The Garden encompasses 77 acres of pine and hardwood forest, and boasts meticulously preserved natural areas of the region's indigenous plants, trees and wildlife. The cultivated garden areas showcase more than 2,000 varieties of ornamental plants, and include our renowned Daylily, Camellia and Hosta gardens. The River Walk, Heritage Garden, Children's Garden, and PWC Water Wise Garden provide unique educational experiences for young and old alike.

The Butterfly Stroll, a new addition to the Children's Garden, is a 450 foot, paved walk beside the Cypress pond that showcases over 100 different "butterfly irresistible" plant varieties. Surrounding the Wyatt Visitors Pavilion Complex is a collection of sustainable oaks, fastigiate ironwoods, fringe trees, parrotias and long leaf pines. Also featured in the landscape are a collection of magnolias and a gingko tree, given to the Garden in 1996 by the US National Arboretum in Washington, DC.

From the stark, sculpted beauty of the winter forest to the exuberant masses of summer flowers, Cape Fear Botanical Garden delights the eye, and the heart, year round. The 77 acre urban forest provides nature trails, a natural amphitheater, steep ravines sheltering unusual plants, and a varied riparian terrain which steps from open pine forest down hardwood slopes to lush riverbank. Ponds, pools and waterways, lodged like jewels in a brooch, attract birds and other fauna and provide habitat for aquatic plants.

In this stunning natural setting, the Garden?s botanists, designers and gardeners have added structures and plantings to enhance visitor enjoyment. The Gazebo and Great Lawn, bordered by beds of perennial flowers, host casual visitors as well as wedding parties and group festivities. The outdoor pavilion may shelter a quiet family picnic or host a kindergarten class during story time.

The many specialty gardens offer inspiration to adventurers who seek fresh ideas for their own gardens, provide a lovely backdrop for a weekend stroll and serve as living classrooms for students, in elementary school and beyond. Specialty gardens include the Camellia, Daylily and Shade garden which features hosta, columbine and other plants that require dense amounts of shade. The Butterfly Stroll, a new addition to the Children's Garden, is a 450 foot, paved walk beside the Cypress pond that showcases over 100 different "butterfly irresistible" plant varieties. Surrounding the Wyatt Visitors Pavilion Complex are a collection of sustainable oaks, fastigiate ironwoods, fringe trees, parrotias and long leaf pines. These own-root, clonal trees have superior genetics and display uniform characteristics such as growth habit and leaf color. Also featured in the landscape are a collection of magnolias and a gingko tree, given to the Garden in 1996 by the US National Arboretum in Washington, DC.

All the herons, egrets, swans, ducks, hawks, and migratory birds that are attracted to the garden have earned us the honor of being on the North Carolina Birding Trail (NCBT). The mission of the NCBT is, ? "to conserve and enhance North Carolina?s bird habitat by promoting sustainable bird watching activities, economic opportunities and conservation education."

Here where one trail echoes the laughter of children and another the quiet talk of sauntering adults, one may explore heritage farm life in the Heritage Garden replete with an authentic 1886 farmhouse, period tools, gardens, outbuildings and heritage workshops.

Through the partnership with FTCC, students use the Garden as their living laboratory, where they are able to master skills such as landscape and construction techniques, irrigation design and installation, and plant identification. Former students have achieved professional success in positions at Smithsonian Institution Gardens, Ft. Bragg, Fayetteville State University and other entrepreneurial enterprises. For more information on FTCC's Horticulture Technology Education programs, please contact the Curriculum Chair, at (910) 678-8447.

Conducted by a trained Garden Guide, tours explore a variety of topics. We can accommodate small or large groups, formal or informal, and will work with you to cater our programs to fit your needs. For the optimum experience, we recommend that groups are limited to 80. Tours operate Monday through Friday and last approximately one-hour.

Flower Promenade: Focuses on the landscaped areas at the Garden entrance, the Heritage Garden and the Great Lawn. Best done in spring or summer.

A walking study of native and non-native plants along the wooded nature trails.

Environmental tour that looks at the changing species and ecological conditions relative to the Cape Fear River. This is more of a hike as opposed to a walk.

Includes explanations of the gardens and buildings surrounding the Farmhouse.

NATURE TALES Our FREE popular preschool story and craft time, presented in partnership with Cumberland County Public Library, is held monthly on each first or third Saturday (except during events or CFBG holidays) and the first Tuesday of the month. The schedule is subject to change. Each month we explore a different natural science theme appropriate for our Little Bloomers (ages two to six) but all ages are welcome! Registration is required for Nature Tales and the sessions fill up quickly. Call the office (910) 486-0221 x 27 to reserve a spot for your child at one of two sessions: 10:30 am or 11:30 am.

Our FREE popular preschool story and craft time, presented in partnership with Cumberland County Public Library, is held monthly on each first or third Saturday (except during events or CFBG holidays) and the first Tuesday of the month. The schedule is subject to change. Each month we explore a different natural science theme appropriate for our Little Bloomers (ages two to six) but all ages are welcome! Registration is required for Nature Tales and the sessions fill up quickly. Call the office (910) 486-0221 x 27 to reserve a spot for your child at one of two sessions: 10:30 am or 11:30 am.

The Garden Gift Shop in the Wyatt Visitors Pavilion Complex offers a unique selection of garden accents, nature-related toys, books, apparel, artwork, jewelry, hand-crafted gifts and more. Admission to the Gift Shop is free for Garden visitors and the public.

Choose from a daily selection of fresh salads, sandwiches, wraps, sweets and more at the Cafe Cart in the Entry Pavilion of the Wyatt Visitors Pavilion Complex. Provided by the Invisible Chef, the Garden Cafe Cart is the perfect place to combine a delicious meal with beautiful views of the Garden. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. Garden admission is not required to dine from the Cafe Cart.

7 hour rental will include a two hour set-up and a one hour breakdown. Events can take place at either:
8 a.m.-3 p.m.: Set up from 8-10 a.m., Event time 10 a.m.- 2p.m.; Clean-up from 2-3 p.m.
4 p.m.-11 p.m.: Set-up from 4-6 p.m., Event time 6-10 p.m., Clean-up from 10-11 p.m.
The rental requires a $500 Security Deposit that will not go toward rental fees. To receive accurate information, please contact the Director of Events at [email protected] or 910.486.0221.

Cape Fear Botanical Garden serves this region as a center for: - Enrichment, inspiration and enjoyment of nature; - The collection, culture and aesthetic display of plants; - Encouragement of environmental stewardship; - Conservation, education and research; - The preservation of our agricultural heritage; and - Engagement and involvement of the community.

In 1989, a handful of Fayetteville gardening enthusiasts shared a grand vision. They believed our community should and could have a botanical garden of its own. Led by community members Bruce Williams, Martha Duell, and Roger Mercer, these enthusiasts came together and established the Friends of the Botanical Garden. The Garden was conceived at Martha Duell's kitchen table, in the print of Roger Mercer's gardening column, and with the cajoling, laughing, and crying of dozens of committed supporters and volunteers.

Through the steadfast perseverance of these founders, the Friends of the Botanical Garden were able to lease a city-owned park and lay the foundation for Cape Fear Botanical Garden, now a priceless gem to all of Fayetteville. It took hard work and sacrifice by all involved, but the achievement was undeniable.