The Duke Campus: Flora & Fauna: Sarah P. Duke Gardens

The stunning, 55-acre Sarah P. Duke Gardens are located in the heart of West Campus (not far from the Admissions Office) and are recognized as one of the finest public gardens in the country. Breathtaking and relaxing any time of year, the Gardens boast rose and iris gardens, an Asiatic arboretum, a wisteria pergola, and expansive lawns that are perfect for studying, reading, or simply sprawling on a blanket in the sun.

Various collections have been added through the years. Today, the Gardens consist of the original terraces and their immediate surroundings, the H.L. Blomquist Garden of Native Plants (a representation of the flora of the southeastern United States), and the Culberson Asiatic Arboretum (devoted to plants of eastern Asia). Five miles of shaded, winding pathways provide a great respite as well as a chance to study many native plants and trees.