From midsummer to early fall, the Blue Ridge Mountains are home to a special event: the blooming of dahlias at the historic High Hampton Inn. The days are humid, the nights are cool, and the dahlias are in full bloom, especially at the Inn, which sits atop 1,400 acres of land with views of rolling hills meeting the blue sky.
Dahlias at High Hampton Inn
Located about an hour-and-a-half south of Asheville in the small town of Cashiers, the Inn has a storied past, and so do the dahlias that grow there. In the 1800s, the estate belonged to the family of Caroline Hampton, who later married Dr. William S. Halsted, a founding surgeon at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland.
Dr. Halsted and his wife began traveling South more frequently to spend time at the home, and he later purchased the property from Caroline’s family. Gardening, specifically the planting of dahlias, became one of many ways to pass the time. According to Drew English, High Hampton dahlia gardener, “Since Dr. Halsted first cultivated his collection of dahlias at High Hampton in the early 1900s, the flowers have earned a prominent presence across the plateau and become a guest and member favorite at High Hampton.”
Restoration and Modern Comforts
Nearly 100 years later, High Hampton has been restored back to its original glory, with some modern-day creature comforts. Today, while you still hear the creak of the old floorboards and the hum of the cicadas, you can also cool off in the air-conditioning, rest easy in locally crafted furniture, and dine at one of the well-regarded restaurants on site.
The property is open year-round, but the tail end of summer is when a rather petal-centric group of guests visit the resort and drift through the dazzling dahlia garden during peak season. Dahlia Days is returning for its third year at the resort, August 30 – September 2, 2026.
During this year’s Dahlia Days, guests are invited to wander through the dahlia garden and see the beautiful blooms for themselves. The dahlia garden is now overflowing with more than 600 plants, representing decades of dedicated gardening with a color wheel of variety, shapes, and sizes.
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Dahlia Days Events
FLOWER editor-in-chief Margot Shaw will join a group of special guests, including interior designer Barry Dixon, jewelry designer Elizabeth Locke, and setting architect Ben Page, to share stories, tips, and plenty of expertise—not only about dahlias but also fashion, design, florals, and design architecture.
High Hampton’s own Dahlia gardener Drew English will share the history of dahlias on the property and take guests on tours through the rows of stunning blooms in the dahlia gardens. They will also have a curated pop-up shop, as well as masterfully crafted meals.
To reserve your spot, you can call High Hampton Inn at 800-648-4252 or email Reservations@highhampton.com. This getaway will be the perfect time for flower lovers to unwind, learn something new, and indulge in beauty and design like never before.
The on-site dining is some of the finest in North Carolina’s high country, with an award-winning culinary team creating mouthwatering dishes no matter the season.
No matter what you do—or don’t do—at High Hampton Inn, the cozy yet elegant atmosphere will always welcome you. You can learn more and book your stay by visiting the High Hampton website.
