Welcome to

Juniper Level Botanic Garden ​

Home of Plant Delights Nursery and one of the largest and most diverse plant collections in the world.

Summer Open Garden and Nursery dates: July 11-13, 18-20.

DAYS
HOURS
MINUTES
SECONDS

Our mission

Collect, study, preserve, propagate and share plants for a better world

The mission of Juniper Level Botanic Garden is to promote botanical diversity by assembling the largest collection possible of growable, winter/summer hardy ornamental plants for our region and display them in an aesthetic, sustainably-maintained, healthy garden setting. This philosophy includes obtaining plants from all over the world with a strong emphasis on North American native plants, realizing that these are, as a group, no more or less adaptable than plants from foreign lands. Plants are obtained through plant exploration, plant breeding, as well as exchange and purchase from other botanic gardens and horticultural experts.

A special place​

Juniper Level Botanic Garden is an 10-acre educational, research, and display garden filled with more than 27,000 taxa of plants, including native perennials, exotic plants, rare delights, and an array of incredible and unusual specimen trees and shrubs you won’t see anywhere else in the world.

The garden was designed using the philosophy of “drifts of one” to house and showcase a diverse collection of ornamental plants in an aesthetic and relaxed setting. Juniper Level Botanic Garden has evolved into one of the largest ex-situ plant collections in the world. The garden is designed for year-round interest with peak season from late April through mid-October.

37

Years since established

27

Thousand different taxa

Our History​

JLBG was established in 1986 when Raleigh native Tony Avent and his wife Michelle purchased a 2.2 acre abandoned sandy loam tobacco field in the community of Juniper in Southern Wake County (central North Carolina). 

The garden name originated from “junipers” which used to grow along nearby Juniper Branch. These plants were Chamaecyparis thyoides. The southern term “Level” is used for the flat areas between creeks, hence the community name, Juniper Level.

Timeline

1986​

Breaking ground

Tony and Michelle purchase a home on 2.2 acres, garden construction begins on the Founders Garden. Plant Delights Nursery is established.

1996​

First expansion

The Avents purchase 5.25 acres of adjoining property. This new section becomes Michelle’s Garden.

2001

Second expansion

The Avents purchase another 11 acres of adjacent property for expanded production, research, plant trials, evaluations and woody plant collections.

2008

Third expansion

The Avents purchase 3.66 acres from the estate of the late Eddy Souto. Half of the property is devoted to field production, while the other half becomes the full sun Souto Garden.

2014

Yde Horse Farm purchase

Two acres of the property are dedicated to visitor accommodations, while the remaining four become Avents new home and Anita’s Garden. This brings the size of JLBG to 28 acres.

2017

Crevice garden construction

The 300 feet long habitat for ultra dryland, alkaline-loving plants, is made of nearly 200 tons of recycled concrete and takes 3 years to complete.

Open Garden and Nursery Days

We are open to the public four times a year, two weekends each season.

Open Garden and Nursery Days

We are open to the public four times a year, two weekends each.

Become a JLBG garden member

As a founding member you will be helping to support the much-needed increase in staffing and maintenance of the collection and garden as we work towards the public garden transition. You are also increasing our ability to reach and educate the growing numbers of visitors in our rapidly expanding community.

Individual

Great choice for a beginner gardener. Includes basic benefits to help you expand your knowledge.

$50

/ year

Family/Dual

Best value for a family (2 adults and children under age of 16) interested in gardening.

$75

/ year

Explorer

Expanded benefits for an intermediate gardener who is looking to deepen their knowledge.

$150

/ year

Sponsor

Top tier package for people who share our vision and want to ensure the future of JLBG.

$300

/ year

Educational resources​

Expand your gardening knowledge by reading our plant articles, watching gardening videos and signing up for classes and events.

The Latest from
The Blog

Our daily garden blog offers a peak into the array of exciting horticultural happenings at JLBG, that most folks aren’t around to see. Occasionally, we share some important news from the industry of even hop up on the soapbox when we feel the need warrants.

Beschorneria x dekalis 'Ding Dong'

Ding Dong…Who’s There? Beschor-who?

Spiking over the last few weeks before finally opening is the crazy agave relative, Beschorneria ‘Ding Dong’. All of us who have crazy relatives, can relate to family members that…

Read More
Dudleya saxosa ssp. collomiae

Dudleya Done Right

Looking great in the crevice garden this month is our specimen of the Arizona native Dudleya saxosa ssp. collomiae. Through the years, we tried this succulent in several of our…

Read More
Botrypus virginianus

Rattlesnake Ferns in flower

Putting on its version of a flowering show now, is our native rattlesnake fern, Botrypus virginianus. This widespread fern is native to all continental states except New Mexico. Not to…

Read More
Cornus florida '85 Carat'

What’s Up Doc? 85 Carats, that’s what

Looking absolutely fab in the garden now is the native dogwood selection, Cornus florida ’85 Carat’. You’ve probably never heard of this, because it hasn’t yet been commercially introduced. We…

Read More
Abies bornmuelleriana

The Born Supremacy

Looking great in the garden now is our specimen of Turkish Fir, Abies bornmuelleriana. Our 27 year old specimen was planted as a young seedling, and has shown none of…

Read More
Baptisia minor 'Blue Bonnet'

Baptisia Time

Below are a few of the amazing baptisias flowering at JLBG that we snapped new photos of, over the last few weeks. It’s truly hard to imagine the vast garden…

Read More
Scroll to Top