In 1978, the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens became a reality with the establishment of the Ebersole Holly Garden. Over the years, additional gardens have been implemented, including the Rose Garden, the Conifer Garden, the Sir Walter Raleigh Garden, the Atkins Hillside Garden, the Fruit & Vegetable Garden, Hackley Woodland Garden, Ambrose Japanese Garden and the Desmond Native Wetland Trail Garden. Today, the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens cover twenty-seven acres. They are open to the public every day of the year from dawn to sunset and offer as educational adventure to anyone with an interest in plants, nature, and design composition.