Airlie Gardens

Established in 1901, Airlie Gardens is a valuable cultural and ecological component of New Hanover County and North Carolina history. In 1999, a grant from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, the commitment of the New Hanover County Commissioners, the cooperation of the previous owner (the Corbett family), and the support of local residents made possible the County’s purchase and restoration of Airlie’s 67-acres of gardens. After celebrating more than a century of gardens by the sea, Airlie continues to amaze visitors with its breathtaking combination of formal gardens, wildlife, historic structures, walking trails, sculptures, views of Bradley Creek, 10-acres of freshwater lakes, and the grandeur of the 462-year-old Airlie Oak. The Gardens are known for a collection of over 100,000 azaleas and countless camellia cultivars, which bloom throughout the winter and early spring. Displays around the Airlie Oak, Pergola Garden, and other areas bloom with continuous color year-round, as the displays are changed seasonally.