Arborcrest Gardens:
A Brief History
Arborcrest Gardens is a testament to the vision of Ron and Cheryl Stanley, who made Boone their home in 1976. A few years later, they acquired a 5-acre parcel from James Councill at the base of Howard's Knob, where they built their home in 1979 and began transforming the surrounding landscape into a vibrant garden. Seizing the opportunity to expand, the Stanleys purchased the remainder of Councill's property at auction in 1985, bringing their total holdings to 50 acres.
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Today, Arborcrest Gardens spans 26 acres around the residence of Dr. Ron and Cheryl Stanley. Dr. Stanley, who opened Boone Dermatology Clinic shortly after relocating, continues to treat patients alongside other providers. Photo above: Ron & Cheryl in 2024
Dr. Stanley's passion for gardening has deep roots.
Growing up in Talley’s Crossing near Kernersville, N.C., he was surrounded by family gardens where everyone cultivated their own vegetables. He fondly recalls his father's dedication to maintaining the "neatest lawn in Forsyth County" and his father's success in growing the best tomatoes and strawberries.
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At just six years old, Dr. Stanley began his gardening journey with a small plot in his grandmother's garden, where he planted green peas, carrots, and radishes. “Radishes were perfect for a little kid because they grow so fast—ready to harvest in just 30 days,” he remarked, recalling the joy it brought him.
Photos: Left, Ron pictured with his father. Right, Ron's father, tending tomatoes in 1968. ​
In a remarkable achievement, the Stanleys' vegetable garden was featured on the PBS show "Victory Garden" in 1984 after Dr. Stanley submitted photographs for a contest. The judges were impressed by his meticulous layout, raised beds, and the integration of flowers, earning the garden a place among six highlighted nationwide.
Throughout his gardening journey, Dr. Stanley meticulously documented his practices and plant performance, creating a valuable database that now includes over 15,000 species and varieties. He found fulfillment in sharing his knowledge with others.
In 1989, Dr. Stanley established Arborcrest Gardens as a non-profit botanical garden, formalizing his commitment to horticultural education. His experimentation with diverse plant varieties continued, and he began sharing his findings with the broader gardening community.
Although he paused his gardening pursuits during his studies at Duke University and the UNC School of Medicine, Dr. Stanley's passion never waned. He dedicated himself to experimenting with various plant species in his vegetable garden and ornamental beds, fueled by extensive reading and hands-on experience. A significant influence during this time was James Underwood Crockett's "Crockett’s Victory Garden," which inspired Dr. Stanley to refine his gardening techniques.
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While working at RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company during his summers at Duke, Dr. Stanley met Cheryl, a student at UNC-Greensboro. They married in 1969 and have since welcomed three children and eight grandchildren.
Ron as a senior in high school alongside his grandmother
Ron with his prized pumpkins
Over the years, Dr. Stanley has built a dedicated team to assist with maintenance and various projects in the gardens while remaining actively involved in the hands-on aspects of landscaping. In 2009, he undertook a significant expansion, clearing 20 acres to create a 2.5-mile network of paved trails, constructing bridges, and developing new plant beds, all protected by a deer fence.
Dr. Stanley personally designs each section of the garden, meticulously selecting the placement of every plant. He estimates that he has chosen, purchased, and planted over half a million specimens since the garden's inception. Inspired by visits to botanical gardens across the country, especially the landscape designs at Walt Disney World, Dr. Stanley seeks to capture the beauty and harmony of nature through overlapping, curving, and meandering design elements.
What truly distinguishes Arborcrest Gardens is its singular vision, conceived, designed, and managed by Dr. Stanley himself. He dedicates 40 to 60 hours each week to working in the gardens and overseeing staff projects, with ongoing efforts to clear, plant, and refine the landscape reflecting his unwavering commitment.
After years of welcoming visitors by appointment, Arborcrest Gardens began offering guided tours on Fridays by reservation in 2019, providing a unique opportunity to experience the beauty and diversity of this meticulously curated botanical haven.
