BOONE - A new stage at the Daniel Boone Native Gardens is becoming more of a reality after the ground was officially broken in a small ceremony. The groundbreaking comes as DBNG released the lineup for its free concert series — Roots in the Garden.

The new stage is just to the right of the current one — which will remain at the gardens — and is slated to be completed by the middle of the summer.

"Adrian Tait of Sketchline Architecture volunteered to design the stage," said Lynn Stallworth. "The new stage will enhance the visual allure of the Gardens and enrich the overall experience for performers and audiences alike. The DBNG board extends heartfelt thanks to Adrian Tait for his exceptional work and dedication."

This year’s Roots in the Garden music series had expanded to include eight concerts. The series opens on Thursday, May 30, with Virginia-based folk trio Palmyra.

On June 13, hometown favorite Adam Church will perform the Boonerang kickoff show.

All concerts are free and will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. Picnics and coolers are welcome, and all beverages should be in plastic or aluminum. A chair or blanket is recommended. Dogs are not permitted in the gardens, except for service animals. Wheelchair access is available at the Rockery entrance.

Each concert also features an artist creating a live painting to be auctioned off, with the proceeds benefiting the gardens.

The first artist is Dabney Smith, an artist and art teacher who has been living in Boone since 2005. Examples of her mural work can be found in Boone at Lost Province Brewing Co. at Hardin Creek, Shear Shakti, The Annex/TApp Room, and in Lenoir at the Google Data Complex.

Food trucks will include a new truck to the area, Hen House. Lost Province will provide a beer tent, and Benchmark Provisions will provide a wine tent.

DBNG, located in downtown Boone at 651 Horn in the West Drive, contains an outstanding collection of native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. Hundreds of plant varieties provide a progression of blooms throughout the growing season. These public gardens comprise a fern garden, rhododendron garden, rock wishing well, vine-covered arbor, and pond area alongside the historic Squire Boone cabin and grand vistas. The wrought-iron gates at the entrance were made by a descendant of Daniel Boone. Opened in 1963 and sponsored by The Garden Club of North Carolina, the three-acre gardens are an educational and conservation effort to nurture rare or endangered plant species.

In 1996, a Pickin’ Porch was constructed in the northern area of the gardens. Its presence recalls the custom of mountain families to gather on the front porch with neighbors in the evening and “pick a few.”

The Pickin’ Porch reflects the hospitality of Boone’s mountain community and the gardens’ inviting presence. Close your eyes, and you can almost hear Doc Watson strumming his tunes. The goal is to continue the mountain music tradition with our Roots in the Garden concert series- enhancing our community connections by providing a free venue in the heart of town for incredible live music and art.

DBNG remains a peaceful spot in the center of a busy, vibrant community. Visitors are invited to the gardens to take in the blooming flowers, enjoy a picnic, yoga class or our concerts, have a memorable day in the wedding garden, or simply sit and absorb nature. More information can be found at www.danielboonenativegardens.org or reach out to dbngrootsinthegarden@gmail.com.

2024 Summer Concert Series Lineup:

Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, Blowing Rock, is the series sponsor. Concert sponsors include Anna Banana’s, Mast General Store, High Country Radio-A Curtis Media Group Company, CW Homes, and Better Aesthetics.

West Wellness, Lost Province/Coyote Kitchen, King Street Flowers, Appalachian Home Care, Graystone Lodge, Regear, Hellbender Fitness, The Linnville Group, Spangler Restoration, Watauga Arts Council and NC Arts Council are all series sponsors.

Daniel Boone Native Gardens - P.O. Box 1705 Boone, NC 28607

Daniel Boone Native Gardens is a 501 (c)(3) Nonprofit Charitable Organization