Piney Ridge Nature Preserve — Attraction in Wilmington

The Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden is one of the coolest nature related places I have ever been. There are a huge number of Carnivorous Plants; from Venus Flytraps to Sundews and Pitcher Plants.

There is a paved path to an overlook and boardwalk as well as a relatively narrow paving stone path amongst the plants. If you take the path amongst the plants, make sure to get down close to the ground to see the Venus Flytraps, the very small Pink Sundews (about the size of a quarter), and the Spoonleaf Sundews (small, but a bit larger than the Pink Sundews). If you visit at the end of May or early June, the Venus Flytraps will likely be in bloom, making them easier to find. Look for small white flowers on a stalk and follow the stalk to the ground to find the Flytraps.

We visited for the "Flytrap Frolic" (small festival) in early June. The event is hosted every year by the NC...

Amazing free park to visit. I had NO idea that Venus Fly traps are native to the area. Not only that, but they aren't found anywhere else in the world natively.

At first I thought it was a bust as I didn't see any of the flytraps; then I finally realized that they were tiny and almost resembled crabgrass that you would find in the backyard. I wasn't expecting Little Shop of Horrors, but was expecting them to be a prominent feature. I was pleasantly surprised.

For the price, you can't beat this stop on your way into...

Calling all plant nerds...this place is AMAZING! The Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden at Piney Ridge Nature Preserve. It's tucked behind a school, you'd never know it's there. From a distance it doesn't look like much, but once you're down on the trail, you're surrounded by carnivorous plants, many native to North Carolina. It's free and there is a flat walkway and overlook, so it's accessible to all. Kids and dogs are best kept on the...