News from our JCRA Advisory Board Chair

By Melanie Kelley, Advisory Board Chair

Many of you probably don’t know me, but I started volunteering at the JC Raulston Arboretum as soon as we moved to Raleigh about 15 years ago. Not being from this part of the country, I saw an article in the Raleigh News and Observer and went to a lecture about camellias (because I didn’t know anything about them). I immediately fell in love with the JC Raulston Arboretum—a love that continues to this day. It is a wonderful place to spend some time or take a walk.

Not having a horticulture degree, I found the Arboretum to be a great place to educate myself. Volunteering at the Arboretum was fantastic because there was something new to learn about plants every time I visited, and the Arboretum staff was so very appreciative of my help. Today, most of my garden contains plants that I have propagated, purchased, or learned about at the Arboretum. Those of you who volunteer at the Arboretum already know that it is the best place to give your time.

While I no longer live in the Raleigh metro area, I love this University and the Arboretum. Continuing to give financially to the Arboretum is important to me because the Arboretum has given me hours of pleasure and a hobby in retirement. I have met student interns and other volunteers that I am thankful to now know as friends.

Last year for the first time the Arboretum Board of Advisors led a challenge match on the Day of Giving. With your help, the Arboretum exceeded its gifting goals by receiving over 200 donations.   

Let’s do the same this year! On March 23, the JCRA Board of Advisors will have another challenge match and we invite you to join us in contributing to the Arboretum. Every gift will help and will be very appreciated. Mark your calendars! If you are interested in learning more about how you can support the JCRA on Day of Giving please contact Alycia Thornton, director of development at alycia_thornton@ncsu.edu or (919) 513-7068.

"Paperbark Maple Conservation Project"
Kris Bachtell, The Morton Arboretum

Although it is a well-known and beloved garden plant, paperbark maple (Acer griseum) is endangered in its native habitat in China. To help secure its future, Kris Bachtell has traveled worldwide collecting samples of the species, from public gardens in the United States and United Kingdom to the wilds of the People's Republic of China. These expeditions are helping scientists understand the genetic diversity of the species to guide its planting and conservation. Get a botanist's perspective on the history of paperbark maple in the wild and in cultivation and learn how this project can serve as a model for helping to conserve other threatened species.

"Lake Dredging, Water Plants, and Winemaking: Hangzhou’s West Lake as an Urbanized Nature in Middle Period China"
Xiaolin Duan, Ph.D., NC State University

West Lake, in scenic Hangzhou on China's east coast, has been celebrated as a major tourist site since the twelfth century and has long served as an icon of Chinese landscape appreciation, garden design, and literary/artistic expression. Although scholars have extolled West Lake as an example of pure nature, it is ultimately a man-made nature dependent on constant lake dredging. In Middle-Period China (9th–15th century), the lake served as a resource for city water, a significant site for water plants, and winemaking. Since the twelfth century, when the capital was relocated to Hangzhou, the emerging excursions and rich commercial activities around the lake complicated its functions. Economic profit and ecological sustainability thus became two major considerations in lake management. On the one hand, the government encouraged to profit from the sightseeing business and wine bureaus. They then used the tax revenue to enhance the lake scenery. On the other hand, the government restricted and sacrificed water plants to guarantee water supply for the city. As the health of the lake became linked to the sustainability of Hangzhou, the lake was ecologically transformed and spatially incorporated into the city, becoming an exemplary "urbanized nature."

New Recruit

By Dennis Carey, Curator

The JC Raulston Arboretum is happy to announce that we have a new staff member. Former 2017 summer intern, Sophia McCusker, has joined the JCRA team as the nursery and research technician, a new position which will allow us to grow even more plants for our collections and distributions to members, nurseries, botanical institutions, and plant breeders.

Sophia will be in charge of all our nursery and propagation efforts, including the propagation volunteers; managing our eight greenhouses; and keeping them organized, repaired, and weed/pest free. Sophia will also be working with Bernadette Clarke on propagating and preparing the annual trials and will help coordinate the hundreds of plant requests we receive each year. Plus she will be the JCRA liaison to the JC Raulston Arboretum Research Farm at Lake Wheeler.

Sophia is a 2018 graduate of the NC State University Agricultural Institute and was the class valedictorian. She is a Raleigh native who currently lives in Cary with her husband Daniel; her son James; and two cats, Baxter and Tiny Cat.

Join us in welcoming Sophia to the JCRA family.

Gardening in the South

By Christopher Todd Glenn, Programs and Education Coordinator, and the Symposium Speakers

Container gardening fits nicely into the active lifestyles of many gardeners who feel the pressures of limited time and space. Regardless of your limitations, growing in containers is freeing and provides ample opportunities to expand the plant palette! Brian Jackson, Ph.D., will discuss potting media options for successful container gardens and Leanne Kenealy Atkins shares many lessons she's learned from growing in containers to make you a more successful gardener during this winter's Gardening in the South symposium on Saturday, February 5. Gardening in the South is sponsored by Leaf & Limb.

Gardening in the South features Leanne Kenealy Atkins, horticulturist, and Brian Jackson, Ph.D., NC State University.

Presentations

"Proper Selection and Use of Soilless Growing Media for Containers in the Home Garden"
Brian Jackson, Ph.D., NC State University

The presentation will provide "all the dirt" on one of the most important components in any home landscape or plant production system … growing media! Guidance will be provided on how to properly select the right growing media for different uses as well as how to properly use it when you get it home. Proper handling, storage, pot filling, watering, and reuse or disposal are all important steps in assuring maximized use of the soilless media products you purchase. We will also highlight some other interesting and important topics including sustainability of potting soils, different components and ingredients, fungus and algae growth, as well as many others.

Coming Attractions

By Nancy Doubrava, JCRA Volunteer

Magnolia stellata 'Chrysanthemumiflora'
many-petalled star magnolia

Daphne pseudomezereum

Helleborus ×ericsmithii 'Pirouette'
hellebore

Magnolia ×loebneri 'Willowwood'
Loebner magnolia