From midsummer to early fall, something special takes place in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The days are humid, the nights are cool, and the dahlias are in full bloom—especially at the historic High Hampton Inn. Located about an hour-and-a-half south of Asheville in the small yet scenic town of Cashiers, the Inn sits atop 1,400 acres of land with views of rolling hills meeting the blue sky. Its brown bark exterior and wraparound porches are charming enough to make anyone want to slow their pace and settle into the simplicity. And that mindset is not just welcomed at High Hampton, it’s encouraged. The property’s emphasis on unhurried relaxation extends to its design, where every detail—from the creak of the old floorboards to the rustle of leaves in the breeze—invites visitors to savor the moment. The inn’s proximity to Cashiers, a town known for its preserved historic charm and proximity to national forests, adds to its appeal as a destination where natural beauty and cultural heritage intersect.
A Legacy in Petals
High Hampton has a storied past, and so do the dahlias that grow there. In the 1800s, the estate belonged to the family of Caroline Hampton. When Caroline married Dr. William S. Halsted, a founding surgeon at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland, the couple began traveling South more frequently to spend time at the home. Halsted later purchased the property from Caroline’s family, and they officially made High Hampton their summer retreat. Gardening, specifically the planting of dahlias, became one of many ways to pass the time. “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,” says Drew English, High Hampton dahlia gardener. “The original garden was a full acre in size and completely enclosed with a hedge of honey locusts.” This design, which protected the delicate blooms from the elements, has influenced the garden’s layout for generations. Today, the property’s commitment to preserving this legacy is evident in its meticulous care of the dahlias, which now span a range of colors and forms that reflect both historical traditions and modern horticultural techniques.
Related: The Vital Contributions of Pharmacist Specialists in Healthcare
Nearly 100 years later, High Hampton has been restored back to its original glory—with some modern-day creature comforts, of course. 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 restoration effort has preserved the estate’s architectural character while incorporating amenities that cater to contemporary travelers. This balance is particularly apparent in the garden, where the original honey locust hedge has been maintained alongside newer additions like irrigation systems and soil enrichment programs. The result is a living museum of botanical history, where guests can walk among the same types of plants that Dr. Halsted once tended, now thriving in a climate that has evolved over time.
Dahlia Days: A Celebration of Blooms
While the property is open year-round, 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. For three wonderful 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,” says English. This year’s lineup includes FLOWER editor-in-chief Margot Shaw and experts like 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 setting architecture. But rest assured, the dahlias will be the star of the show. “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,” says Bekky Blenkitni, groups and events manager at High Hampton. “And there will be a curated pop-up shop, as well as masterfully crafted meals.” The event’s programming reflects the inn’s commitment to blending education with indulgence, offering attendees a chance to learn from industry leaders while immersing themselves in the garden’s splendor.
