10 Examples of Beautiful Summer Landscapes in NC
Looking for some landscaping inspiration this summer? North Carolina has you covered. From the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains to the serene coastal plains, here are 10 remarkable sites where the natural beauty of our state converges with expert design.
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1. Biltmore Estate, Asheville
The Biltmore Estate in Asheville is not only America’s largest privately owned home but also one of the most breathtaking examples of integrated landscape design in the country. Taking up more than 8,000 acres, the estate’s grounds were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, one of the most influential names in all of American landscape architecture. The gardens blend formal European influences with the rugged beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The Walled Garden bursts with over 50,000 tulips in spring, followed by a vibrant summer display of dahlias, snapdragons, and salvia. Nearby, the Rose Garden features over 250 varieties of heirloom and hybrid roses, framed by tidy boxwood hedges. Terraced lawns descend elegantly from the house, bordered by stone retaining walls and curved pathways that guide visitors through the lush vistas and shaded glens.
Naturalistic walking trails wind through meadows and forests, including the 15-acre Azalea Garden—a massive collection of native and hybrid azaleas thriving beneath mature hardwoods. Beyond aesthetics, the estate embraces sustainable landscaping, with native plantings, forest restoration efforts, and a working farm that supports biodiversity.
2. Tryon Palace Gardens, New Bern
In the heart of historic New Bern lies Tryon Palace, surrounded by 16 acres of exquisite period gardens. These colonial revival landscapes were meticulously designed by landscape architect Morley Jeffers Williams to reflect 18th-century European garden traditions.
The formal parterre gardens near the palace itself features boxwood hedges in geometric patterns, interspersed with seasonal blooms such as marigolds, larkspur, and hollyhocks. Brick walkways and iron gates lend a sense of grandeur, while fruit trees and ornamental topiaries nod to traditional European styles.
The Kitchen Garden is planted with heirloom herbs and vegetables like chard, rosemary, and pole beans—selections historically accurate to the 1770s. A separate Pollinator Garden adds modern ecological value, supporting native bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
3. Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, Flat Rock
Poet and biographer Carl Sandburg chose the rural setting of Flat Rock for its serenity, and today his former home remains a peaceful refuge. The 264-acre Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site features rolling hills, wooded trails, and simple yet purposeful landscaping that echoes Sandburg’s love for the American landscape.
The landscape is rich in native plantings, including dogwoods, mountain laurels, and tall hardwoods that create a dappled canopy over miles of walking paths. The Sandburgs also maintained vegetable and flower gardens near the house, with iris, hollyhocks, and daylilies still blooming where they once grew for beauty and sustenance.
Stone retaining walls built from local rock help manage the hilly terrain and frame garden beds for a rustic, understated look. An orchard with heritage apple varieties sits beyond the goat barn—a nod to the family’s dairy business and self-reliance. Goat paths and open meadows are managed to support wildflowers and native grasses, which in turn support butterflies and songbirds.
4. Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Winston-Salem
A walk through the over-100 year old grounds of the Reynolda House Museum of American Art is a journey through time and design. Set on a former 1,000-acre estate built by tobacco magnate R.J. Reynolds and his wife Katharine, the property combines grand Beaux-Arts architecture with thoughtfully curated outdoor spaces.
At the heart of the estate lies a formal garden divided by symmetrical pathways and surrounded by long pergolas. Beds of zinnias, snapdragons, salvia, and marigolds bloom throughout summer, while rose varieties and daylilies add height and scent to the scene. Trellises covered in climbing clematis and honeysuckle give the garden vertical interest.
Beyond the formal sections, a series of trails wind through natural landscapes of tall pines and oaks, connecting cultivated areas with Reynolda Village and its historic outbuildings. Manicured lawns create a sense of openness, while gently sloping terrain is stabilized with low stone walls and foundation plantings of boxwood and azaleas.
The estate also features a conservatory and greenhouse, where heirloom plants are preserved and propagated. Whether strolling the gardens or exploring the wooded borders, visitors are immersed in a landscape that artfully balances horticulture, heritage, and beauty.
5. Somerset Place, Creswell
On the edge of Lake Phelps in Eastern North Carolina lies Somerset Place, one of the state’s most significant antebellum sites. While much of the site’s focus is historical interpretation, the grounds themselves present a rare look at 19th-century plantation landscaping—restored and respected as part of the legacy.
The formal gardens near the main house feature historically appropriate plantings such as boxwoods, crape myrtles, and climbing roses. Carefully reconstructed walkways of oyster shell and gravel guide visitors through symmetrical flower beds, where heirloom perennials like phlox, rudbeckia, and bee balm add seasonal flair.
Beyond the formal garden, expansive lawns stretch toward the lake, with natural groves of bald cypress and sweetgum trees lining the shore. Small-scale landscaping elements such as picket fences, herb patches, and fruit tree plantings reflect both the aesthetic and utilitarian roles of historic Southern gardens.
Educational programming connects the landscape to its broader history—highlighting the enslaved community that built and maintained it. With its mix of restored elements and native woodland, Somerset Place offers a quiet, reflective space where the beauty of the landscape underscores the importance of the stories it holds.
6. The Whalehead Club, Corolla
The Whalehead Club, an Art Nouveau mansion nestled in the heart of Corolla on the Outer Banks, is surrounded by 39 acres of stunning waterfront grounds that blend natural coastal beauty with strategic landscaping. Originally built in the 1920s as a private hunting retreat, today the site is a showpiece of coastal horticulture.
