Our gardens include a head house with 2 greenhouses, hoophouses for growing plants for sale, an amphitheater, a pavilion and gazebo and the former Bullington residence which houses the administrative offices and a multipurpose room known as the Hicks Room for classes, meetings and events. The Hicks Room is available to rent for private events.
Contact Annie Higgins for more information.
The Fairy Trail
Developed by Fairies and dedicated volunteers, Bullington Gardens’ Fairy Trail is a whimsical treat for the young and the young at heart. Featuring charming vignettes and villages, the fairy trail will charm you with its thoughtful design, eye catching displays and secret woodland trail. The Fairy Trail is open June 1-August 31, Monday-Saturday, 9am-4pm.
The Fairy trail is a first come, first serve attraction. No registration is necessary.
Rules of the trail:
Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.
Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.
Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.
Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.
The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.
P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.
The Dahlia Garden
Maintained by the late Dahlia Guru, Brian Killingsworth, and now his talented crew, in season this garden boasts over 400 plants and hundreds of varieties of dahlias that include all forms and colors. Among these are Brian’s own registered cultivars that all begin with the name Creekside, his former farm in Georgia.
Brian became a beloved fixture at Bullington, transforming the front field into an extraordinary spot filled with vividly colorful dahlias of many shapes and forms. He loved to share his knowledge of growing dahlias and he was patient in demonstrating and answering questions to anyone who caught him in the garden. He developed a following among visitors, volunteers and staff and inspired many people to take on growing dahlias. He and his handpicked Dahlia Team spent hundreds of hours each year, dividing dahlias, making cuttings, planning and planting the field. Brian orchestrated what went where, when to put up support netting, when to pinch, when and how much to fertilize. And sadly, when it was time to cut them all down for the season and tuck them away back into storage.
Thanks to Brian, the Dahlia Garden sparks great joy in the many visitors who regularly made the pilgrimage each summer and fall to Bullington, enhancing its reputation and bringing attention to the garden. For the last several years we have taken advantage of that beautiful spot to celebrate with wine and food. In large part as a tribute now to Brian, the dahlia garden will continue and be led by his well-trained dahlia team, with whom he passed on his passion. And it will continue to spark joy.
The Shade Garden
Volunteer extraordinaire Jane Davis is also the mastermind behind this garden, which highlights plants that perform well in dry shade such as blankets of epimedium, a striped maple and Cloud Nine dogwoods.
The Therapy Garden
Designed with the intent of making gardening more accessible for those with limited mobility, this garden has raised beds with colorful annuals, an accessible tool shed, a water feature and a greenhouse that doubles as a classroom for the horticultural therapy program.
Native Woodland Garden
Designed and maintained by the Western Carolina Botanical Club, this woodland loop, which also is the beginning of a 1/2 mile nature trail, features many native plants including native azaleas, Carolina lilies, and spring ephemerals. The nature trail continues through an old growth stand of rhododendrons and along Philip’s Branch, a creek which forms the northern boundary and ending in the Reflection Garden.
Pollinator Garden
Maintained by volunteer Connie Smith, this area is a haven for butterflies, many other pollinators and birds. Important plants are carolina phlox, goldenrod, abelia, sedums, Joe Pye weed and butterfly bushes.
Perennial Borders
Designed by volunteer Jane Davis, this garden highlights perennial and shrub combinations that are chosen to be replicated in the home garden. Feature woody plants; winter hazel (corylus) Japanese stewartia and Deodar cedar, and roses. Featured perennials are amsonia hubrictii, sedum matrona, ligularia, and rodgersia.
Herb Garden
Maintained by volunteer Betty Lockwood this garden is divided into various sections according to use: medicinal, culinary, fragrance & dying and biblical herbs. This garden is wheelchair accessible.
Sally’s Garden
Designed by Nancy Duffy of Muddy Boots Garden Design in honor of Bob Bullington’s wife Sally. This four season, densely planted garden features, papermark maple, Japanese maple ‘Shishigashira’, limelight hydrangeas, Rozanne geraniums, ‘Honorine Jobert’ anemone and Phlomis russeliana.
The Rain Garden
This garden was designed to catch excess rainfall and it hosts native plants that tolerate wet conditions as well as dry. Feature plants: turtleheads, cardinal flower, and various ferns. Native woody shrubs form the back edge such witch hazel and sweet shrub.
Reflection Garden
A woodland gazebo honoring longtime Bullington supporters Bob & Bea Hicks can be found nestled in the Reflection Garden as well as collections of native and deciduous azaleas. This is a peaceful resting point along the nature trail.
