Candi and Michael ~ On The Move

Tales from Grenada and Beyond

  • Home
  • More About Candi and Michael
  • Destinations
  • Favorite Travel Websites
  • Published Work
  • Media Kit

An Enchanted Sanctuary ~ Elizabethan Gardens

October 5, 2014 by Candi Licence 4 Comments

     Enrapt I sat in the quiet hour and found my soul in the heart of a flower.

A pathway enticing you to walk deeper into the garden

A pathway enticing you to walk deeper into the garden

There is so much treasure and serenity to be found in a beautiful garden. Walking along formal walkways or informal foot paths, there are beautiful discoveries to be had – left and right, up and down.  A well planned garden conceals and then reveals its delights around every corner and The Elizabethan Gardens is a stellar example of lush, quiet beauty.  Because Michael loves flowers and photography, I always look for special gardens as we travel.

These beautiful 15 foot gates originally hung at the French Embassy in Washington DC

These beautiful 15 foot gates originally hung at the French Embassy in Washington DC

The Elizabethan Gardens were originally planned to be a two acre garden site created to memorialize Sir Walter Raleigh’s English colonists of Roanoke Island whose settlement mysteriously disappeared and became known as the “Lost Colony”, 20 years before the permanent settlements of Jamestown and Plymouth Rock were established.  The North Carolina Garden Club began designing the garden in the early 1950’s and they planned to represent a colonial garden typical of the 1850’s.  With the help of the renowned landscape architectural firm, Innocenti & Webel, they were able to secure a fantastic gift of statuary including an ancient Italian fountain and pool with balustrade, wellhead, sundial, birdbaths, stone steps and benches, dating back beyond the time of Queen Elizabeth I.   As a result of this gift, the original colonial garden concept was expanded to become a more elaborate design and to incorporate a much larger parcel of land.

One of many beautiful fountains that grace the gardens

One of many beautiful fountains that grace the gardens

The designer, Richard Webel, used the statuary to “create a garden Elizabethan in spirit and style but adapted to the present. Built on ten acres of indigenous growth, the gardens are the imaginative concept of an Elizabethan pleasure garden.  Construction actually began on the historic date of June 2, 1953, the date Queen Elizabeth II was crowned Queen of England. The Gardens were formally opened August 18, 1960, on the 373rd anniversary of the birth of Virginia Dare, the first child born in America of English parentage. ”

The lovely gatehouse serves as the entranceway to the gardens

The lovely gatehouse serves as the entranceway to the gardens

The gorgeous grounds begin at the beautiful gatehouse that has a flagstone floor and hand-hewn beams.  It was constructed to resemble a 16th century orangery, a building designed to protect orange trees during the harsh European winters.  Just outside the gatehouse is a large courtyard with a formal Shakespearean herb garden.

Another view of the gatehouse that was designed to resemble an Orangerie

Another view of the gatehouse that was designed to resemble an Orangery

From here you can take a number of paths, some bricked or paved and others covered in soft pine needles, to see a magnificent statue of Queen Elizabeth the First who reined during this time; a 16th century historically accurate gazebo overlooking the sound; a statue of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the new world; and an exquisite sunken garden with a fountain, formal plantings and many beautiful Crepe Myrtle trees.  The sunken garden is framed by hollies that are trained to form beautiful  arches that provide delightful glimpses of the garden’s interior and draw you into the garden with its large fountain.

This sculpture depicts what Virginia Dare might have looked like if she had grown to adulthood

This sculpture depicts what Virginia Dare might have looked like if she had grown to adulthood

Queen Elizabeth the first, holding a rose which was the symbol of the House of Tudor

Queen Elizabeth the first, holding a rose which was the symbol of the House of Tudor

Close up detail of Queen Elizabeth's skirt

Close up detail of Queen Elizabeth’s skirt

There is also a natural woodland garden, a formal rose garden and an extensive camellia collection that has 125 different species.  There are HUGE Magnolia trees and a majestic Live Oak tree that is over 430 years old and was alive when the first colonists landed in Roanoke.  There is also a very large, “great lawn” surrounded by trees and shrubs.  During Elizabethan times, having a great lawn was a measure of wealth – only the truly rich could have land lie idle.  All these gardens are connected by beautiful tree covered, canopied walkways that draw you further and further into the garden’s delights.

The gazebo, with a Norfolk reed thatch roof, overlooks the Roanoke Sound

The gazebo, with a Norfolk reed thatch roof, overlooks the Roanoke Sound

One very special building is an authentic reproduction of a 16th century gazebo that was built using period tools and techniques.  The hand-hewn oak posts and beams were locked together – no modern nails we used in this structure.  The gazebo is topped with an authentic thatch roof.    The Norfolk reed, brought over from Norfolk England, is considered by many thatchers as the finest roofing material and when an expert constructs with these materials, roofs are expected to last 60 to 70 years (!) as long as the ridge is replaced every 10-15 years.  The gazebo is delightful to look at and is nestled into lovely woods that open up to overlook the Roanoke Sound.

