Nothing delights the senses like a flower garden. The air smells new and fresh, layered with the fragrance of gardenias and roses. At Sandhills Horticultural Gardens, one of Moore County’s crown jewels, local volunteers feel grounded in this sensory immersion. Working alongside Sandhills Community College students, they ensure the gardens sparkle for visitors who come to explore the formal Sir Walter Raleigh Garden or meander along the paths in search of the old — and thriving — pine tree that still bears a scar from its turpentine days. Students and volunteers prune the rose varieties, cultivate the fruit and vegetable garden, and maintain the paths that wind through a holly and Japanese garden, all while helping visitors get ideas for their own outdoor spaces.
Sculptures throughout the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens add touches of handmade artistry to the natural beauty. Photography courtesy of Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen
“We have a mass of gardeners in Moore County,” says Lee Bunch, executive director of the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens. “In fact, we have so many garden clubs here that we actually have a council, the Sandhills Council of Garden Clubs, to represent the 20 member clubs and to support things like scholarships and community beautification.”
With gardens galore across the county, horticulturists like Bunch find ample inspiration — enough to fill an entire weekend with a garden-themed itinerary. Luckily for us, he agreed to put down his shovel, take off his gloves, and guide us to a few of his favorites.
The Sandhills area beckons all visitors. From world-class golf to local shopping and dining, our Southern hospitality is why people have been coming to the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area for more than 125 years. Plan your Sandhills getaway today!
The Village Arboretum is a 35-acre park with scenic trails, bridges, rustic structures, meadows, and gardens. Photography courtesy of Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen
When Bunch traces Moore County’s gardening history, he finds its roots in Pinehurst’s Village Arboretum. “Frederic Olmsted is one of the fathers of landscape design in America,” he says. “You’ve heard his name because he designed Central Park and the gardens at Biltmore — and Pinehurst was one of his first projects.”
To experience Olmsted’s genius, choose a hotel in the Village of Pinehurst as your homebase for the weekend, then set out on foot to explore. “Olmsted even designed the streets, which is why they don’t go anywhere,” Bunch laughs. “This was a resort, a quaint little village, and he wanted you to slow down.”
When you’re ready to eat, you won’t have to go far in Pinehurst to find a delicious spot. Visit one of the village restaurants, such as Lisi Italian or Villaggio Ristorante & Bar. Photography courtesy of Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen
Even if you purposefully get lost on a walk along the tree-lined streets weaving around the village, you’re sure to accidentally stumble upon the Village Arboretum. Bunch thinks of it as Pinehurst’s mini Central Park, filled with lush gardens and flowering trees. “The native pollinator garden at the Village Arboretum is especially beautiful,” he says. “It’s all volunteer-driven, and they’ve gone about it the right way with a really thoughtful collection of native perennials.”
While you’re out, have dinner at one of the village restaurants with a patio. If you’re in the mood for pasta, try Lisi Italian, where the brick patio just off the Theatre Building feels like an intimate escape. At the Historic Magnolia Inn, Villaggio Ristorante & Bar is another great option, with twinkling lights and live music.
Fuel up with coffee and fresh treats at the Moore County Farmers Market, then head over to Gulley’s Garden Center to find inspiration for your own garden. Photography courtesy of Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen
Start your morning with coffee and pastries at the Moore County Farmers Market, which opened for the season in mid-March. Located in downtown Southern Pines, the market is a perfect place to buy a bouquet of locally grown flowers and talk with area farmers. Then, thank the pollinators that made it all possible with a souvenir jar of honey from a local beekeeper.
Next, stock up on garden supplies. Bunch likes to stop into Gulley’s Garden Center, a Southern Pines institution just a short, azalea-filled walk from the farmers market. Started by Pete and Linda Gulley in 1974 — and more recently joined by their children, Graham and Megan — the center has everything you need to transform your home garden. Even if you don’t actually need anything, it’s worth going — “it’s a favorite walk-through,” Bunch says.
Take a break with lunch at Betsy’s Crepes, where high quality ingredients create rich flavors in both sweet and savory options. Photography courtesy of Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen
Right around the corner, the locally owned florist Hollyfield Designs is another of his favorites. “They also have a gift store and a great patio,” he adds.
Plan to have lunch at Betsy’s Crepes, where you can enjoy a plate of sweet or savory crepes at a bistro table overlooking colorful flowers that spill from planters lining the street.
After lunch, take a peaceful walk through the Healing Garden at the Clara McLean House. Designed as a respite for visitors to the house, which is part of FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, the gardens are filled with delightful surprises, such as fairy houses and water features. There’s even a board for checkers and chess.
With beautiful picnic areas, pickleball courts, and a playground, the Aberdeen Lake Park is a great spot for families to spend time together outdoors. Photography courtesy of Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen
If you’re visiting with kids, Bunch suggests a walk through Aberdeen Lake Park. “Moore County’s park system is spectacular, and this is one of my favorite places to go,” he says. “They’ve invested so much time into the park with new equipment.”
As evening approaches, return to Pinehurst and wrap up your day with a romantic dinner at Ironwood, a restaurant renowned for its picturesque brick patio. Ironwood is one of Bunch’s favorite special-occasion destinations. “They have their own horticulturist with a garden and greenhouse so they can raise all their herbs and veggies on-site,” he says, “and the patio is actually enclosed within the gardens. I get whatever the special is — it’s always great.”
Finish your trip with a relaxing stroll through the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities. Photography courtesy of Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen
Make the Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities your final farewell. Once the private home of novelist James and Katharine Boyd, the center today serves as a cultural center for the best of literature and music, and the 26-acre estate invites visitors to find their own inspiration on a peaceful walk around the grounds.
Sunday mornings are quiet in the gardens, filled with English cottage garden brick-lined beds of colorful bulbs, perennials, and annuals. “It’s a wonderful Southern landscape,” Bunch says, who also likes to walk on the Boyd Round Timber Tract trails, accessible just beyond the house and gardens. This is a contemplative end to your weekend, steeped in culture and home to an acclaimed writers-in-residence program.
If you happen to visit in April, mark your calendar for Saturday, April 11, when the Southern Pines Garden Club hosts its annual Home & Garden Tour. The tour features extraordinary properties meant to inspire. “These are magical private estates and residences,” Bunch says. “It’s your chance to take a peek at what is hiding behind garden gates around the county.”
Ready to plan your visit? From a meandering stroll around Pinehurst to a peaceful retreat to the Weymouth Center, click here to get started.
A cake first made in Depression-era kitchens using household staples now helps us savor the season, no green thumb necessary.
From woodsmoke to salt air, certain scents carry memory, tradition, and comfort across North Carolina.
Visit a renowned writer’s home, catch a show, and wander Little Rainbow Row with our springtime guide to Flat Rock.
Across the Carolina coast, silvery strands offer texture, shelter, and quiet wonder.
