GARDENS & FACILITIES

The Dahlia Garden

Started by the late Dahlia Guru, Brian Killingsworth, and now lead by Kim Biggerstaff and her talented crew, this garden boasts over 400 plants and hundreds of varieties of dahlias that include all forms and colors. Among these are Brian’s own registered cultivars that all begin with the name Creekside, his former farm in Georgia.

Brian became a beloved fixture at Bullington, transforming the front field into an extraordinary spot filled with vividly colorful dahlias of many shapes and forms. He loved to share his knowledge of growing dahlias and was patient in demonstrating and answering questions to anyone who caught him in the garden. He developed a following among visitors, volunteers and staff and inspired many people to take on growing dahlias. He and his handpicked Dahlia Team spent hundreds of hours each year, dividing dahlias, making cuttings, planning and planting the field. Brian orchestrated what went where, when to put up support netting, when to pinch, when and how much to fertilize. And sadly, when it was time to cut them all down for the season and tuck them away back into storage.

Thanks to Brian, Kim and the Dahlia crew, the Dahlia Garden sparks great joy in the many visitors who regularly make the pilgrimage each summer and fall to Bullington.

Perennial Borders

This garden, championed by Stan Rogan and designed by Jane Davis highlights perennial and shrub combinations that are chosen to be replicated in the home garden. Feature woody plants; winter hazel (corylus) Japanese stewartia and Deodar cedar. Featured perennials are amsonia hubrictii, sedum matrona, ligularia, and rodgersia.

Pollinator Garden

Maintained by volunteer Connie Smith, this area is a haven for butterflies, many other pollinators and birds. Important plants are carolina phlox, goldenrod, abelia, sedums, Joe Pye weed and butterfly bushes.

Shade Garden

Volunteer extraordinaire Jane Davis is also the mastermind behind this garden, which highlights plants that perform well in dry shade such as blankets of epimedium, a striped maple and Cloud Nine dogwoods.

Sally’s Garden

Designed by Nancy Duffy of Muddy Boots Garden Design in honor of Bob Bullington’s wife Sally. This four season, densely planted garden features, papermark maple, Japanese maple ‘Shishigashira’, limelight hydrangeas, Rozanne geraniums, ‘Honorine Jobert’ anemone and Phlomis russeliana.

Therapy Garden

Designed with the intent of making gardening more accessible for those with limited mobility, this garden has raised beds with colorful annuals, an accessible tool shed, a water feature and a greenhouse that doubles as a classroom for the horticultural therapy program.

Horticultural Therapy Greenhouse

Classes are held in our Therapy Greenhouse in conjunction with our Horticultural Therapy programs.

Herb Garden

Maintained by volunteer Joan Colburn this garden is divided into various sections according to use: medicinal, culinary, fragrance & dying and biblical herbs. This garden is wheelchair accessible.

Fairy Trail

Seasonal Trail Open June-Aug

Developed by Fairies and dedicated volunteers, Bullington Gardens’ Fairy Trail & Village is a whimsical treat for the young and the young at heart. Featuring charming vignettes and villages, the fairy trail & village will charm you with its thoughtful design, eye catching displays and secret woodland trail. The Fairy Trail is first come, first serve.

Rules of the trail:

  • Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.

  • Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.

  • Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.

  • Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.

  • The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.

  • P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.

Story Walk

The story walk is along the garden’s scenic fairy trail. Visitors will read about the enchanting story of how the Bullington fairies make friends with the monarchs and join them on their migration to Mexico after the summer. This delightful addition to Bullington Gardens offers an educational and entertaining experience for all ages.

This project was made possible through the generous support of the Henderson Tourism Development Authority (TDA), whose grant funded the creation and installation of the story walk.

Book Nook

We’re thrilled to unveil a magical new addition to our Fairy Gardens — the Fairy Book Nook! Nestled in a shady grove and featuring toadstool seats carved from Hurricane Helene logs, this enchanted nook is the perfect place for fairy tales to come to life.

A very special thank you to our friends at the Hendersonville Public Library for keeping our shelves stocked with magical reads.

Butterfly Breezeway

Bullington Gardens has added new benches, picnic tables, and a Butterfly Breezeway this year. The Butterfly Breezeway is a dedicated space that supports the life cycles of hundreds of pollinators making it a vibrant and vital addition to the gardens.

Jane’s Childrens Garden

Children’s Garden dedicated to Jane Davis, long-time supporter, inspiration, dearest friend, heart and soul of Bullington Gardens.

BOOST Gardens

BOOST (Bullington Onsite Occupational Skills Training) is a program for sophomores in the Occupational Course of Study in all four Henderson County Public High Schools. BOOST cultivates pre-vocational skills such as time management, respectful communication, process planning, and collaboration as students work on the trails, gardens and grounds. The culminating activity is a garden competition where students design, budget, grow plants and install a garden based on their chosen theme. The Best Garden (as judged by community leaders) is awarded at an end-of school year celebration, along with awards for Most Valuable Workers from each school.

Reflection Garden

A woodland gazebo honoring longtime Bullington supporters Bob & Bea Hicks can be found nestled in the Reflection Garden as well as collections of native and deciduous azaleas. This is a peaceful resting point along the nature trail.

Amphitheatre

A fun and artistic spot off one of our trails. Stop and put on a show, sing your heart out or just sit and absorb nature.

Hoop House

Year-round planting and propagation takes place in our hoop houses.

Bullington Garden Shop

Bullington’s Garden Shop is open seasonally, June through August. Shop for a selection of fairy items, garden tools, gifts and decor, along with garden themed jewelry.

Restrooms

Thanks to a number of grants from community partners, Bullington Gardens has brand new, fully accessible restrooms for our visitors! Perry N. Rudnick Endowment Fund provided a $17,050 grant to Bullington Gardens to increase and improve parking, due to increased visitation.

“Bullington Gardens’ commitment to environmental stewardship and providing an experiential approach to horticultural education in Henderson County is uniquely important to our community,” shared Community Foundation of Henderson County’s President/CEO McCray V. Benson. “The Perry N. Rudnick Endowment Fund seeks to make a positive difference in people’s lives and the Community Foundation looks forward to the impact of this grant on Bullington’s mission.”