Our first visit to the Asheville Arboretum was delightful. Grandson David and I took an inordinate amount of time looking at the bonsai trees. I have seen miniature trees inside, but these were all outdoors. My favorite photo, with David included, was one that looked like a dish garden. I wanted to shrink myself and sit on the garden bench.
I snagged David and John to pose with my favorite single tree-on-a-shelf.
One of the first gardens we came to was the quilt garden. I believe they change the design of the squares every other year, copying a standard quilt design. We climbed the steps of the viewing platform to see it from above.
I can’t resist running water, so the stream garden was another favorite. Plants normally found near streams were in that area. The smooth water course didn’t produce much more than a gurgle, but it was visually engaging.
As you might imagine, we spent a bit of time near the train layout. John and David peeked in the shed to see the cars stored there. As they inspected the tracks and scenery, I watched two women with their five children in the amphitheater on the hill below. The children were cavorting on the stage and slipping through the wall of evergreen trees. It was the perfect place for them to shriek and chase each other while their mothers chatted.
Most of the visitors were parents with young children or retirees, a nice mix! There were probably serious walkers on the miles of trails that surround the gardens. We had a delightful time on a cloudy day when the temperature was on the cool side of warm.
Mehrling Muse 
If you’d made me stand by the running water to take a photograph, I’d have run off to have a pee before you pressed the button. The bonsais are magnificent. I never have any joy with plants, I’m a hardened killer.
Massive Hugs
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A hardened killer…:) that made me laugh out loud. I used to be, so I totally get it. These days, thanks to my aerogarden, I’ve found two things I can grow really well. 😉
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Oh don’t keep me in suspenders Kim, what are the two things.I’ve never heard of an aerogarden, is that for growing mustard and cress aboard a plane?
Huge Hugs
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Lol, let’s just say I know my way around all kinds of herbs. An aero garden is a cool inside growing system that uses water and special LED lights. I’ve grown lots of herbs and veggies, just haven’t done flowers yet.
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LOL! I asked Kim about the two things she grows well, too. I love your take on it.
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Oh don’t keep me in suspenders Kim, what are the two things. I’ve never heard of an aerogarden, is that for growing mustard and cress aboard an aeroplane.
Huge Hugs
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The hardened killer made me laugh, too.
I’m dying to know what two things you grow really well. I’m a plant killer, and it would be nice to know how you have triumphed.
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I have black fingers, too, and not from playing happily in the dirt. I can kill any plant in record time.
xxx Gardening Hugs xxx
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That is a beautiful place, I’m sure you guys enjoyed every minute of it!
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We did enjoy the arboretum. I was surprised that we covered the major areas without strain. There were many benches throughout the garden, which was handy for us.
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I love the quilt garden. What a clever idea.
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The quilt garden is intriguing! We are also on the cool side of warm!
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I’m glad to have seen the quilt garden in person. It’s one of the iconic scenes for their publicity.
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This is really beautiful; Rus and I will have to visit that place sometime.
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Come see it with us. We’d be happy to go again.
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I will have to make this a spot to visit the next time I am in Tryon. Thanks for the Photo visit.
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The arboretum is a lovely place to visit. There is a charge for parking the car and no entrance fee, so it’s nice to take a carload when you go.
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Such beautiful gardens. The running water is wonderful, one of my favorite features 😊🌼
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There is a dry stream, too. Supposedly it conjures up a stream in your head, but I like the real thing.
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Bonsai is so interesting but my fave would be the water and the trains. Ya’ll sure do have fun up there in the mountains.
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I wish you were free to come up here. Smiling at a mountain when you get up is a wonderful way to start a day.
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Trains and waterfalls. What more could you want in life?
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We always seem to be looking for that combo — trains and waterfalls.
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What a beautiful place to visit! I love those bonsai trees. They are fascinating.
Also…..are you going to be safe from the hurricane?
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We don’t get classic hurricanes, just the fallout from them. Mostly we get heavy rain if the last part of a hurricane manages to reach us. We experienced real hurricanes on Long Island, though.
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