby pink…
and stunning white.
Gorgeous beds along the paved walkway.
Plus, pretty yellow irises bloom at the far end.
So pretty, these irises are sunny yellow with purple variegated falls.
These little guys are pitcher plants, and are marsh lovers.
Then I saw this bush covered in pink blooms.
I didn’t get the placard for this beauty, but here’s a closeup of the flowers.
Lamb’s ears are so soft and fuzzy, one of these days I want to plant these in my garden at home.
One last look at some of the many planters with stunning groupings.
What’s blooming in your part of the world? Do you have gardens nearby where you can walk?
From My Carolina Home 
Beautiful, love the quilt garden. Here in Texas Hill Country, we still have wild flowers, which is unusual this late in spring. We have had lots of good rains. The wild flowers are planted along all the roads and lots of open ranch land.
Thank you for the beautiful pictures.
That quilt garden is so interesting, glad you are getting up and about!
Lovely walking area you have…we don’t have anywhere nearby to stroll…we have a small seaside garden at a park where we often walk though…nothing like the scale of your Aboretum though…thanks for sharing hope your knee is healing…
hugs, Julierose
Thanks
Yes, the Arboretum is such a special place!
What lovely grounds for a stroll. I’m pretty sure I can smell those peonies. They are one of my favorite flowers. We have an arboretum here in Minnesota, but I’ve never visited. Perhaps this will be the year I do! Thanks taking us along on your visit!
I believe the pink flowering bush is a Wiegela. There are many varieties and leaf colors.
Thank you for sharing this lovely ‘adventure’…..beautiful!
How beautiful!! The Quilt Garden and peonies are gorgeous!!!
Hope your knee is improving, Carole. Thanks for showing these wonderful photos. Take care.
Thank You for a beautiful post this morning of all the lovely flowers and plantings…..The garden Quilt is amazing, both the Tulip & Butterfly very interesting…..Do hope your Knee is healing nicely & you are feeling better…..Dot M. In Pa.
I look forward to your blog daily! Thanks for being so kind to share your adventures with us! Love the flowers! So glad your knees is improving and hope you’re being super careful!
Thanks again!
Thanks for the walk. Flowers in NY are just starting to bloom. Hope your knee is getting better.
Love that quilt garden!!!
Thank you for the wander thru the gardens, so many beautiful flowers. Love the quilt garden, have not heard or seen one of those before. Love the lambs ears plant, we have one here but it is a silver colour. Not much flowering here as we are heading into winter, but I do have 2 flower spikes coming on the orchids.
Thank you for taking me along at the NC Arboretum! The quilt garden is fabulous, and of course the peonies! Take care of yourself.
The quilt garden is a wonderful idea, and the peonies are so pretty! Here we have lilacs and the purple Iris blooming.
Beautiful walk even if it was from my chair. I still enjoyed it very much. One word of caution though. My daughter had to get rid of her lamb’s ear because it took over everything. Even out of the flower bed and across the yard to the edge of the street. I have a tree that does that, too, but don’t know the name of it. The roots of the tree travel underground and comes up all over the place. After seeing white all winter the flowers are wonderful.
Thank you for sharing those beautiful blooms, and that quilt garden – so pretty! I know, for once, what’s blooming! Everyone has hydrangeas except me. Not one bud has come out! The mimosa is blooming extravagantly this year, after all the rain, though.