Garden Walks 2009

Sarah P. Duke Gardens has added several guided tours to its free walks series. We hope you'll join us for one or all and get to know the Gardens more intimately. Please pre-register at 668-1707.

Walk on the Wild Side: Join curator Stefan Bloodworth on a tour of the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants. Stefan will discuss plants in bloom, garden design, birds, regional ecology and global environmental issues affecting native ecosystems. 11 a.m.-noon on the first Thursday of every month. Rain or shine. Meet at the Blomquist gatehouse.

Autumn in the Arboretum: Join Curator Paul Jones in the Culberson Asiatic Arboretum to enjoy the ever-changing display of fall colors. In addition, learn more about the fascinating Asian plants from a horticulturist who has been to China and collected some of them. Dates: Oct. 9 & 23; Nov. 6 & 20, 10 a.m. Meet at the Doris Duke Center.

Bird Walk: Enjoy an early morning stroll in the Gardens with Cynthia Fox, of Chapel Hill's Wild Bird Center. Cynthia will help you spot, identify and learn more about the birds that call this region home. Autumn season is a birding bonanza, with fall migration underway. Don't miss this opportunity to experience that one remarkable bird sighting. Children are welcome if they are 8 years old or older. Please bring binoculars. If the weather is iffy, please call Alice Le Duc at 730-2503 to check the status of the walk. Dates: Sept. 12, Oct. 3 & Nov. 7., 8-10 a.m. Meet at the Doris Duke Center.

Water Lily Walks: Come see the myriad lilies in the International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society's annual New Waterlily Competition, hosted by Duke Gardens. Horticulturist Tamara Kilbane, a specialist in aquatic plants, will lead free tours in July through September. Society members will give awards to the best new waterlily, new hardy and new tropical. Gardens visitors can also vote online for the People's Choice Awards. 9 a.m. Remaining dates: Sept. 3 & 17. Rain or shine. Meet at the Doris Duke Center.