Pinetum

The Pinetum, located between the Visitor Center and the Whitmire Wildflower Garden, is a collection of conifers planted between 1925 and 1927. Driving around the .8 mile Pinetum Loop Road, which is open to cars daily, you will see signs identifying groups of conifers. At the center of the Pinetum is the four-acre Pinetum Lake. Pinetum Lake offers a romanitic setting for weddings. The rolling meadows of this park-like area are covered in thousands of daffodils in early spring.

Groves of evergreens dot the landscape and beautiful, majestic bald cypress reflect in Pinetum Lake.

The conifers include magnificent Norway Spruce, Bald Cypress, and graceful White Pine grouped to form pleasant vistas throughout the rolling landscape. Accent plantings of Dogwood, Redbud, and Magnolia are interspersed among the evergreens. In spring, thousands of daffodils bloom throughout the Pinetum meadows, to be followed by Ox-Eye Daisies, Butterfly Weed, and other native and exotic wildflowers.

Many species of birds are attracted by the conifers, as well as gray and red fox squirrels. A profusion of insects inhabit the meadows. Pinetum Lake teems with several species of frogs, fish, turtles, water snakes, crayfish, and minute and microscopic water life.