Orton Plantation, Botanical garden and plantation in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States
Orton Plantation is a historic estate in Brunswick County, North Carolina, combining a Neoclassical residence with landscaped gardens along the Cape Fear River. The grounds hold formal pathways, native vegetation, and ornamental beds arranged around the main building.
Roger Moore established the estate in 1735 as a rice operation using the fertile riverside land for agriculture. The current residence was built in the 19th century when the Sprunt family renovated the architecture and developed the ornamental grounds.
The estate represents agricultural development in colonial North Carolina through its preserved architecture, garden design, and horticultural collections from different periods.
The estate opens for guided walks through the gardens on select spring and autumn days, offering visitors insight into regional plant life. Access is arranged by appointment as tours are limited and the grounds are not open year-round.
Old rice field terraces now form shallow water basins along the pathways, reflecting the columns and windows of the main house. These remnants from colonial times blend into the garden layout and create quiet pools among the plantings.
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