The Wendy Olson Arboretum

The Wendy Olson Arboretum is a private garden in a residential neighborhood near downtown Hillsborough, NC. With almost three acres total, the property has a robust mix of riparian, upland, shade, and sun. The garden features native and keystone trees, plants, and shrubs, which support local wildlife including birds, insects, and mammals. Many of these are pollinators. There is a healthy perennial creek which runs through the property and flows into the Eno river. There are beautiful strolling gardens which include native boulders and cypress log steps, as well as stone footbridges over the creek. The sunny portion of the garden will be dedicated to food foraging, fruit trees, and herbs for neighbors to enjoy, and will feature a Piedmont prairie on the portion of the property which is shared by the town's sewer easement. The area in the "yard" will offer a gathering space with an outdoor stone oven for dining, story telling, children's musical performance, and an indoor meeting space for local classes and gardening groups. As this is a residential neighborhood, parking is limited, so visiting is by appointment if traveling by car. Visitors can also come by orange county bus, bicycle or on foot during public hours of operation.