March 1, 2022 – Meandering in an historic moss garden

A dear friend, yoga teacher and fellow gardener, recently invited me to meander with her through a very special garden in Asheville, NC. This garden is privately owned but with good behavior, visitors are allowed to drop by.

This spectacular 6 acre garden, with 1.5 miles of trails is in the very heart of the city, yet you might as well be in the wild. This garden was established over 60 years ago by Doan Ogden, who also designed the Asheville Botanical Gardens. It exemplifies the sustainability of mosses in the landscape as the green backdrop for many spectacular azaleas, rhododendrons and colorful flowers. The current owner has maintained the original integrity of the garden while enhancing it with incredible art sculptures by some of the nation’s finest sculptors.

Paths among the rhododendron are carpeted in moss

Native mountain laurel decorates the bridges

Hellebores are spread throughout the 6 acres

Ferns and stacked stone walls throughout the garden

Woven branches create a beautiful edging for the fallen leaves

Crocus, winter aconite and snowdrops…the early spring trifecta

Snowdrops tucked among tree roots, ferns and moss

Winter honeysuckle, also called sweet breath of spring….need I say more?

Can you believe this is inside the Asheville city limits?

The sound of rushing water is so soothing to me

Gardens can never have too many places to sit and reflect

I am so grateful to have access to this garden and will definitely be back. I’m told the trillium are not to be missed.