We spoke to one of the garden’s caretakers who has worked at the garden for over 12 years.  Her love of the garden was clearly evident in her conversation about the types of plants grown in the gardens and their bloom cycles.  The gardens are designed to have color all year round.  Spring and Summer have the most variety of blooms and are probably the showiest times.  Fall is beautiful because it is so mild in North Carolina and the annuals are still blooming nicely while the grasses turn lovely shades of brown.

Camellias beginning to bud

Camellias beginning to bud

Winter is special because all the Camellias, also called the Rose of Winter, are in bloom.  The staff was starting to prep for a fall harvest festival with lots of activities for kids on the Great Lawn.  This will be followed by Nights of Lights in December when the garden will be draped in twinkle lights which should be stunning.

Here is a sample of some of the plants that are in bloom now:

_MS81106_MS81084_MS81103

Elizabethan Gardens 2014 10 02 - 0090Elizabethan Gardens 2014 10 02 - 0095

Elizabethan Gardens 2014 10 02 - 0104

 

 

 

Elizabethan Gardens 2014 10 02 - 0155 - Copy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are ever in this area and like gardens and plants, the Elizabethan Gardens is a must visit excursion.  (It is also located near the sweet town of Manteo – lots of lovely shops and restaurants on the Roanoke Sound.)

NOTES:

1.  Information about this garden came from the Elizabethan Gardens website. Italicized text in quotes was pasted verbatim from the site.

2.  Unfortunately, I could not find an author reference to the quote I saw at the garden on a plaque dedicated to Marie Perry Odom, Chairman of the Garden from 1974-1997  –  Enrapt I sat in the quiet hour and found my soul in the heart of a flower.  If anyone has any information, please let me know so I can update this post.   Thank you.

Filed Under: Outer Banks, Travel Tagged With: Elizabethan Gardens, nature, Outer Banks, travel

About Candi and Michael

Michael and I retired early in 2014. We stored everything we couldn't part with (art and prized possessions), sold most everything else, packed a trailer and started traveling full time. We rented a fully furnished house, in a place we always wanted to visit, lived there for 3 months and then we moved onto the next place. We stayed in Grenada for 3 months and ended up buying a house. Now we are modifying the plan a bit and we will live in Grenada and travel part-time. Read More…

Where are we now?

We are both in our home in Grenada.

 

