Juniper Level Botanic Garden, a $7.5 million gift to North Carolina State University, will be open Feb. 26-28 and March 5-7 for public viewing, plant purchases, and free advice from the experts. There is no admission fee.

“Two open garden weekends are scheduled each season,” said founder Tony Avent. “Winter has turned out to be the most important because people can see how the garden is put together. They can see the bones of the garden.

Located 12 miles south of downtown Raleigh, Juniper Level Botanic Garden is a 28-acre campus showcasing more than 27,000 different kinds of native perennials, exotic plants, rare delights and unusual specimens of trees and shrubs not found many (or any) other places on earth. This “Eden of rare plants” draws gardeners, researchers and fans of beautiful plants from across the globe each year for select open house dates. In 2021, those dates are:

• Fri.-Sun., Feb. 26-28
• Fri.-Sun., March 5-7
• Fri.-Sun., Apr. 30-May 2
• Fri.-Sun., May 7-9
• Fri.-Sun., July 16-18
• Fri.-Sun., July 23-25
• Fri.-Sun., Sept. 17-19
• Fri.-Sun., Sept. 24-26

The gardens are open, with free admission, from 8am-5pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 1-5pm on Sundays. Reservations are not required.