Spring in Wilmington blooms with beauty all around the city, from well-known gardens to quiet neighborhood corners and historic landmarks. Walk among tens of thousands of pink, magenta, red and white azaleas at Airlie Gardens, or spot native Venus flytraps and pitcher plants in bloom at the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden. Then, wander through colonial- and Victorian-style gardens at Wilmington’s historic homes – including the Burgwin-Wright House, which has three tiers of gardens, and Latimer House, where you can relax on a bench in the peaceful front courtyard.

Here are some of the best places to see spring blooms around Wilmington, for both the seasoned visitor and the first-timer:


1. Airlie Gardens

From mid-March to mid-April, these 67-acre grounds are filled with Wilmington’s famous azaleas in shades of pink, magenta, red and white, along with more than 60,000 spring bulbs. Wander the formal gardens and paths around the lake, stop by the 500-year-old Airlie Oak and check out highlights like the pergola, Minnie Evans Bottle Chapel and the Pollinator Garden, where native plants draw bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators.

For a closer look at the gardens’ art and history, register for an Airlie Gardens History Tour. Or, plan your visit around Blooms & Brews, an annual event in late March, featuring seasonal drinks and live music.

If you’re visiting between June and September, don’t miss the 2,700-square-foot Butterfly House. Wander among vibrant native species, including monarch butterflies, passion butterflies and common buckeyes. You can also pre-register to watch a butterfly release on select Tuesday mornings during the summer.

2. New Hanover County Arboretum

Wander through the Japanese garden, past the koi pond and along shaded paths at the New Hanover County Arboretum, where leashed dogs are welcome. If you have a green thumb, don’t miss the annual Master Gardener Plant Sale in April, where you’ll find thousands of plants on sale and lots of advice from master gardeners.

3. Long Leaf Park

In spring, Long Leaf Park comes alive with colorful blooms. Wander around the pond and pause on the bridge for a perfect view of the park’s flowering azalea bushes. Then, continue on to the gazebo for a quiet moment of relaxation.

4. Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden

In spring, Long Leaf Park comes alive with colorful blooms. Wander around the pond and pause on the bridge for a perfect view of the park’s flowering azalea bushes. Then, continue on to the gazebo for a quiet moment of relaxation.

5. Bluethenthal Wildflower Preserve

Located near UNC-Wilmington’s campus, the Bluethenthal Wildflower Preserve offers peaceful trails lined with cypress, pine and magnolia trees, as well as native wildflowers and songbirds. Leashed dogs are welcome, so feel free to bring your four-legged walking buddy.

6. Cape Fear Garden Club Azalea Garden Tour

Featured in Southern Living, this self-guided tour is part of Wilmington’s annual North Carolina Azalea Festival in early April and offers a rare peek at 11 of the area’s private gardens – four of which are only accessible by shuttle. Get tickets ahead of time to see azaleas at peak bloom, classic Southern architecture and even a first look at the Azalea Queen and her court. Also, don’t miss the annual Friday ribbon-cutting ceremony at Cameron Art Museum to officially kick off the tour!

7. Enchanting Secret Wine Garden at Perennial Harbor

One weekend each month, Perennial Harbor opens its Enchanting Secret Wine Garden in the Soda Pop District, just a short walk from Historic Downtown Wilmington. Sip a glass of wine and enjoy seasonal experiences such as live music, flower-arranging workshops and gardening labs. Check this event calendar for current dates and details.

8. Poplar Grove Plantation

The spring season at Poplar Grove Plantation marks the return of the Herb & Garden Fair, held in early April. Browse locally grown plants, shop artisan vendors and check out a selection of gardening activities while you explore this historic plantation.

9. Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens

Explore the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens on a self-guided walk through Georgian architecture and colonial-style landscapes. The four-tiered terrace gardens are especially lovely in spring, and a downloadable tour map makes it easy to explore at your own pace. Insider tip: The Burgwin-Wright House was built on top of Wilmington’s first jail and is the city’s only colonial building open to the public.

10. Latimer House Museum

Built in 1852, this Victorian-era home features a medicinal garden that thrives in spring. Take a tour with one of the home's experienced guides through the immaculate rooms and gardens, and learn about the Latimer family and life in the lower Cape Fear region through exhibitions of original art, furniture, clothing and more. Then, relax on a bench in the front courtyard, surrounded by manicured shrubs and a beautiful fountain. 

11. Bellamy Mansion Museum of History & Design Arts

This iconic exampke of antebellum architecture includes landscaped grounds with flowers and herbs. Take a self-guided garden tour, then head inside to see the museum’s current art exhibit, “Legends & Landmarks: Paintings and Drawings by James C. Horton,” running through April and commemorating America's 250th anniversary.

Bonus: Local garden shops and flower-picking

If you want to take a bit of spring home with you, Wilmington has plenty of local spots to shop for plants or pick your own flowers:

  • For a hands-on outing, Trask Family Farms offers multiple fields of pick-your-own spring flowers and strawberries starting in late March. Create your own bouquet, then stop by the barn for fresh produce and refreshments. Also, keep an eye on their website and social media for floral workshops and other special events.
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