Airlie Gardens

*Please note, Airlie Garden’s guided tours are currently temporarily cancelled due to COVID-19.*

On the east side of Wilmington near Wrightsville Beach, the exquisite Airlie Gardens was established in 1901 and features breathtaking formal gardens, wildlife, historic structures, walking trails, sculptures, lakes and the 468-year-old Airlie live oak. Over 100,000 azaleas and countless camellias bloom throughout the winter and spring. At other times of year, other flowers and plants make the gardens a colorful, year-round horticultural delight.

Airlie Gardens has a Butterfly House too, which is a must-see for all visitors. Stepping into this fabulous addition is sure to lift the spirits of all who enter. Airlie Gardens stretches from just off Oleander Drive to a tidal creek. The biodiversity of the 67-acre site affords an opportunity to see a variety of plants, some native and some not.

Summer concerts take place during the summer and people are invited to bring picnics and drinks to enjoy while they’re listening to the music. Enchanted Airlie at Christmas time is apply named and should be on everyone’s must see list.

Very near Airlie Gardens is the fascinating New Hanover County Arboretum exhibiting seven acres of plants that grow in our region along with emerging trends in plants for our locale.

With a large staff of trained volunteers, the Arboretum provides suggestions and advice on plants suited for our coastal environment.

For more information visit www.airliegardens.org.