Garden Tour: Carowinds

Exploring the Seasonal Beauty of Carowinds’ Landscaping: A Garden Lover’s Tour

If you are in or around the Charlotte, NC area, I hope you have had a chance to visit Carowinds! Our local amusement park is full of fun for all ages. I, myself grew up regularly going to the park and have enjoyed bringing my kids there now as well! We have been season pass holders for the past couple of years and it has been a phenomenal value for our family. As my kids have gotten older and a little bit more independent, I’ve paid more attention to the park itself and realized something crazy last spring. This park is beautiful! The landscaping has come a really long way from when I was a child coming 30 years ago. There is so much to enjoy every season of the year, I knew I needed to write a post and share a Carowinds garden tour with you guys! So let’s dive in and check out the plants “where the Carolinas come together” :)

When most people think of Carowinds Amusement Park, images of thrilling roller coasters, heart-pounding rides, and the sound of joyous screams probably come to mind. But beyond the adrenaline rush and fun-filled attractions, there lies an often-overlooked aspect of Carowinds that is equally impressive—the meticulously planned and beautifully executed landscaping. Throughout the year, Carowinds transforms its grounds to reflect the changing seasons, creating a stunning visual experience that delights visitors of all ages. From the vibrant colors of spring to the spooky vibes of Scarowinds and the festive cheer of WinterFest, let’s take a garden lover’s tour of Carowinds through the seasons.

Spring Awakening: A Burst of Color and Life

As winter’s chill gives way to the warmth of spring, Carowinds comes alive with an explosion of color. The landscape design team carefully selects a variety of plants and flowers to usher in the season, creating a breathtaking display that greets visitors as they enter the park. The early bloomers—like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths—take center stage, their bright hues of yellow, red, and purple contrasting beautifully against the park’s greenery.

Tulips and daffodils are particularly prominent in the park’s spring landscape. These bulbs are planted in large drifts, creating rivers of color that flow through the park’s gardens. The tulips stand tall, their elegant blooms swaying gently in the breeze, while the daffodils add a cheerful touch with their sunny yellow petals. It’s a true celebration of spring, and the perfect backdrop for a day of fun and adventure.

As you stroll through the park, you’ll also notice other spring favorites, like pansies and snapdragons, adding splashes of color to the flower beds. The park’s landscape architects skillfully arrange these flowers in patterns and designs that reflect the joy and renewal of the season. Everywhere you look, there’s something blooming, a reminder that spring is a time of growth and new beginnings.

PumpkinFest: A Celebration of Harvest and Autumn Colors

During the fall daylight, Carowinds deftly shifts gears to celebrate the harvest season with PumpkinFest. This family-friendly event showcases the beauty of fall in all its glory, with an emphasis on pumpkins, gourds, and other autumnal delights. The park’s landscaping takes on a warm, inviting feel, with a focus on the rich colors of the season.

PumpkinFest is all about the harvest, and the landscape reflects this theme perfectly. The flower beds are filled with autumnal plants like asters, black-eyed Susans, and goldenrods, their warm tones complementing the oranges and yellows of the pumpkins and gourds. Ornamental cabbage and kale add texture and color to the displays, while the deep purple of the sweet potato vine provides a striking contrast.

Pumpkins are, of course, the stars of the show. They’re everywhere—lining the pathways, filling the flower beds, and even stacked into towering displays. The park’s landscape team works with local farmers to source a variety of pumpkins, from the classic orange to more unusual varieties in shades of white, green, and even blue. The result is a visually stunning display that captures the essence of the season.

Scarowinds: A Spooky Seasonal Transformation

After nightfall in autumn, Carowinds undergoes a dramatic transformation. The vibrant colors of a fall day give way to the rich, earthy tones and spooky vibe as the park prepares for Scarowinds—Carowinds’ annual Halloween event. The landscape design team works diligently to create an atmosphere that’s both eerie and enchanting, incorporating seasonal plants and decor to enhance the spooky theme.

Mums in shades of orange, red, and purple are planted throughout the park, their dense, rounded blooms adding a touch of seasonal color. These hardy perennials are a fall favorite, known for their ability to withstand cooler temperatures and provide long-lasting blooms. They’re often paired with ornamental grasses and pumpkins, creating a quintessentially autumnal display.

But it’s not just about the plants—Scarowinds is all about the details. The park’s pathways are lined with hay bales, cornstalks, and scarecrows, while the flower beds are filled with gourds and other fall decorations. The landscape design team carefully coordinates these elements with the plants, ensuring that everything works together to create a cohesive and immersive experience.

As night falls, the park takes on an even more sinister vibe. The plants and decor are illuminated by eerie lighting, casting long shadows and creating a sense of foreboding. Fog machines add to the atmosphere, as thick mists roll across the ground, obscuring the pathways and creating an air of mystery. It’s a truly spine-tingling experience, and a testament to the skill and creativity of the park’s landscape team.

WinterFest: A Winter Wonderland in the Carolinas

As the year draws to a close, Carowinds once again transforms—this time into a winter wonderland for WinterFest. The park’s landscaping takes on a festive feel, with an emphasis on evergreen plants, twinkling lights, and holiday decor. It’s a magical experience that brings the joy and spirit of the season to life.

Evergreen plants play a key role in the WinterFest landscape. Boxwoods, hollies, and junipers provide the foundation for the displays, their rich green foliage adding a touch of color to the otherwise barren winter landscape. These plants are often adorned with lights, ornaments, and other decorations, creating a festive atmosphere that’s perfect for the holiday season.

Poinsettias, with their bright red and white bracts, are also a prominent feature of the WinterFest landscape. These traditional holiday plants are placed in strategic locations throughout the park, adding pops of color and creating a sense of warmth and cheer. They’re often paired with other seasonal plants like cyclamens and Christmas cacti, creating displays that are both festive and beautiful.

The park’s pathways are lined with garlands, wreaths, and other holiday decorations, all carefully coordinated to complement the plants. The flower beds are filled with winter-hardy plants like hellebores and winter pansies, their blooms providing a welcome splash of color in the otherwise muted winter landscape. And, of course, no winter display would be complete without a generous dusting of artificial snow, adding to the magical atmosphere.

A Year-Round Garden Tour

Carowinds is more than just an amusement park—it’s a showcase of the beauty and diversity of seasonal landscaping. From the vibrant colors of spring to the spooky vibes of Scarowinds, the harvest celebration of PumpkinFest, and the festive cheer of WinterFest, there’s something to admire in every season. The park’s landscape team works tirelessly to create a visually stunning experience that enhances the overall atmosphere of the park, making every visit a feast for the eyes as well as the senses.

Whether you’re a garden enthusiast, a lover of seasonal decor, or just someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, the landscaping at Carowinds is sure to impress. So, the next time you visit, take a moment to stop and admire the flowers, plants, and decorations that make this park truly special. You might just find that the landscaping is just as thrilling as the rides.