Let’s Grow together!

The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge is very excited about our 16 new themed gardens around our Education Center. We want to give a heartfelt thank you to those who have already committed to sponsor a garden: Southern Living Plant Collections, Linda’s Plants, Key Open Doors Foundation, Jodi and Brian Harsany, Paul and Cara Brock, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, Kenneth and Kathy Tanner family, Hank and Marla Steinberg family, Lake Lure Pottery, Two Green Thumbs Garden Club, the Tryon Tramps, and David and Alice Brewer family, in memory of Danny Holland.

A sponsorship involves donating the funds to build/plant a specific garden that our gardeners will maintain. There will be a 3 x 5 plaque in each garden with our sponsors’ names. Much of our infrastructure is being installed this winter, including paths, electrical lines and outlets, irrigation, structures in gardens like swings, arbors, step stones, and benches. Please see the list below of gardens looking for sponsorships. If you are interested in sponsoring one of these gardens, contact Kathy Tanner for more information. 

WELCOME ENTRANCE: As you arrive through our visitor drop off, small gardens and sweet pine “Niagara Falls” shrubs meet and invite you into the Flowering Bridge gardens. Our special stained glass made for us by local artist, Dee Montgomery, is a focal point as you enter. Visit our Education Center when it is open and enjoy our gardens completely rebuilt after Hurricane Helene.
The Welcome Terrace Planters are sponsored by Lee Armstrong

A PLACE IN THYME: Our special water trough made just for us has an antique pump handle that helps to recirculate water through our sweet creek bed. Our planters are made of corten steel and aged to a “mountain rust”. Pancake Arborvitea and Lorapetalum join varieties of thyme for a nice border for our front porch.
Sponsored by the Tanner Family
Water Trough feature sponsored by the Stonecutter Foundation

BUTTERFLY HAVEN GARDEN: Butterflies are main visitors to our gardens and critical pollinators. Our special butterfly made of hens and chicks and sedum greets you as you walk into the gardens. Butterfly-loving plants create a special place for them to gather. Stop to enjoy watching them. As you continue on the path you will go under the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge metal arch. This arch was handcrafted for us by local artesian-blacksmith, Steve Sane, and it survived the hurricane. The antique gates stand strong on either side of the arch welcoming you to the start of your magical journey through our gardens. We are thrilled to have the arch back as a symbol of resilience and survival to once again welcome you to the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge.
Sponsored by Southern Living Plant Collection and Linda’s Plants

ALL TWISTED UP GARDEN: Our lives were all twisted up after Hurricane Helene tore through our community. Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick in the center has quirky twisted branches showcasing how we all felt for many months. Plants in this garden were chosen as some float in the breezes from the Hickory Nut Gorge and others for their twisted pattern.
Sponsored by Lake Lure Pottery

COME SIT AWHILE:  A new waterfall invites you to come into our patio and sit awhile. There will be a new glider bench, donated by the Tripp Langham family in memory of Tripp’s wife, Tracy.  You are closed in from traffic in the sweet space by Loropetalum and Cleyera shrubs. Roses, gardenias, and hydrangeas anchor this space while perennials and annuals give color year round. Enjoy spending time with your friends in this peaceful spot in the garden.

A SWING WITH A VIEW GARDEN: A short stroll into this lovely space brings you in to sit in our special swing which is a Hurricane Helene survivor. She was slightly damaged and fixed by a visiting volunteer and came right back where she belongs. Enjoy the view of Chimney Rock from the swing. Thornless fragrant roses climb up the trellis and bloom throughout the year.
Sponsored by Two Green Thumbs Garden Club

WOODLAND FAIRY GARDEN: This garden is our homage to our fairy gardens that have been a favorite of visitors every year. These were made by volunteers together during the winter of 2026. Fairies, gnomes and all of what comes with them in their world adorn these tree trunk gardens. Plants wind through to create a woodland world for the fairies.
Sponsored by  Tanglewood Cabin and the Winfrey family in honor of Boyd Winfrey

RAINBOW BRIDGE GARDEN: Following the path you will visit the Rainbow Bridge. Our first bridge was washed away in the Hurricane Helene flood. Read the story of the rainbow bridge and enjoy the gardens created especially for dogs and their families. Dogwood trees by the bridge in our “sense of humor way” honor our dogs. Plants around here are dog loving with scents for them to enjoy. Drift roses on the bank were planted in the colors of the Rainbow Bridge. Please enjoy our benches and spend some time with your furry friends here. Visitors will be able place collars of lost pets on the Rainbow Bridge railings.

POLLINATOR PATHWAY: A short walk takes you into this pollinator paradise. Stroll through our moon gate and enjoy the plants on each side of the pathway. A visit to our butterfly bench is a must and it’s the perfect photo spot.
Sponsored by Tryon Tramps

ROSE GARDEN: Many varieties of shrub, miniature and climbing roses adorn this space that wraps around our atrium. Some of the roses are special ones because they survived the flooding from Hurricane Helene. We have added hydrangeas, camellias, daylilies, iris, daffodils, alliums, Edgeworthia and much more for wonderful seasonal color. The afternoon sun allows this garden to have sun-loving shrubs, including paniculata hydrangea varieties, as well as roses. You will see spring bulbs, daylilies, iris and much more.

SERENITY GARDEN: This tranquil spot in our atrium has handmade benches for you to enjoy this quiet space. Hostas, ferns, and climbing roses fill these gardens. Overhead you are sheltered by our native Wisteria “Amethyst Falls”. The fountain was chosen for this serene garden because of its beauty and soft water sound.
Sponsored by Keys Open Doors Foundation

 PETER RABBIT CHILDREN’S GARDEN: Peter Rabbit, his family, and Mr. McGregor have returned to our gardens. These time-honored stories written by talented author Beatrix Potter will again be a special part of experiences here. You’ll also find a tic tac toe game, herb and vegetable gardens, and a special “Please touch the plants” garden for children of all ages.
Sponsored by Brian & Jodi Harsany, Paul & Cara Brock and Greybeard Rentals

THE COURTYARD: Connecting to our Education Center porch is a gathering space with trees and shrubs planted in formal planters and benches attached for sitting and gathering. Our Tranquility fountain which survived the hurricane is in the center of the courtyard. A new addition, a sustainable bottle filling station, shows how our organization discourages the overuse of plastics in our environment.  Trellis openings greet you as you enter.
Sponsored by the Rotary District 7670, Rotary International Zones 33-34 and Rotary Foundation of Ukiah, CA.

REFLECTION POINT: This sweet patio with casual sitting areas surrounded by Japanese Maples is a lovely spot to sit and enjoy the view of the beginning of Lake Lure fed by the Rocky Broad River. Our fountain gives you that soothing sound of moving water. We have surrounded the trees with perennials and annuals to provide year-round color.
Sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC

COTTAGE GARDENS: Our potting/tool shed and work areas and their entire contents were washed away in the hurricane. These cottage gardens adorn our new tool and potting shed. Camellias and semi-shade hydrangeas adorn the north side while sun-loving roses, shrubs and perennials enjoy the sun from the west. Benches on the river side of the shed give you a spot to sit and enjoy the view. Our work space behind the shed is planted with evergreen shrubs to shield lake visitors from seeing this work area.
Sponsored by The Brewer family

Would you like to sponsor a garden? Contact us online to find out how.