Duke Gardens on Easter Weekend

Saturday, we took Harper for her first visit to Duke Gardens over the Easter weekend.  We arrived a little after 8 to mostly beat the crowds and headed down to the rose gardens where lots of roses and other flowers were blooming around the fountain.

Since we didn't have Alex, we hiked through the Blomquist Native Plants Garden.

There were lots of beautiful plants that are native to the area, including many we see on our hikes.

Jack in the pulpit, flame azalea and trilliums are some of the flowers we often see in the woods.

Witch alder had cool white flowers.

There was even a Trillium Walk, with many species of beautiful trillium. 

After finishing up the garden, we hiked around the south lawn and to the terraces where the tulips were in peak bloom.

There were also lots of daffodils and irises flowering here as well.

It was getting later in the morning and starting to get really crowded so we took after this.

Spring Tulips at Duke Gardens

Sunday morning, we took Alex to see the blooms at Duke Gardens as dogs are allowed before 10.

We walked down the main pathway to the rose garden.  It was still too early for rose blooms but the fountain was nice.

We then walked over towards the Azalea Court.

A lot of beautiful azaleas were in bloom here.

The various species and cultivars had beautiful pink and white flowers.

Then we continued around the south lawn to the Terrace Gardens.

Here, row upon row of beautiful tulips were flowering.

After enjoying the tulips, we continued on to the Asiatic Arboretum and the red arched Meyer Bridge.

The iconic bridge was visible throughout the gardens.

Although a little chilly, it was a beautiful day to walk through the gardens.

We finished back up just before 10 and time for Alex to depart.