Plan Your Visit
The landscape and layout of Montrose, in Hillsborough, North Carolina, originates from the mid-19th century. The 61-acre property was purchased in 1977 by Nancy Goodwin and her husband, Craufurd, professor of economics at Duke University, who used the remains of the historic gardens to create a landscape that has greatly influenced and expanded the palette of plants for Southern gardens. Added to the National Register of Historic Gardens in 2001 and recognized by the Garden Conservancy as a preservation partner garden in 2003, it has grown into a garden filled with plants that grow well, arranged by color and form.
hours & fees
We give tours of the garden by appointment, from September through May, on Tuesday and Thursday at 10:00 am. Please give us at least 24 hour notice, when possible.
We charge $20 per person for a tour. Payments can be made in cash or check, payable to Montrose Foundation. Groups of 6 or more may arrange tours at other times by calling in advance or using the contact form below.
A selection of plants, produced on the property, is available to purchase at the end of each tour. Copies of Nancy Goodwin's book, Montrose: Life In A Garden, are available to purchase.
To set up a tour, use contact form below or email info@montrosegarden.org
find us
Montrose Gardens
320 St. Mary's Rd.
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Coordinates: Latitude: 36° 4' 42.5994" / Longitude: -79° 5' 29.7594"
Take exit 164 on I-85. Go north into Hillsborough and turn right onto east King Street. At the stop sign, bear left upthe hill onto St. Mary's Road (not sharp left). On the right you will pass St. Matthew's Church and River Park Elementary School. Montrose is just past the school, on the right. There are large red brick gate posts with a plaque on the right one saying, "Montrose 320."
If you come on I-40, take exit 261, the only exit labled Hillsborough. Go north toward Hillsborough and you will pass under I-85. Then follow the directions above.