Sweeping lawns stretch down to the Currituck Sound, edged by tall grasses, wax myrtle, and sea oats. These native plantings help with erosion control while lending a naturalistic charm to the property. A walking path follows the waterfront, offering panoramic views framed by live oaks and marsh plants teeming with birdlife.
Closer to the mansion, low-maintenance ornamental grasses, hydrangeas, and lantana thrive in the sandy soil. Landscaped berms subtly manage elevation and water runoff, while boardwalks and benches create relaxing places to enjoy the scenery.
This unique blend of formal and natural elements makes the Whalehead Club a model for coastal landscaping. It respects the surrounding ecology and the visitor experience—perfectly suited to the salt air and sweeping skies of North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
7. Weymouth Center for Arts & Humanities, Southern Pines
Located in the Sandhills region, the Weymouth Center in Southern Pines is a historic estate that merges Southern charm with cultural elegance. Formerly the home of author James Boyd and his wife Katharine, it is now a literary center set among beautifully restored gardens and longleaf pine forest.
The grounds feature a formal lawn surrounded by boxwood hedges and shaded by towering magnolias and oaks. Nearby, perennial beds burst with coneflowers, yarrow, and Russian sage in the summer, their colors changing with the light and breeze. A small rose garden adds a classical touch, with antique varieties climbing wrought-iron arches and pergolas.
The woodland edge transitions gracefully into native habitat, showcasing the region’s signature longleaf pine ecosystem. Paths lined with pine straw and edged with native azaleas and ferns encourage leisurely walks and wildlife observation. Though not formally designed, the garden combines structure and softness—perfectly framing the Georgian Revival house without overpowering it.
Weymouth’s landscape isn’t just scenic—it’s part of the experience. Poetry readings, musical performances, and artist retreats take place outdoors during the warmer months, making the garden a living stage for the arts.
8. North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville
The North Carolina Arboretum, located just south of Asheville in the Pisgah National Forest, spans over 400 acres of cultivated gardens, natural woodlands, and beautifully designed outdoor spaces. This expansive arboretum serves both as a public garden and a hub for botanical research and education.
One of its most impressive features is the Quilt Garden, a seasonal display of flowering plants arranged in patterns inspired by traditional quilt designs—an homage to the region’s Appalachian heritage.
The Arboretum incorporates native plants such as rhododendrons, mountain laurel, azaleas, and flame azaleas, which thrive in the cool mountain climate and bloom vibrantly through the summer. Pathways made of natural stone and mulch wind through exhibits like the Stream Garden and Heritage Garden, which showcase traditional Southern Appalachian plants used for food, medicine, and crafts.
Sustainability is a key focus here: bioswales manage stormwater, and the plants are chosen not only for beauty but also for their ecological value. Visitors can stroll along more than 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, where careful landscaping blends educational signage with the natural terrain. It’s an ideal model of how designed landscapes can coexist with native ecosystems to create a living, breathing classroom.
9. Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden, Charlotte
Tucked away in the historic Dilworth neighborhood of Charlotte, the Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden is a horticultural treasure that continues to influence garden design today. Elizabeth Lawrence, a pioneering Southern garden writer and the first woman to graduate in landscape architecture from North Carolina State University, designed this intimate garden space with precision and love.
The garden features narrow brick paths, raised flower beds, and thoughtfully placed borders filled with more than 200 plant species, many of which are rare or hard to find today. Her goal was to ensure something was blooming every day of the year, and that careful planning shows, especially in summer when phlox, lilies, and salvias fill the air with color and fragrance.
Climbing vines, trellised roses, and cottage-style plantings make the compact space feel abundant and alive. A blend of native and exotic species reflects Lawrence’s deep understanding of the local climate and her desire to experiment with a range of flora. The landscaping includes informal hedging, natural stone edging, and layered beds for seasonal interest. Now maintained by the Wing Haven Foundation, the garden continues to educate and inspire with its seamless integration of science, art, and Southern charm.
10. Coker Arboretum, Chapel Hill
Situated on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s campus, Coker Arboretum is a five-acre garden oasis that offers students and visitors a peaceful retreat and a lush showcase of botanical diversity. Founded in 1903 by Dr. William Coker, UNC’s first professor of botany, the arboretum serves as both a public park and a living laboratory.
The landscape is designed with a naturalistic style, featuring winding walking paths, shaded pergolas, and small bridges crossing gentle creeks. One of its most iconic features is the long, vine-covered arbor made from native cedar posts, providing a beautiful photo backdrop, especially in summer when the vines are in full leaf.
Seasonal plantings include a wide array of native trees like oaks, maples, and tulip poplars, as well as an impressive collection of flowering shrubs and herbaceous plants. In the summer, visitors can enjoy the blooming of magnolias, hydrangeas, and perennial wildflowers that attract pollinators like butterflies and bees.
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From the sweeping lawns of the Biltmore Estate to the native plant havens of the North Carolina Arboretum, these stunning landscapes show just how powerful thoughtful design, regional plants, and expert care can be. Whether you’re drawn to the formal symmetry of Tryon Palace or the relaxed, naturalistic beauty of the Whalehead Club, there’s inspiration here for every style and setting.
At Turf TitanZ, we specialize in bringing that same level of craftsmanship and creativity to your own property—whether it’s through custom retaining walls, expertly installed sod and turf, or curated plantings that thrive in North Carolina’s climate. If you’re ready to turn your home or business landscape into a showpiece worthy of the state’s most iconic gardens, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Let us turn your inspiration into transformation.