Recent Posts

  • SpiceMas 2022 ~ “D Return” August 25, 2022
  • Shipping Barrels and Extreme Friendship ~ COVID-19 in Grenada December 16, 2020
  • Trying to Patch our Virus Free Bubble ~ COVID-19 in Grenada November 22, 2020
  • Reunited ~ And It Feels So Good! ~COVID-19 in Grenada July 13, 2020
  • The Corona Tango ~ One Step Forward, Two Steps Back ~ COVID-19 in Grenada June 27, 2020
  • Running in Circles, Nowhere to Go ~ COVID-19 in Grenada June 24, 2020
  • Holding Down the Fort, Part 2 ~ Rescue and Recovery/Order Restored ~ COVID-19 in Grenada June 18, 2020
  • Holding Down the Fort, Part 1 ~ Havoc Reigns ~ COVID-19 in Grenada June 14, 2020
  • Sounds of Silence ~ COVID-19 in Grenada April 12, 2020
  • COVID-19 in Grenada April 6, 2020
  • Small Country ~ Big Sadness February 28, 2020
  • Planting Seeds and Creating Sparks ~ Art and Love in Grenada May 22, 2019
  • Down to The Wire ~ Finishing (?) the Patio March 25, 2019
  • Pouring a Patio Extension ~ How Hard Can It Be? March 8, 2019
  • A Day in the Life ~ Picking up Sheila’s Birthday Cake April 9, 2018
  • I’m Famous! ~ (Almost) March 29, 2018
  • A Lesson in Patience ~ The Refrigerator Saga December 11, 2017
  • Taking the Plunge ~ The 2017 Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop October 25, 2017
  • Coming Home ~ Sweet, Sweet Home ~ First Impressions March 6, 2017
  • One Roof On, Another Roof Off ~ And Other Changes March 11, 2016
  • The Best of Grenada Sailing Week ~ The Workboat Regatta February 26, 2016
  • Two Steps Forward, No Steps Back ~ Making Progress February 23, 2016
  • Walking the Plank ~ to Dinner February 4, 2016
  • Taking the Inside-Out Concept to the Extreme – No Roof ( … for now ….) February 1, 2016
  • And So It Begins ~ Raising the Roof, Literally! January 26, 2016
  • The Calm Before the Storm ~ Christmas Season in Grenada January 15, 2016
  • Free at Last ~ Clearing our Container through Customs December 26, 2015
  • Best Laid Plans ~ and Murphy’s Law December 16, 2015
  • A Moving Adventure ~ “Bon Voyage”, Container December 14, 2015
  • Research, Procure, Pack, Repeat ~ Buying (everything) for our Grenada home December 5, 2015
  • Coming Home ~ Our First Visit to Our New House December 2, 2015
  • The Ultimate Challenge ~ Remote Project Management in a Third World Country November 29, 2015
  • Living the Dream ~ Buying a house in Grenada September 24, 2015
  • Proceed at Your Own Risk ~ Driving in Grenada (Part 3 of 3) April 16, 2015
  • Proceed at Your Own Risk ~ Driving in Grenada (Part 2 of 3) March 31, 2015
  • Proceed at Your Own Risk ~ Driving in Grenada (Part 1of 3) March 29, 2015
  • Canboulay, J’ouvert, Mas ~ Carriacou Carnival 2015 March 27, 2015
  • “Eat Local” ~ John’s Oceanview Restaurant February 11, 2015
  • Gourmet Grenadian ~ Boots Cuisine February 5, 2015
  • Our First Adventure ~ Welcome to Grenada January 29, 2015
  • Making Home ~ Settling into our Villa in Woburn, Grenada January 27, 2015
  • Canine Captain ~ Mick’s Travel Adventure January 23, 2015
  • Operation Grenada ~ Moving Ourselves to the West Indies January 21, 2015
  • Imagination Revealed ~ Dale Chihuly’s Glass Inspirations December 31, 2014
  • Delectable Ritual ~ Savouring the Sunset December 21, 2014
  • Dinner on a Sandbar ~ Blue Moon Beach Grill November 26, 2014
  • Best Beach Getaway ~ Ocracoke Island November 10, 2014
  • Whirlwind Tour ~ Showcasing the Essence of the Outer Banks November 5, 2014
  • Wild Mustangs ~ An Outer Banks Adventure October 18, 2014
  • Marvelous Moondance ~ Full Lunar Eclipse October 15, 2014
  • An Unexpected Gourmet Delight ~ Mike Dianna’s Grillroom October 12, 2014
  • Personal Chef on Call ~ Chez Michael October 8, 2014
  • An Enchanted Sanctuary ~ Elizabethan Gardens October 5, 2014
  • Fun Music and good food too! ~ Cravings September 30, 2014
  • Chasing the Light ~ Shooting the Bodie Lighthouse at Daybreak September 23, 2014
  • Learning to Fly ~ The Wright Brothers in Kitty Hawk September 10, 2014
  • Creating Home, Again ~ Arriving in the Outer Banks September 5, 2014
  • Farewell Key West ~ C & M “On the Move” August 25, 2014
  • Beautiful Birthday Memories ~ Dinner at Cafe Marquesa August 4, 2014
  • “A Key West Locals Secret” ~ New York Pasta Garden July 29, 2014
  • The Square Grouper ~ And Other Fish Tails July 26, 2014
  • The Locals Hideaway ~ Boca Chica Beach July 24, 2014
  • Tantalizing Tapas ~ Santiago’s Bodega July 21, 2014
  • Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This ~ Moonrise/Sunset Sailing July 18, 2014
  • Happy Wife, Happy Life ~ The Key West Jewelry Bar July 8, 2014
  • ‘Hunker Down’ with Bill Blue and Friends July 3, 2014
  • Local Color ~ Mr. James Chapman July 1, 2014
  • A Mid Summer’s Night Dream & Spectacle ~ Summer Solstice June 25, 2014
  • Savory or Sweet? ~ Key Plaza Creperie June 19, 2014
  • “A Great Place …. if You Can Find It” ~ Hogfish Bar and Grill June 19, 2014
  • ONE HUMAN FAMILY and the Key West Pride Parade June 18, 2014
  • Cajan Delights at the Blossom Cafe June 14, 2014
  • Candi and Michael’s Honey Moon June 14, 2014
  • Hunting for Iguanas June 4, 2014
  • Rainy Day and Café Solé June 2, 2014
  • Exploring Key West May 27, 2014
  • Really settling in May 25, 2014
  • Market Day Delights May 22, 2014
  • Namaste ~ Our Key West home May 17, 2014
  • Arriving in our Key West Paradise May 16, 2014

Tag Cloud

Art Blue Moon Beach Grill Boots Cuisine Carnival Carriacou Carnival Christmas construction Container COVID-19 Dale Chiuhly driving expat life Grenada Grenada Sailing Festival Hurricane Ivan Iguana Inn on Silver Lake Jessica's Dune Key West Mick Mount Moritz Moving Mural museum music Namaste nature Outer Banks Preparation Rebecca-art-studio rennovation renovations Restaurants RoxiArtwork sailing Sarasota Area SpiceMas storage sunsets The Arches travel travel preparation Travel Writing TSA precheck Welcome Villa

Copyright © 2025 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}