If you haven't had a look at the growing plant list, please do. I know you won't be disappointed.

Shop before the sale opens to the public on Saturday during Raulston Blooms!

JCRA Members receive 10% off plant purchases made either day.

 

Come early and stroll the garden, it is looking beautiful and Buzzy Bakes will be onsite serving their gourmet coffee and delectable baked goods.

Bring it with you on Saturday to Raulston Blooms! and ask a certified arborist. We will have two ISA Certified Arborists onsite during the Tree Climbing Demonstration from 11:30 AM-1:00 PM. You don't want to miss this very informative demonstration courtesy of NC State horticulture students and alumni.

Faye Koonce has been the smiling face to greet visitors who come to the Ruby C. McSwain Education Center virtually from the day it opened. Her warmth and glowing personality has been a constant over the last dozen years and has led to hundreds of new members for the JCRA as well as all sorts of weddings and other rentals. A week hardly goes by in spring without a letter from a new bride (or bride's mother) letting me know what a wonderful experience it has been working with Faye. All good things come to an end and Faye has decided to retire and spend more time in her own garden. She will be missed but we hope to see her regularly out enjoying the garden.

Bonsai combines a three dimension art form and basic horticulture. Join Harold Johnson, Triangle Bonsai Society, in this two part educational program as he discusses and demonstrates the art and science of bonsai. In the morning session, he'll describe the basics of bonsai design through a lecture and visual presentation. In addition, the presentation will include discussion on selecting plant material suitable for bonsai and the basics of caring for a bonsai. During the afternoon workshop, participants will receive assistance as they design their own bonsai, prune their juniper to the design they chose, and then plant their outdoor bonsai in a ceramic bonsai pot. The juniper, bonsai container, wire, and soil are included in the workshop fee. If possible, participants should bring their own garden shears.

For more information, please visit the JC Raulston Arboretum's Web site or contact Chris Glenn at (919) 513-7005 or chris_glenn@ncsu.edu.

Register

Join us in welcoming Kathryn Wall, our new membership and volunteer coordinator. Kathryn comes to us with membership, event planning, and volunteer management experience. Working as the communications manager for the Association Executives of North Carolina, she understands the importance of membership and the key role it serves to further an organization's mission. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; is the mother of three beautiful girls; and is active in her church's community garden program. Three weeks working at the Arboretum and she's already making an impact.

 

Kathryn can be reached at (919) 513-7004 and kathryn_wall@ncsu.edu. She's in office #101 - stop by and say hello, she loves meeting our members and volunteers.

 

Kathy Field, business services coordinator, has moved down the hall into office #114C. She can still be reached at (919) 513-0264 and kathy_field@ncsu.edu.

 

I am in the front office (#101) and can be reached at (919) 513-6789 and arlene_calhoun@ncsu.edu. Kathryn Wall and I are currently sharing an office.

 

As you have read, Faye Koonce is retiring and our new facility and rental coordinator starts on April 18. Her name is Emily Peters, more about her at a later date.

 

We appreciate your understanding as we make these transitions. Bear with us in the coming weeks - we may experience a few growing pains.

 

If you can't find the person you need, just ask me. I'll make sure you find them. Thank you for your patience. We'll let you know where you can find us once the dust settles.

Gala in the Garden
Sunday, May 1
3:30 PM-7:00 PM