Gardens & Grounds
A Living Glimpse into the Past
The Formal Gardens, designed by Thomas Sears, are rooted along a central path that branches out to connect the ornamental garden and the vegetable garden. A cross path divides the Formal Gardens into four garden “rooms,” called parterres. These garden rooms serve as living collections, each with their own “exhibition” title: Pink & White Garden, West Rose Garden, East Rose Garden, and Blue & Yellow Garden.
In addition to these curated spaces, you’ll find Japanese-style tea houses, pergolas, two fountains, perennial and shrub borders, and specimen trees.
While landscape architects originally advocated for the Formal Gardens to be an extension of the main residence, Katharine Reynolds wanted her gardens to be an extension of the greenhouses. This allowed the gardens to be accessible to the public from Reynolda Road and ensured the privacy of the family.
Explore the Gardens
Gardens Events
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Nov 4, 2026, 10:00am — 11:00am
Join us in the Gardens to learn more about the natural world around us. Each session will engage a young naturalist in hands-on learning as we closely study a topic while enjoying the Gardens and Grou…
Nov 10, 2026, 12:30pm — 1:30pm
Experience a true Cinderella tale — the transformation of the poinsettia from a lanky shrub into one of the world’s most iconic plants. Its rise to fame weaves together an intriguing story of bota…
Nov 17, 2026, 12:30pm — 1:30pm
John Buettner and John Dole, both life-long gardeners, tend a one acre garden at their home on the south side of Raleigh, North Carolina. Their yard is an exploration in the typical and unusual variet…
Nov 18, 2026, 10:00am — 11:00am
Join us in the Gardens to learn more about the natural world around us. Each session will engage a young naturalist in hands-on learning as we closely study a topic while enjoying the Gardens and Grou…
Nov 21, 2026, 11:00am — 1:00pm
Have you ever thought of using pumpkins as the star of your holiday centerpiece? In this class, students can sift through an array of pumpkins and flowers to create a display that everyone will enjoy….
Nov 30, 2026, 6:00pm — 8:00pm
Reynolda Gardens Manager Michelle Hawks leads a creative and hands-on experience using seasonal greenery and natural materials gathered from Reynolda’s gardens and grounds as we create beautiful wre…